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Breathing Disorders During Sleep

27 December 2023

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a general term for conditions in which there is a difficulty moving air from the oral cavity to the lungs, with the most severe form being apnea.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, refer to a medical analysis and a test at the sleep clinic:

  • Snoring
  • Awakening more than once throughout the night
  • Falling asleep during the day
  • Difficulty falling asleep at night or waking up in the morning
  • Waking up in the morning with a dry mouth

Based on the results of the tests, a personalized treatment planned to improve your condition will be created for you. Some of the offered treatments include an oral appliance, a CPAP device (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), surgery or speech therapist’s therapy.

What is a breathing disorder during sleep

Obstructive breathing disorders during sleep refer to a range of conditions, varying from mouth breathing and snoring, and up to Obstructive Sleep Apnea. A person suffering from a breathing disorder has trouble moving air from the nasal and oral cavity to the lungs.

Obstructive sleep disorders may appear at any stage in life, from a young age until an older age.

Of all the obstructive breathing disorders during sleep, apnea is regarded as the most severe condition. Apnea has numerous negative implications, including sleepiness during the day, an increased risk of heart diseases, arrhythmia, and strokes.

Symptoms of breathing disorders during sleep

If any of the situations described here are familiar to you, you may be suffering from obstructive breathing disorders during sleep:

  • Snoring
  • Awakening more than once throughout the night
  • Falling asleep during the day
  • A difficulty falling asleep at night or waking up in the morning
  • Waking up in the morning with a dry mouth

Diagnosing obstructive breathing disorders during sleep

To diagnose whether you suffer from obstructive breathing disorders during sleep, it is recommended to seek professional advice and consultation from your family doctor, an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor, or a doctor specializing in sleep.

At the next stage, the medical team will determine the next steps for the diagnosis and decide whether treatment is required. The diagnosis and treatment process may involve the participation of various medical professionals, including an ENT doctor, a dentist, an orthodontist, a medical sleep specialist, or a speech therapist.

The final diagnosis regarding obstructive breathing disorders during sleep will be determined after undergoing a checkup at the sleep clinic.

Treatment of obstructive breathing disorders during sleep

The advanced field of medicine offers a variety of treatments for obstructive breathing disorders during sleep, including the use of an oral appliance, a CPAP device you put on your mouth and nose during sleep, as well as surgery. The treatment may vary depending on the underlying cause of the disorder.

In certain cases, it is possible to use the services of a speech therapist. These treatments focus on improving the function of the stomatognathic system, which is responsible for breathing, swallowing, chewing, and speech, and have several additional medical advantages, such as:

  • Improving the quality of sleep
  • Reducing indices of sleep apnea
  • Increasing the oxygen rate in the blood
  • Reducing the intensity and frequency of snoring
  • Supporting a proper tooth occlusion

For further information, refer to your HMO family doctor for consultation.

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