According to the Sleep Health Foundation snoring is an issue for thousands of Queenslanders that not only affects their ability to get enough rest but can also have long-term impacts on their health and relationships.
“For many families snoring is a big problem. Often, the snorer has to sleep alone in another room. If not, then their family will have trouble getting a good night’s sleep,” it explained on its website.
While it’s mostly men that snore, snoring can be a problem for both genders and sometimes even children.
Snore Australia says common causes of snoring include:
- Allergies
- Eating too much at night
- Nasal congestion
- Nasal obstruction
- Consumption of alcohol before bed
- Being overweight
- Pregnancy
- Swelling of the muscular part of the roof of the mouth
- Swollen adenoids or tonsils
- Medications, including sleeping tablets
- Sleep position.
3D printed device a world-first
A Brisbane company has launched a new device, invented by dentist Doctor Chris Hart, which promises to end the hours of tossing and turning.
Dr Hart told The Advertiser he came up with the 3D printed titanium mouthguard after struggling with sleep apnoea himself.
“I turned a corner. I could breathe and get a good night’s sleep,” he said.
“I needed to get air to the back of my throat while holding my jaw in the right position.
“A lot of snorers breathe through their mouth so this device particularly suits them.”
How does it work?
The device “uses a breathing vent extending out from the mouth to direct the flow of air through to the back of the throat, bypassing nasal and soft palate obstructions and preventing tongue obstruction”.
Dr Hart claims it provides “relief to people with sleep-disordered breathing – from snorers to people with more severe problems including nasal obstruction”.
The company has conducted a clinical trial in 2015 which found it reduced snoring in 82 per cent of patients.
It costs about $2,500 and has to be custom fitted by a dentist. If you’d like to to be part of a study that’s conducting more research on the device, there’s one in Brisbane being run by Breathing Assist Solutions.
The importance of sleep
“Sleep is vital to live a happy, healthy life but, sadly, too many Australians are not getting the quantity or quality of sleep they really need,” Doctor Sarah Biggs told delegates at a sleep conference in Australia in October.
“A lack of good sleep affects everything in your waking life from your physical health, mood and energy levels through to your sex drive and your waistline.”
If you would like more information on how to improve the quality of your sleep, check out this blog post by House Call Doctor or talk to your GP.
