Sleep Apnoea facts
Sleep Apnoea is highly prevalent in Australia and snoring and sleepiness are common symptoms
• In Australia, 6% of patients reported visiting a doctor for a problem of sleep apnoea or snoring (1)
• It is estimated that more than 60% of adults occasionally snore and more than 30% regularly snore (2)
• Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) occurs in approximately 10% of females and 25% of males (3,4)
• Given the recent rise in obesity, the prevalence of sleep-related symptoms, snoring, and OSA are likely to have increased (5)
• More than 80% of OSA sufferers are yet to be diagnosed(6)
Treatment Options
Once diagnosed there are many treatment options. One such solution is to have an oral sleep apnoea appliance made. This appliance pushes the lower jaw forward and allows a greater airway space. Partners delight in reporting the change when snoring is reduced and the individual wearing the device often rejoice in having better quality sleep. A referral to a sleep physician is required in most cases
(1.) Marshall NS, Bartlett DJ, Matharu KS, Williams A, Grunstein RR. Prevalence of treatment choices for snoring and sleep apnea in an Australian population. J Clin Sleep Med 2007;3:695–9
(2) Koskenvuo M, Kaprio J, Telakivi T, Partinen M, Heikkilä K, Sarna S. Snoring as a risk factor for ischaemic heart disease and stroke in men. BMJ (Clin Res Ed) 1987;294:16–9
(3) Young T, Palta M, Dempsey J, Skatrud J, Weber S, Badr S. The occurrence of sleep-disordered breathing among middle-aged adults. N Engl J Med1993;328:1230–5
(4) Bearpark H, Elliott L, Grunstein R, et al. Snoring and sleep apnea. A population study in Australian men. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1995;151:1459–6
(5) Crummy F, Piper AJ, Naughton MT. Obesity and the lung: 2. Obesity and sleep-disordered breathing. Thorax 2008;63:738–46
(6) Fatigue and Transport Working Party (Ad hoc sub-committee of the Australasian Sleep Association 03-04)