Many people snore without really thinking about it, but if you snore on a regular basis, gasp for breath or regularly wake feeling like you’ve had a restless night, this could be a sign of sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder that causes interrupted breathing. It can potentially be very serious and should therefore be carefully managed. If you suffer with sleepless nights, we are here to help – call today to book an appointment.

What exactly is sleep apnoea?

Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder that occurs when the airway becomes obstructed for longer than 10 seconds. This results in interrupted breathing, shortness of breath and gasping for air while you sleep. Loud snoring is often a common symptom.

Sleep apnoea can range from mild to severe. In the most serious cases, it can even be fatal.

What causes sleep apnoea?

The main risk factors for sleep apnoea include:

• being overweight
• having a large neck circumference
• family history
• smoking
• drinking alcohol

Treating sleep apnoea

There are various treatment options when it comes to sleep apnoea, including lifestyle changes such as losing weight, doing more exercise, giving up smoking and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, especially at night. In more severe cases, additional treatment may be required and this can involve taking medication and using a breathing mask to ensure constant air flow while you sleep. This form of treatment is known as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). At City Dental, we also recommend the use of custom-made mandibular advancement devices, which are suited to those with mild or moderate symptoms. These devices hold the jaw in a forward position, keeping the airway open and facilitating oxygen flow.

At City Dental Leeds, we don’t just look after teeth and gums, we also provide treatment for sleep disorders such as snoring and sleep apnoea. If you’re struggling with sleep, we can help.

What is sleep apnoea and what risks does it pose?

Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder that affects breathing. It can be very serious and even life-threatening in severe cases. Apnoea is classed as interrupted breathing for 10 second periods and it is caused by the airway becoming obstructed. This obstruction reduces airflow and decreases the amount of oxygen travelling around the body.

The most common signs of sleep apnoea are gasping for breath, heavy breathing, loud snoring and struggling to breathe while you sleep. It is also very common to wake during the night and to wake up in the morning feeling like you’ve not slept well. Many people suffer from daytime tiredness and a loss of concentration as a result of disturbed sleep patterns at night.

Possible complications of sleep apnoea include:

• high blood pressure
• increased risk of accidents (caused by slow reactions, tiredness and reduced cognitive function associated with lack of sleep)
• diabetes

What causes sleep apnoea and what can be done to help?

The most common risk factors for sleep apnoea include:

• being overweight
• having extra fat around the neck
• drinking alcohol
• smoking
• family history
• taking sedatives or sleeping tablets

Often, making positive lifestyle choices such as doing more exercise, eating a healthy diet, giving up smoking, losing weight and cutting out alcohol in the evenings can help to reduce symptoms. However, in some cases additional treatment may be recommended. In severe cases, a form of treatment known as CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is recommended. This involves wearing a mask that helps you to breathe during the night. In milder cases, we can provide a mandibular advancement appliance, which is a custom-made device that moves the lower jaw forward slightly to increase airflow. By adjusting the position of the jaw, the airway remains open while you sleep.