Fatigue, loud snoring and disruptive sleep patterns are just a few of the symptoms linked to sleep apnoea. This sleep disorder mainly affects adults and is often recognised by frequent breaks to your sleep brought about by breathing interruptions that cause you to suddenly wake. Sleep apnoea is a medical condition that often goes undiagnosed, but can have serious implications if left untreated. Five signs that you may be suffering from sleep apnoea 1. Snoring Ever heard the term ‘listen to your body’? Snoring could be a sign of a more serious and underlying condition. Loud and frequent snoring is also the main symptom of sleep apnoea. When we refer to snoring in relation to sleep apnoea, it should be happening nightly in loud and disruptive patterns. The familiar sound is produced when air does not move freely through your throat and nose while you are asleep. The restricted airflow causes a vibration in your surrounding throat tissue, which in turn, produces the sound of snoring. The restricted airflow leads to breathing disruptions while you are asleep, causing you to wake up as a response. 2. Fatigue Is ‘tired’ becoming an inherent part of your personality? Do you always feel sleepy even after a full night’s sleep? If you are suffering from sleep apnoea, disruptive sleep patterns are a regular occurrence. Triggered by snoring, your body will constantly send signals to your brain to wake up and breathe. These interruptions do not allow you to reach the deep sleep stages for your body to get the rest it needs to repair itself. 3. Obesity Overweight people experience a much higher risk of suffering from sleep apnoea. This happens as fat tissue in the airway can cause an obstruction and contribute to snoring. 4. Headaches While the healthiest of people may also fall victim to headaches, the frequent breathing interruptions of sleep apnoea mean that less oxygen will be going to your brain, resulting in constant headaches. 5. Dry mouth Most people who suffer from sleep apnoea involuntarily sleep with their mouths open in an attempt to breathe properly. This causes a dry mouth and sore throat when you wake up. There are three types of sleep apnoea: 1. Central sleep apnoea Occurs when the brain does not send a signal to your respiratory system to breathe. 2. Obstructive sleep apnoea This is the most common form of the disorder and happens when your breathing is interrupted by a physical blockage in the upper airway. The blockage could be, and often is, soft tissue. 3. Mixed sleep apnoea This is a combination of both central and obstructive sleep apnoea. Risks of leaving sleep apnoea untreated: · High blood pressure · Heart disease · Stroke · Accidents from falling asleep while driving · Diabetes · Depression What is All About Teeth’s solution? We offer a night guard, custom made to your mouth that could help reduce snoring. The device, which is worn when you are sleeping, will reposition your lower jaw, opening the airway to avoid breathing disruptions or blockages. These devices are useful in correcting mild to moderate cases of obstructive sleep apnoea. At All About Teeth, we are passionate about helping you keep your smile for life. If the above symptoms sound familiar, schedule a consultation with our experienced dentists today.