Dental Sleep Medicine, Columbus OH

Cosmetic Dentistry, Hilliard OH

December 28, 2010

Implant for Sleep Apnea Being Tested

Obstructive sleep apnea typically occurs because the tongue and throat muscles relax during sleep, collapsing and blocking the airway.  The sleeper then awakens, gasps and falls back asleep.  This cycle keeps repeating, sometimes 30 or more times per hour.  The sleeper is left exhausted, but usually with no memories of the events. Scientists are now beginning tests to see if […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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November 16, 2010

Can Sleep Apnea Change the Brain?

According to Italian researchers people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may have more than being sleep deprived to blame for their daytime lapses.  The challenges in cognition may be actually caused by structural deficits, or changes in the gray matter of the brain that are brought about by the nightly oxygen deprivation that comes with OSA. Dr. Vincenza […]
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November 12, 2010

Sleep Apnea Causes Pennsylvania Representatives Death

Untreated sleep apnea linked to death. Treat OSA using oral appliance therapy in Columbus, Ohio.
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November 5, 2010

Time Change Gives Little Rest for Sleep Apnea Sufferers

Spring forward, Fall back.  Time once again for the time to change.   On the night of the time change, Saturday, November 6, remember to turn your clocks back one hour. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends using this extra hour of sleep to rejuvenate your physical and mental health. Nancy A. Collop, MD, FAASM, Director of the […]
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October 28, 2010

Facial Changes Linked to CPAP Use

A small study out of Japan recently showed that using nasal CPAP for just three years showed changes in the jaws and teeth.  The lead author of the study, Dr. Hiroko Tsuda noted that “the whole front area of the maxilla was pushed back…” and that “these changes may affect the profile, tongue space and OSA symptoms”.  This study has […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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August 27, 2010

Severity of Sleep Disordered Breathing Linked to Obesity

A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia attributes the increase in severity of sleep disordered breathing (i.e. obstructive sleep apnea) cases to increases in obesity levels. The researchers from the University of Newcastle reviewed almost 15,000 diagnostic sleep studies made between 1987 and 2007.  The median body weight of patients increased by 11% for men and 16% for […]
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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 […]
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August 2, 2010

What is Sleep?

Most animals sleep.  All mammals (including human beings), birds, even fish and reptiles spend periods asleep.  According to the medical dictionary:  sleep is a physiologic state of relative unconsciousness and inaction of the voluntary muscles, the need for which recurs periodically.  This means that every day our bodies need to sleep, it is during this time and our bodies are […]
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June 7, 2010

Sleep Apnea Treatment Using Oral Appliance Effective Over Long Term

Research discussed at the recent Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine showed that using an oral appliance to treat obstructive sleep apnea remained an effective treatment even after years had passed.  The daytime sleepiness and fatigue were reduced and quality of life remained improved .   Test subjects were followed between 31 and 53 months after beginning […]
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April 21, 2010

How To Get A Good Night's Sleep

How To Get a Good Night's Sleep on NPR
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