Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common condition. It’s estimated to affect around 1.5 million adults in the UK. However, up to 85% are undiagnosed and untreated.[i] This is because symptoms can be difficult to notice, as they mainly happen during sleep. The condition causes the airway to narrow while asleep, stopping patients breathing properly.[ii] Symptoms include interrupted breathing, gasping, snorting, or choking, sleep disruption, and loud snoring. During the day, patients may notice that they feel tired, have trouble concentrating, have mood swings, and have headaches when they wake up.[iii] It’s important that patients with OSA receive a diagnosis, and their condition is treated, as it can have an effect on their health in the long term.
What are the health implications?
If OSA is not treated, it can lead to other problems – some of which can have long-term effects on an individual’s health. These include high blood pressure, increased risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes, and depression. Additionally, because OSA disrupts sleep, patients often experience tiredness. In turn, this can lead to an increased risk of having a serious accident, like a car accident, for example – as well as difficulty concentrating at work or school. Sleepless nights can also put a strain on relationships, causing difficulty.[iv]
In addition to these, sleep apnoea can affect the digestive system, leading to fatty liver disease and worsening gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The nervous system can be impacted too, sometimes leading to numbness and tingling sensations. In men, OSA can also contribute to infertility.[v]
Because sleep apnoea can impact so many areas of the body, having an effect on long-term health, it’s important to treat it effectively.
How can we treat it?
Sleep apnoea can have a number of potential causes, so there are various ways dental and medical professionals can treat it with their patients. OSA has been linked to obesity, having a large neck, age, genetics, smoking and drinking alcohol, having large tonsils, sleeping position, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).[vi]
In some cases, lifestyle changes can make huge improvements to OSA symptoms. As such, for patients with mild sleep apnoea, clinicians might recommend losing weight, regular exercise (this can help improve sleep for many people[vii]), creating good sleep habits and a regular sleep schedule, sleeping on their side – some patients find it helpful to use a bed wedge or pillow to help stay on their side during the night.[viii]
While the above may be helpful for some patients, many are recommended a CPAP machine to treat OSA. It pumps air into a mask worn over the mouth and/or nose to improve breathing and preventing the airway from narrowing. For many who are able to use the machine consistently, this means that they feel less tired during the day and have a reduced risk of additional health problems, such as high blood pressure.[ix]
The problem with CPAP
Some patients are unable to tolerate treatment using a CPAP machine. This is the most common treatment for OSA, especially in moderate and severe cases. When used consistently, CPAP is effective, restoring patients’ quality of life. However, research suggests that about 50% of CPAP patients do not use the machine consistently, or discontinue their treatment. Whilst every patient is different, commonly patients cannot tolerate CPAP as it is uncomfortable, irritating, noisy, and it causes dry mouth. Additionally, some patients remove the mask while they’re asleep, find that their breathing is out of sync, or are intolerant to the air pressure.[x]
O2Vent® is an effective alternative treatment for OSA patients. The device is customised to fit each patient, which helps to treat the condition comfortably and discreetly. When the airway becomes blocked, the device draws in air through the device, allowing it to reach the back of the throat. O2Vent® also stabilises the lower jaw, brings the tongue forward, and encourages the airway to open. Because of this, the device is an effective treatment option for OSA.
The ability to provide patients with a comfortable treatment option for their obstructive sleep apnoea is essential for long-term compliance. When clinicians are able to consistently treat OSA, patients can expect long lasting health benefits, and a lower risk of issues in the future.
To find out more please visit https://openairway.uk/, email infouk@openairway.com,
and follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/o2ventuk
[i] British Lung Foundation. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). Accessed Mar 24. https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/sites/default/files/OSA_Toolkit_2015_BLF_0.pdf
[ii] NHS. Sleep apnoea. Accessed Mar 24. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sleep-apnoea/
[iii] NHS. Sleep apnoea. Accessed Mar 24. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sleep-apnoea/
[iv] NHS. Sleep apnoea. Accessed Mar 24. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sleep-apnoea/
[v] Healthline. The effects of sleep apnea on the body. Accessed Mar 24. https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-apnea/effects-on-body
[vi] NHS. Sleep apnoea. Accessed Mar 24. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sleep-apnoea/
[vii] Bjornsdottir E, Thorarinsdottir EH, Lindberg E, et al
Association between physical activity over a 10-year period and current insomnia symptoms, sleep duration and daytime sleepiness: a European population-based study
BMJ Open 2024;14:e067197. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067197
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/3/e067197
[viii] NHS. Sleep apnoea. Accessed Mar 24. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sleep-apnoea/
[ix] NHS. Sleep apnoea. Accessed Mar 24. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sleep-apnoea/
[x] Harvard Health Publishing. I cant tolerate CPAP, what can I do? Accessed Mar 24. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/i-cant-tolerate-cpap-what-can-i-do-2020072920672
