What is sleep apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a disease that causes breathing to stop during sleep. Sleep apnoea occurs because you stop breathing during sleep. This can happen because of a blockage in your airway (obstructive sleep apnoea) or because your brain is unable to control your breathing properly (central apnoea).
The resulting lack of oxygen activates the survival reflex, waking you up to resume breathing. This conditioned reflex interrupts the sleep cycle while maintaining life. This not only prevents restful sleep, but also has other effects, including stress on the heart, which can have potentially fatal consequences. Over time, the disorder can cause serious complications.
How common is sleep apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is not common, but it is widespread. Experts estimate that about 5-10% of the world’s population suffers from sleep apnoea.
Causes of sleep apnoea
Sleep apnoea is associated with the following factors:
- Obesity
- An overly long neck
- Getting older – although children and young adults can also suffer from it
- Having other family members with sleep apnoea
- Smoking and drinking alcohol
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- Sleeping on your back
- Have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
What are the symptoms of sleep apnoea?
There are many symptoms of sleep apnoea, including:
- Waking up feeling tired or even exhausted. Even after a full night’s sleep, people with sleep apnoea usually feel very tired.
- Daytime sleepiness. In more severe cases, this can lead to drowsiness while driving, working, or other activities.
- Snoring. This is a common symptom of sleep apnoea (but not all cases snore). People with sleep apnoea may also not snore at all.
- Mood changes. Depression and anxiety are common symptoms of sleep apnoea.
- Brain dysfunction. This may include memory loss, difficulty concentrating, or other brain-related problems.
- Repeated waking up in the middle of the night. This symptom may be harder to detect because people usually don’t remember waking up or why they woke up. People who experience this usually remember waking up for other reasons, such as heartburn or needing to use the restroom.
- Insomnia.
- Night sweats and sleepless nights.
- Sexual dysfunction.
- Waking up feeling short of breath or choking.
- Headaches, especially on waking.
How to treat sleep apnoea?
- Healthy Lifestyle Changes.
- Breathing Appliances
- Oral appliances
- Surgical implants
- Oral and Facial Muscle Therapy
- Surgery
Oral appliances are one of the most convenient ways to treat mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnoea as well as snoring. It can improve your sleep apnoea symptoms in a short period of time without the need for surgery. They look a bit like a mouth guard and are worn at night while you sleep. A mouth guard works by pushing the jaw forward and opening up the airway, which reduces vibration and throat obstruction. Sunrise Dental Chatswood offers oral appliances for sale. If you find yourself or your family member experiencing symptoms of sleep apnoea, feel free to schedule a consultation.