A restless night is familiar to many people. Loud snoring, constant awakenings and morning exhaustion can slowly become part of everyday life.
For millions, the reason is not just poor sleep but a condition that repeatedly interrupts breathing throughout the night.
Treatments exist, yet many patients struggle with the devices used to manage the disorder. Now researchers believe medicine could eventually offer a simpler solution.
A possible alternative
A European clinical trial has tested whether a drug called sulthiame can help people with obstructive sleep apnea breathe more steadily while sleeping.
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The research involved scientists from several institutions, including Jan Hedner, Ludger Grote and Kaj Stenlöf at the University of Gothenburg’s Sahlgrenska Academy.
The study, published in The Lancet and involving 298 participants, compared the medication with a placebo.
Neither the researchers nor the patients knew who received the real treatment during the trial.
Encouraging results
Patients who received higher doses of the drug experienced significantly fewer breathing interruptions during sleep. Some participants saw reductions of nearly half compared with those taking a placebo.
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Researchers believe the medication strengthens the brain’s control of breathing. This reduces the likelihood that the airway collapses during sleep, which is the main cause of obstructive sleep apnea.
Most side effects observed during the study were mild and temporary.
Why it matters
Sleep apnea occurs when breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, lowering oxygen levels and disturbing rest.
Over time, untreated sleep apnea can contribute to several health risks:
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- Heart disease
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
Today, the most common treatment is the CPAP machine, which uses a mask and air pressure to keep the airway open. Although effective, many patients stop using it because they find the mask uncomfortable.
Researchers say larger studies will now be needed to determine whether sulthiame could eventually become a widely used treatment.
Sources: University of Gothenburg and ScienceDaily
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