Mouth taping could be dangerous for Canadians with sleep apnea, study warns

What’s mouth taping?

“Mouth taping” is the act of putting tape over one’s mouth before going to bed — forcing yourself to breathe through your nose while sleeping.

It’s gained significant traction on social media in recent weeks, with a variety of influencers claiming that mouth taping reduces snoring and improves rest.

What do health experts think about mouth taping?

A new study published in the journal PLOS One warns that mouth taping could be dangerous for people with sleep apnea.

Dr. Brian Rotenberg, an otolaryngology specialist at London Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph’s Health Care London, and Western University, told CTV News that what mouth taping is trying to achieve is “noble,” but there’s no evidence it’s effective at improving rest.

“There’s a large proportion of people out there who have undiagnosed sleep apnea, possibly severe sleep apnea,” Rotenberg said.

“When you literally tape your mouth shut and your airway is already being blocked somewhere behind that, you’ve now blocked off basically half of your airway.”

He added that individuals having trouble breathing through their nose while sleeping should seek medical advice before incorporating mouth taping into their nighttime routine.

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Can you get disability benefits for sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea, insomnia, and other sleep disorders can have a profound impact on an individual’s ability to perform everyday tasks, including their job duties — even with appropriate treatment.

For Canadians who can’t work due to sleep apnea, short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) benefits can provide a crucial financial lifeline.

How do these benefits help?

• STD: Provides temporary financial support for individuals unable to perform their job duties.
• LTD: Offers income replacement for individuals unable to return to work for an extended period of time.

To qualify for STD or LTD benefits, medical documentation is essential to demonstrate how your condition prevents you from working.

Sadly, insurance companies often deny legitimate LTD claims — including in cases involving sleep apnea — adding unnecessary stress to an already difficult situation.

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• Denied LTD? Seek legal advice before appealing the decision
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WATCH: Disability lawyer James Fireman explains what you need to do if your disability claim is rejected on an episode of the Disability Law Show.

Claim denied? Contact us

If your insurance company prevented you from accessing disability benefits for sleep apnea, or another medical condition, connect with an experienced disability lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Our compassionate team regularly resolves issues involving STD, LTD, critical illness, life insurance, and mortgage insurance claims.

We’ve helped countless Canadians secure the compensation they’re owed. Contact us today for a FREE disability consultation.

Disclaimer: The materials provided in this article are for general informational purposes only and DO NOT constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a legal representative at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.