Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder that can affect your quality of sleep and disrupt your sleeping pattern. At Liverpool Dental Spa, we understand the importance of a good night’s sleep and we can provide assistance for patients who snore or suffer from sleep apnoea or bruxism. If you’re suffering, we are here to help.
If you’re not familiar with sleep apnoea, here are six facts to fill you in:
- Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder that affects breathing: sleep apnoea causes interrupted breathing while you sleep. This occurs when the airway becomes blocked and air flow is reduced and then stopped completely.
- Sleep apnoea is diagnosed with the airway is blocked for 10 seconds or more: apnoea is a term given when the airway is completely blocked for more than 10 seconds. If the airway is partially blocked, this is known as hypopnoea.
- Sleep apnoea is more common in men: sleep apnoea is more common in men than women. In the UK, around 2 percent of middle-aged women suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea, compared to 4 percent of middle-aged men.
- Having a thick neck increases the risk of sleep apnoea: having a large or thick neck increases the risk of sleep apnoea. Men with a neck circumference of 17 inches (43 cm) have a greater risk of developing sleep apnoea than those with a smaller neck circumference.
- Drinking alcohol makes symptoms of sleep apnoea worse: drinking alcohol makes symptoms of sleep apnoea and snoring worse because alcohol relaxes the muscles in the throat. If you suffer from sleep apnoea or you snore, you should avid drinking alcohol in the evenings.
- Sleep apnoea can be life-threatening: in severe cases, sleep apnoea can be life-threatening, as airflow is blocked while you sleep. If you have severe sleep apnoea, you may be advised to wear breathing apparatus while you sleep. This involves wearing an oxygen mask to help you breathe.
Tags: problems with sleep liverpool, sleep apnoea treatment in Liverpool, sleeping disorder treatment liverpool, sleeping problems treatment liverpool
