Tired of snoring?

Snoring and daytime sleepiness is a serious medical issue as it leads to broken sleep for snorers and their partners. It can have a profound impact on their quality of life as well as be embarrassing and disrupt relationships.

Daytime sleepiness will reduce effectiveness at work and increase risk of accidents. Reduced energy leads to poor motivation to exercise and hence weight gain. Relationships can be seriously damaged by the need to sleep in different bedrooms and increased stress levels. Patients who snore and have obstructive sleep apnoea have an elevated risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and ultimately heart disease.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is the term used when a person stops breathing while asleep and then breathes again accompanied by a gasp, snort or a choke sound. Breathing interruptions, known as ‘sleep apnoea’, reduce oxygen levels in the blood. During sleep the brain reacts quickly  and releases adrenalin which causes a partial wakening. This cycle can occur may times per hour thereby interrupting sleep.

The NHS will not treat simple snorers due to financial constraints. Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea depends on a diagnosis which requires a detailed study of signs and symptoms during sleep. Granta Dental, in association with Solutions4Snoring can now offer a Home Sleep Study service.  This enables an individual to have a sleep assessment from the comfort of their own home and at their own convenience. A recorder device that is lightweight and easy to wear is delivered to your home. Once the single night study has been completed the recorder is collected and the data assessed by a sleep physician. Diagnosis and recommended treatment is provided within 15 working days from the receipt of the equipment and completed questionnaire.

Dental appliances have been shown to play an effective role in the management of simple snoring and  mild/moderate sleep apnoea. The appliance will not cure the disorder but works by temporarily repositioning the lower jaw forwards. The tongue and soft palate are moved forwards, alleviating airway obstruction. In order to be effective and remain so, the appliance must be worn each night. For sufferers of severe obstructive sleep apnoea, use of a continuous positive air pressure delivery device is the recommended treatment.