Snoring & sleep apnea
People snore, it’s a fact of life. Some people, however, suffer from obstructive sleep apnea which is more than just a prompt to elbow the person noisily dozing beside you.
Loud habitual snoring may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, which is a potentially life-threatening condition.
Diagnosis
The surgical expertise and thorough understanding of the aesthetics and function of the mouth, teeth, jaws and face allow an OMF surgeon to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea. To do that your OMF surgeon will take an extensive medical history and perform a head and neck examination to see what might be causing your sleep related problems. You may even be referred to a sleep clinic.
Treatment
There is a broad range of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, ranging from changing your behaviour, such as losing weight or changing your diet, avoiding coffee to the use of oral appliances and medical devices.
If you suspect your snoring, or that of your partner, is not healthy consult your physician or request to see an OMF surgeon.