Blog

Sleep apnea is primarily a sleep disorder in which the person stops breathing for a minimum ten second interval many times during sleep. Apnea can be broadly classified into three types;
• Obstructive apnea
• Central apnea
• Mixed apneaObstructive sleep apnea is very common and the main risk factors include male gender, obesity and age factor. Though apnoea is more frequently seen in people over forty, it can strike at any age even in children. In this type of sleep apnea, there is a physical block to the airflow during breathing. The main symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include restless sleep and snoring. There are many specialized sleep clinics in London that offer effective treatment for sleep apnea. Apnea is diagnosed in these centres by oximetry or polysomnography.
In most cases, a person can obtain relief from sleep apnea by bringing about certain lifestyle changes like abstaining from alcohol and muscle relaxants, losing weight or by giving up smoking. Sleeping on your side can also help you sleep better than sleeping on your back. The most consistent and effective therapy for obstructive sleep apnea is the use of a device known as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. This machine maintains a flow of pressurized air into the person’s throat which helps to keep his airway open during sleep.
Another effective treatment option is to ask your dentist in London about oral appliance therapy. He will provide you with an oral appliance which is essentially a custom made mouthpiece that causes your lower jaw to shift forward thereby opening up the airway. The oral appliance therapy is the latest offering from dental science and is found to be very effective in treating obstructive sleep apnea.