There are several ways in which this question can be interpreted but the answer is always the same one if you’re considering the possible health repercussions, and that answer is high, but if it’s a financial question then the cost can vary incredibly.
There are estimated to be over 100 million OSA sufferers throughout the world where data is recorded, but the real number is likely to be much, much higher than this. Because so many cases of sleep apnoea go untreated – an estimated 90% – accurate figures aren’t really known.
The most recent official figures that have been published give the figures of known OSA patients as follows. The USA has 18 million apnoea patients, Australia has just about two million, and the UK approximately three million. However in all these countries the figures are increasing rapidly and this is mostly due to increasing obesity problems. They are also an understatement of the real number as many cases simply aren’t reported and go untreated.
The figures for snoring are of course much higher, and on the increase for both sexes, creating similar heath dangers if left to develop and deteriorate.
An overnight Sleep Test in one form or another is available at a price in order to fully evaluate the severity of the condition, but the starting point for most people is their partner, who through close observation will soon notice whether or not the key symptoms exist.
As a partner’s sleep is often disturbed this is rarely a problem, but they often need to convince their partner that the problem really exists, as it’s common for them to be in denial. Tests can be paid for, mostly in a specialist Sleep Clinic, but more Home Testing equipment is now becoming available, and some in app form for your Smartphone. However it’s a good start for you to start by recording their disturbed sleep and show it to them as a first step.
OSA occurs when the tongue and other soft tissues relax or narrow for one reason or another during sleep and block the airway. The brain senses a problem and wakes the body up just long enough to take a breath. This can happen hundreds of times in the night resulting in poor unprofitable sleep. The ‘choking’ awakenings are accompanied by gasping for breath, and then followed by a return to snoring, and these are clear to observe.
Scores of medical reports now clearly state that early recognition and treatment of sleep apnoea is important, as it may be associated with:
- Irregular heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Daytime sleepiness
- Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents
Historically, treatment has been the use of a pump-driven breathing device that forced air through a face mask, called CPAP, but this is now most often reserved for very severe cases only, as both the cost and the rejection rates are extremely high due to the many perceived disadvantages. New style, more expensive, oral appliances have taken its place, and these are ones that are laboratory made to fit the shape of the person’s dental profile.
They have been thoroughly tested by the UK’s leading NHS Sleep Clinic at the world-renowned Papworth Hospital and are now proposed by them in published documentation as the first recommendation for the prevention of both snoring and sleep apnoea, particularly the UK made SleepPro Custom, that clearly headed the league of all the appliances that were tested.
The cost of the SleepPro Custom was also found to be one that was equally beneficial as it was affordable to all – and this was deemed very important due to the widespread nature of OSA.
A similar Dentally recommended oral appliance in the USA could eventually cost well in excess of USD $3,000 including the sleep testing, and even new products that have recently been launched into the North American market from Australia state all-inclusive prices from USD $1.390 to USD $1,790.
The SleepPro Custom will be tailored to your own dental profile and made in a UK Dental laboratory for a price of £154.99 or USD $220. This is a very small price to pay for a medically proven solution that can not only improve your life but also extend it considerably.