Latest news with #EpworthSleepinessScale
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Symptoms as one in three people unaware they have sleep condition
Millions of people are thought to be suffer, without a diagnosis Sleep apnoea is one of the most common sleep disorders, but most of the symptoms will be far more obvious to other people than the actual patient because it only starts happening when the person is asleep. So while around eight million people in the UK are believed to have the condition, around one in three people are undiagnosed according to sleep experts. Sleep apnoea happens when a person's airway is repeatedly blocked while they are sleeping. It can be caused by a variety of issues like the brain not sending proper signals or lying in certain positions but ultimately interrupts your sleep and prevents you from having a restorative night. Some of the most common symptoms include gasping, choking or loud and persistent snoring while you sleep. You might not be able to recognise these symptoms on your own, but other side effects of sleep apnoea can sneak into your waking hours. Senior Sleep Expert at MattressNextDay Martin Seeley said: 'If you find yourself nodding off while watching TV, reading, or even stuck in traffic, it could be a sign of something more. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a quick questionnaire that helps you assess just how tired you are in everyday situations and whether it's time to speak to a doctor. 'If you wake up feeling exhausted despite a full night in bed, or your partner notices you snore loudly and stop breathing during the night, seek professional advice. Sleep apnoea isn't just snoring, it's a serious health issue that deserves attention.' The Epworth Sleepiness Scale looks at how sleepy you generally feel while doing everyday activities like reading or talking to someone. Adding up all of your sleepy moments, your final score then reveals if you have normal levels of daytime sleepiness or symptoms of sleep apnoea. If left untreated, sleep apnoea can increase the risk of health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. But it can also have a major impact in your normal life by making it harder to focus, causing mood changes that may affect your relationships and increasing your risk of accidents caused by tiredness according to Asthma+Lung UK. But it's not all doom and gloom if you're one of the millions with sleep apnoea. Martin added: 'The good news is that once diagnosed, sleep apnoea is very manageable and many people notice a huge improvement in their energy and quality of life.' In some cases, a series of lifestyle and bedroom changes can help improve your condition. However, people with more severe forms of sleep apnoea may be prescribed with a CPAP machine or a device similar to a mouth guard that they'll need to wear while sleeping. For those with sleep apnoea, Martin recommended sleeping on your side in a cool and dark area that keeps a consistent temperature. He explained: 'Back sleeping can cause your tongue and soft tissues to collapse into your airway, worsening symptoms. Try sleeping on your side instead and use a supportive pillow to maintain that position.' Additionally, alcohol and extra weight around your neck can increase the severity of sleep apnoea symptoms by relaxing the muscles in your throat to the point of collapse and putting extra pressure on your airway. The expert advised maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding drinking alcohol for at least a few hours before heading to bed. Having a good mattress can also make a big difference, as the expert said: 'A medium firm mattress that supports spinal alignment and reduces pressure points may help to improve airflow and reduce disturbances.'
Daily Mirror
09-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Sleep expert's warning over 'potentially serious' condition that often goes undiagnosed
It affects millions of people in the UK, and can increase the risk of serious health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes A sleep specialist reveals that millions of Britons are battling a condition that countless people do not even know they have. Sleep apnoea represents a potentially dangerous sleep disorder where breathing continually ceases and resumes. This serious yet frequently ignored ailment affects approximately eight million individuals across the UK, with a concerning one in three cases remaining undetected. Among the most prevalent warning signs is relentless snoring, typically accompanied by spluttering or suffocation throughout the evening. These respiratory disruptions prevent you from achieving a deep sleep, potentially resulting in perpetual exhaustion. Martin Seeley, chief sleep specialist at MattressNextDay, cautions: "If you find yourself nodding off while watching TV, reading, or even stuck in traffic, it could be a sign of something more. "The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a quick questionnaire that helps you assess just how tired you are in everyday situations and whether it's time to speak to a doctor." When left without treatment, sleep apnoea may heighten the likelihood of grave health complications including elevated blood pressure, cardiac conditions, and diabetes, whilst potentially impacting psychological wellness too. "The good news is that once diagnosed, sleep apnea is very manageable and many people notice a huge improvement in their energy and quality of life," Martin adds. READ MORE: Cholesterol warning sign that can be found in your toenail To help manage symptoms of sleep apnea at home, Martin shares a few expert approved tips: Sleep on your side 'Back sleeping can cause your tongue and soft tissues to collapse into your airway, worsening symptoms. Try sleeping on your side instead and use a supportive pillow to maintain that position.' Keep your bedroom cool and dark 'Overheating at night can disrupt your sleep quality, especially if you're already prone to breathing difficulties. Aim to keep your room at a steady, cool temperature and reduce light exposure to encourage deeper sleep.' Avoid alcohol before bed 'Alcohol relaxes the muscles in your throat, increasing the likelihood of airway collapse during sleep. If you're prone to sleep apnea or suspect you may have it, it's best to avoid drinking in the hours before bed.' Maintain a healthy weight 'Extra weight, particularly around the neck, can put pressure on your airway and increase the severity of sleep apnea symptoms. Losing just a small amount of weight can sometimes lead to big improvements in sleep quality.' 'The position and support your mattress offers can significantly impact your breathing at night. A medium firm mattress that supports spinal alignment and reduces pressure points may help to improve airflow and reduce disturbances," Seeley. says. 'Most importantly, don't ignore the warning signs. 'If you wake up feeling exhausted despite a full night in bed, or your partner notices you snore loudly and stop breathing during the night, seek professional advice. Sleep apnea isn't just snoring, it's a serious health issue that deserves attention.'
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Avadel Pharmaceuticals plc (AVDL) Showcases LUMRYZ Success with 14 Abstracts, 4 Oral Presentations at SLEEP 2025
Avadel Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ:AVDL) announced it will present 14 new abstracts, including four oral presentations, at SLEEP 2025, highlighting significant advances for LUMRYZ, its once-at-bedtime sodium oxybate treatment for narcolepsy. Interim results from the real-world REFRESH study showed that patients switching from twice-nightly oxybate to LUMRYZ experienced clinically meaningful improvements in excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), with many achieving normal Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores. A scientist in a labcoat examining a vial of experimental biopharmaceuticals. Additional analyses from the pivotal Phase 3 REST-ON trial revealed that even those with the most severe baseline sleepiness saw their ESS scores normalize after 13 weeks on LUMRYZ, and the therapy did not worsen sleep apnea. Further data demonstrated a reduction in distressing hallucinations and improvement in sleep-related eating disorder (SRED) symptoms after switching to LUMRYZ. Long-term tolerability was underscored, with only 4% discontinuing due to side effects. Avadel Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ:AVDL) emphasized that LUMRYZ, FDA-approved for adults and children aged 7 and older, offers a major benefit over traditional oxybate by eliminating the need for middle-of-the-night dosing, supporting better sleep continuity and patient care. With these compelling results, Avadel Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ:AVDL) continues to solidify its leadership in innovative narcolepsy treatments. While we acknowledge the potential of AVDL to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than AVDL and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alkermes begins Phase II trial of drug candidate for idiopathic hypersomnia
Irish biopharmaceutical company Alkermes has begun a randomised Phase II trial to assess the efficacy and safety of ALKS 2680 in adults with idiopathic hypersomnia (IH). The double-blind, placebo-controlled Vibrance-3 trial is expected to enrol a total of around 96 IH patients across sites in Australia, Europe and the US. Subjects will be randomised and given either 10mg, 14mg or 18mg of the therapy, or a placebo, once a day for eight weeks. Alkermes said that based on the dose level, the trial's primary endpoint will evaluate if the subjects taking the therapy experience a reduction in sleepiness against those who are taking only a placebo. This will be determined as per the measure of changes in the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score. Subjects who complete the trial will be eligible to continue in an open-label, long-term safety trial. Alkermes Research & Development executive vice-president and chief medical officer Craig Hopkinson said: "The initiation of Vibrance-3 represents an important step forward for the ALKS 2680 development programme as we seek to advance a potential new treatment option for people living with idiopathic hypersomnia. "The Vibrance-3 Phase II study builds on encouraging data from our phase Ib, proof-of-concept study of ALKS 2680 in patients with IH, and we look forward to further characterising its safety and efficacy profile in this patient population." ALKS 2680 is an oral, selective orexin 2 receptor (OX2R) agonist being developed as a once-a-day treatment for narcolepsy type I and II, as well as IH–chronic, neurological conditions marked by 'excessive' daytime sleepiness. The ongoing Phase II studies, Vibrance-1 and Vibrance-2, are assessing the therapy's efficacy and safety in adults with narcolepsy type I and II respectively. Last year, Alkermes announced positive topline data from the narcolepsy type 2 (NT2) and idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) cohorts of a Phase Ib trial of ALKS 2680. "Alkermes begins Phase II trial of drug candidate for idiopathic hypersomnia" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
