SLEEP APNOEA

If you just discovered that you snore during your sleep, you may wonder if it’s a symptom of something more serious—sleep apnoea. Since three-quarters of excessive snorers do have this condition, it is a valid question.

Thanks to better research and publicity, sleep apnoea—and its serious complications—has come to the attention of the Australian public.

Certainly, it is worth a visit to your healthcare provider to find out. After all, if you do have the condition, it puts you at risk for strokes, heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, and accidents. Furthermore, it can make you fatigued during the day, affecting your mood at home and your productivity at work.

WHAT IS SLEEP APNOEA?

Sleep apnoea is a condition in which your breathing stops periodically. Each time you stop breathing in your sleep, the resulting lack of oxygen alerts your brain, which temporarily wakes you up to restart proper breathing. Since the time spent awake is so brief, most people with sleep apnoea don't remember it, and many believe they are getting a good night's sleep when, in fact, they are not. The constant wake-sleep, wake-sleep cycle prevents those with sleep apnoea from achieving deep sleep, resulting in a constant drowsy feeling during the day.

In severe cases, these episodes can be as frequent as 80 times per hour. If you sleep in the same room as your partner or a roommate, ask them if they notice any periods in which you stop breathing. If so, make an appointment with your healthcare provider for a sleep study as soon as possible.

If you don’t have anyone who can observe you as you sleep, it would still be in your best interest to learn if it is sleep apnoea that causes your snoring. You can still have sleep apnoea even if you don’t notice any pauses in your breathing as you sleep. That’s especially true if you often feel tired during the daytime. Daytime fatigue is one of the main indicators that your snoring may be due to sleep apnoea.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF SLEEP APNOEA?

The following symptoms can indicate the presence of sleep apnoea. If you notice one or more of these, contact our practice.

• Insomnia or difficulty sleeping

• Loud snoring at night

• Waking up at night short of breath

• Snorting or choking sounds during the night (indicating a restart of breathing)

• Headaches upon waking in the morning

• Falling asleep unintentionally during the day

• Extreme drowsiness throughout the day

WHAT ARE RISK FACTORS FOR SLEEP APNOEA?

Obstructive sleep apnoea is more common in males than females, and more common in older adults (40+) than younger adults and children. However, anyone — regardless of gender or age — can suffer from sleep apnoea. Other risk factors include obesity, smoking, sleeping on your back, drinking, use of sedatives or tranquilizers, and family history.

If you have one of these risk factors, it pays to undergo a sleep study. That’s the only way you can know for sure if sleep apnoea is the cause of your snoring.

IS SLEEP APNOEA DANGEROUS?

Sleep apnoea is considered a serious medical problem and if left untreated it can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart failure and stroke. The ongoing state of fatigue caused by sleep apnoea can lead to problems at work or school, as well as danger when driving or operating heavy machinery. Sleep apnoea can also cause complications with medication or surgery; sedation by anaesthesia can be risky, as can lying flat in bed after an operation. If you know or suspect you suffer from sleep apnoea, let your family doctor know before taking prescribed medication or having surgery.

HOW IS SLEEP APNOEA TREATED?

Treatments for sleep apnoea depend on the severity of each individual case. Basic treatment can be behavioral — for instance, patients are instructed to lose weight, stop smoking, or sleep on their sides instead of on their backs. Beyond that, If you have a severe case of sleep apnoea, your healthcare professional may recommend a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device. This machine creates gentle air pressure inside your throat as you sleep, preventing the tissues inside your throat from blocking your airway. CPAP devices use a facemask or a nose mask connected to the machine to deliver the air. Many patients, however, find these appliances extremely uncomfortable—and therefore will not wear them, despite the obvious health benefits.

There is, however, another solution.

Custom-made oral appliance delivers comfortable relief for most sleep apnoea patients.

With all cases of sleep apnoea, especially if someone cannot use a CPAP machine, patients can experience complete relief with a simple dental appliance.

This Australian-made appliance fits right in your mouth. As you sleep, the appliance gently pushes your tongue and lower jaw forward to clear your airway. With this appliance, the relaxed tissues at the back of your throat cannot collapse into your airway—even when they’re completely loose during deep sleep.

It’s a game-changer for people all over the world who’ve used it. Unlike other oral appliances, it’s custom-made to the contours of your mouth, so it’s far more comfortable than intrusive CPAP devices or other oral devices.

Designed to fit the exact contours of your mouth using three-dimensional CAD/CAM design software, this appliance won’t rub or create irritation as do many oral devices. It uses cutting-edge technology and high-quality acrylic materials to provide the ultimate in comfort. In fact, you’ll be able to talk, to open and close your mouth and lips when you wear it.

After you receive your appliance, you will receive follow-up support throughout your treatment to make sure everything is working according to your treatment plan.

Furthermore, this appliance is the best available treatment for non-sleep apnoea-related snoring. If your partner or your household cannot sleep because of your loud snoring, it pays to check out whether this appliance may help bring better sleep for everyone at your home.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SUSPECT THAT SOMEONE IN MY FAMILY SUFFERS FROM SLEEP APNOEA?

Contact our practice, and we can refer you to a sleep specialist. The specialist may recommend a sleep study to diagnose the precise extent of the problem, and can prescribe appropriate treatment. Depending on your situation, treatment may involve an oral device that we can custom-create for you.