A Guide to Managing Sleep Apnoea

Sleep apnoea (also spelled apnea) is a disorder that is characterized by pauses in breathing, which can last for a few seconds or a few minutes. The irregular breathing typically follows a bout of snoring, which can be quite loud and often wakes the person.

This disorder can result in the person being constantly tired, as they are not able to enjoy regular deep sleeping patterns, and with that in mind, here are some tips on how best to manage sleep apnoea.

Seek Out Specialist Help

If you are suffering from sleep apnoea, it might be related to an oral issue, and by consulting a dentist Gold Coast locals rely on, an accurate diagnosis can be found. Sleep apnoea can be caused by any of the following:

  • Crooked teeth
  • Abnormal swallowing
  • Missing teeth
  • Grinding of teeth

There are other factors that can influence this disorder, such as being overweight, excessive alcohol consumption, and even a genetic disposition to the condition.

Treatment Options

Treatment might include a change of lifestyle, wearing a special mouth device, or even surgery in some cases. If the person drinks excessively, this might be the cause and the specialist would recommend abstaining from alcohol, or at the very least, cutting down on consumption. Other potential causes include having an unusually small airway or enlarged tonsils, and many people suffer from sleep apnoea and are not aware of it. Often, a family member notices it and tells the person, who is otherwise unaware of any problem, although they would likely experience tiredness during the day.

Breathing Devices

There are specifically created mouthpieces that can help to eliminate sleep apnoea, which works by keeping the airway open, and such a device would be only be worn during sleep.

Sleeping On Your Side

This is often all it takes to make the condition disappear, as sleeping on your back can make breathing more difficult, and by seeking the help of your dentist initially, he or she would likely be able to pinpoint the cause.

Overnight Sleep Study

This is the best way to determine whether a person suffers from sleep apnoea, and the study monitors the person while sleeping, recording breathing frequency and other aspects of the sleep pattern.

Sleep apnoea can affect any person at any age, however, it is more common in people aged 50-60 years, and after a dental examination, the cause is usually found and suitable treatment can be recommended.

Risk Of Complications

If sleep apnoea is not treated, it could lead to conditions such as,

  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Motor disorders

If you seem to feel tired during the day for no apparent reason, sleep apnoea could well be the cause, and if you sleep with your partner, ask them if they notice a disruption in normal breathing or periods of snoring, which are symptoms. If they do confirm this, make an appointment with your dentist, who will carry out some tests to determine if you are, in fact, suffering from sleep apnoea.

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