Is Someone Complaining about Your Snoring?
Do you also:
- Wake up sleepy or irritated?
- wake up with a dry mouth?
- feel sleepy during the day?
Your snoring could be harming more than just your relationship
Most snorers also suffer from a medical condition known as sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition in which the soft tissues of the throat, including the tongue, collapse and flop back against the throat. This blocks the upper airway and reduces the amount of oxygen reaching your lungs, almost like you’re holding your breath. When blood oxygen levels drop low enough, the brain sends a signal to partially wake the sleeper to clear to obstruction, usually with a gasp or a cough. This can happen many times during the night - in severe cases, the sleeper may even stop breathing over 30 times an hour.
Can you imagine not breathing for over 30 times each hour? This can put a lot on strain on the heart and blood vessels since they need to work even harder to get oxygen through the body. As a result, those who suffer from OSA have an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes.
Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:
- snoring
- teeth grinding/ clenching, dry mouth/throat when waking
- excessive daytime sleepiness
- waking up tired and unrefreshed
- mood swings and irritability
- reduced mental function, including depression, poor concentration, poor memory, anxiety and lack of motivation
There are many treatment options for snoring and sleep apnea, which can range from lifestyle changes such as weight loss, alcohol reduction, various oral appliances, CPAP machines, to surgery to remove excess soft tissue. With all forms of treatment, some people respond better than others. We can discuss which treatments may be suitable for you or liaise with your GP or specialist.
At Mascot Dental Clinic, treatment options we may recommend include:
Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS)
The MAS is a custom-made, adjustable appliance made from 3D-printed nylon. It works to position the lower jaw forward to widen your airway. There are two separate pieces, making it much more comfortable to wear than an appliance made of a single block.
CPAP
The CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine is the gold standard for sleep apnea sufferers. It is a machine that gently delivers oxygen through the face mask straight to the airways.
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