Snoring and sleep apnea
Snoring (snoring) is a condition that afflicts about one in four Italians and interferes with the quality of one's sleep and, indirectly, with that of partners and family members.
Normally snoring is the noise that results from the vibration of the organs involved in breathing:
the soft palate;
the uvula;
the larynx;
the tongue.
A high percentage of snorers suffer from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), which is pauses in breathing during sleep.
Sleep apnea is due to airway obstruction, caused by anatomical and inflammatory conditions, resulting in narrowing of the airspace that restricts or blocks the passage of air.
Sleep alterations can impair the overall health status, even causing serious damage:
poor quality of sleep at night;
severe reduction in body oxygenation;
increased cardiac activity (tachycardia), which, in the long run, can lead to cardiovascular decompensation;
daytime sleepiness;
significant decrease in attention;
altered relationship with food and consequent obesity;
diabetes;
heart attack, hypertension and heart disease.
Recent studies have found that OSAS sufferers have a shorter life expectancy of 5 to 10 years.
Snoring can also affect infants as young as a few months of age. White crib deaths may be an effect of OSAS.
Snoring and apnea
Airway obstructions during sleep.
Health risks
Sleep alteration.
Infarction.
Hypertension.
Heart disease.
Diabetes.
Obesity.
Decline in attention.
Relationship difficulties.
How to Diagnose
Mandibular advancement devices (MAD).
Dental treatment
Mandibular advancement devices (MAD).
CPAP mask.
Diagnosis of snoring and apnea snoring
With the use of Polysomnography, snoring-related diseases can be diagnosed. During night sleep, the parameters of:
respiratory flow
oxygenation level;
snoring levels;
quality and quantity of sleep;
position during sleep;
number, frequency and duration of apneas.
The watch pat is an innovative digital instrument that allows the examination to be carried out at home, instead of going to a hospital.
It is worn before going to bed, following the easy instructions provided by the study.
During the night, the device records data that is downloaded the next day and is then used for diagnosis.
The watch pat can also be used for diagnosis in children.
What dental solutions?
Once the presence of upper airway pathologies (e.g. deviation of the nasal septum, tonsils, adenoids, presence of polyps) has been ruled out following a specialist examination, mandibular advancement devices (MAD) are applied, an effective solution for snoring and medium to mild sleep apnoea and a valid support for more severe forms.
CPAP, a mask for oxygenation and nocturnal ventilation, is applied in the most severe cases, in collaboration with the pulmonologist, when the oxygen level is too low (AHI and ODI above 35/40).
