Got Sleep Apnea? We Can Help With Your Sleep Disorder Treatment
Suffer From Sleep Apnoea? This Is How We Can Help With Sleep Disorder Treatment
Are you tired of waking up in the morning still feeling exhausted? Sick of wondering why after eight ‘solid’ hours of sleep you are still tired? You aren’t alone! It may be time to consider sleep disorder treatment.
You have worked hard all day and cannot wait curl up in bed and get a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, if you’re one of the 5% of Australians affected by sleep apnoea, a restful night is far from your reality. The good news is that you can get help and minimise side effects with effective sleep disorder treatment.
How do you know if you suffer from sleep apnoea?
As the name suggests, sleep apnoea occurs when you are sleeping. During sleep the walls of your throat come together, which ultimately blocks your airway. This results in breathing pauses typically lasting anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, or repeated shallow breathing.
Unfortunately, odds are you will not even realise if you suffer from a sleep disorder. Knowing the tell-tale signs will give you the knowledge you need to seek professional assistance and be diagnosed sooner.
Signs of a sleep disorder include:
- excessive tiredness and possibly falling asleep throughout the day
- snoring
- waking from sleep gasping for air
- obesity
- high blood pressure.
Diagnosing sleep apnoea is easy. Thanks to modern medicine, patients can now use home sleep testing equipment and perform the test in the comfort of their own beds. Once analysed, your doctor and dentist team can discuss treatment options with you.
Sleep disorder treatment options
Like most disorders, there are several treatment options available. They include:
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) – This is a mask that is worn at night and transfers increased air pressure into the throat, preventing the throat walls from collapsing. It is a very effective treatment for severe cases, though many find this impractical as a long term solution.
- Oral appliances – Mouthguards are an option for mild to moderate cases. When sleeping they hold your jaw forward, changing the direction of airflow.
- Lifestyle changes – Reducing alcohol intake and losing weight can be a step in the right direction to improved sleep.
- Surgery – In some severe cases, having surgical adjustment of your upper airway obstruction is effective.
You don’t have to suffer from sleep apnoea anymore. Speak to your healthcare provider about getting diagnosed and then consult a sleep disorder treatment specialist to help you get the good night’s rest you crave.