Sleep Apnea – The often undiagnosed health issue ruining many nights sleep

Do you wake up feeling tired and irritable? Does your partner complain about you snoring, choking, or gasping in your sleep? Just can’t remember the last time you had a genuinely good night’s sleep? Perhaps you need to investigate the possibility you may be one of the many Australian sufferers of sleep apnea.

According to the Sleep Health Foundation of Australia, ‘Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is present when the airway at the back of the throat is repeatedly blocked, partly or completely, during sleep. Snoring, obesity, observed apneas and sleepiness in the day may suggest that a person has sleep apnea.’

Sleep apnea presents at many different levels of severity, and has the potential to be a severely life-limiting condition, but many cases go undiagnosed. Approximately 9% of women and 25% of men in Australia have ‘clinically significant’ sleep apnea, while an additional 4% of both sexes are symptomatic. One estimation by healthy sleep experts suggests up to 80% of those suffering from sleep apnea in Australia remain undiagnosed.

Untreated sleep apnea is associated with:

• Increased heart rate
• Higher blood pressure
• Changes in metabolism
• Impaired liver function
• Nerve dysfunction
• Severe tiredness

  Source: Healthy Sleep Solutions

Sleep apnea can only be diagnosed by a medical professional, but after diagnosis, there are many different treatment options. Recommended treatment paths vary from individual to individual and will be influenced by the severity of the apnea and the overall health of the patient. Even those with the mildest forms of sleep apnea can find an improved sense of vitality with treatment. Afterall, we all know a good night’s sleep is one of the foundations of living a happy, productive life!

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

Lose weight (if overweight or obese)

While it may not completely cure sleep apnea, losing weight (if overweight or obese) can reduce the symptoms and provides many other overall health benefits.

Reduce alcohol consumption

Alcohol is a muscle relaxant that can impede throat function even more. Reducing or completely elimination alcohol consumption may help lessen the effects of sleep apnea.

Change the position you sleep in

For most people, sleeping on their back will exacerbate the effects of sleep apnea. This is due to the fact the tongue is more likely to fall back and block the throat in this position. For those with mild cases, simply changing to a side sleeping position may be the solution. Devices to stop back sleeping are available to purchase. Sewing a tennis ball into the back of a shirt also works!

Unblock your nose

Having nasal congestion necessitates mouth breathing, which can lead to snoring and sleep apnea. Nasal congestion can be caused by many things including diet, medications, and anatomical obstruction. Speak to your health professional if this is an issue for you.

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airways Pressure)

CPAP involves attaching an air pump machine to the patient’s face for the duration of sleep, which effectively regulates breathing. This is widely acknowledged as the most effective way to stop the symptoms of sleep apnea. However, CPAP only stops the symptoms, it doesn’t cure sleep apnea. It can also be quite off-putting to some patients and their partners to have to bring a machine to bed every night.

Oral Dental Appliances

Specially made dental plates can treat sleep apnea by either helping push the patient’s jaw forward or holding the tongue in place. Both of these adjustments result in keeping the throat free from obstruction. These oral appliances are known by multiple names such as Mandibular Advancement Splints (MAS) or Mandibular Advancement Devices. As sleep apnea is commonly diagnosed with associated dental issues such as bruxism (teeth grinding), expertly designed oral appliances can address more than one health issue.  

McCloy Dental have decades of dental experience, including the custom creation of oral appliances for use in the treatment of sleep apnea. Contact us today if you suspect you or a family member may be suffering from this condition and we will be happy to discuss possible treatment pathways in conjunction with your other health professionals.

*Please note that any information given in this article is extremely general in nature and should in no way been seen as a substitute for individualised professional advice.