If youre one of the approximately 18 million people that suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you might have already seen a doctor for treatment. OSA occurs when the soft tissues in the back of the throat obstruct breathing to prevent continuous airflow during sleep. Apnea means a cessation of breathing. This interruption in breathing causes the individual to partially awake repeatedly throughout the night, thus disrupting proper sleep cycles. The sufferer awakes feeling unrested.

Left untreated, sleep apnea can give way to other serious health issues , including depression, high blood pressure, irritability, sexual dysfunction, learning or memory problems, and falling asleep at inappropriate or dangerous times. Recent studies show resultant sleep deprivation from sleep apnea can lead to brain damage.

Sleep apnea has captured public awareness in recent years, fortunately, and science has devised effective measures to counteract this serious malady. Perhaps the most common solution for OSA is CPAP [ continuous positive airway pressure .] CPAP devices are typically worn like breathing masks you might see on a patient at a hospital. The CPAP mask utilizes an air hose to direct constant airflow through the nose, preventing collapse of soft tissues so that breathing remains consistent . CPAP devices are very effective when used properly. (more)

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and University Hospitals of Cleveland reported that patients reduced arthritic pain and the number of swollen joints after treating their dental problems.

It was exciting to find that if we eliminated the infection and inflammation in the gums, then patients with a severe kind of active rheumatoid arthritis reported improvement on the signs and symptoms of that disease. Stated Dr. Nabil Bissada, chair of the schools Department of Periodontics.

This study was not the first to link gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatologists and other clinicians have studied the how gum disease may lead to systematic disease. Dr. Ali Askari, chair of the department of rheumatology at University Hospitals, states that historically, arthritic patients felt better when teeth were pulled or received antibiotics used to treat periodontal disease.

Askari and Bissada worked together, studying 40 patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease and severe rheumatoid arthritis. These inflammatory diseases share similarities in the progression of the disease over time. In both diseases, inflammation caused by toxins from bacterial infection destroys hard and soft tissue. One common toxin revealed in the study, called, tumor necrosis factor-alpha , can initiate new infections or aggravate sites where inflammation already exists. (more)

According to a recent study conducted at Yale University School of Medicine, people with sleep apnea are more likely to suffer strokes and die in their sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked by soft tissue in the mouth or throat. When the blockage restricts oxygen, bloodflow to the brain decreases and blood pressure elevates.

Normally, the brain regulates bloodflow to meet its metabolic needs through a process called cerebral autoregulation. The study showed that repeated decreases in bloodflow and spikes in blood pressure, caused by numerous episodes of apnea, reduced the brains ability to regulate these functions.

The study also revealed that people with sleep apnea were three times more likely to suffer a stroke than people who slept normally through the night. After we found that sleep apnea is a risk factor for stroke and death, independent of other risk factors, we hypothesized that there must be something wrong with the regulation of bloodflow to the brain, stated Dr. Vahid Moshsenin, one of the leading researchers. (more)

Studies have shown that poor nutrition increases a womans risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. When women typically diet, they may deplete their bodies of essential vitamins and minerals. Doctors and dentists recommend women incorporate foods full of vitamins and minerals because the body will use food-sourced vitamins more efficiently than supplements.

Our bodies are like luxury vehicles; you cant put low-grade nutrients in them and expect them to run well. Consume the following nutrients daily to maintain healthy oral and overall health:

Calcium: Women typically need 1,000 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium a day to maintain strong bones and teeth. Good sources of calcium are dairy and soy products. As women age, they need to increase their calcium intake to prevent osteoporis. (more)

Lack of sleep worsens periodontal disease . During a study conducted in Japan, 219 factory workers were evaluated to determine the affect their lifestyles had on their oral health. Researchers examined lifestyle habits, including: exercise, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, amount of sleep, nutrition, stress, number of hours worked, and eating breakfast. The study revealed the number-one factor impacting periodontal disease was smoking. However, the number two factor was sleep.

Participants who obtained seven to eight hours of sleep a night exhibited a slower progression of periodontal disease than those who received six or fewer hours a night. Researchers concluded that a shortage of sleep can impair the bodys immune system, which can make periodontal disease progress more rapidly. (more)

Sleep apnea and excessive daytime sleepiness not only lead to foggy days, but increase the risk of death for people 65 years and older . A recent study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania Health System showed the combination of the two disorders significantly increased the risk.

The study conducted from 1993 through 1998 revealed that suffers of both sleep apnea and excessive daytime sleepiness were two times more likely to die than those who complained of just one of these disorders.

Half of the participants experienced high levels of excessive daytime sleepiness. The problem, believed to be a normal effect of aging, creates a greater chance of falling, cognitive deficits, and functional impairments. (more)

In a ground-breaking study, researchers from University Hospitals Case Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have found that individuals who average less than six hours of sleep a night are 50% more like to increase their risk of colorectal adenomas than those individuals who get at least seven hours of sleep a night. Adenomas are precursors to cancer tumors, and if left untreated, they turn malignant.

According to Dr. Li Li, the studys principal investigator, this is the first study to report the association between sleep duration and colorectal adenomas. A short amount of sleep can now be viewed as a new risk factor for the development of colon cancer, Dr. Li explained. (more)

If you dont sleep well, quality of life suffers. Thats just a fact. Studies show a startling link between overall health, state of mind, and quality of sleep. WebMD published an article this week that shares some of the negative results poor sleep.

• A sleep disorder or not getting enough sleep increases the risk for heart attack, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimers disease, low-weight birth, diabetes complications, and other serious health problems. In addition, your bodys immune system will weaken without good sleep. Youll be more prone to catch colds, the flu, and other communicable diseases.
• Getting good rest can help relieve pain, whether chronic or injury related. In the WebMD article, one doctor was quoted as saying that a sleeping medication can be more effective than a painkiller.
• When your mind and body are well rested, youre at less risk for accidents. Some of the biggest disasters in history, like the Exxon Valdez and the Challenger, are directly linked to a person who did not get proper sleep. In fact, one million car crashes a year in our nation occur when the driver is tired.
• Youll have a better state of mindyoull feel goodwhen you sleep well. Tired people often feel irritable, stressed, emotional, and they also have a higher suicide risk. Now, good sleep wont guarantee a life of happiness, but it will help promote a positive mental outlook.
• People who dont get enough sleep may be prone to gaining weight or having a weight problem. Leptin is a hormone that controls hunger. Inadequate sleep allows leptin levels to drop, so youre more likely to feel hungry which mean youll eat! In addition, if youre tired, do you really have the energy to exercise? Probably not.

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Are you concerned about your teens sleep habits? Teenagers should get about 9 hours of sleep a night. Drinking energy colas, sodas, and coffeeand even excessive cell phone usecan negatively affect sleep in teens.
Other interesting sleep facts about kids and teens:

• Furthermore, teens who are morning people tend to get better grades.
• Teens who get more sleep seem to perform better in athletics.
• Kids who suffer with migraines are more likely to have sleep disorders.
• Kids with sleep-related breathing disorders can have blood pressure problems during sleep.
• Snoring in kids affects cardiovascular function.
• Kids who sleep well listen better.
• Children who have sleep apnea are at increased risk for brain damage or lower IQ. (more)

I am trying to learn all I can about sleep medicine. As part of my education the staff at St. Mary Mercy Hospitals Sleep Disorders Center suggested that I have a sleep test of my own. What a great idea for me to experience what I suggest many of my patients have done!

Prior to my test, there was a questionnaire to fill out as well as some basic instructions to follow such as maintaining my regular sleep times, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, etc. I arrived at 9:00pm for my study and like most patients who have this test done, I was tired.

The room where I was to spend the night was just like a hotel room. It was very comfortable and quiet with a chair and TV, nothing clinical about it. The technologist, Eric did a great job of explaining what was going to happen that night and what he would be monitoring. And there is a lot that is monitored! (more)