Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is a medical condition that occurs in people of all ages, and one that should be treated by health professionals when symptoms arise. OSA is caused by the restriction of air in the body due to the tissue of the throat, resulting in snoring and/or irregular breathing patterns whilst sleeping. Snoring is often seen as the most common indicator of obstructive sleep apnoea. If left untreated, sleep apnoea can lead to further health problems to the body, with research linking heart health problems in particular as a consequence of sleep apnoea. People of all ages can suffer from this effect, and it’s estimated that between 5-7% of the Australian population suffer from sleep apnoea (note: also spelled as ‘apnea’). This Infographic Has Been Designed By Sound Sleeper To Create Awareness For People Who Are Unfamiliar With The Symptom Signs Of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea And Help Them Get A Better Sleep For Life.

1. OSA occurs when the airway is blocked by the soft tissue of the throat during sleep.
Snoring is an obvious indicator of OSA, along with stop/start breathing while
sleeping. OSA can lead to hypoxia (an inadequate supply of oxygen to the body), an
adverse effect on cardiac function, and an increased mortality rate if left untreated.
Treatment Options
The use of either MAD and
CPAP shows a significant
improvement in rapid eye
movement (REM) sleep. A
lack of REM sleep can lead to
anxiety, irritability and
lapses of concentration.
CPAP has also been shown
to improve slow-wave sleep
(SWS) or deep sleep.
Improved
sleep
Both MAD and CPAP significantly reduce
continuous diastolic blood pressure during the
daytime. By addressing OSA problems during
the night, the benefits spill over into the
daytime hours.
Reduced blood
pressure
Treating OSA during sleep leads to health
benefits during the day. Patients using MAD
have increased heart variability - suggestive of
improved cardiovascular health – while awake.
Improved
cardiovascular
health
Eliminates
cessation of
breathing while
asleep
Improves
REM sleep
Better results
for severe OSA
sufferers
Reduces blood
pressure
Which treatment is right for me?
Whether you use MAD or CPAP, the quality of your life is going
to significantly improve. You’ll sleep better, feel better, think
better and have more energy during waking hours.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
consists of a pump attached to a face mask
that introduces pressurised air into the
airway. The mask must be worn continuously
during sleep. CPAP is an extremely effective
therapy to combat OSA.
CPAP
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD) are
worn like a mouthguard. These devices
change the position of the bottom jaw so the
airway is prevented from collapsing.
CPAP or MAD?
Recent studies have shown MAD and CPAP to be equally successful in eliminating
breathing cessations during sleep.
For severe OSA cases, CPAP works marginally better.
MAD / MAS
Mandibular Advancement Devices
Do you or someone you know have OSA?
Take the test at soundsleeper.com.au/sleep-apnoea-quiz
or find a dentist who can help at soundsleeper.com.au/find-a-provider
Information taken from: Comparison of effects of OSA treatment by MAD and by CPAP on cardiac
autonomic function during daytime.
Martin Glos & Thomas Penzel & Christoph Schoebel & Georg-Reiner Nitzsche & Sandra Zimmermann &
Christopher Rudolph & Alexander Blau & Gert Baumann & Paul-Georg Jost-Brinkmann & Stefanie Rautengarten
& Jan Christian Meier & Ingrid Peroz & Ingo Fietze.
Received: 7 January 2015 / Revised: 7 September 2015 / Accepted: 21 September 2015 © The Author(s) 2015
Treatment for
Obstructive
Sleep Apnea (OSA)
5-7%
of the population
suffer from OSA
Overall Advantages
CPAP: The Advantages
MAD / MAS : The Advantages
www.soundsleeper.com.au
While both therapies work equally well, most people tend to choose MAD. They are
easy to wear and allow the patient full freedom of movement during sleep. The
convenience of MAD means that the compliance rate is higher and so the positive
results are more consistent. However, for people with severe OSA, CPAP offers
slightly better results.
Improves
SWS sleep
(deep sleep)
Eliminates
cessation of
breathing while
asleep
Improves
REM sleep
Easy to
wear and
unobtrusive
Reduces blood
pressure
Improves
cardiovascular
health
Freedom of
movement
during sleep