“Sleep Apnea: How to Protect Your Respiratory Health?"
August 12, 2025
Introduction
Hi, I am Dr. Sarah Lim Wei Ling, an ENT specialist in Singapore, with a passion for helping people achieve good sleep and healthy respiratory health. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition in which the airways become repeatedly blocked during sleep, leading to disruptions in breathing. According to a 2023 report from the World Health Organization (WHO), OSA affects about 1 billion people globally, with rates in Singapore reaching 15-20% of the adult population (data from the Singapore Ministry of Health). At Gleneagles Hospital, where I am the Head of the Paediatric ENT Group, I have seen OSA not only in adults but also in children, causing daytime fatigue, increased cardiovascular risk, and even depression. This article will help you understand OSA, from causes to solutions, based on my real-life experience, to inspire you to take action to protect your health.
Causes and symptoms of OSA
OSA occurs when the throat and tongue muscles relax too much, blocking the airway. Risk factors include obesity, a short neck, large tonsils, or abnormal jaw and facial structures. A study in The Lancet in 2024 showed that obesity increases the risk of OSA by four times, with 70% of OSA patients being overweight. In Singapore, an urban lifestyle with a high-calorie diet and low physical activity contributes to this figure, according to a survey from the Health Promotion Board in 2023.
Common symptoms include loud snoring, sleep apnea (witnessed by a loved one), daytime fatigue, morning headaches, and poor concentration. I once treated a 50-year-old male patient at Mount Elizabeth who initially thought his fatigue was work-related, but polysomnography (sleep study) showed that he was stopping breathing more than 30 times an hour – a serious condition. Left untreated, OSA increases the risk of stroke by 2-3 times and heart disease by 30% (data from the Journal of the American Medical Association, 2022).
My practical experience
From 2015-2020 at Mount Elizabeth, I managed hundreds of cases of OSA, often using a combination of laryngoscopy and sleep studies. A milestone was the introduction of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) for patients who were not responding to CPAP, with a 75% improvement rate. Moving to Gleneagles in 2020, I focused on children, where OSA is often caused by enlarged tonsils – 80% of paediatric cases (research in Pediatric Pulmonology, 2023). A 6-year-old boy I treated improved dramatically after tonsillectomy, from loud snoring to sound sleep, which helped him learn better. These experiences taught me that OSA is not an “adult disease” but requires a holistic approach, from children to seniors.
Treatment and respiratory health
The first-line treatment is a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine, which delivers air pressure to keep the airway open, effective in 80% of patients (American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2021 guidelines). For mild cases, an oral appliance or weight loss may be sufficient. Surgery such as UPPP or genioglossus advancement is an option for severe cases, which I have successfully performed at Gleneagles.
To protect yourself, maintain a healthy weight, avoid alcohol and sedatives before bed, and sleep on your side. Research from NUS 2024 shows that regular exercise reduces OSA symptoms by 25%. I recommend that patients use a sleep tracking app for early detection.
Doctor's advice and conclusion
With a friendly and patient personality, I always emphasize: OSA is controllable if taken care of early. Don't ignore loud snoring; get checked to protect your heart and brain. At Gleneagles, I'm committed to helping you sleep well and live well. Start today - quality sleep is the key to a brighter tomorrow!
Author
Doctor Sarah Lim Wei Ling
Singapore
