Sleep disordered breathing refers to a narrowing of the airway during sleep, leading to various symptoms. These include loud snoring, instances of choking or gasping for air while asleep, frequent awakenings throughout the night, disrupted sleep, and excessive daytime drowsiness. Snoring results from a partial closure of the airway, causing air to move more swiftly during breathing and resulting in vibrations of soft tissues that create noise. Sleep apnea involves a complete closure of the airway, causing a person to temporarily stop breathing, which leads to disturbances in the sleep pattern.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea Dentistry
Causes of Sleep Disordered Breathing
Airway obstruction can originate in several areas. The most prevalent site is the back of the throat, where muscles relax during sleep and fail to keep the airway unobstructed.
Factors often associated with this include:
- Excess weight can exacerbate this by causing fat accumulation in the neck region
- Alcohol and sedative use further relax the muscles
- Smoking irritates tissues and causes fluid retention
- Back sleeping can allow gravity to collapse the tongue,
- Nasal congestion which occurs with allergies and sinus problems that can narrow the nasal passages
- Anatomical factors can also reduce the airway space such as enlarged tonsils and a deviated septum.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea Dentistry
Treatment for Sleep Disordered Breathing
The initial step in addressing sleep disordered breathing involves evaluating its severity through a sleep study. For mild cases, lifestyle adjustments like weight loss, avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bedtime, and altering sleeping positions might be recommended. In mild to moderate instances, a mandibular advancement device (M.A.D) can be employed. This device repositions the lower jaw and tongue forward, thus opening up the airway space during sleep. In severe cases, a continuous positive airway pressure (C.P.A.P) machine is utilized. This device delivers a continuous stream of air via a mask worn during sleep, helping to maintain an open airway. Surgical intervention might be considered for structural problems contributing to the obstruction.
Steps for sleep
STEP 1
Sleep Consultation.
STEP 2
Sleep study with Home
Sleep Studies Australia.
STEP 3
Sleep Assessment review
of results and discussion
of treatment options.
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