Snoring & Sleep Apnoea

Snoring can not only affect intimate relationships and cause suffering for other family members, it can also at times indicate a much more serious and potentially life-threatening condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA).

Not everyone who snores has OSA but virtually everyone with OSA snores.

OSA is a condition caused by a partial or total obstruction of your airway during your sleep caused by the relaxation of your tongue and pharyngeal muscles. This can result in your stopping breathing frequently during your sleep with a reduction in oxygen circulating to your brain.

It may happen a few times an hour up to nearly every breath in severe sufferers.

Sometimes your sleeping partner will notice you frequently having disturbance to your breathing.

OSA sufferers will often wake up feeling very tired and lacking in energy.

They lose concentration at work and are at real risk of falling asleep while driving a car. They will also often drift off to sleep at inappropriate times like being a passenger in a car, sitting in front of television or in public transport.

Often their blood pressure is elevated on waking.

It can reduce life expectancy significantly and make a sufferer a dangerous driver likely to have a very serious motor vehicle accident.

We can help determine if your snoring is a more serious problem. See the Epworth Scale test below to self-assess your risk of OSA.

Occasionally, snorers need full sleeping studies to diagnose and initiate treatment for sleep apnoea.

If we determine from your Epworth Scale that you may be at risk of OSA, we will refer you to a local Respiratory Physician who will consult you and probably arrange Sleep Studies at Cairns Private Hospital Sleep Unit.

We work closely with the Respiratory Physician Specialist Doctor in managing your OSA.

Frequently, less serious cases can be readily overcome with anti-snoring appliances. These are called mandibular advancement splints, and we can construct them for you. Mandibular advancement splints are now considered the most effective way of treating mild cases of OSA.

New  SomnoMed® or MDSA Appliances are the ideal option for those who are diagnosed with OSA and who have not, for whatever reason, been able to tolerate the gold standard of treatment which is CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure).

The MDSA and SomnoMed appliances are among the best tolerated of the mandibular advancement splints and are reasonably close to being as effective as CPAP in terms of reducing AHI (Apnoea/Hypopnoea Index) and nocturnal blood pressure.

All this means an end to snoring and a more restful sleep for you, and peaceful slumber for your family members.

To know whether OSA is a likely problem for you or your partner, fill out this questionnaire and check your results. Perhaps we will be able to help you solve some family problems or eliminate a potentially life threatening health issue.