Snoring & Sleep Apnea
Snoring & Sleep Apnea
If you find it difficult to stay awake during the day for no reason, or wake up breathless in the middle of the night, you may be one of the millions of Canadians who are affected by sleep apnea.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which you stop breathing periodically while you sleep. Every time you stop breathing, the lack of oxygen alerts your brain and temporarily wakes you up to restart proper breathing. Many people don't realize they have sleep apnea because they do not remember their awake time and are falsely made to believe they are getting a good night's sleep.
What are the signs of sleep apnea?
The following symptoms can indicate sleep apnea:
- Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
- Snoring loudly at night
- Waking up short of breath
- Snorting or choking sounds during the night
- Waking up sweaty
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Falling asleep during the day
Snoring:
An estimated 80 million people in North America struggle with snoring. Not only is it considered an annoying condition that affects the quality of sleep of loved ones, but it can also have serious health consequences to the person doing the snoring. Snoring itself may not have personal health consequences, but it can be a sign of possible sleep apnea.
The three categories of sleep apnea:
- The most common form of sleep apnea is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). A physical blockage, usually the collapsing of the soft tissue in the back of the throat, is what causes this form of sleep apnea.
- Central sleep apnea (CSA), occurs when muscles don't receive the proper signal from the brain and stops the body from breathing. This is a less common form of sleep apnea.
- Some people suffer from "mixed" or "complex" sleep apnea, which is a combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
Can South London Dental Care help?
Yes, after a thorough assessment we can often treat sleep apnea with a simple dental appliance. Sleep apnea must be diagnosed by a sleep physician. With that diagnosis and a written prescription for an oral appliance, we can fabricate an oral appliance to help you with snoring and/or mild sleep apnea.
Don’t let any of these symptoms go unnoticed. Contact South London Dental Care Centre at