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.

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.

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.

We have always known that sleep apnea can cause heart attacks, strokes, and other life-threatening conditions. This new study brings to light that the lack of oxygen can result in kidney dysfunction. Another reason to test yourself or a loved one for sleep apnea. Contact us to set up a consultation 630.369.5508.

For further details on this finding http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ERS/41561

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. 

For years, we have seen the positive effects of how a tired and sleep deprived patient can turn around after getting great sleep. Less baggy eyes, different and happier dispositions, and more alertness are just some of the positive changes we often witness when treating our snoring and apnea patients.

Are you tired of people commenting that you look “tired”? Read more in U.S. News article and see how you can look better.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/09/13/sleep-apnea-treatment-may-help-patients-look-better

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.