What causes sleep apnoea?
Obstructive sleep apnoea has a number of possible causes, including excess weight, lifestyle habits and genetic factors.
Obstructive sleep apnoea is a serious condition that, if left untreated, can lead to various health complications. While excess weight is the most common cause of the disorder in adults, there are a number of other factors that can contribute to the issue. Read on to find out more about the possible causes, and what you can do if you are struggling with the condition and its disruptive symptoms…
What causes the condition?
Excess weight and obesity are the most common causes of obstructive sleep apnoea in adults. Studies show that more than half of individuals who have been diagnosed with the condition are overweight or obese.
Lifestyle habits, such as smoking and alcohol and drug abuse can also lead to obstructive sleep apnoea. Other factors that can cause the condition include a particularly narrow throat; medical conditions such as allergies, congestion in the upper airways, and hypothyroidism; and problems related to the structure of the nose.
In children, common causes of the condition include enlarged tonsils or adenoids, as well as dental and bite-related issues.
Why should the issue be addressed?
It is important to know that obstructive sleep apnoea is a serious condition. If left untreated, the condition can lead to a range of other health issues. These include high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, diabetes and gastric reflux. The condition is also associated with daytime fatigue, which can contribute to mood-related problems like depression and anxiety.
For these reasons, it is advisable to seek treatment if you notice any of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea. Fortunately, there are a range of treatments that can help to effectively reduce symptoms of the disorder. Your health practitioner will also advise you on any appropriate lifestyle changes, as well as how to best manage any underlying conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms.
What are the treatment options?
There are a range of options available for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea. One of the most effective solutions is the use of oral appliances that are custom-made and help to alleviate symptoms like snoring and pauses in breathing. Mandibular advancement splints are widely used for the treatment of the condition — the device is designed to fit over the upper and lower dental arches and includes special hinges that help to ease the jaw forward.
Other possible treatments include the use of continuous positive air pressure (CPAP), which involves a mask that fits over the nose and mouth and delivers air down the throat to keep the airways open during sleep; and surgery in cases where other treatment options have proven unsuccessful.
How can we help?
At Future Dental, we offer a range of medical dental treatments, including solutions for snoring and sleep apnoea. We understand that your oral health involves much more than your teeth, which is why we are available to help patients address a wide range of concerns.
When it comes to snoring and sleep apnoea, we offer mandibular advancement splints (MAS) to alleviate symptoms. To find out what the treatment involves, please have a look here.
Besides solutions for sleep apnoea, our medical treatments also include occlusal splint therapy, oral cancer screening, treatments for dry mouth and bad breath, migraine treatments and therapeutic injectables.
If you would like to find out more about our medical services, please have a look here.
We also offer a comprehensive range of dental services, including preventative, restorative, cosmetic, and orthodontic treatments. To see the full range of treatments that we provide, please have a look here.
If you would like to arrange a consultation, please give us a call on (07) 4051 4580 or get in touch with us here. We look forward to welcoming you to our practice in Cairns and helping to improve your overall wellbeing. Our team values your health and is available to help in any way possible.
