Snoring and Sleep Apnoea can affect the way you sleep at night.
One-third of your life is spent sleeping, so a good night’s rest assists you to be as productive and present as you can be in the rest of your life.
Are you (or your partner) waking up tired?
Obstructive sleep apnoea is characterised by loud snoring, tiredness upon waking, excessive daytime sleepiness, choking or gasping during sleep, and/or sore or dry throat on waking.
Snoring mostly occurs when airway muscles fail to function normally, this causes very loud vibrations to resonate whenever air passes through the soft palate at the side of the throat. If the tongue also falls back over the airway and breathing stops, apnoea is occurring. For people experiencing these conditions, rest assured that they are correctable. Various factors can contribute to snoring and sleep apnoea; these include:
- Having weak throat muscles causing the throat to close when sleeping;
- A misaligned jaw can have the same effect by creating tension in oral muscles;
- Alcohol consumption; or
- Being overweight, which leads to an even higher chance for fat to gather in and around the throat.
If you have tried numerous techniques that have failed and are looking to wake up refreshed from a quality nights rest, Lara Smile Group can offer you experienced advice. With correct assessment, we can help to identify the causes of your snoring and sleep apnoea. In most cases, a special oral snoring device may be suggested to assist.
This is a relatively inexpensive snoring mouthpiece device (also known as a mandibular advancement splint) that is tailor-made and fitted to wear while sleeping which has the additional benefits of helping you to avoid expensive surgery and is more comfortable than using a CPAP machine.
Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Lara and Geelong
To arrange an appointment to discuss snoring and sleep apnoea treatment, please contact us today.
FAQs
How are snoring and sleep apnoea treated?
In many cases, snoring and sleep apnoea can be managed through lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, reducing alcohol consumption, or addressing jaw misalignment. These adjustments can help alleviate some of the contributing factors to airway obstruction. For more significant cases, a tailor-made oral appliance, like a mandibular advancement splint, is often recommended as an effective treatment. This simple, comfortable mouthpiece can help reposition the jaw and tongue, keeping the airway open during sleep. It offers a non-invasive, affordable alternative to more complex treatments like surgery or CPAP machines, which may not be ideal for all patients.
What are the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)?
Obstructive sleep apnoea is typically marked by loud snoring, tiredness upon waking, excessive daytime sleepiness, choking or gasping during sleep, and a sore or dry throat in the morning. These symptoms are caused by the airway becoming partially or fully blocked during sleep, resulting in disrupted breathing patterns. The repeated interruptions in sleep can prevent you from reaching the deeper stages of rest, leading to a feeling of fatigue and irritability throughout the day. If left untreated, these symptoms can impact your overall daily life, affecting both physical health and mental well-being.
Why should I consider an oral appliance for sleep apnoea or snoring?
Oral appliances are an affordable and comfortable alternative to more invasive treatments. A custom-fitted device gently repositions your jaw and tongue to help maintain an open airway throughout the night, addressing both snoring and sleep apnoea. Unlike CPAP machines, which can be bulky and uncomfortable, or surgery, which is expensive and invasive, a mandibular advancement splint is a non-disruptive solution that can easily be incorporated into your bedtime routine. It offers significant relief for many patients, helping improve both sleep quality and overall health.
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