Sleep Apnoea And Snoring Treatments

Not everyone who snores has sleep apnoea and not all sleep apnoea sufferers snore. A lot of signs and symptoms of obstructive airways, obstructive sleep apnoea are present in your head and neck.

There are no other general health care providers who are better educated in the field of head and neck more than dentists.
Signs and symptoms of sleep disordered breathing include:

• Snoring
• Witnessed apneas
• Choking or gasping for air during sleep, dry cough through the night
• Restless sleep/insomnia
• Waking up with headaches
• Feeling unrefreshed in the morning
• Poor concentration
• Impotence
• Breathlessness
• Excessive daytime sleepiness/fatigue
• Irritability/personality changes
• Alterations in alertness and memory
• Teeth grinding/clenching
• Painful TMJ
• Acid reflux
• Increase neck circumference

If left untreated it can increase your risk of having:

Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea 

There are a number of different approaches to the treatment of sleep apnoea. Your options will depend on how severe your disease is, how its affecting you and your lifestyle.

Its really important to find a treatment that you can actually adapt to and use easily. Many people with sleep apnoea abandon treatment because of difficulties with it. If one treatment doesn’t work for you, don’t give up; talk to us about other options that may be available.

Treatment you can do yourself 

If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, there are a number of lifestyle changes that can help:

• Lose weight 
• Exercise regularly
• Give up smoking
• Reduce alcohol. Avoid tranquilisers and sleeping pills
• try going to sleep on your side
• unblock your nose  

Mandibular Advancement Splint 
Mandibular Advancement splint is an oral appliance that can hold your lower jaw in a forward position. It prevents your tongue and the soft tissue in your mouth from falling back and blocking your airway while you sleep.

Mandibular advancement splint is a simple and comfortable way to treat mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea.

After a sleep study has been performed and suitability of this appliance is obtained, an impression of your teeth and bite record will be taken and sent to a lab for the construction of the custom-made device. The device will then be fitted by Dr Linda and routine monitoring and follow up sleep studies done to ensure the appliance is working effectively.

CPAP therapy

A CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine pumps pressurised air through a mask while you sleep. The pressure helps to keep your airway open. The machine sits on your beside table and connects via a tube to a mask that fits over your face. If your obstructive sleep apnoea has not responded to more conservative measures, Dr Linda may recommend this type of therapy.
Surgery 
Dr Linda may recommend surgery if you can’t tolerate an oral appliance or CPAP therapy. The most common surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea involves removing tissue at the rear of your mouth and top of your throat.

If you or your family members suspect you may have issues with sleeping book in to talk to Dr Linda today. Make an appointment today to have your head and neck assessed and appropriate screening done to give you a definitive diagnosis.