“Beauty Sleep” – Great Sleep Affects Beauty

Great Sleep Affects Beauty

Beauty sleep is important to your health Great sleep affects beauty

Sleep affects beauty. For quite some time, science has measured that “deep, tired look” of patients who suffer with sleep disturbances.

Studies show that patients who resolve their sleep issues often enjoy scientifically-measured improvements in their facial skin. Less redness and forehead puffiness are just two of the noticeable and measurable improvements that can result with improved sleep.

In addition, observers who viewed photos of sleep apnea patients after successful treatment often cited these patients as being more attractive, youthful and alert.

Many studies reveal that only about 50% of patients are using their prescribed CPAP treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Luckily, many of these CPAP patients who we now treat with Oral Appliance Therapy are enjoying overall improvements in their sleep. After successful treatment, many times we see improvements which may include:

  • less dreary eyes
  • less puffiness around the eyes
  • less redness around the nose
  • less visible strap lines (from attempted CPAP use)
  • much less ’grumpiness’ factor

If you are not getting good quality and quantity of sleep, it’s important to review possible reasons. Many sleep disorders have profound implications on heart disease, diabetes, weight gain and more. A lack of sleep affects “beauty” inside and out.

For more information on the importance of beauty sleep, visit this USA Today Article. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/05/05/health-women-beauty-sleep/8731111/. Then give us a call at (630) 369-5508 today. We can help you get the great sleep your body needs.

Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois, a premiere snoring and apnea treatment center in Naperville, has been providing the CPAP alternative treatment of oral appliance therapy for over 15 years successfully. We are extremely passionate in helping individuals that have been struggling with CPAP therapy in Naperville, Lisle, Aurora, Bolingbrook and surrounding Chicago suburbs. For more information on this physician recommended treatment option visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com or call us at (630)369-5508.

New Guidelines by the American College of Physicians on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

michael_breus on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Dr. Michael Breus shares new guidelines on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

A recent article by Dr. Michael Breus has summarized the 3 major points to the newest guidelines set forth by the American College of Physicians for physicians treating individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The newest recommendations:

  • Weight loss – Since weight loss can have a positive impact on obstructive sleep apnea, they are encouraging physicians to help their overweight OSA patients focus on weight loss.
  • The ACP is also recommending CPAP as the first option for initial treatment of sleep apnea patients. However, the organization is also aware of the fact that many individuals do not use their prescribed CPAP.
  • The ACP is also recommending that mandibular advancement devices (Oral Appliance Therapy / OAT) be considered for initial treatment of sleep apnea in patients who have adverse reactions to CPAP.

Drug therapy and surgery were not recommended within these guidelines for treating OSA.

Read more on this here:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-michael-j-breus/sleep-apnea_b_4241113.html

Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois, a premiere snoring and apnea treatment center in Naperville, has been providing the CPAP alternative treatment of Oral Appliance Therapy successfully for over 15 years. We are extremely passionate in helping individuals that have been struggling with CPAP therapy in Naperville, Lisle, Aurora, Bolingbrook and surrounding Chicago suburbs. For more information on this physician recommended treatment option call us at (630)369-5508.

Combination Therapies for Apnea Gives Hope to Failed CPAP and Oral Device Users

Flower growing from crack in asphaltOne of the most exciting lectures I attended at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine included that of Combination Therapies for OSA.  Unfortunately, not every case of oral appliance therapy is a success.  It’s always  been difficult for me to tell a patient that their oral appliance therapy has not been successful, especially if that patient has already attempted CPAP therapy with poor results of tolerance. Relatively ‘new’ in the oral device arena attempts to bridge both oral device together with custom made CPAP masks. Although the appearance of these once in place are not much ‘more attractive’ than traditional CPAP masks, these can often result in better seals.  Together adjoining them are mouth pieces that are customized and attached to the CPAP mask.  This “combined” treatment may make it possible for those that are somewhat tolerant of CPAP but not fully successful with oral device therapy.  Although still in its early stage of development, this type of ‘combined treatment’ may give some future hope to apnea sufferers that have not had successful results with both types of treatment independently.

Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois, a premiere snoring and apnea treatment center in Naperville, has been providing the CPAP alternative treatment of oral appliance therapy for over 15 years successfully. We are extremely passionate in helping individuals that have been struggling with CPAP therapy in Naperville, Lisle, Aurora, Bolingbrook and surrounding Chicago suburbs. For more information on this physician recommended treatment option, visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com or call us at (630) 369-5508.

CPAP vs. Mandibular Advancement Device for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Usually comparative studies of oral appliance and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to treat obstructive sleep apnea are small and with limitations.

Recently in a randomized crossover trial that involved 126 obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, researchers compared CPAP with an adjustable mandibular advancement device that was adjusted to the most comfortable maximum limit.  Sleep apnea was shown in patients mild, moderate and severe and the study lasted one month.

The baseline apnea index (AHI) was 26 events per hour.  AHI was markedly decreased both in CPAP and oral device.  But mean on-treatment AHI was significantly lower with CPAP 5 vs. 11 events/hr, and the proportion of patients whose AHI normalized was higher with CPAP (about 75% vs. 40%).   The AHI difference between treatment groups of OSA and CPAP patients was striking between patients with severe OSA and moderate OSA.  Patient compliance was significantly higher with the mandibular device than with CPAP (average reported use 6.5% vs. 5.2 hours).

Blood pressure was measured for 24 hours and were unchanged in both groups.  Equally improved daytime sleepiness was seen in both groups.  When eight quality of life indicators were evaluated, the mandibular appliance was equal to CPAP in four indicators and superior to CPAP in four indicators.

Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois, a premiere snoring and apnea treatment center in Naperville has been providing the CPAP alternative treatment of oral appliance therapy for over 15 years successfully. For more information on this physician recommended treatment option, visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com or call us at (630) 369-5508.

“Tongue Zapper” in the News as Aid for Snoring and Apnea

Recent headlines in the news have described a potential new treatment option for snoring and apnea sufferers. The excitement on this potential treatment option lies in the fact that 40-60% of patients that have prescribed the treatment of CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) do not use their machines.  Many more who have snoring symptoms without apnea are not using anything at all to control their snoring, often causing disturbances with their sleep partners.  Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person’s airway is blocked repeatedly throughout the night, from 5 to over 100 times per night. Left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can lead to life threatening conditions. Some of these include high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack and more.

This new “tongue-zapper” therapy is based on hypoglossal nerve stimulation.  With this treatment a small pacemaker like generator is implanted under the skin near the collarbone. A small wire leads to the hypoglossal nerve near the base of the tongue.  The relaxation of the tongue, jaw and associated muscles and tissues often lead to the airway blocks that occur during apnea.  As breathing is monitored by sensors, a signal is delivered to this nerve.  Signals include mild electrical currents that “zap” the tongue muscles preventing them from relaxing to the point of blocking the airway.

It’s important to realize that this type of therapy is experimental and although studies are scheduled, my research has found that only a handful of patients at most to date have been treated worldwide with this implant.  My clinical observation from working with apnea patients for the past 15 years  is  that although this therapy remains hopeful for some select patients, there are far more associated anatomical obstructions and considerations  of the airway in addition to the tongue muscles. In addition, medical reimbursement for experimental therapy remains almost impossible.

Patients looking for an alternative for CPAP therapy at this time would overwhelmingly  benefit from oral appliance therapy that has been developed,studied and researched for over 30 years. Oral appliance therapy remains the standard of care as an alternative for mild to moderate apnea and for those with severe who are not able to use CPAP therapy.

DENTAL SLEEP AND TMD CENTER OF ILLINOIS

1100 SHERMAN AVE., SUITE 103 | NAPERVILLE, IL | PHONE: 630.369.5508