What is snoring?

Snoring is the harsh or hoarse noise produced when air flows past tissues in the throat. Most people snore occasionally, but it remains a persistent issue for some. Persistent snoring could be an indication of something more serious going on with your body. Generally, chronic or loud snoring is linked to other serious health issues.

What is sleep apnoea?

Sleep apnoea affects breathing. As a result, breathing ceases several times throughout the night. Sleep apnoea may cause loud snoring and sleep deprivation. Without treatment, the condition can lead to obnoxious snoring, fatigue during the day, and even heart problems or high blood pressure. Most people who suffer from sleep apnoea have obstructive sleep apnoea. The condition manifests itself when the soft tissues of the throat repeatedly collapse and block the airways during sleep, resulting in the sufferer waking up gasping for air. During these times, your chest muscles and diaphragm must work harder to allow air into your lungs. You may start gasping for air or jerking uncontrollably. This may disrupt sleep, reduce oxygen to your vital organs, and cause an irregular heartbeat. When your airway does not become blocked during sleep, you may be diagnosed with central sleep apnoea. Instead, problems in the respiratory control centre prevent the brain from sending signals to the muscles to breathe. People with a neuromuscular disorder like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, those who have suffered a stroke, and those suffering from heart failure, kidney disease, or lung disease are at a higher risk of developing central sleep apnoea. Both obstructive and central sleep apnoea coexist in a condition known as complex sleep apnoea syndrome or treatment-emergent central sleep apnoea.

How can Dr Patel assist with snoring and sleep apnoea?

Dr Patel is an expert in treating snoring and sleep apnoea with oral appliances. Oral appliance therapy entails sleeping with a custom-fitted removable oral piece in your mouth (much like a sports mouthguard or orthodontic retainer). Many different oral appliances are available to treat obstructive sleep apnoea, and they can have a variety of appearances. Oral appliances can help reduce or eliminate snoring and sleep apnoea by gradually strengthening the airway. Some can be modified, so you can change how your jaw fits into its socket. Dr Patel will examine your jaws, teeth, and temporomandibular joints to see if you're a good candidate for a mandibular advancement device. He will make models of your teeth and see if they are satisfactory. These moulds will be used by Dr Patel to create custom oral appliances for his patients. Injuries to the jaw are possible if the device is not fitted correctly. As a result, snoring and sleep apnoea symptoms can be reduced if you wear the appropriate devices at night while you sleep.

There are primarily two kinds of oral appliances, and their methods of operation are slightly distinct from one another.

• Mandibular repositioning devices – These mouthpieces clear your airway by shifting your lower jaw forward and down while you sleep.
• Tongue retaining devices – These devices aren't as common, but they work for most teeth and gums. These appliances maintain a forward-facing position of the tongue. Due to the position of the tongue in relation to the lower jaw, this device maintains an open airway.

Dr Patel will carry out a physical examination to determine if an oral appliance will help with snoring and sleep apnoea. Dr Patel will monitor your progress to ensure oral appliances relieve your symptoms. There will be initial discomfort from the devices, but after a few days, you will get used to these appliances. Those who use oral appliances effectively do so because they are monitored frequently and used consistently.

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