In Nigeria and most developing countries, snoring is generally considered to be harmless. Medical studies however suggest that it can be a sign of sleep apnea which occurs when the tongue falls back into the throat during sleep and blocks the airway. Untreated, sleep apnea can contribute to excessive daytime sleepiness as well as an increased risk from high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, obesity, erectal disfunction and driving accidents.
If you snore, wake gasping for air, or show other signs of a sleep disorder, you may need a sleep test. Request an appointment by calling our center at 01-2750789 to schedule a personal consultation with our doctors.
At SleepMedix, our team of dedicated sleep specialists are committed to helping you find the treatment option that works best for you. As with any medical condition, the decision to choose one option over another is highly personalized and should be discussed in-depth with your doctor.
- Polysomnogram (PSG)
- CPAP/BIPAP Therapy
- Additional Treatment Options
- Polysomnogram (PSG)
A polysomnograph (PSG) is a non-invasive and painless test to evaluate and monitor your sleep. It is designed to monitor your sleeping patterns and cycles from brainwaves, breathing patterns, snoring, heart activity and body movements throughout the night. The data is recorded and studied by our board certified sleep physician to accurately diagnose any sleep disorders.
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that can be treated using a CPAP or BIPAP machine. A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a device to provide positive flow of air into the nasal passages so the patient’s airway stays open during sleep. These devices come with a number of different types of facial masks. These masks are connected to a machine that can sit on a patient’s nightstand.
A BI-level Positive Airway Pressure (BIPAP) is a device to help patients get more air into their lungs.
Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) is a diagnostic daytime test to diagnose narcolepsy. This test is also used to measure the degree of daytime sleepiness in a person. A MSLT is performed in the morning to ensure accurate results. This test has the patient take a number of naps during the testing period to measure brain waves, heart rate, muscle tone, and eye movement.
A Maintenance of Wakefulness Test is used to measure how awake a person is during the day. It is used to evaluate a person’s ability to stay alert and awake during quiet periods of time.
Dental devices and surgical Treatment Options
If you have tried CPAP and self-help tips and your sleep apnea persists, you may benefit from a dental device or surgical treatment.
Dental devices for sleep apnea
Most dental devices are acrylic and fit inside your mouth, much like an athletic mouth guard. Others fit around your head and chin to adjust the position of your lower jaw. Two common oral devices are the mandibular repositioning device and the tongue retaining device. These devices open your airway by bringing your lower jaw or your tongue forward during sleep.
Dental devices are only effective for mild to moderate sleep apnea. There are also a number of troubling side effects from using this type of treatment, including soreness, saliva build-up, nausea, and damage or permanent change in position of the jaw, teeth, and mouth. It is very important to get fitted by a dentist specializing in sleep apnea, and to see the dentist on a regular basis for any dental problems that may occur.
Surgery as treatment for sleep apnea
If you have exhausted other apnea treatment options, you may want to discuss surgical options with your doctor or sleep specialist. Surgery can increase the size of your airway, thus reducing your episodes of sleep apnea. The surgeon may remove tonsils, adenoids, or excess tissue at the back of the throat or inside the nose. Or, the surgeon may reconstruct the jaw to enlarge the upper airway. Surgery carries risks of complications and infections, and in some rare cases, symptoms can become worse after surgery.