Does anyone have problems with throat closing up while sleeping?

@drsharon
Hi there...I just checked my sleep studies and I originally had AHI of 43.9/hr and 76.9/hr when supine, 15.3 in REM.
I tried mouth taping and then had AHI of 21.8/hr, 38.7/hr when supine, 90 apnoeas and 44 hypopneas , with the longest apnoea being 75.4 secs...but now need to do a sleep study with the dental splint in to check how much difference that is making! All this to avoid using a CPap machine, which can't be sterilised.
Thank you for your input.

I stopped practicing 6 years ago due to asthma and would encourage you to speak to your doctor about this. I personally did not recommend splints for severe apnea and looked at the Cpap as the gold standard. You are correct about the sterilization issue but I’m not sure how much of a problem it actually causes. However, Untreated severe apnea is known to cause a variety of health problems so follow through on testing your results. Good luck to you.

@drsharon
Thank you. I am hoping for pisitive results. My understanding is that the splint may need further adjustments over time presumably as the apnoea worsens. It was a shock to learn that my apnoea was so bad as I don't meet any of the usual criteria for it.

Oddly, enough, most of the patients in my practice who were confirmed to have sleep apnoea did meet the usual criteria. I referred any patient to ENT who was having trouble sleeping to confirm if there was sleep apnea. My suspicion is that it’s far more common than we realized and far more dangerous than most people realize

Sorry- did not meet the criteria. Not overweight, many females, non smokers, normal neck size etc.

@drsharon
Yes, this was what surprised me and I did the first sleep study self initiated because sleeping elevated on my back for reflux made my mouth very dry on waking. That was my only known symptom.

Recently I had occasion to have an ECG and the nurse had to leave the room for an hour leaving the result page on the table. It said enlarged right ventricle of the heart. Of course I Googled and discovered it was caused by sleep apnoea and had myself diagnosed by the time she returned. She said no it was all ok because the machine was set for a younger age (I am 74). While I was incredibly relieved, I suspect I have damage caused by sleep apnoea.

I appreciate your informed input. 🙏

I’m glad you followed your suspicions. We want to live a long and healthy “old” age and that includes eliminating risks as much as possible. I personally would get a cpap if it would help me (sadly doesn’t help hypopnea) we can reduce heart attacks and strokes and just generally feel better if we get air. Good luck!

@drsharon - my husband had often woken me gently, as I was laying on my back and snoring like a herd of buffaloes stampeding across the South Dakota Plains. Sleeping on my sides I’m as quiet as a lamb. I now use a V shaped memory foam pillow - on top of my regular pillow - so that I am propped up. Result - no more snoring and, one very happy husband. 🇬🇧😊

@drsharon
I am just now watching a webinaire on Reflux and Dr Ameet Trivedi who is treating sleep apnoea and reflux as a result of restricted airflow which may be addressed by expanding the maxilla. Fascinating stuff. You may like to Google him.

"Dr. Ameet Trivedi explores the powerful link between holistic dentistry and airway health, revealing how issues like TMJ, sleep apnea, and acid reflux are often rooted in restricted airways. Drawing from his personal experience and clinical practice, he delves into how diet shapes airway development, the role of nasal breathing, and innovative techniques for expanding the maxilla."

Yes! I have the same problem, waking up middle night gasping because my throat is clogged up. Reassuring to hear someone else has same issue that I'm not imagining it. While my asthma gets attention, seems that allergies are not taken seriously as if a swollen tongue and clogged up throat are minor! Thanks for reaching out.