Sleep

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder in which the airways are repeatedly blocked or narrowed during sleep. This usually happens because the muscles in the throat relax, causing the airways to partially or completely collapse, obstructing airflow. When the airway is 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 the pauses in breathing.

Tiredness during the day: Lack of consistent sleep can lead to fatigue, difficulty concentrating and a feeling of being out of sorts.

Morning headache: Short oxygen breaks can cause headache 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 overweight people. Other risk factors include age, smoking, alcohol consumption, an anatomically narrow airway, and 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, smoking cessation 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 interventions 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 where you have trouble falling asleep, maintaining sleep, or waking up too early without being able to fall asleep again. This can lead to feeling out of sorts 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.

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: Such as too much time in front of screens right before bed, irregular bedtimes 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.

Medicines and stimulants: Some medicines and caffeine can affect sleep.

Symptoms of insomnia

Difficulty falling asleep

Frequent awakenings during the night

Feeling of being out of sorts 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 bedtime routine.

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

The well-functioning 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 to 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 environment for both diagnosis and treatment.

Characteristics of the sleep clinic at Charlottenlund Private Hospital

Advanced sleep diagnostics: The clinic offers advanced sleep studies, including polysomnography and home sleep tests, which provide detailed insight into patients' sleep problems. The extensive equipment makes it possible to monitor breathing, heart activity, brain activity and body movements, which ensures a precise diagnosis.

Expertise in sleep medicine: The clinic has a specialized team of sleep doctors and sleep technicians with extensive experience in sleep medicine. This expertise enables specialized treatment to be offered, and the team works closely with both sleep surgeons, anesthetists and neurologists to assess the patient's individual needs.

Individual treatment courses: The treatment plans at Charlottenlund Private Hospital are individually adapted and may include CPAP treatment for sleep apnea, mouth splints for snoring, and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. In addition, the clinic offers guidance on sleep hygiene and lifestyle changes, which can help the patient achieve a better quality of sleep.

Comfortable facilities and modern equipment: Charlottenlund Private Hospital has modern and comfortable rooms that ensure that patients can feel comfortable during sleep examinations. The private rooms contribute to a relaxing experience, and the advanced equipment makes the examinations precise and thorough.

Patient education and guidance: The clinic offers patient education where they explain the diagnosis, treatment options and correct use of equipment such as CPAP machines. This helps patients understand their treatment and achieve better outcomes.

Focus on follow-up and continuous support: 

Charlottenlund Private Hospital prioritizes follow-up, so that patients receive continuous support and adjustments in their treatment course. Regular 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.

The sleep clinic at Charlottenlund Private Hospital is thus a good example of a professional and well-functioning clinic that delivers high quality sleep medicine treatment and diagnostics.