Did you know?
- 45% of adults snore
- After age 60, 60% of men and 40% of women habitually snore
- 80% of snoring couples sleep apart
- Snoring can lead to domestic dissension and divorce
- Lack of sleep leads to poor performance at work
- Can disrupt family lives resulting in divorce
- Nearly 80% of Canadian households contains at least one snorer
- As many as 1 out of 4 people , over age 65 may have sleep apnea
What is snoring?
Snoring is a noise made by vibrating tissues in the upper part of the breathing passages. In most people, snoring is of no consequence, except that the noise may be quite disruptive and bothersome to other people. In some people, snoring represents a marker of sleep apnea, a serious potentially life threatening condition. An individual actually stops breathing for a short period of time and must re-awake to start breathing again. This happens repeatedly during the night. This pattern of loud snoring alternatives with periods of silence. It is during this period of time that the person is usually not breathing. This is sleep apnea. When you stop breathing, blood oxygen levels drop, and the cardiovascular system is strained. this can be very dangerous for an individual. Sleep apnea raises your blood pressure, reduces the flow of oxygen to yoru brain, and can at worst lead to STROKE, HEART ATTACK and DEATH.
Is snoring serious?
Socially, YES! It can be when it makes the snorer an object of ridicule and causes others sleepless nights and resentfulness.
Medically, YES! It disturbs sleeping patterns and deprives the sleeper of appropriate rest.
Do YOU have these symptoms:
- Being excessively sleepy during the daytime?
- Suffer from headaches?
- Stop breathing when you sleep?
- Have high blood pressure?
- Have heart problems?
- Wake up at night feeling like you are choking?
- Fall asleep while you are sleeping?
- Are you more than 20 lbs. overweight?
- Loud fluttering noise during sleep?
- Dry mouth/sore mouth?
Causes of snoring and sleep apnea:
- Being overweight.
- Abnormal jaw structure.
- Enlarged tongue and or tonsils.
- Blockage of nasal passages.
- Age.
- Alcohol and some drugs.
- Sleeping on the back.
Images Dental Centre is pleased to offer you the latest in snoring/sleep apnea treatment. The Klearway™ appliance is a device, similar to a mouthguard, which helps to alleviate the risks associated with snoring and sleep apnea.
If you have any of these symptoms or predisposing factors, you may be at risk. The good news is you may be a suitable candidate for snoring/sleep apnea therapy.
