Sleep Apnoea Treatment
Sleep apnoea is a serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This condition can lead to fragmented sleep and low oxygen levels, putting strain on the cardiovascular system. If left untreated, sleep apnoea can increase the risk of developing various health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
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What is Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnoea occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax excessively, causing the airway to narrow or close entirely. This results in pauses in breathing that can last from a few seconds to a minute or more, disrupting your sleep cycle. The most common type of sleep apnoea is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), which occurs when the airway is physically blocked.
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Risk Factors for Sleep Apnoea:
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Excess weight: Obesity significantly increases the risk of sleep apnoea due to fat deposits around the upper airway.
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Neck circumference: A thicker neck can narrow the airway, increasing the likelihood of obstruction.
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Aging: Sleep apnoea is more common in older adults.
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Family history: A family history of sleep apnoea can increase your risk.
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Alcohol or sedative use: These substances relax the muscles in your throat, worsening sleep apnoea.
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Smoking: Smoking increases inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway.
How We Can Help
At Tooth Sparkler, we work closely with respiratory sleep clinics to provide comprehensive care for patients with sleep apnoea. We can arrange take-home sleep studies to assess your sleep quality and determine if sleep apnoea or other sleep disorders are present.
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Take-Home Sleep Studies
Take-home sleep studies are a convenient way to monitor your sleep patterns in the comfort of your own home. These studies provide valuable data on your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and other vital signs while you sleep. The results will help us and our partnered sleep clinics diagnose sleep apnoea and tailor a treatment plan to your needs.
Treatment Options
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnoea, or if you suffer from teeth grinding (bruxism) or clenching, we offer customised oral appliances to improve your sleep quality and protect your oral health.
