Snore No More!
June 2nd, 2023
Sleep apnoea is a condition where the walls of the throat collapse during sleep which affects your normal breathing pattern. As a result, your regular sleeping pattern can be affected and you may snore.
Dr Michael Crowe from Dental Care Ireland Kimmage provides oral sleep apnoea appliances to patients who snore or have mild to moderate sleep apnoea. Below, he has answered some commonly asked sleep apnoea questions.
What are symptoms of sleep apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is quite a common condition. However, you often won’t be the one to notice symptoms as they occur while you sleep. For this reason, it is usually a partner, friend or family member who spots the signs of sleep apnoea initially. These symptoms can include loud snoring, loud or struggling breathing, gasping or snorting. This may cause you to wake up frequently through the night. Even if you don’t awaken, you may be brought to a light sleep. As a result, you may find that you’re very tired during the day due to interruptions to your sleeping pattern.
What causes sleep apnoea?
The most common causes of sleep apnoea include weight, age, medication, lifestyle and family history.
Weight
If you are overweight, your risk of developing sleep apnoea greatly increases. This is because excess weight around your neck and airways can make breathing more difficult.
Age
While sleep apnoea can affect people of any age, you are more likely to develop the condition if you are aged 40 or above.
Medication
Certain medications may have an effect on your airways which can cause sleep apnoea. This includes medications with a sedative effect such as sleeping tablets.
Lifestyle
Certain lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption and smoking can increase your risk of developing sleep apnoea. Drinking alcohol, especially before you go to sleep, can relax and narrow your airways which may lead to snoring and sleep apnoea. If you smoke, you are three times more likely to develop sleep apnoea than someone who has never smoked. This is because smoking can increase inflammation of the airways.
Family History
If a family member has sleep apnoea, you may be at higher risk of developing the condition.
How can sleep apnoea be treated?
Sleep apnoea can often be treated by making certain lifestyle changes and using breathing apparatus while you sleep. Making healthy lifestyle changes is important if you’re dealing with sleep apnoea. This can include losing weight if you are overweight, not smoking and limiting alcohol consumption (especially before you sleep).
What happens if sleep apnoea is left untreated?
People with sleep apnoea may go undiagnosed for a long time as the condition only occurs during sleep, making it difficult to spot. However, if you suspect you may have sleep apnoea, it is important to book an appointment with your doctor. In the short-term, sleep apnoea can affect a person’s life by causing tiredness during the day, impaired memory due to lack of sleep, and so on. In the long term, sleep apnoea can lead to more serious medical conditions, so it is important to see a doctor if you suspect you may be living with the condition.
If you are affected by sleep apnoea and are looking for a solution, Dental Care Ireland Kimmage can help. Contact details and location.
