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)

Awareness about the detrimental effects of sleep apnea is increasing. Sleep apnea is responsible for a growing list of health problems for millions of individuals. Some of these troubles are less urgent, but some are life threatening.

James Stewart, DDS , is a sleep apnea expert, and he offers various treatment options to help his patients lead healthier, more rewarding lives.

So what kind of connection does a sleep disorder have on the brain, and why are dentists playing such a huge role in the fight against it?

There are three kinds of sleep apnea :

1) Central Sleep Apnea [CSA]. This occurs when neurological mechanisms controlled by the brain fail to signal the body to inhale, resulting in missed breathing cycles. The lapse in breathing happens again and again throughout the night.

2) Obstructive Sleep Apnea [OSA]. The most common form of sleep apnea. OSA is caused by upper airway obstruction preventing airflow. The disruption causes the individuals sleep pattern to become broken, and natural, critical sleep cycles cannot run their course.

3) Complex or mixed apnea . A combination of the two disorders.

The result of sleep apnea through the night is significant sleep loss. Other problems include:

• Low productivity during the day.
• Irritability, forgetfulness, and poor concentration.
• Dangers of sleepiness when alertness is critical, such as when driving or operating dangerous machinery.
• Health problems, including heart attack, stroke, impotence, and depression.
• Comparable disturbed sleep for sleep partners.

But science is showing the deeper connotations are much more serious. Consequential sleep deprivation can eventually cause brain damage , with reduced gray matter density. Sleep scientists assert that sleep apnea sufferers brains eventually lose ability to rejuvenate and maintain plasticity, meaning accelerated aging of the brain. (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)

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)

Maintaining a proper pH level in your mouth can prevent tooth decay and gum disease . Continual consumption of foods with low pH levels can also lead to irreversible dental erosion. Im Dr. James Stewart , a dentist in Livonia, MI. , and I want to discuss why acidic foods should be consumed in moderation.

Potential of hydrogen (pH) is the standard measure of acidity, and it is measured on a scale of 0-14. A low pH means the solution contains more acid. High pH means the solution rates alkaline. When a solution tests at a 7, it is considered neutral.

Acidic foods cause tooth enamel to weaken for a short period of time. Saliva, an alkaline, normally restores the pH balance in your mouth. Enamel generally rehardens after 30 minutes. However, excessive consumption of acidic foods or drinks causes the pH balance to remain too low for the mouth to heal itself. Thus, you increase your risk of tooth decay. (more)

The third Monday in February represents the combined birthday celebration of our first and sixteen presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, along with recognizing all former presidents. Lincolns birthday is February 12 ^th , and Washingtons Birthday is February 22 ^nd . While George Washingtons Birthday was a federal holiday, Abraham Lincolns was a state-recognized holiday only. Presidents Day is still officially in the congressional book as George Washingtons Birthday. Advertisers made the push in the 1980s to call it Presidents Day.

Here are some other interesting facts about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln that you may not know:

1. Washingtons teeth were not made out of wood, but instead out of ivory, gold, lead, and human or animal teeth.

2. Lincoln hated his nickname Honest Abe. His friends called him either Mr. Lincoln or Lincoln. (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)

According to WrongDiagnosis.com, there are 12 million Americans who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) . Thats one in 22 or nearly 4.5% of the population. The startling statistic is the undiagnosed cases, though. About 10 million Americans dont know that they have obstructive sleep apnea. They live with the symptoms and problems from OSA, yet they never seek treatment because they dont realize the problem or they think that what theyre experiencing is normal.

However, obstructive sleep apnea is serious. It can increase the risk for heart attack and premature death. If you or your loved one shows one or more of these symptoms, please call my office, James Stewart, DDS, PA, in Livonia, Michigan . I have helped many people realize improved sleep and better quality living with non-invasive dental sleep medicine.

Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

• Loud snoring
• Abruptly waking while choking or gasping for air
• Tiredness, fatigue
• Irritability (more)

I thought Id tell you about some recent data regarding our veterans and sleep apnea.

Experts arent exactly sure why, but about 20% of American war veterans suffer with sleep apnea. Some believe that the smoke and dust the vets inhaled in Afghanistan may be to blame. Problem is, sleep apnea causes daytime drowsiness, forgetfulness, irritability, and an inability to focus. It can also contribute to stroke and heart disease. The Veterans Administration invests $500 million each year to provide treatment to these individuals.

While CPAP is the gold standard for sleep apnea treatment, its not the only option. In many cases, people who use CPAP find the device uncomfortable, ill fitting, or confining during sleep. This leads to noncompliance, meaning patients who dont like it dont use it.

As a sleep apnea dentist, I offer an alternative. My name is Dr. James Stewart, and my Livonia, Michigan dental office provides oral appliances to combat sleep apnea. Whether youre a veteran or not, if you suffer from sleep apnea, and you cant tolerate CPAP, call me to schedule a visit. Well discuss your situation and talk about practical treatment options, so you can get back to living life to the fullest! (more)