Although fewer than 120,000 people are officially registered as being treated for sleep apnea in Taiwan, the unofficial number could exceed millions, putting them at higher risk of a stroke due to long-term oxygen deprivation to the brain during sleep, doctors said at a news conference in Taipei on Tuesday.
Taiwan likely has more than 3 million people who have not been diagnosed with the condition and have not received treatment, doctors said.
Sleep apnea occurs when muscles in the back of the throat relax too much to allow normal breathing, causing obstruction of the airway and eventually waking a person due to oxygen deprivation, doctors said, adding that if the condition is not treated, it could lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Former Taipei Medical University Department of Otolaryngology head Wang Ta-yuan (王大源) said that common sleep apnea symptoms include heavy snoring, suddenly waking from sleep, feeling excessively tired and sudden episodes of irritability.
People who are overweight or have large neck sizes are prone to sleep apnea and should consult a doctor if they experience symptoms, Wang said.
Sleep apnea is commonly treated using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which requires a mask and headgear, allowing a person to keep the throat and airway unobstructed, Wang said.
However, some users are bothered by the device, which itself interferes with sleep, Wang said.
Evergreen Dental Clinic head Liu Nan-yu (劉南佑) said that Taiwanese dentists often prescribe mandibular advancement devices, which also help treat sleep apnea.
People are increasingly consulting dentists for help with sleep apnea, Liu added.
Silver Dental Clinic head Wen Shih-cheng (溫世政) said that such devices are a good alternative for people who find CPAP masks restrictive or cumbersome.
Dental clinics are also teaching patients practices to strengthen their tongue muscles to alleviate sleep apnea, Wen added.
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