Rest Easier with Oracare
SLEEP APNOEA
Let our team guide you towards restful, healthy sleep with our tailored sleep apnoea treatments.
A Good Night’s Sleep Is Not A Luxury
Sleep apnoea is a prevalent and serious sleep disorder that often goes undiagnosed.
It is a condition that not only disrupts sleep patterns but can also have significant implications for overall health if left untreated. As dental professionals, our team at Oracare are uniquely positioned to identify and address issues related to sleep apnoea.
We aim to raise awareness about sleep apnoea, its symptoms, causes, and treatment options, to improve the sleep quality and overall health of our patients.
What is Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.
The most common form is obstructive sleep apnoea, which occurs when throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway during sleep. This can cause a drop in oxygen levels in the blood, leading to disrupted sleep as the body jolts awake to resume breathing.
People suffering from sleep apnoea might not even realise they have it. It’s often recognised by others witnessing the individual struggling to breathe during sleep or by a person feeling unrefreshed after waking, despite having a full night’s sleep.
What Causes Sleep Apnoea?
Obstructive sleep apnoea results when the muscles in the back of your throat relax excessively. These muscles support the soft palate, the triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate (uvula), the tonsils, the side walls of the throat and the tongue.
When the muscles relax, your airway narrows or closes as you breathe in, leading to inadequate breath intake. This situation lowers the level of oxygen in your blood. Your brain senses this inability to breathe and briefly rouses you from sleep so that you can reopen your airway. This awakening is usually so brief that you don’t remember it. Risk factors for sleep apnoea include excess weight, a thicker neck circumference, a narrowed airway, being male, older age, family history, use of alcohol or sedatives, and smoking.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea
Symptoms of sleep apnoea can be subtle or obvious and may include:
loud snoring
gasping or choking during sleep
excessive daytime sleepiness
morning headaches
difficulty concentrating
irritability and mood changes
high blood pressure
It is crucial to note that snoring is common in sleep apnoea, but not everyone who snores has sleep apnoea. Likewise, not everyone with sleep apnoea snores. So, if you have any of these symptoms, particularly if they are affecting your quality of life, it’s worth getting checked.
How Can I Treat My Sleep Apnoea?
At Oracare, we understand that quality sleep is essential for your overall well-being. One of the treatments we offer to address sleep apnoea is the Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD). This is a custom-made oral appliance worn at night which repositions the lower jaw and tongue to keep the airway open during sleep, thereby alleviating sleep apnoea symptoms.
Do I Need To Treat Sleep Apnoea?
It’s important to treat sleep apnoea because untreated sleep apnoea can lead to a host of serious health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and mental health issues.
Moreover, untreated sleep apnoea can lead to poor performance in everyday activities such as work or school and an increased risk of accidents due to excessive daytime fatigue. It’s not just a matter of quality of life; it’s a matter of health and safety as well.
Book A Sleep Apnoea Consultation in Thornlands
Are you struggling with disrupted sleep or do you suspect you may have sleep apnoea? Don’t let another restless night go by. Our team is here to help diagnose and provide treatment options tailored to your needs. Book a consultation with our team to discuss your symptoms and explore the right treatment for you.
Remember, a good night’s sleep is not a luxury – it’s a necessity for overall health and well-being.
Have any questions?
Your best smile starts with a single conversation. Connect with our team today, or book your free consultation and let our Oracare clinicians guide you to the right solution.