From Dr. Chamberlain’s Desktop
Last month I wrote about the effects of sleep apnea on our children. I hope this article brought some awareness to parents, especially those whose children may have been diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, Autism or Asthma. If you happened to have missed that article, call me and I’ll have a reprint emailed to you. For those that did read the article, the response has been tremendous and we are thrilled to be helping so many families in our community.
This month I wanted to write about how sleep apnea can affect adults. There is so much more literature on this subject, and the correlations of ill-health and this disorder are shocking. After a very brief overview of sleep apnea and its effects, I’ll discuss a new and improved way to treat and restore a restful night’s
sleep, without any devices like mouthpieces or constant positive airway pressure, or CPAP (a forced oxygen mask while you sleep).
Sleep apnea is a temporary suspension of breathing occurring repeatedly during sleep. It can be caused by obesity, a small airway in the nose, mouth or throat, or a neurological disorder. When breath is suspended for a time while breathing, the oxygen levels in the bloodstream decrease. This raises the heart rate repeatedly throughout the night. It usually takes place when one is in deep sleep and it causes that person to arouse either completely, or to light sleep. When the person awakes, they do not feel rested. The feeling is more of exhaustion. This unrestful feeling takes it toll at home, at work and while driving. Additionally, sleep loss impairs attention, alertness, concentration, reasoning, and problem solving. This makes it more difficult to learn efficiently as the sleep loss makes it more difficult to remember things you have learned recently. Due to decreased oxygen levels throughout the night, sleep apnea is associated with the following: heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes decreased libido/sex drive, depression and weight gain. Previously, a diagnosis for sleep apnea had
to be done in a sleep center (a room with a bed where they monitor you throughout the night). However, recently, new devices have been developed in which sleep tests can be done at home. The tests are simple and the results are sent to a certified sleep physician. If sleep apnea is diagnosed, treatments in the past have been CPAP or, for mild to moderate sleep apnea, a dental device. Surgical techniques have also been used although recently only one surgical technique has shown true success. This surgical technique used in conjunction with braces, has been shown to open the airway dramatically, creating a lifetime of restful sleep and improving health. “Life-changing” is the common word for it’s success.
If you or a loved one suffers from sleepiness, please do yourself and them a favor and call our office to be evaluated for sleep apnea. The test is usually covered by your insurance. Our combination of certified sleep physicians and our orthodontics/dental expertise can make a difference in your health and your life. Imagine waking up refreshed and alert every morning, ready for your day. That can be your life. Your first step is to give us a call to be scheduled for a complimentary exam.
My Personal Guarantee to My Patients:
“I personally promise that you will have an amazing and positive experience at Chamberlain Orthodontics You will get outstanding customer service and value in our familyfriendly atmosphere. We are proud to have the highest patient satisfaction in the area evidenced by our positive reviews (visit SmileStraight.com). I personally promise that you will be thrilled with your visit, or I will keep working until you are.”
—Dr. Thomas Chamberlain
