Have you ever wondered why some people snore or wake up constantly during the night? The strange noise that some of us make when we sleep at night is commonly known as snoring. Snoring can have several causes, but you may not have known that it can also be a telling symptom of a commonly undiagnosed sleep disorder called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, or OSA for short.

OSA is a common sleep disorder that affects millions. It’s estimated that 1 in 5 Aussies have a sleep disorder like OSA. The exact prevalence is unknown as it is more likely to be undetected and can often go undiagnosed in sufferers. This is because most people who suffer from OSA don’t know that they have it.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea?

When we sleep at night our body works together to perform various automatic functions such as breathing. For some, our throat muscles can become too relaxed during sleep. When the throat muscles are too relaxed, the airways become narrower as you breathe in. As air tries to travel through narrowed airways it produces a snoring sound.

A partial or complete obstruction to our airways causes breathing to decline or stop completely for a short period of time, this is called an episode.

During an episode, our brain receives a message that something is wrong. When this happens, the brain will arouse itself from sleep for a few seconds, sometimes hundreds of times in one night. This can result in feeling unrested and tired after a night’s sleep. We are usually unaware when this happens.

How can I treat Sleep Apnoea?

If you didn’t already know, treatment for mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is available from your dentist. One of the most used treatments to help manage symptoms is a ‘’sleep device’’.

Sleep devices work by slightly moving the lower jaw forward into a comfortable position. They minimise obstruction to the airways while you’re asleep. Sleep devices are adjustable, safe, and effective for nightly use.

No matter which treatment you and your dentist decide is right for you, you can find relief for your symptoms.

Don’t wait, book in with one of our friendly Dentists at a participating practice* to see how we can help you achieve a quality night’s sleep.

Participating practices: Toowoomba, Upper Ross, Cammeray, Rockhampton, Morayfield, Springfield Lakes Central Dentists.

Source:
[1] https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/sleep-apnoea