Sleep problems exist at every age group, and that’s why we’re delighted to remind everyone that we not only consult adults, but also adolescents above the age of 14years. The sleep needs of your Teenager should be as tailored to them as it would to any Adult. Sleep in Teenagers is unique.

Adolescents aren’t just ‘little adults’. Their problems are specific in their age group, and are well and truly above and beyond a simple ‘sleep apnoea’ test. They shouldn’t be treated just like any other adult.

In the younger age group, there is a higher propensity for Central Hypersomnias (including Narcolepsy and Idiopathic Hypersomnolence). They’re more likely to experience NREM parasomnias, sleep walking and sleep talking, night terrors and arousal disorders. Their Circadian Rhythm is more likely to be reflective of Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, or Free Running Rhythm (now known as Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Rhythm).

Increasingly we’re seeing more and more of those with Periodic Limb Movements or The Restless Legs Syndrome too.

Home sleep studies are restricted to those above 18yo, and often have no consultation with any specialist of any kind. That’s why we prefer in-hospital studies, and our specialists will always personally see you with the results.

We’re accredited to see more than just adults, and we routinely perform Sleep Studies on those under the age of 18.

If you want your Sleep needs taken seriously, no matter what age you are, give us a call and we’ll put you in contact with our Adelaide Sleep Specialist.

© APSS 2014

There are many reasons why someone’s blood pressure may be high, including genetic reasons, dietary reasons, and cardiac reasons. But did you know that one of the most important (and often missed) contributors is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

The common link between Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) and Hypertension (high blood pressure) has been known for a long time, and yet we all still overlook this. There is significant literature regarding the link between the two.

More recently, an analysis of the heartBEAT study by Walia et al(1) showed an association between severe untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea and resistant Hypertension. This was even whilst on blood pressure medications!

They found those with Severe OSA had a 400% higher risk of resistant hypertension. Medications often did not help, unless the OSA was treated.

The messages from this study are simple : Always think about OSA in those with hypertension, always exclude OSA first…

Key points :

•  OSA is a recognized major contributor to Hypertension
•  On more than 2 antihypertensives… think OSA!
•  Not responding to blood pressure medications… think OSA!
•  OSA increases risk of treatment-resistant hypertension by 4x

Our Adelaide sleep doctors can consult you, perform and report your sleep study, and your Adelaide sleep specialist will commence you on treatment. Give our Adelaide sleep clinic a call now.

1. Walia et al. J Clin Sleep Med. 2014;10:835-843

© APSS 2014

Do you sleepwalk, sleeptalk, perhaps sleep-eat, or even hurt yourself or others in the night? This is usually indicative of a Parasomnia.

Undesirable and non-deliberate behaviours in the night whilst asleep (or at the transition in/out of sleep) are known as Parasomnias. These are exceedingly common in the younger age group, and can often be an indicator of other co-morbid sleep disorders in the older age group. More recently, they’ve attracted a lot of attention in the form of sleep-sex (sexsomnia!), sleep-related violence, and sleep-driving.

More commonly Parasomnias present as sleepwalking, sleeptalking, perhaps hitting out and hurting themselves or others.

In the past, these phenomena were attributed to behavioural or psychiatric disorders, but we now know that :

•  Parasomnias are a manifestation of many sleep disorders
•  Parasomnias are readily explainable
•  We can diagnose them easily
•  Parasomnias (both NREM and RBD) are treatable.

NREM Parasomnias are more common in the young, REM Parasomnias (REM Behaviour Disorder) more common in the older group and in those taking particular medications. Parasomnias also overlap with other conditions such as Narcolepsy. Treating Parasomnias without knowing their true triggers can make matters worse.

In our local Adelaide sleep clinic, we can consult you.

In our state-of-the-art Adelaide Sleep Laboratory, we can study these, assess the true triggers, and video-record any activity (something home sleep studies cannot do). We can also assess to see if these overlap with other conditions including Narcolepsy – this also can’t be done in the home.

If you suffer from a Parasomnia, contact us for an appointment.

© APSS 2014

Untreated OSA is associated with a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, worsening diabetes, and car accidents. Did you know that it could be costing you a lot more than you think? Consider the sick days, lost productivity, and higher long-term health costs.

In a recent economic review by Tarasiuka et al (Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2013), leaving OSA untreated doubled your overall medical expenses – mainly because of heart disease.

Hillman et al (Sleep 2006) similarly found disturbing costs associated with Sleep Disorders in Australia, costs that are unseen and affect every citizen. These included costs from work-related accidents, car accidents, reduced productivity, and lost work days. Hillman estimated a loss of $7,494,000,000 USD (yes, that many zeros!) to the Australian economy in 2004 as a result of Sleep Disorders.

How are you performing?

•  Lost productivity from poor memory?
•  Walking in a fog?
•  Waking up unrefreshed?
•  Sleeping away your days?
•  Finding it difficult to stay awake, even when off-work?

Don’t lose any more productivity.

Enjoy your time at home more. Make each day count. Come see one of our Adelaide Sleep Specialists now.

© APSS 2014

Did you know that OSA can manifest in your eyes?

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) can contribute to many changes in your body. It can manifest with snoring, apneas, excessive daytime sleepiness, poor memory and concentration.

Did you know that OSA can manifest in eye disease? And we’re talking about more than just baggy eyes! These eye conditions include :

•  Glaucoma
•  Floppy Eyelid Syndrome
•  Papilloedema
•  Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
•  Retinal Vein Occlusion

Several studies have linked all the above eye conditions with untreated OSA. If picked up early by your optometrist / ophthalmologist / GP, your OSA could be diagnosed earlier and get treatment earlier.

OSA can cause fluctuations in oxygenation levels, blood pressure, and subsequently ocular perfusion pressures.

If you have one of these eye disorders, make sure that OSA is not contributing to it. Call our Sleep Clinic to organise a sleep study.

© APSS 2014

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is associated with diabetes, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, glaucoma, and of course heart disease. One of the more exciting and new links is between Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and OSA.

Both conditions are very common. AF is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in Australia, and OSA affects upto 24% of men and 9% of women. OSA combined with sleepiness (OSA Syndrome) occurs in 4% of men and 2% of women (1).

Patients with AF and those with OSA share similar demographic features – they are more likely to be male, hypertensive, of an older age, and have a higher body mass index. However, this link is much more than statistical chance.

Many studies have established that patients with severe OSA are significantly more likely to develop AF, increasing their risk by four times (2).

OSA decreases the likelihood of successful cardioversion (from medications or electrically) and increases the risk of AF returning. The recurrence rate of AF after cardioversion can be as high as 82% (3).

AF also recurs more often in those with OSA after radiofrequency catheter ablation (4).

According to Sleep Disorders Physician Dr Dien Dang, this is unsurprising considering the severe degree of haemodynamic compromise that occurs with OSA.

“OSA causes severe desaturations, cyclical hypoxaemia, and can structurally change your heart over time,” said Dr Dang, “Everyone who has ever had AF should consider a Sleep Study at Burnside Hospital.”

•  The OSA and AF population overlap considerably.
•  OSA can affect AF profoundly
•  Untreated OSA increases AF risk by 4x
•  Untreated OSA increases cardioversion failure by 4x

If you have Atrial Fibrillation, call us now for an in-Hospital Sleep Study.

1.  Young et al. NEJM 1993
2.  The Sleep Heart Health Study. AJRCCM 2006
3.  Kanagala et al. Circulation 2003
4.  Naruse Y et al. Heart Rhythm. 2012

© APSS 2014