Posts Tagged ‘high blood pressure’

Sleep apnea is a diagnosis that have a direct affect on one’s total health. Between 50-70 million Americans have some form of chronic sleep disorders, including snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) but only 15% know about it. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness alone costs $150 billion annually in lost productivity and mishaps from a lack of nightly sleep. Another $48 billion in medical costs related to motor vehicle accidents that involve drowsy drivers. Almost 20% of all serious car crash injuries are associated with driver Excessive Daytime Sleepiness.

Things to look out for in regards to sleep apnea are:

Obesity, neck larger than 17″ for males and 15″ for females, small lower jaw in relation to the upper jaw, and the older you are the higher the risk. The tissues in the pharynx area of the throat get loose and excessive so it leads to airway closure during sleep.

This problem with the stoppage of breathing occurs when the throat area closes down when excessive tissues encroaches upon the airway space. If the breathing is stopped for more than 10 seconds period of time it is called an episode. Sleep apnea is quantified:

• Mild-5-15 episodes per hour
• Moderate:16-30
• Severe: greater than 30 per hour.

The more episodes one has correlates to more severe problems. You can often hear one who is snoring heavily and then will gasp and find it is silent. They will then make a big gasp to try to catch their breath.

Every time they gasp this wakes them up from a deeper level of sleep. Without the deep levels of sleep the body can’t get refreshed therefore sleep deprivation takes place. It is as if someone wakes you up every other minute!

The body has to arouse itself by using epinephrine which then speeds up the heart, places pressure on the lungs and completely stresses the body. These stresses affect the systemic organs of the body leading to diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

The gold standard is to use a cPAP positive pressure mask which blows air down the trachea to force air into the lungs. Many people are not compliant with this device and desire something more comfortable. This is where we come in. It is possible to us an oral appliance called an orthotic to move the lower jaw forward. This opens up the airway to allow more passive non restricted air flow into the lungs. Many people can’t get used to a mask on their face and choose to be more comfortable with this type of device.

If you do wear a cPaP and aren’t happy with it give us a call to discuss the options. Our phone number is (586)247-3500.

Dr. Antolak Performs dentistry in a very comfortable atmosphere where you are treated like family. The Gentle Dentist is located in Shelby Township, Michigan and provides dental services to patients in Macomb County and Oakland County, Michigan

At www.Thegentledentist.com, Dr Robert Antolak treats snoring and obstructive sleep apnea using oral appliances. These devices brings the lower jaw forward to open the airway to prevent the collapse of the airway to keep breathing easier. If you suffer from
1. snoring, gasping or jerking during sleep
2. Headaches or sore throat
3. Suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness or difficulty concentrating
4. Have cardiovascular problems including high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks or heart failure you may have apnea.
If you are using a Cpap machine but find it cumbersome and don’t use it then oral appliance therapy can be for you. Call Dr. Antolak in shelby township Michigan, macomb county at 586.247.3500. He specializes in cosmetic, implants, and general dentistry in a relaxed and gentle atmosphere.

So the holidays are upon us and if you are like me the access to rich and high caloric foods are plenty.  The trick is to limit food intake and closely monitor the quantities eaten.  I want to give suggestions to help so that the New Years Resolutions will not seem to be so monumental.  Obesity is a growing concern in the United States. Half of the U.S. adult population is overweight or obese. Factors contributing to weight gain include increased stress, hunger, reduced activity, and smoking habits.  The problem is that the mean weight of adults increases significantly during the holiday period. . Thats why its important to maintain a balanced weight, because even a very small imbalance can greatly affect weight gain.  Many health issues develop from over eating such as

• Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)
• Type 2 diabetes
• Coronary heart disease
• Stroke
• Gallbladder disease
• Sleep apnea and respiratory problems.

The following are some suggestions on how to reduce the temptations of holiday eating:

• Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a major source of calories, plus it leads to the munchies.
• Limit soda and other sweetened beverages. These are loaded with sugar and citric acid and add extra calories.
• Schedule holiday food celebrations at normal meal times. Celebrations outside the normal eating hour can unbalance natural hunger and alter eating habits.
• Use smaller plates. Larger plates hold more food and increase the likelihood of overeating.
• Eat a healthy snack or drink a full glass of water before a holiday party. Your hunger will be satisfied and youll be less likely to overeat.
• Brush your teeth when youre finished eating. Besides practicing good oral hygiene, youre less likely to munch throughout the remainder of the day

Remember that making intelligent decisions about your diet now will give you a better chance of success in 2009.

Dr. Antolak treats his dental patients in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere where you are treated like a guest in the home.  His motto is to relax while we take care of your smile. He specializes in cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry and general dentistry using sedation dentistry if necessary for his high fear patients. He has been treating patients for the past 21 years and is located in Shelby Township, Macomb County, Michigan.

Give us a call at (586)247-3500 or email DrAntolak@TheGentleDentist.com for more information.