Tracey Goldman, manager of new Muswellbrook business MedSleep, said that the disruption of sleep or excessive daytime sleepiness may be caused by physiological or psychological factors. 

“Snoring may seem “normal” but may represent difficulty in keeping the airway open. Sleep apnea, which is more serious, is a chronic medical condition where the person stops breathing during sleep,” she said.

People who have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) stop breathing repeatedly during sleep because their airway collapses. These pauses in breathing can happen many times an hour, and when sleep is interrupted in this way, serious health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes are seriously impacted, not to mention the person’s daytime fatigue, moodiness, lack of motivation and libido, and a higher risk of stroke, and driving and work related accidents.

Ms Goldman said that OSA is more common in people who are obese, have a large neck, sometimes it can be hereditary and without any of the common signs.

“Some of the key signs and symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness, loud or disruptive snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, grogginess and morning headaches, frequent urination at night, depression and irritability,” she said.

Sleep problems can be diagnosed through a home sleep study with MedSleep.

“This easier and faster testing leads to improve patient health outcomes much quicker,” Ms Goldman said.

To have a home based sleep study the patient needs a referral from their doctor before making an appointment with a MedSleep technician. The technician will provide you with instructions and a demonstration of how to set up the sleep-monitoring device.

The device is worn overnight to monitor your sleeping patterns, body movement, snoring, eye movements, oxygen levels, heart rhythm and rate. Return the device to MedSleep the following morning where the data will be sent for diagnosis.

“If diagnosed with OSA, we will follow the recommendations from the Sleep Specialist,” Ms Goldman said.

“The most common and effective treatment of OSA is the use of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy – using air pressure to splint the airway open to eliminate the obstruction and allow normal breathing.

“MedSleep offer continuous care and support for our patients, and we offer the latest range of masks and machines for trial, rental and sales,” Ms Goldman said.

You’ll find MedSleep at Priceline Muswellbrook.