The lack of screening policies in regards to Obstructive Sleep Apnea and pilots has been a concern of mine for many years. In my practice over the years, I have met several pilots who were at high risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Many of these pilots refused to move forward through proper diagnostic procedures for fear of losing their jobs if OSA was confirmed. In the mean time, if Obstructive Sleep Apnea is present in pilots and not treated, the negative effects can lead to catastrophic aircraft incidents. The negative effects of a lack of alertness, excessive daytime sleepiness, and an overall ‘foggy feeling’ are common in individuals who have OSA and live life without proper treatment of this sleep disorder. Here’s an excerpt from an AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) article:

Are you a pilot with Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

“The aviation community has been up in arms since Federal Air Surgeon Fred Tilton announced that the FAA would be releasing a new policy that would require aviation medical examiners to calculate a pilot’s body mass index (BMI), and require those with a BMI of 40 or greater to get tested for Obstructive Sleep Apnea by a physician who is a board-certified sleep specialist and treated, if diagnosed, before being issued a medical certificate. Tilton stated that obstructive sleep apnea is almost universal in individuals with a BMI of 40 or greater and neck size of at least 17 inches. However, he said the agency would continue ratcheting down the BMI number “until we have identified and assured treatment for every airman with OSA.” He said the policy would later extend to air traffic controllers as well.” For more see: http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2013/November/27/Sleep-apnea-scrutiny-falls-on-aviation.aspx?CMP=ADV:1 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, call us at (630) 369-5508.

Sleep problems within the Military are common

With the recent celebration of our community of military personnel and veterans on Veteran’s Day, I came across an article discussing the impact of sleep problems within the military.

Some of the most common sleep issues, such as insomnia, are quite common among military personnel.  Some of the reasons for an increase in the frequency of sleep problems within the military as compared to people outside the services include stress caused by:

• being deployed and possibly facing combat.
• irregular work shift schedules during deployment and in combat.
• difficulty in adjusting to life at home after completion of active duty.
• service-related injuries and illnesses.

If you are presently serving in the armed forces or have served in the past, it’s important for you to realize that sleep problems within the military are common in comparison to others outside the military.  Many sleep issues and sleep disorders can be treated successfully.  If you are suffering with any sleep disturbances or have a generalized sense of poor sleep quality, schedule an appointment to talk with a physician. A physician who is knowledgeable in sleep disorders and the treatments of them can give you a thorough evaluation and offer helpful solutions.

For more information on sleep problems within the military, see http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-michael-j-breus/sleep-problems-veterans_b_4250870.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, visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com or call us at (630) 369-5508.

From insomnia to snoring, Americans spend billions on sleep aid products in their search for relief from affects caused by sleeping problems.

Give gifts that improve sleep quality

Here are some fantastic gift ideas to help improve sleep quality.  Some of these gift ideas promote a calmer night. Others help you wake up a little easier.

For occasional or frequent snoring:

1. Pillows designed to promote side sleeping
2. Breathe Right Nasal Strips
3. Contoured Sleep Back Wedges
4. Prescribed professional Oral Appliance Therapy for snoring and apnea

For light sleeping:

1. Bedside advanced sleep sound devices
2. The Promise of Sleep by Dement and Vaughan
3. Portable travel humidifier
4. TV headphones
5. Sleep masks

For difficulty waking up:

1. An alarm clock with a natural light feature

Personally, TV headphones together with a sleep mask have helped me tremendously when trying to sleep through my husband’s occasional late-night television viewing. I can’t imagine being without them.

The contour wedge pillow can be adjusted for great back support while reading in bed.  Others readjust the configuration to sleep in an angle that promotes less snoring or better breathing.

If I wear a night guard during sleep for grinding, can I consider the use of an oral device for snoring – apnea?

Many dentists and physicians often misunderstand the answer to this question.

Oral appliance therapy (OAT) treats snoring and apnea with the use of jaw retainers. This type of therapy is recommended for a variety of apnea patients, and for most snoring individuals. But many patients (and professionals) are not aware that OAT may well be an excellent choice in treating apnea in patients that grind their teeth during sleep. Wearing a CPAP, the most commonly prescribed treatment for apnea, is often very difficult for patients to tolerate, and even harder if additionally one needs to wear a night guard for teeth grinding.

It’s important to realize that there are over 80 oral devices for OSA and that not all are appropriate to use with patients who grind their teeth. If the wrong device is chosen, jaw pain can begin or increase. Many other devices are not strong enough to withhold the forces of teeth grinding. Choice selection of which oral device remains important.

Also, many medical and dental providers do not realize that if you wear a night guard and not treat your apnea, you have approximately a 40-50% chance of making the apnea worse, which can cause serious harm to your health. Best options for apnea patients that grind their teeth include:

1. CPAP therapy together with the use of a night guard for grinding

OR

2. Use of one specialty oral apnea appliance that can protect teeth from harmful teeth grinding wear AND treats the apnea.

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.