If silent nights are something of a rarity in your household due to snoring or sleep apnoea, we may be able to help restore peace this Christmas.

About snoring and sleep apnoea

Snoring is a very common problem. In most cases, it is a temporary issue that often coincides with colds and coughs, drinking alcohol or sleeping on your back. In some cases, snoring is a much more frequent or long-term issue and if snoring is starting to get you down or cause problems in your relationship, it’s time to do something about it. Persistent snoring may be a sign that your body is struggling to get enough oxygen while you sleep and there may be simple steps you can take to reduce snoring and improve your quality of sleep, as well as making things more harmonious with other members of the household. The main risks factors for snoring include smoking, being overweight, drinking alcohol and sleeping in a position that makes breathing more difficult.

Sleep apnoea is not the same as snoring, but snoring is often a symptom of sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea is a disorder that occurs when your breathing is interrupted as a result of the airway becoming obstructed when you sleep. Apnoea refers to disturbances that last at least 10 seconds. Mild sleep apnoea can often be improved by adopting healthy lifestyle choices, but in more severe cases, more intensive action should be taken.

Treating snoring and sleep apnoea

If snoring is a persistent problem or you have mild sleep apnoea, using a mandibular advancement device may be helpful. This custom-designed appliance helps to move the jaw forward, opening up the airway. Making positive changes to your lifestyle, such as giving up smoking, doing regular exercise, cutting down your alcohol intake and losing weight can also help.

If you would like to find out more about how we could help you, simply give us a call.