Top Tips on Dealing with Sleep Apnoea
Sleep apnoea is a condition that’s frustrating for both sufferers and those that live with them. Be-cause the airway is obstructed by the relaxation of the tongue and airway muscles, those suffering from sleep apnoea will be more prone to loud snoring.
Even though sleep apnoea might be heavily impacting on your quality of life, all is not lost, as there are numerous ways that you can combat sleep apnoea and get a good night’s rest.
What is Sleep Apnoea?
With over 4% of Australians living with sleep apnoea, it’s a serious condition that affects many. It dis-rupts normal sleeping patterns because the body will reflexively respond to clear the blockage.
Aside from that though, it can be a frightening experience for sufferers, as they will sometimes wake up choking and gasping for air in severe cases. This is enough of a reason to seek out treatment or find ways of dealing with the causes of sleep apnoea.
Often, sufferers will wake up feeling tired and unrefreshed and experience tiredness throughout the day, some other problems those with sleep apnoea face include:
- Mood fluctuation
- Reduced cognitive function
- Social withdrawal
- Decreased libido
- Strokes
- Coronary issues
There are three types of sleep apnoea. They are:
- Obstructive Apnoea – As its name suggests, this variation of sleep apnoea occurs when there’s an obstruction in the upper airways. It’s most commonly caused by the collapse of muscles around the throat and tongue and is a more severe condition when associated with snoring.
- Central Apnoea – This condition occurs when the part of the brain that controls breathing doesn’t send messages to the appropriate muscles, breathing ceases for short periods. How-ever, it’s worth noting that this condition is usually not associated with snoring.
- Mixed Apnoea – A combination of both central and obstructive apnoea, one will usually see snoring present with mixed apnoea and should seek treatment.
How to Cope with it
There are many ways that you can deal with sleep apnoea and negate the symptoms, some of which include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Changing your sleeping position
- Giving up alcohol and cigarettes
- Exercising regularly
- Using a humidifier
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a sure-fire way to combat sleep apnoea, you can investigate the fol-lowing options:
- CPAP Treatment – As the standard treatment used by dental professionals, CPAP is the most effective way to treat sleep apnoea. The process is relatively simple and involves you wearing a mask to bed over your nose which pumps air through a tube and keeps your airways open while you sleep. Find out more about the CPAP treatment we offer, here.
- Oral Appliances – Similar to CPAP machines, other oral devices can be custom-made right here at TLC Dental Clinic that are perfectly fitted to your face. You may find that these devices are more comfortable than CPAP machines, though they aren’t always as effective. It’s also worth noting that patients with full dentures, pre-existing jaw disorders and untreated gum disease and dental decay are not ideal candidates for oral appliances.
- Surgical Treatments – For those not wanting to wear masks to bed due to comfort-related constraints, there are surgeries one can undergo. One such option involves the repositioning of excess tissue to make the airway wider and can also involve the trimming down of your soft palate and uvula and removal of your tonsils. Please note that this option is not offered by the team at TLC Dental.
How Can We Help You?
As professional dentists, the team at TLC Dental offers a host of services to assist those who suffer from sleep apnoea and help them get a good night’s sleep. Whether it be through CPAP treatment or our custom-made oral appliances, our team are dedicated to meeting your needs.
Give us a call today to find out more about the services we offer. Our team are more than willing to answer any questions you might have and put your mind at ease before you make a decision regard-ing your sleep apnoea treatment.
