Prospective multicenter cohort study of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients treated with a custom-made mandibular repositioning device (MRD)
Notes from Dr. Norman BlumenstockThis recent French study shows the benefits of oral appliance therapy. August 22, 2014 / By Marie-Françoise Vecchierini, MD Editor’s note: Dr. Marie-Françoise Vecchierini is a recent recipient of an American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) 2014 Clinical Excellence Award.Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) has numerous and significant comorbidities, so its treatment is essential. Mandibular Repositioning Devices (MRD) are recommended as primary treatment for patients with mild-to-moderate OSA. Because very few studies have specifically assessed the long-term efficacy of MRDs in OSA patients who are noncompliant with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), my research team conducted a …
Pledge to Stop the Snore
Notes from Dr. Norman BlumenstockWhy is it so important to stop snoring? Published on August 14, 2014 The National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project is urging anyone with symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea to pledge to stop the snore and talk to a doctor about sleep apnea. The project is a collaboration launched by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Sleep Research Society (SRS). “Research shows that the number of sleep apnea sufferers continues to increase–the disease afflicts at least 25 million American adults, and most of them remain untreated, increasing …
Are You at Risk for Heart Failure?
Notes from Dr. Norman BlumenstockU.S. News & World Report discusses the relationship between sleep apnea and heart failure. Sleep apnea, pauses in breathing during sleep, doesn’t just leave you tired – it can lead to heart failure if untreated, Curry says. At St. John’s Prairie Heart Institute, “even though patients say they don’t snore or have problems [where] they’re not sleeping at night, we’ll do a sleep study to confirm that,” she says. Patients found to have apnea are put on a CPAP device to make sure they get enough oxygen during sleep. Why it’s better to protect your pump while …
Sleep Deprivation May Increase Susceptibility to False Memories
Notes from Dr. Norman BlumenstockResearchers at the University of California and Michigan State University found that sleep deprivation may actually create false memories. Physical disorders have long been linked to poor sleep, and the study titled “Sleep Deprivation and False Memories” published in Psychological Science builds on previous work that found a poor/false memory connection to sleep. Not getting enough sleep may increase the likelihood of forming false memories, according to research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. In a study conducted by psychological scientist Steven J. Frenda of the University of California, Irvine and colleagues, sleep-deprived people who viewed …
Is there a best sleeping position?
Notes from Dr. Norman BlumenstockWhich sleeping position is best for you? Mon, Jul 28, 2014 at 03:01 PM What’s the best sleeping position for you? Well, that depends. (Photo: Baranq/Shutterstock) People are surprisingly feisty about their favorite sleeping positions; I’m a back-sleeper myself and I think it’s definitely the most comfortable; I have never been able to sleep on my stomach for more than a few minutes, but my partner loves it. And since back-sleepers are known for snoring, I’m probably happier with him on his stomach too. It turns out that no matter what your personal opinion (or how strongly …
OAT eases mild to moderate sleep apnea
Notes from Dr. Norman BlumenstockPatients through out the United States are benefiting from oral appliance therapy for their snoring and sleep apnea. Dental device helps patients breathe easier Published On: Jul 01 2014 04:24:41 PM EDT WESTERVILLE, Ohio Ted Durkee is seeing his dentist. The 67-year-old doesn’t have a toothache, he has sleep apnea. “I always had problems with dozing off in the afternoon in the office, and people would joke about that,” said Durkee. Durkee suffered for years, until he finally decided to participate in a home sleep study. Tests revealed Durkee had low oxygen levels, which lead to his …
[Micro]sensing the Future
Notes from Dr. Norman BlumenstockThe tiny recorder that improves compliance monitoring can be a game changer for oral appliance therapy. Published on May 28, 2014, By Sree Roy Tiny microrecorders are designed to fit comfortably on an oral appliance. Air Aid Sleep’s microsensor (shown) measures a mere 8 mm x 12 mm x 4 mm. Could the key to mass acceptance of oral appliances for mild to moderate OSA be a recorder that’s smaller than a fingernail? Good things come in small packages, so the saying goes. In the field of dental sleep medicine, many oral appliance manufacturers and dentists say …
Why Being Sleep Deprived Is NOT a Sign of Productivity
Notes from Dr. Norman BlumenstockObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a form of sleep deprivation. Please read about the neurological affects of OSA. May 29, 2014 By Dr. Mercola Sleep deprivation is a serious health concern that many simply choose to ignore. The price for doing so can be steep. Research tells us that lack of sleep can contribute to everything from diabetes, obesity, and heart disease to physical aches and pains and irreversible brain damage. In one recent animal study,1 sleep deprived mice lost 25 percent of the neurons located in their locus coeruleus, a nucleus in the brainstem associated with …
Is snoring ruining your sex life?
Notes from Dr. Norman BlumenstockGoing on vacation can get expensive if you need two rooms. DONALD M. SESSO, D.O., FOR PHILLY.COM/HEALTH POSTED: Wednesday, April 30, 2014, 4:34 AM Are you sleeping in a different room because your partner is snoring? If you are, you’re not alone. The New York Times reports that 25% of couples sleep in separate rooms due to snoring and that 60% of custom homes will be constructed with dual master bedrooms by 2015. While partners of snorers reported better sleep when sleeping alone, the majority also stated that the arrangement had a negative impact on their relationship. When …
Metro-North to Require Sleep Apnea Evaluation.
Notes from Dr. Norman Blumenstock Train engineers need to be test now on the Metro North trains. http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/northern_suburbs&id=9512820# Eyewitness News NEW YORK (WABC) — A new Metro-North directive would require the 350 engineers who work for the railway to be evaluated in the coming months for sleep apnea. Earlier this month, the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that the engineer, William Rockefeller suffered from a severe form of sleep apnea in a derailment late last year. The incident left four people dead and dozens injured. Mike Doyle, general chairman of the Officials with the Association of Commuter Rail Employees union, told …