How MAS Work:
Comfort and Adjustment:
Who Benefits from MAS:
Not Suitable for Everyone:
Pros and Cons:
Mandibular Advancement Splints can be effective for certain sleep apnoea cases, but it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for personalised advice and proper monitoring.
Are you considering a mandibular advancement device for your apnoea? Browse our online CPAP store to buy mandibular splints online. We recommend the SleepPRO Contour MAS.
Call us now for a consultation 1300 750 006
]]>Blog posts pertaining to tongue exercises to improve sleep breathing disorders, playing the didgeridoo, alternative lifestyle such as weight loss, dental appliances and so on, have been presented to readers to educate them about alternative treatments to sleep apnoea.
What about snoring devices? Can they help sufferers of mild sleep apnoea?
Irregular and loud snoring are often signs of obstructive sleep apnoea. It is therefore possible that devices designed to address snoring can greatly aid a person with OSA to breathe more efficiently during sleep.
The most efficient and effective device for treating snoring that is related to obstructive sleep apnoea is a CPAP machine. Period. However, for those who are sufferers of harmless snoring which may be related to mild sleep apnoea, snoring devices can help. These devices include nasal strips and mechanical dilators, oral/dental devices, and positional therapy devices.
The Bongo RX is an Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure (EPAP) therapy device for mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and snoring. This reusable nasal EPAP device is indicated for use in patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea who prefer them to PAP devices, who do not respond to, are not appropriate candidates for, or who fail treatment attempts with CPAP.
The BongoRX device consists of a conjoined set of soft nasal EPAP valves inserted in the nares creating back pressure on exhalation, making it a potentially viable alternative to PAP therapy for patients with mild-to-moderate OSA. The portability and usability of the Bongo Rx are its key differentiating factors when compared to other EPAP devices. BongoRX Sleep Therapy device works by creating resistance on exhale of breath.
During inhalation, small valves open to allow you to inhale normally through the device. When nasal dilation is increased, the inhalation capacity is likewise increased. During exhalation, the valves restrict expiratory flow of exhaled air through specifically designed vent holes to generate EPAP (Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure), which significantly expands the airway. Nasal dilation coupled with EPAP has a significant impact on the functionality of the airway during sleep.
Please Note: This device will NOT work effectively if you have an AHI greater than 30 (more than 30 episodes an hour) which is referred to as Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Dental or oral devices have proved to be effective for some in controlling severe snoring related to sleep apnoea. There are plenty of oral devices and all of them may be classified into Mandibular Advancing Device (MAD) and Tongue Retaining Device (TRD).
MAD treats snoring by repositioning the mandible to an outward position while the patient is sleeping. The airway is opened up by the indirect pulling of the tongue forward through the negative pressure going on in the mouth. The lower jaws as well as the other structures in the mouth are stably positioned to prevent the mouth from opening while the patient is sleeping.
TRD hold the tongue in a forward position through a suction bulb. Thus the tongue is prevented from collapsing, and obstructing the patient’s airway during sleep.
These devices will only prove effective to those with mild to moderate OSA, or primary snoring. One should note that these devices are quite uncomfortable to use, and must be used each night.
Positional Therapy Devices
A patient must sleep on his stomach or on his side in sleep position therapy. The most popular “positioners” are anti-snore belts and positional pillows. As the patient sleeps on his side, a positional pillow is placed at his back to prevent him from lying supine. An anti-snore belt pretty does the same thing as it vibrates or emits a sound to wake up the patient if he reverts to a lying down position. These devices actually work for sufferers of upper airways obstruction. However, if one’s snoring is due to nasal obstruction, or due to severe sleep apnoea.
CPAP therapy remains the standard in the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea. Currently there is a wide range of CPAP machines, including BiPAP and APAP machines that are available to consumers. There is one to fit one’s needs in terms of fit and comfort.
Call us now at 1300 750 006 for more information.
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While snoring may seem trivial, it may also indicate a serious health or medical condition and could very well be an irritant to your partner and other family members. As much as half of adults snore on occasions and in some cases snoring can be stopped by making lifestyle changes such as sleeping on your side, losing weight and avoiding alcohol before bedtime. In some cases, disruptive snoring may be reduced or stopped through medical devices and surgery.
Causes of Snoring
There are factors that can cause your throat tissues to relax in such a way that it partially blocks your airway. When this happens, the throat tissues vibrate. The narrower you airway, the more the tissues vibrate which causes you to snore louder. Aside from the mouth and sinuses’ anatomy other factors such as cold, allergies, weight and alcohol consumption can lead to disruptive snoring.
Nasal problems such as chronic congestion and deviated nasal septum (crooked nose) are contributing factors to snoring.
People with low, soft and thick palate may have a narrowed airway while overweight people may have excess tissues at the back of their throat that could narrow their airways. An elongated triangular tissue hanging from the uvula (soft palate) can also obstruct the airway.
Consuming too much alcohol before bedtime can easily relax your throat muscles and thereby cause airway obstruction.
Obstructive sleep apnoea is a serious medical concern as the collapse of your airway could prevent you from breathing. OSA is generally characterised by loud disruptive snoring followed by episodes of silence when you stop breathing. Once you stop breathing, your brain prompts you to wake up snorting or gasping. This pattern can go on several times per hour during sleep which robs you of a peaceful and restful night’s sleep.
When to See a Doctor
Aside from the usual noise during sleep, other symptoms of snoring includes daytime sleepiness, restless sleep, difficulty in concentrating, sore throat in the morning, chest pain at night, choking or gasping at night and high blood pressure. These symptoms depend on the cause of snoring.
If your snoring causes you to wake up gasping or choking and that your snoring has become disruptive that your partner also experience a restless night’s sleep, it is time to consult a doctor as your snoring could be an indication of obstructive sleep apnoea. Note that children who snore can have obstructive sleep apnoea too.
How you snore is an indication of “why” you snore. If you snore with your mouth closed, your tongue may the cause of your snoring. If you snore with an open mouth, the problem may involve the throat tissues. Snoring while on your back may be an indication of positional snoring. Changing positions will most likely stop your snoring. However, if you snore at any position during sleep, the condition may be quite severe and may require a consult with a qualified doctor.
Find a clinic or call us now for a consultation 1300 750 006.
]]>The American Sleep Association said that there are more than 90 million Americans who snore during sleep. Half of the figure are simple snorers while the other half may suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea or OSA. Simple snoring and snoring due to OSA are two different things. So a short answer to the question if snoring and OSA the same is “no”.
Understanding Snoring and Apnoea
The airway from the larynx to the lungs is quite rigid and is therefore resistant to collapse. On the other hand, the airway from a person’s larynx to their lips is more like a muscular tube. When one is awake, this airway stays because of muscle tone. When a person lies down, there is loss of muscle tone and the limp upper airway becomes limper because of gravity. The snoring is the sound made when the loose upper airway tissue flops and wobbles about when the sleeping person is breathing in and out. The gravity of the snoring is also affected by the person’s lifestyle, and factors such as weight and alcohol consumption.
Loud consistent snoring is one of the symptoms of OSA. Apneoa happens when the floppy upper airway muscle actually collapses and obstructs the airway. A few seconds after the obstruction, the oxygen level in the blood lowers down. When this happens, the brain prompts the sleeping person to wake up which in turn restores the lose muscle tone of the upper airway so the person can breathe again. This cycle goes on several times an hour, causing various complications in the person’s lifestyle, health, work, family and social aspects.
Snoring and OSA can be aggravated by factors such as age, obesity, neck and head shape, large tonsils and tongue. Knowing the difference between snoring and OSA is the initial step to the efficient and effective treatment of the two conditions.
When to see a doctor?
If you or your bed partner:
• frequently snores
• stops breathing
• chokes or gasps during sleep
• feels sleepy during the day
• experience restlessness at night
• have headache in the morning
• have dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
• difficulty in concentrating and have episodes of memory and learning problems
Or experience a general feeling of irritability and mood swings; it is time to consult a qualified physician.
Treatment Options
There are different treatment options available for those who diagnosed with OSA and for frequent loud snorers. For frequent snorers with no OSA, treatment options such as changes in lifestyle, losing weight, decrease in alcohol consumption, modifications in sleeping positions, nasal strips, oral devices and even surgery are available.
For loud snorers diagnosed with OSA, effective treatment involves the use of a CPAP or BiPAP or an EPAP device. These devices are FDA approved and have consistently indicated their efficacy and efficiency in treating OSA.
Find a clinic or call us now for a consultation 1300 750 006.
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