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!

WHAT IS O.A.T?  O.A.T. stands for oral appliance therapy, a conservative treatment option that consists of a custom made dental appliance, similar to a sports mouth guard, which is worn at night while you are sleeping.  Oral appliances are commonly used for keeping the airway open by bringing the lower jaw forward and preventing the tongue and other tissue from collapsing back into the throat.

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR O.A.T.?  O.A.T. is a good treatment option for patients who snore and/or have mild apnea.  It is also an excellent treatment option for patients with moderate to severe apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy and do not require surgery.  O.A.T. may also be a great option for people searching for a less cumbersome, easily transportable, and much more comfortable than a CPAP machine.

HOW DO I KNOW IF AN ORAL APPLIANCES IS FOR ME?  A minimum of 8 healthy teeth are usually required in each jaw ( 8 on top jaw and 8 in lower jaw.)  CPAP devices may be the “gold standard of care for apnea”, but if you have primary snoring, mild apnea, or are seeking alternative treatment for moderate to severe apnea, an oral appliance may be your best choice of treatment for you.

WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE AND ARE THEY COMFORTABLE?  There are many different oral appliances for the treatment of snoring and apnea.  The choice depends on many factors including each person’s individual anatomy and lifestyle demands. They feel similar to professionally fitted sports guards and night guards. Most people find them far more comfortable and convenient than the CPAP device.

 Samples Of FDA Approved Oral Appliances

YES, I AM INTERESTED.  WHAT IS MY NEXT STEP?   Call our office to set up a consultation visit with our doctors to discuss if oral appliance therapy is the answer for you and which sleep appliance would be best suited for you. Allow a half hour for your New Patient Consultation, if you had a sleep study you will need to fax it to our office prior to your appointment.

Office:  (630) 369-5508  Fax:  (630) 369-7416

by MORGAN CHESKY / KVUE News Follow: @MorganC_KVUE kvue.com Posted on November 11, 2011 at 10:00 PM Updated Friday, Nov 11 at 10:42 PM On the road every minute of every day, they are the traveling tons of steel and rubber that are difficult to miss. Only on May 7, 2010, Wanda and John Lindsay never saw the oncoming truck…..Continue

During snoring muscles relax in the back of the throat narrowing the airway to a smaller opening.  As you breathe in your sleep, air is forced through this smaller opening causing vibrations known as snoring.

Although snoring may be harmless (benign snoring), it can also be a sign of a more serious medical condition which progresses from Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA (OSA): During an apnea event

• The muscles in the throat relax and the tongue is sucked against the throat blocking the airway.
• The entire upper airway is blocked causing air flow to stop.
• Air (and oxygen) cannot flow into the lungs.
• When the oxygen level in the brain becomes low enough, the sleeper partially awakens, the obstruction in the throat clears, and the flow of air starts again – usually with a loud gasp or snort.
• People with untreated apnea are generally not aware of the awakenings but only of being sleepy during the day.
• Loud snoring, mixed with periods of silence (apnea), is typical but is not always present, especially in children.

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 OSA 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.

Visit our website to learn more about the Health Consequences of untreated sleep apnea!