What Causes Snoring & Sleep Apnoea
Snoring & Sleep Apnoea: How We Can Help, Somnodent Appliance
Snoring occurs because the soft parts at the back of your throat are too relaxed. This causes them to vibrate while breathing and these vibrations result in the snoring sound.
There are several other factors that could cause or contribute to snoring:
- Extra - long soft tissue at the back of your throat sometimes called "little tongue". Because of its length, it vibrates more during deep sleep.
- Excessive alcohol may relax the soft tissues at the back of the throat.
- Excessive weight or a large neck may put pressure on your neck and airway passage.
- A naturally narrow airway.
- Age will cause reduced muscle tone and more relaxed soft tissues.
- Sleeping on your back encourages the muscles at the back of the throat to relax and obstruct the airway.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea will always involve snoring.
What is Sleep Apnoea
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is a very serious medical condition in which the airway is not just narrowed, as occurs with snoring. In this case the airway is totally blocked and breathing stops. The brain then realizes there is no oxygen and "wakes you up" momentarily. In severe cases of (OAS), this may occur up to 600 times a night.
Sleep Apnoea can cause severe medical problems including heart disease such as very high blood pressure, heart attack, and also stroke.
Sleep Apnoea Symptoms
How do you know if you have Sleep Apnoea?
- Always wake up feeling tired
- Feeling lethargic during the day
- Finding it difficult to concentrate and remember things
Visit us at TLC Dental and let us help you to understand what causes your snoring and how we can treat your problem. To find out more or to book a consultation, contact us on 02 9223 1457 or send us an e-mail.
