The princess, the pea and sleep apnoea
Have you been struggling to have a good night’s sleep?
Most of us know about the story of the princess and the pea and many of us can probably relate. But if you are struggling to have a good night’s sleep, or if you are waking up feeling restless, then there may be more to it.
You may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea.
MyDental Care in Meadowbank in the City of Ryde is committed to helping our patients get a good night’s sleep with comprehensive treatment for sleep apnoea.
Are you suffering from chronic snoring, poor concentration levels and fatigue?
These are all symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
OSA is a form of sleep apnoea that involves excess tissue in the throat blocking the air passage that enables natural breathing for a good night’s sleep. Once the airway is blocked the body is not able to get the oxygen it needs and signals are sent to your brain to trigger an emergency reaction.
This reaction kick-starts the breathing process, causing you to gasp and partially wake in order to get the oxygen you need to continue breathing.
What are the repercussions of untreated sleep apnoea?
OSA is a serious form of sleep apnoea that can have very serious symptoms if left untreated. Even though sleep disorders are often ignored or left untreated, OSA is a dangerous condition that can lead to many health problems. Some of the health concerns that OSA has been linked with include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Increased blood pressure
- Heart attack, stroke, irregular heart function and cardiovascular failure
- Depression, a feeling of constant stress and tiredness
- Diabetes
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Memory loss
In addition to these concerns, chronic snoring can disrupt relationships and have a serious impact on your life.
Some recent studies have also revealed a strong link between OSA and the development of cancer, which is why it is important to seek treatment if you suspect you or a loved one is suffering from OSA.
Who is at risk of developing sleep apnoea?
Anyone can have OSA, however there are a number of different factors that can make the chances of having OSA more likely. Some contributing factors that can increase the chances of having OSA include:
- Anyone over the age of 40
- Individuals who are overweight
- Having nostrils that are larger than usual
- Those with a smaller jaw
- Hereditary factors (a history of sleep apnoea)
- Any type of nasal obstruction
- Mouth breathing during your sleep (as this causes the lower jaw to relax and push tissue towards your airway)
Treating OSA with MyDental Care
At MyDental Care Dr Louis Chan and our dental professionals can assess your symptoms and tailor a treatment plan to address your potential sleep disorder.
Sleep apnoea treatment by Dr Louis Chan involves the use of oral appliance therapy which corrects the position of your jaws and the throat tissue. Dr Louis Chan will guide you through your treatment and will recommend surgery or CPAP therapy if more extensive treatment is required. Despite this, MyDental Care will always aim to correct sleep apnoea and other dental issues without the need for oral surgery.
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