If you or your partner are snoring often, you need to know that it might be a sign of something more serious called  obstructive  sleep apnea (OSA).

During obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)  a patient stops breathing  or has pauses in breathing during sleep that can affect many other areas of health. For a lot more information I urge you to listen to my audio podcast  interview with Dr. Steve Park, an ENT sleep specialist, discussing Treating Snoring: A Life And Death Decision or visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com for more information.

In our last blog, Another Successful CPAP Alternative Case in Naperville!, we described how it took years for one of our patients to go from being diagnosed with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea to getting great high quality sleep. Years of struggling with CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure machine) problems had finally been stopped with the use of a custom made professionally prescribed mouth retainer (oral appliance therapy). No snoring, improved energy, and just good sleep!

Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, prescribing physicians often overlook oral appliance therapy (OAT) for the treatment of snoring and apnea. Here are just a few reasons why:

• Lack of knowledge about oral appliance therapy within the physicians’ world remains the primary reason for lack of guidance towards OAT.
• For many, especially moderate to severe cases, or those that are very sleepy during the day, CPAP remains their best quickest option, at least early on.
• Very unfortunate remains the fact that physicians who ARE aware of OAT feel that these devices are too expensive and may not work, and may discourage patients from even trying oral appliance therapy. This truly saddens me.
• Some geographical areas do not have many dentists who are trained in snoring and apnea treatment. Rarely is this area taught in dental schools.
• Some medical facilities obtain revenues from the CPAP industry, and as a result have a financial interest in having patients go the CPAP route. Their focus is often on what is easily accessible, and what has the highest success rates (if used).
• OAT crosses the MD – -DDS barrier more than any other dental treatment. Ongoing communications between these worlds are often minimally existent.  Both sectors are needed and it takes effort to coordinate treatment and referral process.
• Medical facilities often lack a highly evolved system in following up with previously diagnosed patients. Many just fall though the cracks and alternatives are rarely given.

It has been well over 15 years when I had first entered the world of dental sleep medicine. Reflecting on this, I am amazed that many obstacles to treatment that were present then are still present today.  Obstacles of getting good sleep through custom oral devices have not changed. My professional ‘wish’ in the world of dental sleep medicine is that the medical and dental worlds unite, and put the patient’s sleep their number one priority by directing them to the best treatment for their snoring and apnea condition.

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 call us at (630) 369-5508.

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Okay I admit, I’m selfish. There’s nothing more exciting than to hear our patients comment about how their life has improved through our services. Whether it’s a new smile transformed from darker worn down teeth, or the end of miserable nights of sleep with oral appliance therapy, a CPAP alternative, once you hear these expressions, you just want more successes.

Last week, I had the pleasure of seeing one of our patients that had been having great difficulty with the primary type of therapy that was prescribed by his physician. Years of struggling with hoses, air leaks, and pressure adjustment had led to just POOR sleep and discouragement.

Luckily, due to a move from another state into our area and establishing ties with a new physician, he was referred for oral appliance therapy, the most commonly prescribed alternative treatment to CPAP, type of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep disorder often accompanied with chronic snoring and pauses or stoppages of breathing during sleep.

Over the years, there have been hundreds of patients like this one revolving through our doors. My excitement of hearing about these positive outcomes continue to fuel me professionally. But what fuels me even more, is the disappointment in knowing that these prescribed mouth devices for snoring and apnea could have rescued this patient years earlier had they ever been mentioned to him. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, prescribing physicians often overlooks oral appliance therapy. Part of the confusion is that medical standards require a prescription or a diagnosis of a persons’ condition, whether it be primary snoring, or obstructive sleep apnea.  Medical standards also require that these mouth devices be made and delivered through dental providers.

My professional ‘wish’ is that this referral process for an unbelievable great service is someday extremely mainstreamed and that people, who are suffering with CPAP use, can be guided through the treatment.

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Being overweight can contribute to the severity of someone’s diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which a person ‘stops or pauses’ breathing during sleep.  In some cases, if a person has been diagnosed with mild obstructive sleep apnea and is overweight, lowering weight to a healthier level can contribute to ‘curing’ of the apnea, or lowering its severity.

Increasing exercise commitments together with zoning in on food choices and quantities, often leads to successful weight loss.

Below, our guest blog contributor and fitness expert, Sharon Kline, has given us some straightforward tips for successful exercising.

WHEN IT COMES TO EXERCISE ALL YOU NEED IS BALANCE!

I believe in balance in everything you do in life, and when it comes to exercise and living a healthier lifestyle this can be your guideline:

B- Believe you can do it and that you deserve it

A- Allocate the time

L- Learn the proper techniques

A- Accountability

N- New routines

C- Create a successful environment

E- Evaluate your progress

When you have balance in your life, your life will bloom and grow in the most positive ways!

Sharon Kline is a certified personal trainer and owner of Advanced Fitness Plus. Located at 4063 S. Rt. 59 Naperville, IL 60564. Advanced Fitness Plus offers group fitness classes, personal training and boot camps. For more information please visit her website at www.advancedfitnessplus.com. Phone number is 630-202-0583.

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During this past holiday season, I admit that the television was on a little more than usual.  I could not help but notice some great snoring-help commercials.  From specialized pillows, to specialized mattresses, to the over-the-counter anti-snoring mouth retainers such as ‘Pure sleep’, the plea for help is quite noticeable.

When I first started helping individuals with snoring and apnea conditions over 15 years ago, there were approximately 40 or so professional types of devices for snoring and apnea relief, now over 80!  I can’t even imagine how many non-professional treatment options for snoring are on the market! But what many people don’t realize, although helpful, many of these can mask life-threatening conditions of obstructive sleep apnea or other sleep disorders. Also, not easily reversible side effects can occur, especially with anti-snoring devices inserted into the mouth.

In as little as a few weeks of wearing a mail order device similar to Pure Sleep, noticeable permanent tooth changes may occur. Lisping is one potential side effect that may require orthodontic work to reverse.  Although similar side effects can occur with even the professional devices, it’s important to work directly with a dentist trained in sleep disorders.  There are several ways to help prevent or manage such side effects, and obviously direct supervision is non-existent with mail order treatments.

If you are interested in finding out more about the dangers of over-the counter anti-snoring mouth devices, we encourage you to listen to a previously recorded audio interview, The Dangers of Over-the-Counter Anti-Snoring Devices, with sleep expert Dr. Gail Demko, a general dentist and one of the pioneers of the field of oral appliance therapy that treats snoring and apnea with CPAP alternative.

For more information on how we can help you stop snoring safely and with thorough dental-sleep guidance, call our practice today 630-369-5508.

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