Are You Using Oral Appliance Therapy for Snoring?

Question of the Week: “If you have a mouth device for snoring, why should you come in regularly to the dentist?”

Visiting a Dental Sleep Medicine professional is crucial if you are wearing any oral device made for snoring. Visit your dentist regularly so your dentist can check to see if you are developing side effects or need adjustments made to your Oral Appliance Therapy for snoring. Your teeth need to be checked for any shifting that could be occurring as well.

Call Dental Sleep Medicine and TMD Center of Illinois at (630) 369-5508 today. Let us check your Oral Appliance Therapy for snoring. We should check for side effects or make necessary adjustments or shifting of your teeth. Visit http://www.tiredofsnoring.com for more information regarding this question and others.

Having Trouble Sleeping?

having trouble sleeping

Having trouble sleeping?

Trouble sleeping happens to everyone at one time or another. It is actually quite common. A night or two every now and then is really no big deal. But if a good night’s sleep eludes you more often than not, it may be time for you to change things up a bit.

Here’s a list to help you change up your sleep routine:

  • Stop eating several hours before bedtime
  • Limit your alcohol intake, or better yet don’t have any at all
  • Start getting ready for bed 30 minutes before your actual bedtime
  • Keep your bedroom dark
  • Do not use electronic appliances, such as computers and phones 30 to 60 minutes before retiring
  • Turn off the television
  • Try relaxing techniques to encourage sleepiness
  • Read a book
  • Enjoy aromatherapy masks and sprays to calm you
  • Soak in a warm bath
  • Sip hot chamomile lavender tea
  • Avoid caffeinated drinks 3 hours before bedtime

If all else fails, call your physician. Your doctor will advise you with the right protocol to get that coveted good night’s sleep.

Click on the link below. Read the full article.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-201311271300–tms–mayoclnctnmc-a20131128-20131128,0,1191753.story

 

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 who have been struggling with CPAP therapy in Naperville, Lisle, Aurora, Bolingbrook and surrounding Chicago suburbs. For more information on this physician-recommended treatment, call us at (630)369-5508.

Sleep Apnea and/or Snoring can be the cause of your Morning Headache!

Many people experience moderate to severe morning headaches. If you wake up with a morning headache, sleep apnea and snoring could be to blame. What is the connection between morning headaches, sleep apnea and snoring?

Sleep apnea occurs while you are asleep. People who suffer from sleep apnea stop breathing, often hundreds of times during the night. How does sleep apnea have a connection to morning headaches? The brain is literally starved of oxygen during these hundreds of nightly episodes. If sleep apnea is left untreated the continued “starvation of oxygen to your brain” can actually cause slight brain damage, so it’s no wonder that a person would get morning headaches from this!

One of the main reasons a person that is snoring has morning headaches is due to the snorer having untreated sleep apnea. A symptom of sleep apnea is chronic snoring. While you snore, the constant vibration of your throat tissue can cause damage to the back of your head and neck, causing your morning headache.

If you experience morning headaches, be sure to consult with your doctor. Morning Headaches could be an indication of a more serious health concern.

1 more reason to treat your sleep apnea “dentally” – today!

A recent study from University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, found a link between untreated sleep apnea and cancer. Those with untreated sleep apnea are 4.8% more likely to die from cancer than those without sleep apnea or sleep disordered breathing.

For years, we have know that Obstructive sleep apnea is a life threatening and life altering condition that causes a person to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. The oxygen deprivation that results can trigger severe health problems. The restless sleep that also results from Obstructive Sleep Apnea affects the quality of life of individuals. The bed partner’s sleep can also be disrupted by his or her partner’s snoring, pauses in breathing and restless sleep.

What happens if Obstructive Sleep Apnea is not treated?

People with Obstructive Sleep Apnea have disrupted sleep resulting in low oxygen levels. Both awakenings and oxygen deprivation can trigger severe health problems and decrease quality of life due to Obstructive Sleep Apnea’s links with:

  • Chronic sleepiness (Excessive Daytime Sleepiness-EDS).
  • Increased Motor Vehicle Accidents (People with Obstructive Sleep Apnea have three times a higher automobile accident or work-related accident than those in the general public).
  • Increased work-related accidents.
  • Poor job performance.
  • Depression.
  • Family discord (Loud snoring also disrupts the bed partner’s sleep causing frustration and anger in their relationship.)
  • Decreased quality of life.
  • Strokes.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Decreased sex drive.
  • Nocturia (a need to use bathroom frequently at night).
  • Morning headache.
  • Systemic Hypertension
  • Cardiac Arythmias
  • Myocardial Ischemia
  • Cerebrovascular Disease
  • Pulmonary Hypertension

And now Cancer is added to the list of health consequences of untreated sleep apnea.

If wearing a CPAP is stopping you from seeking treatment, you do have other options. Dental Sleep and TMD center of Illinois effectively and efficiently has treated sleep apnea and snoring patients with Oral Appliance Therapy. To schedule your appointment for an oral appliance consultation, all our office, 630 369-5508 or 1-800-SNORING.

Please, don’t wait another day to get the sleep you need to stay healthy for life!

6 Easy Tips to Avoid Jet Lag and Enjoy Your Summer Vacation!

  1. Alter your sleep schedule prior to your trip. Calculate the time difference you are traveling to: 1, 2, 6 hour time change? Alter your sleep schedule to fit the time zone you are traveling to at least a few days in advance.
  2.  Pack your oral appliance with you in your carry-on. If your flight is overnight, or you plan to snooze in air, wear your appliance. Not only will you feel better, your fellow travelers will appreciate a snore-free flight.**
  3. Stay Hydrated.  The day prior to and on the day of your flight drink plenty of water and fluids, 8 oz. of fluid for each hour of flight.
  4. Change your electronics to the correct time zone the day of your trip.   Include your watch, phone, computer and any electronics you carry.
  5. Get out in the sun! Even if your body wants to sleep, get out in the sunlight. The sun will help your body “wake up” and get on the new time zone schedule.

**If you currently use a CPAP-machine to treat your sleep apnea and snoring, consider an oral appliance for travel.  Visit our website TiredofSnoring.com to determine if an oral appliance would hellp you enjoy the vacation of your dreams. Be prepared for your best trip ever!

DENTAL SLEEP AND TMD CENTER OF ILLINOIS

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