You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page.
Turn on more accessible mode
Turn off more accessible mode
Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Turn off Animations
Turn on Animations
CTDetailNew
It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again.
Appointment
Find a Condition or Treatment
Find a Doctor
Menu
MAIN
Back to Home
About Us
Corporate Profile
Newsroom
Visitors Information
Contact Us
Patient Care
Specialties & Services
Your Clinic Visit
Cancer Information & Patient Support
E-Services
Find a Doctor
Research & Innovation
Research Labs
Programmes
Facilities
Our Researchers
Clinical Trials
SingHealth Research
Education & Training
Overview
Division of Cancer Education
Events
SingHealth Academy
Careers
Sponsorship
Scholarships
Giving
Why Give
Get Involved
Your Gift at Work
Be Informed
Make a Gift
Our Campaign
Volunteer
Specialties & Services
Back to Home
Goh Cheng Liang Proton Therapy Centre
Haematology
Medical Oncology
Surgery & Surgical Oncology, SGH and NCCS
Radiation Oncology
Oncologic Imaging
Supportive & Palliative Care
Comprehensive Liver Cancer Clinic
Cancer Genetics Service
Lung Multidisciplinary Clinic
Nursing
NCCS Oncology @ SKH
NCCS Oncology Clinic @ CGH
Department of Psychosocial Oncology
Cancer Education and Information
Your Clinic Visit
Back to Home
Book an Appointment
When seeing a doctor
Pharmacy
Outpatient Pharmacy
Oncology Pharmacy
Search a medication
FAQ
Medicine
Charges & Payment
Financial Aid
Video Consultation
Rights & Responsibilities as a Patient
Cancer Information & Patient Support
Back to Home
For Patients
For Caregivers
Publications
Cancer Information Booklets
In Good Health
Inspirational Patient & Caregiver Awards
Patient Stories
E-Services
Back to Home
Make/Change/Cancel Appointment
Request for Medical Report
Health Buddy App
Find a Doctor
Home
to skip to the main content on a page
to skip to the main content on a page
About Us
Back to Home
Corporate Profile
Vision & Mission
NCCS Leadership
Annual Report
Awards
Key Milestones
Whistle-blowing Policy
Newsroom
Press Releases
Check Fake News
Visitors Information
Contact Us
Feedback Form
Patient Liaison Service
Patient Care
Back to Home
Specialties & Services
Goh Cheng Liang Proton Therapy Centre
Haematology
Medical Oncology
Surgery & Surgical Oncology, SGH and NCCS
Radiation Oncology
Oncologic Imaging
Supportive & Palliative Care
Comprehensive Liver Cancer Clinic
Cancer Genetics Service
Lung Multidisciplinary Clinic
Nursing
NCCS Oncology @ SKH
NCCS Oncology Clinic @ CGH
Department of Psychosocial Oncology
Cancer Education and Information
Your Clinic Visit
Book an Appointment
When seeing a doctor
Pharmacy
Medicine
Charges & Payment
Financial Aid
Video Consultation
Rights & Responsibilities as a Patient
Cancer Information & Patient Support
For Patients
For Caregivers
Publications
Patient Stories
E-Services
Make/Change/Cancel Appointment
Request for Medical Report
Health Buddy App
Find a Doctor
Research & Innovation
Back to Home
Research Labs
Cellular & Molecular Research
Medical Sciences
Clinical Trials & Epidemiological Sciences
NCCS Research Committee & Scientific Advisory Board
Research Divisions Organisation Chart
Programmes
Disease Focus
Research Themes
Joint Breast Cancer Registry
Asia-Pacific Hepatocellular Carcinoma Trials Group
The VICTORY Consortium
ANCHOR
Facilities
Overview
Specialised Units
Shared Facilities
Shared Services
Research Contracts and Commercialisation
Our Researchers
Division of Medical Oncology
Division of Surgery & Surgical Oncology, SGH and NCCS
Division of Radiation Oncology
Division of Oncologic Imaging
Division of Supportive and Palliative Care
Cellular and Molecular Research
Division of Medical Sciences
Clinical Trials & Epidemiological Sciences
Research Biennial Book
Clinical Trials
About Clinical Trials
Current Clinical Trials
ECRU
About Clinical Trials & Epidemiological Sciences
Clinical Trials Office
Biostatistics and Epidemiology Unit
SingHealth Research
Education & Training
Back to Home
Overview
Division of Cancer Education
Undergraduate Education Unit
Postgraduate Education Unit
Nursing Education Unit
Faculty Development & Support Education Unit
Primary Care Oncology Education Unit
Communications, Mentoring, Ethics and Professionalism Education Unit
Medical Humanities Education Unit
Events
SingHealth Academy
Careers
Back to Home
Sponsorship
Career Conversion Programme
Scholarships
Giving
Back to Home
Why Give
About Us
Funding Innovative Research
Preventing Cancer
Advancing Medical Education
Helping Our Patients
Furthering Donor Impact
How Your Gift Helps
Get Involved
Honouring Your Gift
Become a Corporate Donor
Leave Your Legacy
Fundraise for Us
Join a Special Event
Your Gift at Work
Stories of Hope
Researchers in Action
Support for Patients
Our Work in the Community
Training Future Experts
Be Informed
Our Publications
Financial Statements
Make a Gift
Our Campaign
Make More Survivors
Jeans For Genes
Women VS Cancer
BCAM 2024
LCAM 2023
Volunteer
Home
>
Patient Care
>
Conditions and Treatment
>
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
>
Other Information
Facebook
WhatsApp
Email Us
share
Font Resize
A-
A
A+
Print
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) - How to prevent?
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) - Preparing for surgery
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) - Post-surgery care
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) - Other Information
Is obstructive sleep apnoea dangerous and must it be treated?
Obstructive sleep apnoea has been linked to increased chances of
heart disease
, stroke, and irregular heart rhythms. Unfortunately, not all the long term effects of untreated sleep apnoea are known today. However, continual lack of refreshing sleep can lead to depression, irritability, lack of energy, a high risk of motor vehicular accidents, workplace accidents and many other problems. Most specialists agree that obstructive sleep apnoea is dangerous and should not be ignored.
If I have sleep apnoea, how can I help myself?
Besides seeking medical attention, there are several things doctors suggest you can do to alleviate obstructive sleep apnoea including weight loss, quitting smoking, eliminating alcohol and avoiding sedatives especially before bedtime.
I don't awake repeatedly throughout the night. Does it mean I do not have sleep apnoea?
No. Most people with sleep apnoea do not realise that they are awakening to breathe repeatedly throughout the night. This is because the arousal is slight and most people become accustomed to this. However even this slight arousal is enough to disrupt the pattern of sleep and lead to unrefreshing sleep.
What should I do if I think I may have sleep apnoea?
The best thing is see your doctor. He may refer you to a specialist or sleep disorders unit for you to undergo evaluation which may include spending the night in a sleep lab to undergo a sleep study call polysomnogram.
References
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Asthma + Lung UK. (n.d.). https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/obstructive-sleep-apnoea-osa
Foundation, S. H. (2024, January 12). Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Sleep Health Foundation. https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/sleep-disorders/obstructive-sleep-apnoea
Verbraecken, J. (2023). Epidemiology of obstructive sleep apnoea, central sleep apnoea and hypoventilation syndromes. ERS Handbook of Respiratory Sleep Medicine, 38–43. https://doi.org/10.1183/9781849841641.008022
Steier, J. (2022). Novel approaches for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea. Oxford Handbook of Sleep Medicine, 111–118. https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780192848253.003.0012
Robinson, T., & Scullion, J. (2021). Obstructive sleep apnoea. Oxford Handbook of Respiratory Nursing, 335–344. https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780198831815.003.0013
Display Entire Article +
Treatment
Tags:
Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose & Throat),
Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine,
Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine,
Sleep Clinic,
Sleep Disorders,
Sleep Apnoea Surgery,
Obesity
Article contributed by
SingHealth Duke-NUS Sleep Centre
;
Otorhinolaryngology - Head &Neck Surgery
,
Singapore General Hospital
;
Otolaryngology (ENT)
,
Singapore General Hospital
;
Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine
,
Singapore General Hospital
;
Sleep Disorders
,
Singapore General Hospital
;
Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
,
National Dental Centre Singapore
;
Department of Orthodontics
,
National Dental Centre Singapore
The information provided is not intended as medical advice.
Terms of use
. Information provided by
Our Breast Team
Filter:
By designation or sub-specialty
By Designation:
By Sub-Specialty:
TOP
[{"GroupName":"Division of Surgery & Surgical Oncology","Childs":[{"SHPageId":"1162","BodyPart":"#Head#, #Neck#","BodyPartLst":["head","neck"],"Institution":null,"SHDoctorConditionsTreatments":"#Head & Neck Reconstructive Microsurgery#, #Acute Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis#, #Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)#, #Tonsils and Adenoids#, #Swallowing Difficulties#, #Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy (CPAP)#, #Oral Appliance for OSA#, #Orthognathic Surgery for OSA#, #Transoral Robotic Tongue Base and Epiglottis Surgery for OSA#, #Myofunctional Therapy and Nasal Breathing Exercises#","SHDoctorConditionsTreatmentsLst":["head & neck reconstructive microsurgery","acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis","obstructive sleep apnoea (osa)","tonsils and adenoids","swallowing difficulties","continuous positive airway pressure therapy (cpap)","oral appliance for osa","orthognathic surgery for osa","transoral robotic tongue base and epiglottis surgery for osa","myofunctional therapy and nasal breathing exercises"],"SHDoctorAwards":null,"SHDoctorAwardsFullHtml":null,"SHDoctorClinicalDesgDisp":"Head & Senior Consultant","SHDoctorClinicalDesgInstText":"82ecbe92-920c-4e6f-8f4f-06028694ac6d|8e9834e6-3ccb-4ee2-bdb9-45837e8602f8;Head & Senior Consultant|8e9834e6-3ccb-4ee2-bdb9-45837e8602f8;48d80a29-eabe-421e-aa61-202648168f9e|6aabac01-23c5-481d-9b60-7f607a902494;Senior Consultant|6aabac01-23c5-481d-9b60-7f607a902494;82ecbe92-920c-4e6f-8f4f-06028694ac6d|2c31df12-45fe-464f-8a9b-c259cab033c8;Head & Senior Consultant|2c31df12-45fe-464f-8a9b-c259cab033c8;","ListSHDoctorClinicalDesgInst":[{"ClinicalDesgName":"Head & Senior Consultant","ClinicalDesgId":"82ecbe92-920c-4e6f-8f4f-06028694ac6d","ClinicalDesgInst":"Singapore General Hospital","ClinicalDesgInstId":"8e9834e6-3ccb-4ee2-bdb9-45837e8602f8"},{"ClinicalDesgName":"Senior Consultant","ClinicalDesgId":"48d80a29-eabe-421e-aa61-202648168f9e","ClinicalDesgInst":"SingHealth Duke-NUS Sleep Centre","ClinicalDesgInstId":"6aabac01-23c5-481d-9b60-7f607a902494"},{"ClinicalDesgName":"Head & Senior Consultant","ClinicalDesgId":"82ecbe92-920c-4e6f-8f4f-06028694ac6d","ClinicalDesgInst":"National Cancer Centre Singapore","ClinicalDesgInstId":"2c31df12-45fe-464f-8a9b-c259cab033c8"}],"ListSHDoctorClinicalDesg":null,"SHDoctorClinicalDesgInstFirst":null,"SHDoctorAltDesgDisp":"","SHDoctorEducation":null,"SHDoctorEducationFullHtml":null,"SHDoctorProfile":null,"SHDoctorProfileFullHtml":null,"SHDoctorResearchInterests":"","SHDoctorResearchInterestsFullHtml":null,"SHDoctorResearchTrials":null,"SHDoctorResearchTrialsFullHtml":null,"SHDoctorProfAppointments":null,"SHDoctorProfAppointmentsFullHtml":"\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003ePresident, Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2015-2017\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eNational Examiner, Ministry of Health, 2016- Present\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eExam Committee, Joint Committee Specialist Training, Academy of Medicine, 2015-present\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eExam Committee, Master of Medicine (Otolaryngology), Postgraduate Medical Studies, National University of Singapore, 2016-present\u0026#160;\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eChairman, SGH Medisave Audit Committee, 2017- present\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eChairman, Singhealth Residency Program Evaluation Committee, 2016-present\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eBoard Member, CIRB review board, SingHealth, NHG, NUJS,\u0026#160;2013- present\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eBoard Member, Chapter of Otolaryngology, Academy of Medicine, Singapore, 2011- Present\u0026#160;\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eExco Member, Singapore Sleep Society, 2010 - Present\u0026#160;\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eMember, Singapore Society of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, 2008- Present\u0026#160;\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e","SHDoctorPublications":null,"SHDoctorPublicationsFullHtml":null,"SHQualification":null,"SHQualificationFullHTML":"\u003cp\u003eMBBS(S’pore), MRCS(Edin), MMED(ORL), MMED(Sleep Med), FAMS(ORL) \u003c/p\u003e","SHDoctorThumbnailPhotoRender":"/sites/shcommonassets/Assets/doctors/portrait-photos/ENT/TohSongTar.jpg","SHDoctorThumbnailPhoto":{"ImageUrl":"/sites/shcommonassets/Assets/doctors/portrait-photos/ENT/TohSongTar.jpg?Width=199","Hyperlink":"","OpenHyperlinkInNewWindow":false,"Alignment":"","AlternateText":"","BorderWidth":0,"Height":0,"HorizontalSpacing":0,"VerticalSpacing":0,"Width":199},"SHDoctorThumbnailPhotoUrl":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/sites/shcommonassets/Assets/doctors/portrait-photos/ENT/TohSongTar.jpg?Width=199","Description":"/sites/shcommonassets/Assets/doctors/portrait-photos/ENT/TohSongTar.jpg?Width=199"},"SHDoctorPortraitPhoto":{"ImageUrl":"/sites/shcommonassets/Assets/doctors/portrait-photos/ENT/TohSongTar.jpg","Hyperlink":"","OpenHyperlinkInNewWindow":false,"Alignment":"","AlternateText":"","BorderWidth":0,"Height":0,"HorizontalSpacing":0,"VerticalSpacing":0,"Width":0},"SHDoctorPortraitPhotoUrl":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/sites/shcommonassets/Assets/doctors/portrait-photos/ENT/TohSongTar.jpg","Description":"/sites/shcommonassets/Assets/doctors/portrait-photos/ENT/TohSongTar.jpg"},"Email":"","SHDoctorRole":"Doctor;#","SHDoctorSalutation":"Clin Assoc Prof","SHDoctorFirstName":"Song Tar","SHDoctorLastName":"Toh","SHDoctorOtherName":"","SHDoctorHideProfile":false,"SHDoctorPrimarySpecialty":"Otolaryngology","SHDepartmentLink":null,"SHSpecialtyLink":null,"SHSubSpecialtyLink":null,"ListDoctorAcademic":null,"ListDoctorClinical":[{"SHDoctorClinAppPageItemId":"1162","SHDoctorCorporateDesg":"","SHDoctorClinicalAltDesgText":null,"SHDoctorClinicalDesg":"Head & Senior Consultant","SHDoctorClinicalInst":"Singapore General Hospital","SHDoctorClinicalInstLogo":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/SGH-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/SGH-logo.jpg"},"SHDoctorClinicalInstUrl":{"Url":"http://sgh.com.sg","Description":"http://sgh.com.sg"},"SHDoctorClinicalDept":"Otorhinolaryngology - Head &Neck Surgery","SHDoctorClinicalDeptLogo":null,"SHDoctorClinicalDeptUrl":null,"SHDoctorClnicApptsFURL":"toh-song-tar","SHDoctorClinicalDisplayOrder":2},{"SHDoctorClinAppPageItemId":"1162","SHDoctorCorporateDesg":"","SHDoctorClinicalAltDesgText":null,"SHDoctorClinicalDesg":"Head & Senior Consultant","SHDoctorClinicalInst":"National Cancer Centre Singapore","SHDoctorClinicalInstLogo":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NCCS-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NCCS-logo.jpg"},"SHDoctorClinicalInstUrl":{"Url":"http://www.nccs.com.sg","Description":"http://www.nccs.com.sg"},"SHDoctorClinicalDept":"Division of Surgery & Surgical Oncology","SHDoctorClinicalDeptLogo":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NCCS-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NCCS-logo.jpg"},"SHDoctorClinicalDeptUrl":{"Url":"https://www.nccs.com.sg/PatientCare/ClinicalSpecialties/SurgicalOncology/Pages/Home.aspx","Description":"https://www.nccs.com.sg/PatientCare/ClinicalSpecialties/SurgicalOncology/Pages/Home.aspx"},"SHDoctorClnicApptsFURL":"toh-song-tar","SHDoctorClinicalDisplayOrder":3},{"SHDoctorClinAppPageItemId":"1162","SHDoctorCorporateDesg":"","SHDoctorClinicalAltDesgText":null,"SHDoctorClinicalDesg":"Senior Consultant","SHDoctorClinicalInst":"SingHealth Duke-NUS Sleep Centre","SHDoctorClinicalInstLogo":null,"SHDoctorClinicalInstUrl":null,"SHDoctorClinicalDept":"","SHDoctorClinicalDeptLogo":null,"SHDoctorClinicalDeptUrl":null,"SHDoctorClnicApptsFURL":"toh-song-tar","SHDoctorClinicalDisplayOrder":4}],"ListDoctorSpecialty":[{"SHSpecialtyLink":"Otorhinolaryngology/ENT","SHSubSpecialtyLink":"Sleep Apnoea Surgery","SHSpecialtyLinkDisplayOrder":2,"SHDoctorSpecPageItemId":"1162","SHDoctorSpecialityFURL":"toh-song-tar"},{"SHSpecialtyLink":"Otorhinolaryngology/ENT","SHSubSpecialtyLink":"Snoring","SHSpecialtyLinkDisplayOrder":1000,"SHDoctorSpecPageItemId":"1162","SHDoctorSpecialityFURL":"toh-song-tar"},{"SHSpecialtyLink":"Surgery & Surgical Oncology","SHSubSpecialtyLink":"","SHSpecialtyLinkDisplayOrder":3,"SHDoctorSpecPageItemId":"1162","SHDoctorSpecialityFURL":"toh-song-tar"}],"ListDoctorInstitution":[{"SHDepartmentLink":"#Division of Surgery & Surgical Oncology#","SHDepartmentLogoLink":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NCCS-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NCCS-logo.jpg"},"SHDepartmentUrlLink":{"Url":"https://www.nccs.com.sg/PatientCare/ClinicalSpecialties/SurgicalOncology/Pages/Home.aspx","Description":"https://www.nccs.com.sg/PatientCare/ClinicalSpecialties/SurgicalOncology/Pages/Home.aspx"},"SHInstitutionLink":"#National Cancer Centre Singapore#","SHInstitutionLogoLink":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NCCS-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NCCS-logo.jpg"},"SHInstitutionUrlLink":{"Url":"http://www.nccs.com.sg","Description":"http://www.nccs.com.sg"},"SHInstLinkDisplayOrder":3,"SHDoctorInstPageItemId":"1162","SHDoctorInstitutionFURL":"toh-song-tar"}],"DoctorProfileInstitutionString":null,"DoctorProfileDepartmentString":"#Division of Surgery & Surgical Oncology#","DoctorProfileSpecialtyString":null,"DoctorProfileSubSpecialtyString":null,"ListDoctorResearchAppointment":[],"DoctorResearchAppointmentItem":null,"StartDate":"\/Date(-62135596800000)\/","Path":"/profile/toh-song-tar","LastUpdatedOn":"\/Date(-62135596800000)\/","LastUpdatedOnString":null,"SHDoctorAcademicProgLogo":null,"SHDoctorAcademicProgURL":null,"SHContentTagType":null,"SingHealthInstitution":"","SingHealthSpecialty":"","TypeOfContent":null,"DoctorFriendlyUrl":"toh-song-tar","DoctorSpecialtyFriendlyUrl":null,"SHDoctorResearchEmail":null}],"ShowPhoto":true,"Seniority":0}]
Related Conditions
Obesity
View more
Related Medicine
×
SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the updates to your email inbox...
Find a Doctor
Condition & Treatment
Home
Appointment
E-services