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#HeartMonth February

February is heart month. February is when we have our hearts checked and when we commit ourselves to heart-healthy living. According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the US.  On thepositive side, there are many ways to reduce our risk of heart disease, and one of the easiest is to get tested and treated for sleep apnea. Evidence continues to show a close relationship between heart disease, including hypertension, and sleep apnea.  When oxygen levels decrease during sleep, blood pressure spikes. This high blood pressure can then carry into …

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Sleep Disorders and Depression

Normal sleep is a restorative state. However, when sleep is disrupted or inadequate, it can lead to increased fatigue, anxiety, and irritability. Stop The Cycle! – Talk today to your medical professional about your sleep! Many people have experienced a restless night’s sleep. An occasional night of tossing and turning for a few hours is an experience we can all relate to. Unfortunately for some people a good night’s sleep is more the expectation than the rule, and a restless night’s sleep becomes so common that it becomes the expected outcome. Those individuals who experience an occasional restless night often point …

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Summer Sleep Tips

The summer often brings a change in the weather and a change in our routines. For those with a sleep disorder, this can mean a disruption to healthy sleep patterns. Here are a few tips to maintain restful nights throughout the summer months. Don’t Over Indulge Summer is a time of celebration. Summer picnics and parties often include alcoholic beverages. Too much drinking can cause fragmented sleep that will not leave you rested in the morning. Drink modest amounts early in the evening leaving plenty of time for water before bed. Eating Before Bed The days stay lighter much later …

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OSA Therapy Choice and Compliance

The two most common therapies for Obstructive Sleep Apnea are continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and mandibular advancement splints (oral appliance). These two therapies have similar benefits to patients but differ in comfort, ease of use and compliance levels. Traditionally, CPAP has been the first choice of physicians for treatment of patients with OSA.  Low CPAP compliance rates and high efficacy results for the oral appliance have physicians reconsidering this choice. Studies show that 30 to 50% of CPAP users are noncompliant. In contrast, oral appliance users report nearly 100% compliance. Noncompliant patients are at risk of stroke, obesity, drowsy …

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A Case For The Patient Treatment Pathway For Oral Device Therapy

Featured in the March 2017 edition of Dental Sleep Medicine Insider Magazine is article A Case For The Patient Treatment Pathway For Oral Device Therapy  By Jagdeep Bijwadia: 40% of CPAP users are non-complant. That means that for close to half of all patients being treated for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, CPAP simply is not a viable solution. The ideal metric for treatment should take into account both the AHI and… read more 

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Does skipping CPAP for one night really matter?

A recent study found that sleep apnea, even for one night, can affect blood pressure.  “After just six hours of fluctuating oxygen levels, similar to what happens with sleep apnea, the body’s ability to regulate blood pressure is impaired.”   There is an immediate impact on the body’s ability to maintain a normal blood pressure from sleep apnea the night before. A patient is considered “compliant” if he or she wears a CPAP for 70% of nights; however, every untreated night affects the next day’s health.  Maybe a treatment with a higher compliance rate should be considered.  Mandibular advancement devices (oral …

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Heart Disease and Sleep Apnea are a Dangerous Combination

Sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are common in patients with cardiovascular disease such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and atrial fibrillation. A person suffering from cardiovascular disease is two-to-three times more likely to have sleep apnea, according to the Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease Study conducted by The American Heart Association. According to the study, sleep apnea can lead to or worsen heart disease. Apneas, or periods when breathing ceases during sleep, causes oxygen levels to drop and triggers a “fight or flight” response in your body which in turn causes your blood vessels to constrict and …

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