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Sleep apnoea research paves way to targeted new therapies

There may be relief on the horizon for many Australians with obstructive sleep apnoea who remain under-treated.
The disorder is frequently associated with heavy snoring, choking and gasping during sleep.
The gold standard treatment is CPAP – Continuous Positive Airways Pressure – which involves the use of a mask at night to deliver air under low-pressure to keep the airways open.
Unfortunately, the machine is poorly tolerated and other measures such as dental devices and weight loss vary in effectiveness or make results difficult to achieve.
Sleep apnoea sufferers are underdiagnosed. (Getty)
Sleep apnoea sufferers are underdiagnosed. (Getty)
But recent discoveries about the range of causes of sleep apnoea will pave the way for more personalised treatment, experts at Sydney's Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) have said.
"Anatomy is the main reason why people get sleep apnoea, but the work we've done recently shows there's also these three other causes and that's exciting because it now opens the door to new pathways for therapies," doctor Danny Ecker said.
Their research shows poor muscle control affects a third of all sleep apnoea patients. This could be improved through specific training exercises of the tongue and middle part of the throat.
Other techniques include stimulation of the tongue's nerves and targeting the problem with medications such as potassium channel blockers.
Recent evidence also indicates that between 30 and 50 percent of all sleep apnoea patients wake up too easily.
Sleeping pills hold potential for this group of sufferers, although long-term studies using different doses and drugs are needed to determine the risks and benefits.
"Finally, some people are just too sensitive to carbon dioxide," Dr Eckert said.
He said oxygen therapy or medication such as acetazolamide could benefit those who experience this problem.
"We're interested in personalising sleep apnoea treatment so that the appropriate treatment is delivered to the appropriate individual," he said.
Dr Eckert and his colleagues have published their research in medical journal CHEST.
Mark O'Hara is one of more than a million Australian adults with the disorder, and lost 11kg after focussing on his diet and exercise.
He said the hardest part was giving up coffee and alcohol, but found the results rewarding.
"My sleep has vastly improved, energy levels during the day have increased," Mr O'Hara said.
Dr Eckert said obstructive sleep apnoea was a major public health concern, with most sufferers remaining undiagnosed, untreated or undertreated.
"It can affect your heart, it can make you feel tired, you're seven or eight times more likely to crash your car," he said.
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