Is Snoring Costing You More Than A Good Night’s Sleep ?
Snoring and sleep apnoea can have a devastating effect on your health, relationships and work.

Snoring is a result of the airway narrowing, causing vibrations at the back of the throat. Sleep apnoea is when the airway is completely closed, and breathing temporarily stops during your sleep cycle.

The airway can repeatedly collapse during the night, preventing oxygen from reaching your lungs. This means you wake up often to allow breathing to start again, although typically you won’t be aware of this. Some people may be aware they wake up to go to the bathroom frequently, however it can be your cessation of breathing that triggers you to wake!

OSA or obstructive sleep apnoea is a common sleep disorder, meaning your airway collapses while you are sleeping. This can happen hundreds of times during the night while each apnoea (period of no breathing) can last from 10 to 60 seconds or more. You will wake, gasp for breath then fall asleep again.

This fragmented sleep pattern means you wake up constantly tired!

In addition other symptoms of OSA include daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, poor memory and concentration, depression, low mood, irritability, low libido, getting up to go to the bathroom often at night, loud snoring and experiencing a choking sensation during sleep. It is often your partner who will notice when your snoring stops intermittently, your breathing has also stopped.

Important things to know about OSA:
- Untreated OSA increases the risk of heart attack by 30 per cent
- OSA significantly increases the risk of a stroke
- 80 per cent of stroke patients have sleep apnoea
- Almost 60 per cent of Type 2 diabetics have OSA
- Patients with depression are five times more likely to have OSA
- People with OSA are 10 times more likely to have a motor vehicle accident
- Over half of patients with idiopathic high blood pressure have OSA
- Thin people can have sleep apnoea too!

Treatment of OSA may include lifestyle changes, CPAP (continuous positive airways pressure) machine and/or a custom made oral appliance called a MAS (mandibular advancement splint).

People have a variety of mouths and jaw shapes so you should find a dentist who is trained in designing a custom made device. If it’s not comfortable you won’t wear it, so go for comfort for your health’s sake. The MAS appliance is ideal for patients who travel as it is small and easy to use every night.

Talk to your GP, dentist or specialist about having a reputable sleep study if you suspect you are snoring or experiencing any of the symptoms above.

Smile by Design
102 Wises Rd Maroochydore 5443 2888
dentist@smilebydesign.net.au