Friday, March 13th, marks World Sleep Day 2020, a global initiative aimed at promoting the significance of restorative sleep. If you snore, it’s crucial to pay attention—you may be jeopardizing your health.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder affecting approximately 1.5 million adults in the UK. This condition leads to interruptions in breathing during sleep, with snoring often being the initial warning sign. Alarmingly, up to 85% of those afflicted remain undiagnosed and untreated, which poses serious health risks.
OSA occurs when the upper airway becomes obstructed or collapses during sleep. As a result, the minimal airflow can lead to loud snoring. While OSA can affect anyone, it is particularly common among middle-aged, elderly, or overweight individuals. Symptoms include:
- Loud snoring
- Excessive daytime drowsiness
- Headaches upon waking
- Difficulty concentrating the following day
Typically, a partner may first observe symptoms, such as pauses in breathing followed by a loud snore or choking sound. Despite increasing awareness, 42% of individuals who snore, or whose partners do, are unfamiliar with OSA.
The consequences of undiagnosed OSA can be severe, leading to conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Clinical studies indicate that individuals with OSA face heightened mortality risks; the disorder disrupts circadian rhythms, alters brain and body chemistry, impedes heart and respiratory function, and raises blood pressure. Those with untreated OSA are 2-3 times more likely to suffer a stroke and have more than three times the risk of premature death. Additionally, undiagnosed OSA significantly increases the likelihood of road accidents caused by drowsy drivers.
How is OSA Treated?
There are various treatment options available for OSA. In severe cases, healthcare providers may recommend Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. This involves using a bedside machine with a mask that maintains airflow pressure in the upper airway during sleep. For mild to moderate cases, oral devices, also known as mandibular advancement devices or snoring mouthguards, are frequently effective. These devices resemble gum shields and work by positioning the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open. The Snorple Anti-Snoring Mouthpiece can be molded at home in under five minutes and may help you stop snoring from the very first night.
Quality sleep is vital for overall health. Addressing undiagnosed OSA can enhance your daytime alertness and energy levels while potentially increasing your life expectancy. For further insights into OSA, you can explore more here. Additionally, Stanford Healthcare provides valuable information on snoring and its implications.
To learn more about how to effectively use a stop snoring mouthpiece, you can check out this helpful guide on our snoring mouthpieces.
To Summarize: Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is a serious condition that remains undiagnosed in a significant number of individuals, putting their health at risk. Recognizing the symptoms and seeking appropriate treatment, such as the Snorple mouthpiece, can lead to improved well-being and quality of life.