A 45-year-old woman presented to the sleep clinic with complaints of excessive daytime sleepiness and difficulty falling asleep at night. She reported that she had been struggling with insomnia for the past six months, often taking over an hour to fall asleep and waking multiple times during the night. On average, she felt she was only getting about four to five hours of sleep per night.

The patient worked as an accountant and described her job as stressful, often requiring her to work late hours. She noted that her sleep issues had begun around the same time she started a new project at work that demanded longer hours. She frequently relied on caffeine to stay alert during the day, consuming several cups of coffee and energy drinks.

In addition to insomnia, the patient reported experiencing episodes of snoring and choking during sleep, which her partner noted. These episodes were sometimes accompanied by feelings of gasping for air, leading to fragmented sleep. She expressed concern that her sleep quality was affecting her mood, concentration, and overall quality of life.

The physician conducted a thorough evaluation, including a sleep history and a physical examination. A polysomnography (sleep study) was recommended to assess for any underlying sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnoea. The physician also discussed the importance of sleep hygiene practices, including establishing a regular sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, and reducing caffeine intake, particularly in the afternoon and evening.

After undergoing the sleep study, the results indicated the presence of obstructive sleep apnoea, which was causing her disrupted sleep patterns. The patient was educated about the condition and prescribed continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy to help manage her symptoms. She was encouraged to follow up in a few weeks to evaluate her response to treatment and to continue practicing good sleep hygiene.