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Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a relatively common condition whereby the walls of the throat relax and narrow during sleep, interrupting normal breathing. “This may lead to regularly interrupted sleep, which can have a big impact on quality of life and increases the risk of developing certain conditions,” explains the NHS. Naturally, many of the symptoms associated with OSA are sleep-related.
According to the NHS, these include:
- Loud snoring
- Noisy and laboured breathing
- Repeated short periods where breathing is interrupted by gasping or snorting.
“Some people with OSA may also experience night sweats and may wake up frequently during the night to urinate,” adds the health body.
There are also a number of symptoms associated with OSA that can show up when you are awake.
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, one common symptom is sexual dysfunction.
Sexual dysfunction is a general term to describe any problem occurring during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual or couple from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual activity.
The most prevalent sexual dysfunction symptom linked to OSA is erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction describes the inability to get and maintain an erection that is sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse.
Researchers have found evidence of a reciprocal relationship between OSA and erectile dysfunction.
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A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that 69 percent of male participants diagnosed with OSA also had erectile dysfunction.
Another study found erectile dysfunction in about 63 percent of study participants with sleep apnea.
By contrast, only 47 percent of men in the study without OSA had erectile dysfunction.
Furthermore, in a survey
The findings also suggested that men with erectile dysfunction are at a higher risk of having other undiagnosed sleep disorders.
How to treat OSA
According to Mayo Clinic, for milder cases of OSA, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes.
These include:
Lose weight if you’re overweight
Exercise regularly
Drink alcohol moderately, if at all, and don’t drink several hours before bedtime
Quit smoking
Use a nasal decongestant or allergy medications
Don’t sleep on your back
Avoid taking sedative medications such as anti-anxiety drugs or sleeping pills.
“If these measures don’t improve your sleep or if your apnea is moderate to severe, then your doctor may recommend other treatments,” adds the health body.
of over 120 men with erectile dysfunction, 55 percent reported symptoms related to sleep apnea.
The findings also suggested that men with erectile dysfunction are at a higher risk of having other undiagnosed sleep disorders.
How to treat OSA
According to Mayo Clinic, for milder cases of OSA, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes.
These include:
- Lose weight if you’re overweight
- Exercise regularly
- Drink alcohol moderately, if at all, and don’t drink several hours before bedtime
- Quit smoking
- Use a nasal decongestant or allergy medications
- Don’t sleep on your back
- Avoid taking sedative medications such as anti-anxiety drugs or sleeping pills.
“If these measures don’t improve your sleep or if your apnea is moderate to severe, then your doctor may recommend other treatments,” adds the health body.
There are a number of devices that aim to unblock the airways, for example.
“Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are common,” explains the British Lung Foundation (BLF).
According to the BLF, there are many different devices available but it’s best to have one made for you by a trained health care professional.
“If you live in an area that prescribes these devices on the NHS, you’ll be referred to a specialist to make your device. If not, you may have to buy your own,” it adds.
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