February 10, 2011

Sleep Problems a Risk for Colon Cancer?

The February issue of the journal Cancer published a study which found that individuals who averaged less than six hours of sleep per night experienced an almost 50% increase in the risk of colorectal adenomas compared to individuals who slept at least seven hours each night. The adenomas can become malignant tumors if left untreated. Dr. Li Li of the […]
January 25, 2011

Boost Your Immune System With Sleep

Lots of good things happen while we’re sleeping. Our skin repairs itself, memories are fixed in our minds, new learning is placed in long-term storage in our brains and deep sleep energizes our immune systems. Being deprived of deep sleep has just the opposite effect on the immune system. Even just a few days of sleep deprivation, total or partial, […]
January 21, 2011

Nighttime Bathroom Breaks Linked to Sleep Apnea

Frequently waking up during the night to urinate may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea. While the condition, known as nocturia has previously been linked to sleep apnea it is not currently used as a screening tool. New research may change this. The research study looked at patients seeking diagnosis and treatment at two New Mexico sleep centers. The […]
January 19, 2011

Do You Have Sleep Apnea?

Millions of people suffer from obstructive sleep apnea but are unaware they have the condition. The three main warning signs of sleep apnea are: Loud snoring Pauses in breathing during sleep Frequently waking, gasping for air Extreme tiredness during the day – even after a full night of sleep Not everyone who snores needs to visit a sleep specialist but […]
December 23, 2010

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Asthma

Dr. Fulvio Braido of the University of Genoa in Italy made a presentation at the World Allergy Organization 2010 International Conference that explored the link between asthma and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).    Dr. Braido suggests that one disease may cause the other or that they may share a common cause.  He also feels that asthma complicates the treatment of OSA […]
December 14, 2010

Snoring – Just Annoying or Something Serious?

There was a terrific article on NYTimes.com a few days ago about the trial and error method that most people go through trying to put an end to their snoring.  Many people who snore are pressured by their sleep-deprived bed-mates to discover a solution. Lifestyle and sleep hygiene solutions for reducing snoring include: Weight Loss Sleep on your side, not […]
December 3, 2010

Falling Asleep at the Wheel

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety surveyed drivers in the US and an astounding two out of every five drivers (41%) admitted falling asleep behind the wheel.  Ten percent of drivers said they had done so during the past year.  These are frightening statistics when crash data shows that one in six fatal crashes involve drowsy driving. There are many […]
November 30, 2010

Aggressive Heart Disease Linked to Sleep Apnea

According to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have more “bad” plaque in their coronary arteries.  Obstructive sleep apnea is may be associated with obesity and is caused when the upper airway becomes obstructed during sleep causing the sleeper to stop breathing.  Heavy snoring […]
November 29, 2010

Sleep Apnea Screening and Your Dentist

At your next dental appointment you may be asked some questions that your dentist has never asked before.  Among these questions: Do you snore? Do you feel tired all day long? Ever fallen asleep while driving? Do you wake up with headaches and a sore throat? Answering yes to several of the screening questions similar to the ones listed may […]
November 12, 2010

Sleep Apnea Causes Pennsylvania Representatives Death

Untreated sleep apnea linked to death. Treat OSA using oral appliance therapy in Columbus, Ohio.
October 20, 2010

Sleep Apnea Treatment Reduces Death

The journal Sleep and Breathing found that sleep apnea treatment reduced the risk of hospitalization and death for advanced heart failure patients.  The study included 18 patients with advanced heart failure and sleep apnea. Eleven patients underwent CPAP therapy using the machine for at least four hours per night, 70% of the nights.  Seven patients tried a two week trial […]
October 8, 2010

Is It Dementia or a Sleep Disorder?

Sleep disorders affect patients ranging from the very young to the very old.  While children with undiagnosed sleep apnea are at risk of being diagnosed with ADHD and treated with drugs, the most elderly in our population may exhibit symptoms that also lead to a wrong diagnosis – dementia or Alzheimer’s. A blog posted this week on the New York […]
September 17, 2010

Biggest Loser Contestants Linked to Sleep Apnea

This year marks the 10th anniversary for the popular reality television show, The Biggest Loser.  The new season premiers on  on NBC on September 21st.  Last year, SleepEducation blog reported that all 16 contestants on the show suffered from obstructive sleep apnea. Obesity increases the risk for obstructive sleep apnea.  A high BMI (body mass index) and a large neck […]
September 14, 2010

Football, Migraines and Sleep Apnea

Minnesota Vikings player Percy Harvin collapsed on the practice field on August 19th and according to NBC his heart stopped for 10 seconds after he was taken to a hospital.   At first complications from his frequent migraine headaches were suspected. However, a few days after being released from the hospital Harvin underwent an overnight sleep study which he said showed […]
September 2, 2010

Oral Appliance Treatment for Sleep Apnea Vs. the Internet

While trolling through the internet the other night I discovered many websites, forums and user groups that discuss the ongoing battles that patients seem to have with the CPAP machines they use to treat their obstructive sleep apnea.  I notice that the traffic on these sites seems to spike in the middle of the night – when everyone should be […]
August 24, 2010

Dentists and Disaster Relief

Dentists are being given a bigger role in disaster relief efforts according to bills passed in congress.  Michigan Democrat Bart Stupak introduced HR903 which includes the following: Dental Emergency Responder Act of 2009 – Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) revise the National Health Security Strategy to include increasing the preparedness, response capabilities, and surge capacity of dental […]
May 22, 2010

Snoring in the Spare Room

According to some estimates up to 30% of snorers are sleeping in a separate bedroom from their spouse.  Paul Rosenblatt, author of Two in a Bed: The Social Systemof Couple Bed Sharing states that sleep problems are “probably the most common unresolved difficulty” in marriages.  67% of people who were married or living with someone report that their partner snores […]
April 6, 2010

Sleep Apnea Dangers

Untreated Sleep Apnea and Your Brain GAHANNA, OH – A study in the February 2010 issue of the journal SLEEP found reduced amounts of brain “gray matter” in multiple areas of the brains of patients suffering from severe sleep apnea.  This study suggests that many of the problems that go along with untreated sleep apnea:  memory loss, heart disturbances, breathing […]
March 28, 2010

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Causes Columbus

OSA, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, can be treated! COLUMBUS, OH – Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition that disrupts breathing during sleep.  According to the Mayo Clinic, OSA is a common breathing disorder that is characterized by frequent and repeated “instances of upper airway obstruction during sleep”.  In simple terms, the airway becomes blocked and the sleeper actually stops breathing […]