What is obstructive sleep apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts.
What are some of the symptoms of sleep apnoea?
Patients are often asymptomatic, however the most common symptoms include fatigue on waking and a partner reporting that their bed-fellow frequently stops breathing during sleeping.
If gone unchecked, sleep apnoea can result in increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Who makes a diagnosis of sleep apnoea?
Obstructive sleep apnoea is best diagnosed by a sleep physician. Using a sleep study they are able to quantify the degree of apnoea and suggest the most appropriate treatment.
How is Sleep apnoea treated?
Mandibular advancement appliances can provide relief of mild to moderate sleep apnoea. They work by holding the lower jaw in a forward position while you sleep, increasing the diameter of the airway and preventing apnoeic episodes. Patients generally prefer this type of management when compared to CPAP as the device is less cumbersome, noiseless and portable.
We work closely with several top sleep physicians in Brisbane to treat sleep apnoea. We use the most popular and heavily research brand of mandibular advancement splints - the Somnodent - to provide patients with the best quality care.