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Shortness of breath is often accompanied by snoring. But not all persons who snore also suffer from respiratory arrest (sleep apnea). Snoring is not harmful. However, it is often the first sign of a sleep apnoea syndrome, which can have a negative impact on health.
Often, it is the life partners of the affected person who notice the symptoms first and are concerned about the loud snoring and/or the observed breathing pauses while sleeping.
Our two different sleep tests explain you a first clue. A final assessment can only provide by a sleep-medical explanation.
If you snore loudly and the possible symptoms listed apply to you, you should have a medical examination performed. Treatment of sleep apnea can lead to a significant improvement in daytime sleepiness and an increase life quality.
Affected persons with respiratory, have a 2x – 3x fold increased risk - regardless of genetic predisposition, nicotine consumption, obesity - of developing cardiovascular problems. These may include high blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances, strokes or heart attacks.
Furthermore, there may be an increased risk of metabolic problems such as diabetes. Affected people gain weight and have great difficulty in reducing weight without adequate treatment of sleep apnea.
As a sleep apnea can lead to increased daytime sleepiness, there is an increased risk of accidents at work and/or on the road. Work performance and life quality may also be reduced.
Reducing weight, avoiding alcoholic beverages and maintaining a regular sleep-wake rhythm can partly alleviate the symptoms.
If the measures taken do not improve the situation, the doctor may recommend a night in the sleep laboratory. In this, supervised by nursing stuff overnight examination, the sleep apnea can be diagnosed, and the severity of the diseases measured. Depending on the severity and other relevant factors, there are different treatment options. Our sleep specialist discusses afterward the results of the nightly examination with the patient and explain the different treatment options.
During this treatment, a mask is worn during sleep, which by means of overpressure keeps the airways open and thus prevents further breathing stoppages. This form of therapy still shows the highest success rate, as most patients get used to it well. A careful adjustment of the mask, an individual adjustment of the therapy and sometimes a little patience on the part of the patient are decisive here. Positive effects on sleep quality and daytime well-being can often be seen after just a few nights.
CPAP therapy starts as follows:
The costs of the therapy (rental of the equipment, accessories and the medical check-up appointments) are covered by the compulsory basic health insurance (. /. franchise/self-cost sharing).
This specially made tooth splint moves the lower jaw forward during sleep and thus opens the airways in the throat.
If the dental splint is at best a treatment option, we will clarify for you in advance the issue of the coverage by the health insurance company. For this purpose, we submit a cost reimbursement request to your health insurance company.
If certain medical criteria are met, the lower jaw protrusion splint is partly paid for by the health insurance (depending on the chosen deductible and self-cost sharing). The total costs (protrusion splint and dental services) amount to approx. CHF 1,800. -, although the actual costs may vary slightly depending on the medical course/complications. Certain health insurance companies refuse to pay for the dental services (approx. CHF 1'000. -).
Dental splint therapy starts as follows:
Sleep apnea is often more pronounced if you are lying on the back. In these cases, it helps to avoid sleeping on your back. For this there are various aids such as the snore-backpack etc. which prevent lying in the back position.
The «tongue pacemaker» is surgically implanted. During sleep, it pushes the tongue forward at the same time as breathing, thereby keeping the airways open.
If CPAP therapy is not tolerated or if the sleep apnea cannot be adequately treated, therapy with a tongue pacemaker may be considered. In such cases, the cost of this therapy is usually covered by the compulsory basic insurance, subject to prior reimbursement, provided that the CPAP therapy has not been tolerated or the sleep apnea cannot be adequately treated.
More about the «tongue step maker» (link to website inspire)