Sleep Apnea Diagnosis & Management at Cape Lung Care

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious condition where your breathing stops and starts while you sleep, affecting your quality of rest and overall well-being. According to one study, the estimated incidence of sleep apnea in South Africa is around 22.8% of the adult population. There are two primary types:

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – Occurs when the muscles at the back of your throat relax, blocking your airway.
2. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) – This happens when your brain fails to send the necessary signals to control your breathing.

Both types can lead to fragmented sleep, making you feel unrefreshed and fatigued. Over time, this can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve your health, sleep, and quality of life.

Signs & Symptoms

Do you notice any of these signs?

• Excessive Snoring
• Pauses in Breathing
• Feeling Unrefreshed After Sleep
• Daytime Sleepiness
• Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure

If you or your loved ones have noticed any of these symptoms, sleep apnea may be the cause.

Our Comprehensive Approach

We offer a personalized, patient-centered approach to treatment. Dr. Raisa Bhikoo, a highly qualified pulmonologist, leads the team in providing thorough evaluations, accurate diagnoses, and tailored treatment plans to help you breathe easy and sleep soundly.

Testing

To accurately diagnose, we offer various testing options:

Home Sleep Studies – Convenient and comfortable, this test allows you to monitor your sleep from the comfort of your home while measuring key factors like airflow and oxygen levels. Inpatient Sleep Studies – For more complex cases, an inpatient sleep study offers comprehensive monitoring in a controlled environment.

Treatment Options

Once diagnosed, we provide several treatment options tailored to your specific needs:

• CPAP Therapy – The most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, providing continuous air pressure to keep your airway open.
• BiPAP Therapy – Ideal for individuals with central sleep apnea, delivering two levels of pressure for better breathing.
• Lifestyle Changes – Including weight loss and sleep position adjustments, to reduce symptoms in milder cases.

CPAP Titration & Home Ventilation Support

If CPAP therapy is recommended, we provide CPAP titration to ensure your machine delivers the optimal pressure for your condition. We will guide you through the setup process and monitor your progress to ensure the therapy is effective.

We also assist with home ventilation options, offering advice on the best equipment suited to your needs and ensuring that you are comfortable using it at home.