Good sleep - and when it's lacking

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder in which the airway repeatedly becomes blocked or narrowed during sleep. This usually occurs because the muscles in the throat relax, causing the airway to partially or completely collapse, obstructing airflow. When the airway becomes blocked, the person temporarily stops breathing – a pause that can last from a few seconds to over a minute, and can happen many times during the night.

Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea

Loud snoring: One of the most common symptoms, often with sudden pauses followed by gasping breaths.

Restless sleep: Frequent awakenings due to breathing pauses.

Daytime fatigue: Lack of consistent sleep can lead to fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and a feeling of being unmotivated.

Morning headache: Short oxygen breaks can cause headaches or discomfort in the morning.

Mood swings and irritability: Lack of sleep can affect mood and increase the risk of depression and irritability.

Risk factors and causes

Obstructive sleep apnea most often affects adults, especially those who are overweight. Other risk factors include age, smoking, alcohol consumption, an anatomically narrow airway, and a family history of sleep apnea.

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

CPAP machine: A machine that uses air pressure to keep the airways open during sleep so that breathing can continue uninterrupted.

Lifestyle changes: Weight loss, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol intake can reduce symptoms.

Mouth splint: A dentist can make a splint that helps hold the jaw in a position that keeps the airway open.

Surgery: In some cases, surgical procedures can help if the airways are too narrow.

Obstructive sleep apnea can have serious health consequences, such as an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, so it is important to get treatment if you have symptoms.

Insomnia, or sleeplessness, is a condition in which you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early without being able to fall back asleep. This can lead to feeling unmotivated and tired during the day. Insomnia can be short-term (acute) and occur due to stress, life changes, or temporary worries, but it can also be long-term (chronic) and last for weeks, months, or longer.

Types of insomnia

Acute insomnia: Short-term insomnia that can last from a few days to a few weeks, often associated with stressful events.

Chronic insomnia: Long-term insomnia that occurs at least three times a week and lasts for three months or more.

Common causes of insomnia

Stress: Work, family problems, or other worries can affect the ability to fall asleep.

Irregular circadian rhythm: For example, jet lag or shift work.

Bad sleep habits: Like too much time in front of screens right before bed, irregular bedtime, or an uncomfortable sleeping environment.

Mental disorders: Anxiety and depression are often associated with sleep problems.

Physical health problems: For example, pain, asthma, or digestive problems.

Medications and stimulants: Some medications and caffeine can affect sleep.

Symptoms of insomnia

Difficulty falling asleep

Frequent awakenings during the night

Feeling unwell during the day

Difficulty concentrating, irritability and depressed mood

Treatment and prevention

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-I): A common treatment method that helps change negative thought patterns and habits around sleep.

Sleep restriction and stimulus control: Reduce time in bed to actual sleep time and avoid activities in bed that are not sleep-related.

Lifestyle changes: Such as regular exercise, reducing caffeine consumption, and creating a relaxing routine before bed.

Insomnia can be distressing, but there are often effective ways to manage it by changing sleep habits and seeking the right treatment if necessary.

The sleep clinic at Charlottenlund Private Hospital is known for its high standard in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. The clinic focuses on providing tailored treatment for patients with sleep problems such as sleep apnea, insomnia, snoring, and other sleep-related disorders.

With modern facilities and a professional team, the clinic creates a safe framework for both diagnosis and treatment.

The Sleep Clinic at Charlottenlund Private Hospital offers:

Advanced sleep diagnostics: The clinic offers advanced sleep studies, including home sleep tests, which provide detailed insight into patients' sleep problems.

The extensive equipment makes it possible to monitor breathing, heart activity, and body movements, ensuring accurate diagnosis.

Expertise in sleep medicine: The clinic has a specialized team of sleep doctors and sleep specialists (nurses and clinic assistants) with extensive experience in sleep medicine.

This expertise makes it possible to offer specialized treatment, and the team works closely with sleep surgeons, anesthesiologists, and neurologists to assess the patient's individual needs.

Individual treatment courses:

Treatment plans at Charlottenlund Private Hospital are individually tailored and may include CPAP treatment for sleep apnea, mouth guards for snoring, and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.

In addition, the clinic offers guidance on sleep hygiene and lifestyle changes that can help the patient achieve better sleep quality.

Comfortable facilities and modern equipment: Charlottenlund Private Hospital will be completely renovated in 2024 in modern and quiet surroundings, ensuring that patients can feel comfortable during sleep studies.

Patient education and guidance:

At Charlottenlund Private Hospital, you are not just handed a bag of devices and hoses as is common with other suppliers in the industry. We always set aside plenty of time for education and training, and we make sure that you do not leave us until you are completely comfortable with the plan and have had all your questions answered.

Focus on follow-up and continuous support:

Regular check-ups and, if necessary, follow-up consultations help ensure that patients get the most out of their treatment and experience sustained improvements in sleep quality and quality of life.