Snoring is not only a considerable own stress, but also often an intolerable and annoying noise for the spouse. Sound intensivities up to 90 decibels (at 25 cm distance) were measured, which exceeds even the noise from lawn mowers and pneumatic hammers (75-85 dB). Occasional snoring is usually harmless after consumption of alcohol or colds. Snoring accompanied by frequent interruptions of breathing requires treatment, particularly if the concerned person subsequently often feels tired in the daytime.
Snoring is often an intolerable and annoying noise for the spouse.
The main cause of snoring and sleep apnoea is the slackening of muscles and tissue in the mouth, throat and nose. The sagging tissue restricts the airflow to the lungs. When the air flows through narrowed passages into the lungs, the tissue vibrates, causing the snoring sound. If the tissue is so slack that the airways are completely closed, breathing pauses occur. Such pauses in breathing have probably existed for as long as mankind has existed. Numerous historical references can be found.
The main cause of snoring: Sagging tissue narrows the airways.
A so-called nCPAP device (nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), which guides a positive pressure airflow through the nose into the throat, was used for the first time by the Australian Professor Colin E. Sullivan (prototypes 1980, series production approx. 1984). The aim was to “blow” the flaccid tissue to the side, so to speak (air splinting). He built the first devices with two-stage vacuum cleaner motors, and the necessary nose masks were custom-made.
CPAP-Beatmung: Beatmungsgerät, Schlauchsystem und Maske
[Bild: Wikimedia]
He later used motors that dentists also used to drive their drills (Vortes Blower Motor). Over the years, this technology was optimized. However, the “vacuum cleaner in reverse” principle (does not suck, but blows) has remained to this day. Other technological developments include self-regulating pressure adjustment (bilevel pressure) and humidifiers.
Most other methods and aids, splint therapy and various aids that are offered for snoring or nocturnal breathing interruptions can also be categorized as symptomatic applications. They are often aimed at making adjustments to the positioning of the jaw, tongue, soft palate, etc. This can sometimes have temporary effects. Temporary effects can sometimes occur as a result. However, there is a risk that other functions will also be affected, and their adjustment will lead to new, unwanted problems.
Surgery for snoring and sleep apnea is not guaranteed to be successful, but there is a risk and danger of regression. We only recommend this in extremely exceptional cases and if all other methods are ineffective. All operations on the human body involve risks. The patient must be informed of these individually and may only sign a declaration of consent afterwards. Ultimately, it is up to the patient to decide whether they want to take the risk. However, one criterion for the layperson is often only a speculative assessment: is the operation actually in a healthy relationship to the desired success?
In reference of surgery for snoring and sleep apnea, for example, the website of the Charite-Berlin (https://www.charite.de) contains the following note:
„Unfortunately, in the past 15 years, no study has been able to determine who the surgery is for. In patients whom is not helped, all the consequences of sleep apnea, such as daytime sleepiness and hypertension, persist. Some patients complain of side effects after the operation, such as nasal speech or the flow of fluids into the nose during swallowing and drinking. In these cases, the quality of life is considerably limited.“
In its issue of 23. august 2013 the german newspaper Handelsblatt points out that Germany – measured by the population – is at the top of the general surgery frequency. Surgeries are often much more economical for providers than other therapies.
Zeit Online – Gesundheit wrote on 23 August 2013:
„There are senseless incentives for cutting, while the means for healing and prevention are missing.“
Within a relatively short time, overpressure therapy developed within the framework of the health care to a gigantic and expensive machinery. For a few years, the top 10 ranking list for health care expenditures has been led with distance from respiratory therapy equipment. There are about 400 sleep laboratories in Germany, which prescribe these devices, as well as medical specialists. In many diseases a connection to night-time breathing injuries is presumed, but scientifically verifiable evidence is often not available. The supply of overpressure breathing is considered to be a seemingly royal route in the treatment of sleep apnea. Nevertheless, it should not be forgotten that this method only focuses the symptom, but does not consider the cause.
Finally, this means: The person concerned retains his problem and is regularly checked, adjusted and newly supplied for a lifetime. Expense and burden the technical dependency remain. The costs for our health care providers are growing into the infinite.
The FaceFormer therapy is a cost effective method that aims to eliminate the causes of snoring and sleep apnea. We recommend the application as a single aid as well as accompaniment to other therapies.
Effective against snoring and sleep apnea:
The original Dr. Berndsen FaceFormer
Malocclusion – Early prevention better than late correction
