Snoring and Treatment
Snoring is a sleep and breathing disorder, which occurs when the breathing passage is partially obstructed by a narrowing of the
upper airways. During sleep, the muscles of the upper airway relax, producing noisy breathing through the mouth and
nose.
Snoring is very common
Snoring may affect a large percentage of the population from time to time, and up to 30% of the population
are habitual snorers.
The actual snoring noise is produced by a vibration of the tissues in the throat.
Some of the factors affecting why people snore include:
- Age - as you get older, our muscle tone in the tissues of the throat is reduced;
- Overweight/Obesity - collections of fat may compress and narrow the throat
- Abnormal nasal anatomy - such as deviated nasal septum and nasal polyps
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- Alcohol and certain medication such as tranquilisers or sleeping tablets
- Sleeping on your back
- Stress, overwork or overeating - Exaggerate conditions leading to snoring, producing over-relaxation
of airway muscles and tissues;
and
- Smoking - although not a direct cause of snoring, smoking may contribute by producing excess mucus,
which causes the membranes in the throat to swell and restrict the air passages. If you want to
quit smoking, please visit Quit for more information at
www.quit.org.au or go to the Quit Now campaign page at
www.quitnow.info.au.
When does snoring indicate a more serious problem?
Snoring occurs with the partial collapse of the upper airway, as the muscles
relax whilst asleep. As the upper airway collapses further, snoring
can lead to sleep disordered breathing. The most common form of
sleep disordered breathing is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
OSA is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. Common symptoms of OSA
are morning headaches, waking unrefreshed, excessive daytime sleepiness,
and difficulty concentrating or staying alert. Other people may notice
personality changes, decreased memory, impotence, depression and
difficulty concentrating. If left untreated, OSA may lead to a greater
risk a number of medical conditions, including high blood pressure,
heart disease and stroke.
Click Here to go to our Obstructive Sleep Apnoea page to find out more about
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.
If you snore loudly with occasional pauses in breathing, and
you frequently wake up during the night, you may be suffering from
sleep apnoea. Ask your partner, or a member of your family to listen
for signs of this disorder.
-
For information on symptoms of "Sleep Apnoea" - Click here
for Link to our OSA page
-
Go to our "Treatment for Sleep apnoea" page, Click here
Back to Top
Treatment for Snoring
Initial Treatment for sufferers of snoring
- Weight reduction (especially if BMI is excessively high)
- Stop smoking
- Keep the nose as clear as possible:
- Can use pharmaceutical nasal spray or nasal/snoring strips
- Sleep with head of bed elevated (this reduces nocturnal nasal congestion)
- Use pillows under the head end of the mattress - only two thin or one thick on
top of the mattress to maximise pharyngeal size.
- Reduce or stop consumption of alcohol in the evening (at least 3-4 hours prior to sleep)
- Check Thyroid functions
If these steps do not ease symptoms in patients, patients may be referred to Sleep Services Australia
for a Sleep Study to screen for other sleep disorders, such as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.
|
|
Oral Appliance Therapy
What is MAS?
Mandibular advancement splints (MAS) are dental therapy appliances used for the treatment of snoring and mild to moderate sleep
apnoea. The specific therapy is tailored to the individual based on medical history, results of the sleep study and
physical examination of the jaw and airway. This section provides an overview of MAS therapy.
How does MAS work?
An MAS device repositions the lower jaw and the tongue, and has been helpful as a first-line treatment to some patients
with mild to moderate sleep apnoea, or who snore but do not have apnoea.
- If snoring arises from the base of the tongue, the MAS brings the lower jaw forward to ensure that the tongue does not
fall back whilst asleep. The dentist may recommend a non-adjustable MA which sits in a fixed position as determined by the dentist.
- The most effective design is an adjustable MAS, allowing the lower jaw to be brought forward to the most comfortable
position that clears the upper airway. Impressions of the mouth, including teeth and bite are taken, recording the most comfortable
forward position of the jaw.
Here is an illustration of a popular MAS device manufactured by SomnoMed:
You need to discuss with a dentist or orthodontist whether these types of devices are appropriate for you if you have
Sleep Apnoea or have persistent snoring.
For more information on MAS, Click Here
to go to the SomnoMed website or visit http://www.somnomed.com.au,
where you can also locate an MAS specialists closest to you.
Frequently Asked Questions about MAS
- How long does it take to be made? A custom-made MAS may take a
week or longer for it to be fitted.
- Any side effects? Some people may initially experience aching of
the jaw muscles and teeth, although this should disappear in a few
days.
- How do I take care of my MAS? Splints are easy to take care of (can be cleaned with a toothbrush
and toothpaste).
- How long does the MAS last?Most MAS devices may be used for 4-5 years, depending on the
type of device, and on the wearer. Your dentist will monitor
and can repair your MAS if necessary.
- What if I wear dentures? MAS may be suitable for patients
with no teeth – your MAS specialist will assess your suitability.
Why you may need a Sleep Study
- A sleep study will determine if MAS is recommended, by monitoring your sleep overnight.
- Sleep Services Australia specialize in portable out-of-hospital sleep
monitoring, so patients can now have a low-cost
sleep study, at a time that suits them.
- Simple referral to Sleep Services Australia - you can get a referral for a
sleep study from your GP or dentist.
- No waiting list with Sleep Services Australia - simply telephone our Toll-Free Bookings number to make an
appointment at a time that suits you, at a location closest to you.
- Once you undertake a sleep study, you will have an initial consultation with
your dentist to determine which MAS option is best, taking into account
your sleep study results and the features of your jaw and airway.
- After you acclimatise to your MAS device, a follow-up treatment review sleep
study may be performed to assess the effectiveness of MAS to treat your
sleep disorder. If you have a treatment review with Sleep Services
Australia within 3 months of your first sleep study, your study will be bulk-billed.
Approximate costs of MAS devices
- The MAS typically start at $1,100, depending on the type of MAS prescribed.
- Adjustable MAS are generally more expensive because the fitting of the device involves taking impressions and a model of
the mouth, meaning each device is custom-made for patients.
- Many Private Health Insurance funds offer rebates for treatment devices such as MAS, so
check with your insurance provider for more details.
- Sleep disorders are treatable, and more information
is available on this website. If you suspect that you or your
partner have a sleep disorder, your doctor can evaluate your sleep
problems with a sleep study, and may refer you to a sleep specialist
if necessary.
- You may also want to complete our Interactive
Epworth Sleepiness Scale, a handy self-evaluation tool to
determine if you have Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, which is often a
symptom of a serious sleep disorder.
Click here to go to the
Epworth Sleepiness Scale section.
- Downloadable Facts Sheets - Simply click on any of the headings below to download a PDF version
of our comprehensive Fact Sheets:
For Specific Questions or Referrals:
- See your Dentist or General Practitioner for a Referral to Sleep Services Australia;
- Complete our online Query Form (Click Here) or e-mail your contact details to
query@sleepservicesaustralia.com.au.;
or
- Telephone us on 1300 867 533 (for the cost of a local call).
To view (pdf) files you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Click here for download or more information.
Please Note: The information on this page is intended to be used as a guide only and
is not an authoritative statement. Please consult your family doctor or
sleep physician if you have further questions relating to the
information provided here.
Back to Top
|
