Lack of Sleep Impacts Sex Life

A new study has compiled previous research to emphasize again that poor or fragmented sleep can negatively impact testosterone levels in both men and women. Testosterone is an important hormone for regulating sexual desire in both sexes. Typically, testosterone levels rise overnight, then decrease during the day. Research has shown that the periods of accumulation of the hormone correspond with REM sleep, the very sleep you miss out on if you are suffering from sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea.

A 2010 study focusing on surgical treatment of chronic sinus infections showed that the number of people reporting sexual dysfunction decreased significantly and the level of sexual activity increased significantly when people had surgical treatment of their sinusitis. This increase also went along with improved sleep patterns.

Sexual function and sexual activity are important parts of maintaining a high quality of life. If you are suffering from sleep apnea, they may be negatively impacted. Treatment can significantly improve them.

To learn more about how obstructive sleep apnea treatment can improve your quality of life, please contact a local sleep dentist today.

EncoreTM System for Sleep Apnea Treatment Approved

Siesta Medical, Inc. announced September 12 that it had achieved 510(k) clearance for its Encore^TM System. The Encore System is a tongue suspension treatment designed to improve obstructive sleep apnea. According to Siesta Medical, the tongue is implicated in up to 80 percent of obstructive sleep apnea cases, but most sleep apnea surgical treatments do not address the tongue, which is one of the reasons why sleep apnea surgery is not very popular.

The Encore System received 510(k) approval because it was considered to be substantially equivalent to the manufacturer's previous device the Prelude III, which was approved because it was substantially equivalent to the Prelude II, which was approved because it was substantially equivalent to the Prelude. It seems like the first tongue suspension system approved was the Sleep-In^TM or Repose bone screw system, approved for treatment of sleep apnea or snoring in 1997. This device also received 510(k) approval because it was deemed to be substantially equivalent to oral appliances used for jaw and tongue advancement.

If you are curious about how the system works, the manufacturer has provided the following informative video:

http://www.siestamedical.com/animations/encore_animation_final.wmv

If you are interested in learning more about your treatment options for sleep apnea, please contact a local sleep dentist today.

Sleep Disorders Common, Untreated in Canada

According to a recent survey by researchers at Laval University in Quebec City, Quebec, up to 40% of Canadians may suffer from sleep disorders, like insomnia or sleep apnea. According to the survey of 2000 people from across Canada, 40% suffered from symptoms of sleep apnea or insomnia. However, only 20% of those surveyed were unsatisfied with the quality of their sleep, and an even smaller number, 13%, had actually seen a doctor about sleep problems.

Another problem is that when people do attempt to improve their sleep, they go about it in ways that may actually hurt their sleep. The survey found that 21% of respondents had used natural products, over-the-counter drugs, or even alcohol in an attempt to treat their sleep problems. Unfortunately, when used without guidance, these products may actually do more harm than good. Natural products and many over-the-counter drugs have not been tested and may have serious side effects. Alcohol has been shown to increase the incidence of obstructive sleep apnea, and over-the-counter sleep medications may do so as well.

Whether you live in the US or Canada, if you are suffering from the symptoms of sleep apnea, you need to get treatment to ensure you avoid the serious dangers of the condition. To learn more about proven, successful sleep apnea treatment, please contact a local sleep dentist today.

Sleep Tips for Back to School

Summer is over, and for your kids, this means they have to stop staying up all night and have to get to sleep so they can wake up for school in the morning. Unfortunately, this can be a hard thing for kids to do. If your kids are having trouble getting to bed or to sleep on time, you have to step in. Here are a few tips:

• Turn off cell phones, computers, and the TV about an hour before bedtime. This is for you as well as your kids. Laptop use in bed has been implicated as a major recent factor in sleep disorders.
• Create a bedtime routine, and go through it with your children.
• No caffeine at least 12 hours before bedtime. This includes chocolate, whose caffeine content can have a big impact on kids' ability to get to sleep. Substitute oatmeal cookies instead of chocolate chip.
• A regular bedtime is a big help for kids getting to sleep. Set a bedtime and stick to it. If your kids are having trouble transitioning between weekdays and weekends, you need to set the same bedtime for every day.
• Stand up for sleep. Kids often want to stay up for chatting with friends or another story, but you need to set firm limits.
• Keep your kids' rooms cool at night. This emphasizes to the circadian rhythm system that it it's night and time to sleep.

If you are noticing that you are doing all this, but your child is still showing signs of daytime sleepiness, bad mood, or inability to concentrate, they may actually be suffering from childhood sleep apnea, which is a major health risk and should be treated.

To learn more about treatment solutions for childhood sleep apnea, please contact a local sleep dentist today.

Mouth Sores, sensitive tongue and irritation to spicy foods from CPAP use

Lou saks: "ARE THERE MOUTH PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BIPAP USE? My tongue and mouth have become sensitive. irritated.causing spicy foods to be difficult to eat. Do I need to see a doctor, and how do I end this problem?"

Dr Shapira response: LOU,

THE PROBLEM COULD BE ONE OF SEVERAL INCLUDING A YEAST INFECTION IN YOUR MOUTH. I HAVE HAD MANY PATIENTS COMPLAIN OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH CPAP USE AND ON OCCASION WITH ORAL APPLIANCE USE.

SEE YOUR DOCTOR AND/OR DENTIST WITH YOUR CONCERNS FIRST.

IF NOTHING IS FOUND THERE IS AN EXCELLENT PERSCRIPTION PRODUCT CALLED GELCLAIR THAT CAN USUALLY ELIMINATE THAT TYPE OF PROBLEM.

IT IS DESIGNED TO BE DILUTED FOR SORES (MUCOSITIS) IN THE MOUTH FROM CHEMOTHERAPY BUT CAN BE USED FULL STRENGTH IN SMALL AMOUNTS (OFF LABEL) TO PROTECT THE ORAL TISSUES.

THE BIGGEST COMPLAINT I HAVE HEARD IS IT TASTES LIKE BLACK LICORICE, SOME PATIENTS CALL IT A "MIRACLE CURE"

THESE SYMPTOMS CAN ALSO BE RELATED TO VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES AND/OR ALLERGIES.

Stopping CPAP Treatment Leads to Rapid Recurrence of Sleep Apnea Symptoms

According to an article in press at the American Thoracic Society, removing CPAP treatment quickly leads to a return of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. The study recruited known sufferers of obstructive sleep apnea who were currently undergoing treatment using CPAP. These patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: either they would continue treatment or they would have it reduced to a non-therapeutic level. Patients underwent polysomnograms at both the beginning of the study and after two weeks, along with a battery of tests designed to detect other dangerous effects of sleep apnea.

Patients saw an increase in apneic events and oxygen desaturations during the study period. They also saw a significant recurrence of markers for other dangers of sleep apnea, most notably a negative impact on the cardiovascular system. According to the lead researcher on the study, “We have shown that CPAP withdrawal leads to a return of OSA within the first night off CPAP.”

This means that periodic compliance or even compliance with CPAP treatment on most nights is insufficient for treatment of the condition and makes it even more imperative that patients be prescribed an appropriate sleep apnea treatment they can comply with when diagnosed with sleep apnea, whether this is CPAP, dental appliances, surgery, or a combination of treatments.

To learn more about your full range of treatment options for sleep apnea, please contact a local sleep dentist today.

New Study Confirms Sleep Apnea-Dementia Connection

On this blog, we have long been warning about the link between sleep apnea and dementia, including the fact that 70-80% of dementia sufferers have sleep apnea as well, and that treating sleep apnea often helps improve the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Now a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association confirms that connection. Using a larger (but also significantly older) study population than previous studies, this new report shows that sleep apnea may double your risk of dementia.

This study looked at nearly 300 women with a mean age of 82, and looked at the presence of dementia in the two sub-populations of women with sleep-disordered breathing and women without sleep disordered breathing. Overall, any form of sleep-disordered breathing increased the risk of dementia or other cognitive impairment by about 85%. Further, more than 15 apneic or hypopneic events per hour were associated with a 70% increase in the risk of cognitive impairment or dementia, and people who spent more than 7% of their sleep time in apnea or hypopnea had more than double the risk of suffering from dementia.

Sleep apnea treatment that is comfortable and effective is essential for patients of all ages, from children to the elderly. If you or a relative is suffering from sleep apnea, it is crucial that you learn about your treatment options today.

To learn about all your sleep apnea treatment options, please contact a sleep dentist today.