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The symptoms of sleep apnea will vary in severity from mild, moderate to severe sleep apnea. Or they may differ due to various causes and types of sleep apnea, but generally, they all share the common symptoms listed below.

• Loud Snoring: Persistent and loud snoring is a common sign of sleep apnea. It may be accompanied by choking or gasping sounds due to airway obstruction.
• Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: Feeling excessively drowsy during the day, even after a full night’s sleep. You may struggle to stay awake, especially while driving, working, or sitting still for extended periods.
• Pauses in Breathing: Short pauses in breathing during sleep, lasting from a few seconds to over 10 seconds. These episodes are often noticed by a partner and may be followed by sudden gasping or choking.
• Restless Sleep: Frequent awakenings throughout the night without an obvious reason. You may toss and turn, sweat excessively, or feel unrefreshed upon waking.
• Morning Headaches: Waking up with headaches, often caused by oxygen deprivation and sleep disruptions. The pain may last for a few minutes to a few hours after waking up.
• Difficulty Concentrating: Trouble focusing, remembering things, or processing information. You may feel mentally foggy, easily forgetful, and less productive at work or daily tasks. Mood changes such as irritability and anxiety can also occur.

You should monitor your sleep quality by observing and listening to your body. If you notice symptoms of sleep apnea such as snoring, restless sleep, daytime drowsiness, headaches upon waking, and difficulty concentrating.

The first thing you need to do is maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat and sleep regularly, and limit the use of stimulants like alcohol and beer.

In case the symptoms persist, you should go to the clinic for diagnosis and to undergo a sleep study. You can choose to have a sleep study at home or in a sleep lab based on your doctor’s advice. Including:

• Home Sleep Study is a simple way to assess whether you have sleep apnea from the comfort of your home. These tests typically measure key indicators like airflow, breathing effort, blood oxygen levels, and heart rate using compact, easy-to-use monitoring devices. The test allows patients to maintain their regular sleep environment. While it provides valuable insights into sleep apnea, it may not capture more complex sleep disorders, and results should be reviewed by a sleep specialist for accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
• In-lab Sleep Study (In-lab polysomnography) is a comprehensive, diagnostic test conducted under controlled conditions in a laboratory to study numerous physiological functions during sleep. This more sophisticated study includes monitoring brain activity by EEG, eye movements by EOG, muscle activity by EMG, and recording heart rate and rhythm by ECG; it will also include an analysis of respiration with channels such as oxygen saturation and airflow.

To determine the severity of sleep apnea, you should consider daily symptoms, including even the mildest ones. Additionally, the AHI score can help accurately assess the severity of the condition. CLM Sleep will provide you with information to differentiate the three severity levels of sleep apnea. 

Mild Sleep Apnea

– Definition: Occurs when there are 5 to 15 apneas (pauses in breathing) per hour of sleep.
– Symptoms: Often mild or absent, but may include light snoring, dry mouth, or slight daytime fatigue.
– Treatment: Typically managed with lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, or the use of CPAP in more severe cases.

Moderate Sleep Apnea

– Definition: Occurs when there are 15 to 30 apneas per hour of sleep.
– Symptoms: More noticeable symptoms, including loud snoring, choking or gasping, and excessive daytime sleepiness.
– Treatment: CPAP therapy is commonly recommended to maintain consistent airflow during sleep.

Severe Sleep Apnea:

– Definition: Occurs when there are more than 30 apneas per hour of sleep.
– Symptoms: In addition to noticeable symptoms such as loud snoring, pauses in breathing, or gasping during sleep, individuals with Severe Sleep Apnea often experience frequent awakenings and excessive daytime sleepiness. They also face difficulty concentrating and an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
– Treatment: CPAP or BiPAP therapy is usually necessary, and in some cases, surgery or oral appliances may be recommended.

There are three (03) main types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): is a common yet serious sleep disorder characterised by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. This occurs when the muscles that support the soft tissues in your throat, such as your tongue and soft palate, temporarily relax. When these muscles relax, your airway is narrowed or closed, and breathing is momentarily cut off.
• Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a complex sleep disorder due to a lack of signals from the brain, in which breathing is interrupted, repeatedly stopping and starting during sleep. The brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing, causing breathing to stop intermittently. Some episodes of apnea can last for a few seconds, others can last for tens of seconds or even minutes, depending on the severity. 
• Complex sleep apnea (CompSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by both obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea. (CSA). Initially, the patient will be diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. Subsequently, the condition progressed to Central Sleep Apnea while being treated with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. This will make the disease much more complicated and difficult to treat.

Treating sleep apnea requires time and patience. Depending on the cause and severity of the condition, patients will be assigned the most appropriate treatment method. CLM Sleep Co. offers a range of treatment programs designed to address various aspects of sleep health:

• CPAP Programme: This program provides patients with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, which is considered the gold standard treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). It includes comprehensive education, equipment setup, and ongoing support to ensure effective therapy.
• 360° Sleep Programme: A holistic approach to sleep health, this program encompasses a comprehensive education, general assessment of sleep hygiene, general assessment of diet & weight management, a trial of therapy, data analysis, and evaluation of treatment efficacy with options to other treatment modalities. Sessions are led by experienced consultants who take a lifestyle approach to prepare patients for long-term success. 
• Sleep Coaching Programme:Designed for individuals experiencing ongoing sleep issues despite practicing good sleep hygiene, this program offers comprehensive sleep management with regular monitoring, recommendations, and support by an experienced sleep coach. It also includes assessments with actigraphy and interventions such as sleep rescheduling to correct sleep patterns.
• Diet & Weight Management Programme: Tailored for patients with sleep apnea, nutritional deficiencies, and metabolic syndrome, this program is designed by dietitians and nutritionists who offer a range of individualized weight loss programs and solutions to treat nutrient deficiencies.
• RECLAIMsleep Programme: This program supports the continual management of therapy for existing CPAP users. It is designed to achieve improved therapy control and maximize sleep health outcomes. Sessions are led by experienced consultants and incorporate data analysis, pressure calibration, sleep hygiene advice, and equipment maintenance. 
• Sleep Dental Programme: Developed by dental practitioners, this program is designed for patients where indicated as a first-line therapy or when CPAP therapy is not viable. It includes a comprehensive pre-assessment and, for suitable patients, a trial of a custom-made dental sleep appliance with an in-built compliance tracker, evaluation of treatment efficacy, and follow-ups.
• Sleep Positional Therapy: For patients who may not require CPAP therapy as their sleep apnea events occur mainly when sleeping in the supine position, positional therapy helps keep these patients off their backs, thereby reducing or minimizing their apneas and snoring levels throughout the night.

Selecting the best sleep apnea machine is a critical step toward improving your health, sleep quality, and overall well-being. Sleep apnea poses significant health risks, but with the right CPAP machine, you can enjoy uninterrupted sleep and reduce the chances of serious complications. When choosing a CPAP machine, consider essential factors such as your therapy needs, comfort features, noise level, and mask compatibility. Modern CPAP machines offer advanced features like mobile app integration, smart sensors, and data tracking, making it easier than ever to manage your sleep apnea treatment.

1. ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet CPAP Machine: Auto-adjusting pressure ensures personalized therapy. Features a modern touchscreen for easy navigation, a built-in humidifier for added comfort, and myAir™ app connectivity for real-time sleep tracking and insights.

2. Fisher & Paykel SleepStyle Auto: Simple controls with large buttons for ease of use. The SensAwake™ feature reduces pressure when the user wakes up, while smart humidification prevents dryness. Its quiet operation and compact design make it a convenient choice.

3. ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet CPAP Machine: Compact and user-friendly with automatic pressure adjustment. Easy-Breathe technology provides natural airflow for a more comfortable experience. Wireless connectivity allows remote therapy monitoring, helping users stay on track.

4. ResMed AirMini CPAP Machine: Ultra-portable and travel-friendly without compromising performance. Bluetooth-enabled AirMini™ app offers control and therapy tracking. Supports multiple modes and features waterless HumidX™ technology for hassle-free humidification.

5. Philips Respironics DreamStation Auto CPAP: Designed for quiet operation with an intuitive interface. Auto-adjusting pressure adapts to breathing patterns for effective therapy. The DreamMapper™ app allows users to monitor progress, and its sleek, modern design fits seamlessly into any sleep setup.