Sleep is the basis of good health, feeling well and being happy. Daytime tiredness can impact on you, your relationships, you career and can lead many illnesses.

What is Sleep Apnoea

Sleep Apnoea is a condition in which the walls of your throat come together during sleep, partially or completely blocking the airway. The sufferer is often unaware of it happening and this pattern can repeat itself hundreds of times every night, causing fragmented sleep. The obstruction is diagnosed when this obstruction occurs more than 5 times per hour.

1 in 4 men over the age of 30 have some degree of sleep apnoea making it more prevalent than asthma. Some symptoms of Sleep apnoea include:

  • Pauses in breathing while sleeping.
  • Snoring.
  • Tossing and turning.
  • Waking up gasping or choking.
  • Tiredness during the day.
Snoring | Ripley Dental

Why should you treat Sleep Apnoea?

There is evidence to suggest that people with untreated moderate to severe sleep apnoea have other health problems. Some of these include:

  • Increased risk of Diabetes.
  • Increased risk of High Blood Pressure.
  • Increased risk of Heart attacks.
  • Increased risk of Strokes.
  • Increased risk of Poor memory and lack of concentration.
  • Increased risk of Headaches.
  • Increased risk of Moodiness, Depression and personality change.
  • Increased risk of Increased motor vehicle and workplace accidents.

How is it treated?

Your Dentist can screen for sleep disorders and can work with a physician to diagnose sleep apnoea. They can then discuss the best treatment options with you. Some options include:

  • Surgery- to remove blockages to remove airflow.
  • Losing Weight, sleep posture and sleep hygiene.
  • Mandibula advancement Splint- (COAT therapy) brings your lower jaw forward to clear the airway of obstruction.
  • CPAP machine- a machined that blows air into your mouth.

Health & Sleep Hygiene – In some cases quitting smoking, reducing your intake of alcohol or the use of nasal sprays to treat allergies may be helpful and have an effect on your sleep related breathing disorder. Besides surgery and weight loss, there are two main options, CPAP and Oral appliance. CPAP appliances are often uncomfortable for the patient and require a machine to deliver pressurised air through a mask to open your airway. COAT: Continuous Open Airway Therapy is recommended for use in patients with mild to moderate OSA or in severe cases where you are not able to manage CPAP therapy. This involves a custom fitted splint for the upper and lower jaw which is designed to bring the mandible forward clearing the Airway of obstruction. Dentists at Ripley Dental are specially trained to make such appliances

Please make a consultation with our friendly Dentists today if you would like to be screened for Sleep Apnoea and if you or your partner struggle with snoring issues.