Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are conditions that can disrupt sleep and affect overall health. Sleep apnea causes pauses in breathing or shallow breaths, leading to poor sleep quality. Snoring, often linked to airway obstruction, can also be addressed with a snore guard, which keeps the airway open during sleep.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is an ongoing condition that disrupts sleep.
When breathing is paused or becomes shallow, one often moves out of deep sleep into light sleep, resulting in poor sleep quality. Treatment for sleep apnea includes lifestyle changes, custom oral appliances, CPAP devices, or surgery to improve airflow.
Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is often an effective alternative to CPAP for patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.
Many patients suffering from sleep apnea can find relief using a custom removable Oral Appliance Therapy appliance, which adjusts the position of the lower jaw and tongue to minimize airway obstruction.
For moderate to severe sleep apnea, a breathing device called CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) or surgery to widen the breathing passages by shrinking, stiffening, or removing excess tissue in the mouth and throat or resetting the lower jaw may be helpful. A CPAP machine uses a mask that fits over your mouth and/or nose and gently blows air into your throat. This air pressure helps keep your airway open while you sleep. Surgery to shrink the tissue involves a small shot into the breathing passages. Surgery to stiffen excess tissue requires a small incision in the tissue and inserting a piece of stiff plastic.
Snoring
Snoring is a common problem and can affect men and women of all ages.
Snoring is caused by a narrowing or blocking of the airway. The disruption of airflow causes the soft palate and tissues of the throat to vibrate. The narrower the airway becomes, the louder the snoring.
Snoring can often be treated by wearing a snore guard that maintains an open, unobstructed airway in the throat while you sleep.
Some common causes of snoring include:
- Inflammation of the tissues in the mouth nose or throat (including tonsils)
- Blocked nasal passages (often caused by a cold or allergies)
- Lack of muscle tone (due to aging or poor fitness levels)
- Obesity causing the airway to narrow due to fat
- Medicines that cause relaxation
