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)

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)

This is our newest addition to the James Stewart, DDS team. Sadly, he does not have a name, and we hope you can help by commenting on our blog or Facebook page with ideas. Heres the scoop on him:

Nameless is a member of the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure family, commonly called the CPAP family. For many, many years, his family has earned a respected reputation for improving sleep and reducing snoring in many a human. We invited Nameless CPAP to join our team because he desperately needed a job. His entire family is getting laid off, which you might attribute to the economy. But nay, the CPAP family is out of work because they did not keep up with modern technology. They would not take the continuing education required; they would not grow, develop, and transform to meet the needs of their clients. Of late, the Somnomed and Silent Nite families have replaced the CPAPs and are moving sleep apnea therapy into a new age of comfortable, effective treatment.

So, to be honest, we felt sorry for Nameless. Hes ancient and has outlived his usefulness. We allow him to greet our patients in the front office, and his son the modern CPAP, does occasionally work for us on a contract basis. Nameless CPAP works directly under the watchful eye of our office administrator. If he says anything off color or rude, please alert his manager immediately. He is a dying breed, and we respect him as our elder, but if he causes any trouble, hes going straight to the resale shop.

Our team and patients are coming together in a mercy-effort to give Nameless CPAP a good moniker. Help us out and get creative! So far, the name list includes Iron Cross, Torture Chamber, Pilot Mask, Stenographer Mask, and OMG Are You Serious? To clarify, that last one was indeed a name idea, not a question. And yes, we are serious.

Sleep apnea is behind about 1400 automobile accident fatalities each year. Because sleep apnea patients do not get enough deep, refreshing REM sleep, they are tired during the day. Their responses are delayed, and some tend to fall asleep at inappropriate times, like while driving.

Sleep apnea increases risk of heart attack or death by 30%. It also makes people more prone to stroke. During sleep apnea episodes, the brain and body do not receive sufficient oxygen. This causes significant stress and, studies show, has a direct influence on risk of heart attack, stroke, and death.

Some experts say that the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Challenger space shuttle crash, and Chernobyl Nuclear disaster can be traced back to sleep apnea.

So, untreated sleep apnea not only increases YOUR risk of fatality, it increases your risk for CAUSING deaths.

Dont let your sleep disorder go undiagnosed and untreated. Sleep apnea was listed by Readers Digest as one of the top 10 diseases doctors miss . If you snore, if you awake in the night choking and gasping, if you feel chronically fatigued, irritable, and non-productive, come in and talk with me about a sleep study. Im Dr. James Stewart, a Livonia dentist, and Ive also studied dental sleep medicine. A sleep apnea oral appliance could eliminate your symptoms and give you renewed quality of life. Its helped many of my patients overcome sleep apnea and enjoy refreshing rest. Sleep dentistry also works well for people whove tried CPAP and had poor results.

Give me a call to schedule your sleep apnea consultation today. Lets put this problem to rest, once and for all!

Sleep apnea affects approximately 70 million Americans, and the medical expenses, lost productivity, sick leave, and damage cost about $100 billion annually. In addition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can increase a persons risk for auto accident by six times. It also increases a persons risk of heart attack. People with OSA often experience daytime drowsiness, fall asleep at inappropriate times, and suffer from forgetfulness, irritability, depression, and fatigue.

Falling asleep on the job is bad if you work in an office. Its worse if you drive a truck for work . But if your job is flying a commercial aircraft, even almost falling asleep is potentially catastrophic but not unheard of. According to anonymously authored responses compiled in the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System reports, there are several dozen instances in which pilots fell asleep at the controls of an aircraft. (Source: USA Today )

In studying pilots and sleep apnea, I came across a Federal Aviation Administrations brochure on Sleep Apnea that begins with a story about two pilots who fell asleep at the controls and overshot their destination. The 40 passengers and 3 crew members aboard safely deplaned, thank goodness. However, the National Transportation and Safety Administration (NTSA) determined that obstructive sleep apnea and draining work schedules were to blame.

Now, the FAA requires sleep apnea testing for pilots .

Im Dr. James Stewart, and I treat obstructive sleep apnea in my Livonia dental office. With conservative oral appliance therapy, my OSA patients have overcome symptoms commonly associated with sleep disorders. (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)