Sleep Apnoea in Melbourne

Man sleeping while his partner covers her ears

What Is Sleep Apnoea?

Sleep apnoea refers to a spectrum of abnormalities of the way you breathe during sleeping hours, such as Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), which is the most common form.

Apnoea is a condition where you stop breathing for at least 10 seconds, like a slow self-suffocation that occurs over time. The severity depends on the number of times that you stop breathing each hour.

Who Is at Risk of Sleep Apnoea?

An astounding one out of every four Australians has a risk of developing sleep apnoea.

NEW PATIENTS

In years past, it was thought that older and obese individuals had sleep apnoea and other sleep-related disorders. Now, however, research demonstrates that they can affect anyone, from infants to the elderly, and that sex, body size and shape do not dictate the likelihood of having a sleep disorder. It is true, however, that the incidence of sleep apnoea increases with age. At TMJ Therapy Centre in Melbourne, all patients are screened for this dangerous condition.

Signs of Sleep Apnoea

There are several symptoms that you may notice if you have sleep apnoea:

ADHD (in children)
Bedwetting (in children)
Daytime fatigue
Interrupted sleep
Irritability
Lack of motivation or concentration during the daytime

Jaw or facial pain
Loud snoring
Memory loss
Morning headaches
Scalloped tongue (indentations on the sides of tongue)
Worn or fractured teeth

What Is Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)?

UARS is the partial collapse of your upper airway without breathing ceasing completely.

It is considered to be an intermediate stage between snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea.

You would experience increased efforts to breathe while you’re sleeping, leading to brief awakenings that can impact your sleep.

The Dangers of Sleep Disorders

In the long term, UARS and OSA can lead to serious concerns such as high blood pressure, weight gain, impotence, Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety and brain fog. Often, our patients have had symptoms of a sleep disorder for years without ever knowing the true cause. Contact our team today to learn more about getting treatment for sleep apnoea right here in Melbourne!