Sleep is a primary function that our bodies need to rejuvenate and repair Sleep is a critically important aspect of life, and if you think you are okay with just 5-6 hours a night, you could be setting yourself up for many issues later in life! A recent study followed several men in their early twenties, and were only allowed to sleep for four hours a night for a period of one week. It was found that after this week and extensive testing, that each man’s rate of ageing had increased to mimic that of a man in his sixties! If that is what can happen after one week, imagine one month… one year… Your body could barely function! Sleep is essential for maintaining your health Long-term sleeps deprivation can lead to increased: Weight Gain Depression Insulin Levels Learning Problems Memory Issues It has been found that having a good night’s sleep, on average, is better for you than either diet or exercise! So if you have been cutting your sleeps short, maybe you should start heading to bed earlier. At Hyde Park Dental Care we are committed to your dental health If you are getting your recommended hours of sleeping but constantly wake up tired, it could be that you are hardly sleeping at all! If you suffer from: Chronic snoring that is excessive and loud Long pauses in breathing while sleeping Choking, snorting, or gasping during sleep Daytime fatigue – even if you have spent all day in bed You may be a silent sufferer of sleep apnoea. Sufferers of this sleeping disorder often do not know they have it, as it only occurs while the sufferer is deeply asleep, and would require someone else to witness most of the symptoms. Sleep apnoea is caused by an obstruction of the airway passage, which blocks the airflow and results in the sufferer to choke. This obstruction is actually relaxed muscle tissue that has fallen into the back of the throat, which cuts off much-needed oxygen. The brain recognises the lack of air and wakes up the sufferer to kick-start the breathing process once more. This can happen hundreds of times a night without the sufferer even remembering! Why it is important to treat sleep apnoea If left untreated, sleep apnoea can cause distress in the body and lead to issues such as: High blood pressure Stroke. Heart attack. Congestive heart failure. Alzheimer’s disease. Workplace and driving accidents. We utilise high-quality treatments to help assess, diagnose and treat your sleep apnoea, so you can gain a solid and healthy night’s sleep once again. Our treatment can help you reclaim a restful and relaxing night’s sleep An oral appliance is a custom-designed device that is worn like a sports mouthguard during sleep, and prevents the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues at the back of the throat. This method keeps the airway open and promotes adequate air intake. Oral appliances can be used to treat both snoring and sleeping disorders. For more information on our sleep apnoea treatment or to book an appointment at our Sydney dental practice, please do not hesitate to contact us. Don’t forget to share this via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and LinkedIn.