Snoring and Sleep Apnoea

 

In the adult population approximately 20% of people will snore at some stage in their lifetime.  Snoring itself, apart from the social problems is not a cause for medical concern.  However, it may in some cases be the warning sign of a more serious underlying problem called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.  This is where the airway collapses during sleep which interrupts breathing. 

This condition and other sleep breathing disorders have been shown to be linked to more serious health related concerns.  These problems include high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack.  Similarly the effects of sleep disturbance can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, which has been shown to markedly increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents along with home and work related injuries.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea occurs during sleep when some of the muscles in the airway and throat relax.  When this happens the soft tissue in this air space may collapse and close, obstructing the airway.  An apnoea event occurs when there is obstruction of the airway for ten seconds or longer. 

There are a number of symptoms that can be associated with obstructive sleep apnoea.  People with this condition may gasp or choke at times during sleep and wake up with a dry irritated throat.  Those affected may be tired during the day or even find that they may fall asleep easily.  They may suffer from an inability to concentrate or remember things.  It may affect their ability to work.  They can become more irritable and this can contribute to anxiety and depression.

There are three main treatment methods for obstructive sleep apnoea.  These are continuous positive airway press (CPAP), surgery and oral appliances.

  1. CPAP is very effective at treating sleep apnoea. But long term compliance is a problem for some people as it can be difficult to sleep with.
  2. Surgery can be quite effective in many cases where suitable.
  3. Oral Appliance therapy is a simple and effective way to treat sleep apnoea.  The appliance is designed to position the lower jaw forward and help prevent the collapse of the soft tissues that obstruct the airway during sleep.  It is best suited to people who have good dental health and who do not have a pre-existing problem with their jaw joint. 

If you are aware, or have been advised that you snore, or if you suspect you suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea then correct diagnosis is very important.  It is not appropriate to construct an oral appliance without correctly identifying the nature of a sleep related breathing disorder. 

A consultation with a sleep physician is required to accurately identify the nature of the sleep related breathing disorder and organise a polysomnogram (PSG).  This will involve the overnight monitoring of your sleep patterns to diagnose if you suffer from sleep apnoea and also determine the severity of your condition.  This study will also help identify which form of treatment is likely to be the most successful for you.

Dentists at BOH Dental have been specifically trained in the assessment and treatment of patients with snoring and sleep apnoea.  We can arrange for the assessment of a suspected sleep disorder and can assess and advise you on the construction of an oral appliance that will best suit your needs. 

  


 

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