Sleep Apnoea
Often, snoring is a sign of a much more serious condition known as sleep apnoea.
Sleep apnoea is an airway obstruction that occurs when throat muscles relax & you stop breathing at night. The obstruction results in lower levels of oxygen in the blood. It affects more than 3 in 10 men and almost 2 in every 10 women. Most are not aware they have the condition.
Sleep apnoea is a major contributing factor to heart disease and dementia. Sleep apnoea sufferers often experience elevated blood pressure which is a serious risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Oxygen deprivation that occurs during sleep apnoea has recently been shown to affect memory function and interferes with brain's ability to learn new information. Whilst there is no cure for dementia, treating sleep apnoea has been reported to help prevent cognitive decline before it is too late.
Even if you only have mild sleep apnoea, an oral appliance will result in reduction or cessation of snoring. Apart from the benefits to your health, this could be a special gift to your partner!
