New Law Focusing on Sleep Apnea and Truck Drivers

As if to underscore the serious health risks posed by sleep apnea, law makers sent a bill to the White House demanding that the Department of Transportation (DOT) pursue full rule-making regarding the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders among truck drivers, even in the midst of the government shutdown.

Until now, the DOT has simply issued guidance regarding sleep apnea and other disorders. This new bill would instead require the DOT to make rules regarding treatment, placing driving limitations on truckers until full sleep is restored.

If you are suffering from sleep apnea, please visit our sleep physician locator or call 866.727.6275 today to find a sleep apnea dentist in your area.

Why This Matters

Legislation acknowledging the dangers of sleep apnea brings needed awareness to this potentially deadly disorder. What’s more, truckers who suffer from sleep apnea are at an increased risk for causing serious accidents that often kill or permanently injure passengers and drivers of smaller vehicles.

Requiring the DOT to pursue regulations is the first step in ensuring truckers who suffer from sleep apnea get the treatment they need to not only protect their own health, but the safety of all those who share the road with them.

For more information about sleep apnea treatment, please contact an experienced sleep apnea doctor in your area today.

Creating a Sleep Diary

A sleep diary is a wonderful tool that your physician can use to diagnose sleep apnea. While sleep diaries are helpful for anyone who may be suffering from sleep apnea, logging information about sleep can be of particular benefit for those who live alone or do not have a partner telling them about sleep irregularities. In any event, your sleep diary can help you determine if you should discuss your sleeping disorder with a medical professional.

If you believe you are suffering from sleep apnea or another sleep disorder, please visit our sleep physician locator or call 866.727.6275 today to find a sleep apnea dentist in your area.

What to Include in Your Sleep Diary

Your sleep diary should be placed next to your bed for easy access. It is best to fill it out each time you wake for absolute accuracy, even if you simply use codes or shorthand, filling in details in the morning.

Include in your sleep diary things such as the number of times you wake up, any breathing irregularities, increased heart rate or anxiety, and daytime symptoms such as dry mouth and sore throat upon waking. It is good to be familiar with the symptoms of sleep apnea, which will allow you to check your observations against common problems caused by this disorder, better enabling you to determine if a sleep professional is necessary.

For more information about sleep apnea symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, please contact a sleep physician in your area today.

What Does Untreated Sleep Apnea Cost You?

If you suffer from sleep apnea, it is important to be aware of the many tolls this disorder can take. From a physical standpoint, sleep apnea can have serious costs. People who suffer from sleep apnea are more likely to experience excessive daytime fatigue, have memory or concentration problems, undergo severe mood swings, and even be at a higher risk for heart attack, hypertension, and other deadly disorders.

If you are suffering from sleep apnea, please visit our sleep physician locator or call 866.727.6275 today to find a sleep apnea dentist in your area.

Long-Term Impacts

As if the physical costs of sleep apnea were not enough, this common disorder can have many economic impacts as well. The more fatigued and emotionally unstable you are, the less productive you will be at work. This can cost you promotions or even result in job loss.

Equally troubling, your sleep apnea may be causing strains in your relationships, allowing it to have personal costs as well. And all of this is entirely unnecessary when you consider how simple and effective most sleep apnea treatments can be.

To learn more about your sleep apnea treatment options, please contact a sleep apnea physician in your area and schedule a treatment consultation today.

Can Naps Interfere with a Good Night’s Sleep?

Napping is often necessitated by extreme fatigue during the day. But napping in exchange of sleeping at night is never a good idea.

Difficulties sleeping at night is one of the symptoms of sleep apnea. If you have difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep, visiting a sleep physician is the first step in determining if you are suffering from this common disorder.

Please find a sleep apnea dentist or call 866.727.6275 today to find a doctor in your area.

     In addition to daytime fatigue, symptoms of sleep apnea may include:         

• Waking with a dry mouth or sore throat
• Frequent morning headaches
• Difficulties concentrating
• Memory loss
•  Inappropriate emotional reactions

Because these symptoms occur during the day, they are often more noticeable to those who suffer from sleep apnea. Symptoms such as snoring, choking or gasping for air while sleeping, and periods of breath cessation also indicate sleep apnea, but most people with the disorder have no memory of nighttime symptoms.

If you or a loved one is frequently napping or showing any of the symptoms of sleep apnea, please contact an experienced sleep apnea physician in your area to schedule a sleep evaluation today.

Diet and Exercise can Greatly Reduce Sleep Apnea Risks

Two of the primary risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea are obesity and inactivity. When you have these risk factors and are diagnosed with sleep apnea, oral appliances and other common treatments may not be sufficient to alone treat the problem. Fortunately, combining sleep apnea treatment with lifestyle changes can greatly reduce your risks for future sleep disturbances.

To learn more about sleep apnea treatments, please find a sleep apnea dentist or call 866.727.6275 today to find a doctor in your area.

Lifestyle changes often seem daunting when initially placed under consideration. However, you needn’t become a marathon runner or Iron Man to reduce your risks for sleep apnea. Making healthy choices is actually quite easy and, because these choices can reduce sleep apnea complications, motivation may be easier to find.

To reduce sleep apnea risks, try incorporating at least two hours of moderate exercise into your week. Daily is best, but even walking after dinner a few nights a week is a start. Cut down on simple carbohydrates and eliminate processed sugar from your diet. Opt instead for fresh fruits and vegetables, complex gains, and lean meats. Not only will this help you feel better and reduce sleep apnea risks, it will open you up to an entirely new world of exciting and exotic flavors.

During you sleep apnea treatment consultation, your physician will be able to give you specific suggestions to help treat your condition from multiple angles.

If you are at risk for sleep apnea, please contact an experienced sleep apnea doctor in your area for a treatment consultation today.

New Treatment for Central Sleep Apnea

A new study has found that people who suffer from central sleep apnea may be able to treat the problem with an implantable device similar to a pacemaker. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain and respiratory system fail to properly communicate, making sleep apnea treatments such as oral appliances ineffective and often necessitating CPAP machines.

CPAP machines can interfere with a good night’s sleep due to noise and general discomfort. This new pacemaker-like device may prove incredibly helpful in eliminating the need for CPAP, in people with central sleep apnea, though more research is needed before it becomes widely available.

If you would like more information about treating central sleep apnea, please find a sleep apnea dentist or call 866.727.6275 today.

The device under study is implanted just below the collarbone and connected by wire to the phrenic nerves. The phrenic nerves are responsible for carrying signals from the brain to the diaphragm and are suspected as the main communication break in central sleep apnea patients. The device can be programed to match the sleep patterns of patients, sending electrical impulses through the phrenic nerves during regular sleep times.

Initial results are promising. 76 percent of the patients reported sleeping better and enjoying a more rewarding quality of life after one month of use. More objective data found that patients with hypertension had a reduction in blood pressure after using the device as well.

To learn more about advancements in diagnosing and treating central sleep apnea, please contact an experienced sleep apnea doctor in your area today.

New Survey Suggests a Majority of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Cases Remain Undiagnosed

A new survey conducted by NovaSom and The American Sleep Apnea Association has found that as many as 85 percent of obstructive sleep apnea cases remain undiagnosed. The survey, which polled more than 500 American adults between the ages of 30 and 65, was consistent with previous surveys and studies that have found a similar percentage of adults are unaware of the symptoms of sleep apnea and are not certain when it is necessary to seek medical assistance.

If you believe you are suffering from sleep apnea, please find a sleep apnea dentist or call 866.727.6275 today to find a doctor in your area.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea, affecting an estimated 43 million Americans. Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include loud snoring, choking and gasping while sleeping, and other nighttime disturbances. Untreated, the dangers of sleep apnea include an increased risk for heart disease and hypertension, along with cognitive disruptions and mood disorders.

Diagnosing and treating sleep apnea requires the assistance of an experienced sleep doctor. People who suffer from the symptoms of sleep apnea should not delay in seeking medical help.

If you or a loved one is exhibiting any of the symptoms of sleep apnea, please contact an experienced sleep apnea doctor in your area to schedule a sleep evaluation today.