At City Dental Leeds, we don’t just have your smile in mind. We also provide a range of treatments to boost your health and wellbeing, including treatment for bruxism, TMJ disorder, snoring and sleep apnoea.
What is sleep apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a disorder that occurs when the airway becomes blocked while you are asleep. This causes breathing to be interrupted and oxygen flow into the body to be reduced. In severe cases, sleep apnoea can be life-threatening. The term apnoea applies to periods of 10 seconds or longer when the airway is completed obstructed.
How do I know if I have sleep apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is not the same as snoring. However, frequent snoring can be a sign of sleep apnoea. Other possible symptoms include struggling for breath while you sleep, gasping for air, feeling tired and like you haven’t had a good sleep when you wake up and heavy breathing. Sometimes, it may be other people who point out symptoms, as you may not be aware of them while you are semi-conscious.
Other possible signs of sleep apnoea include night sweats and waking up during the night on a frequent basis to urinate.
Risk factors for sleep apnoea
The main risk factors for sleep apnoea include:
- being overweight or obese
- drinking alcohol
- smoking
- having a large neck circumference
- age: people who are aged over 40 years old have a higher risk of sleep apnoea
- gender: males are more likely to suffer from sleep apnoea than females
- taking some types of medication, including sleeping tablets
Treating sleep apnoea
There are various options available for people who have sleep apnoea, from basic lifestyle changes to using breathing apparatus during the night. In mild cases, making positive lifestyle choices and minor changes to your bedtime routine can help to reduce symptoms, while in more severe cases, ongoing treatment may be required. We are able to provide patients with custom-made appliances that help to keep the airway open during the night.
If you think you may have sleep apnoea, call now and make an appointment.
