Sleeping Pills Won't Aid Sleep Apnea Treatment

I was reading the news on MSN today when I came across an interesting article on Sleep Apnea. Read below:


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Sleeping Pills Won't Aid Sleep Apnea Treatment
Researchers found no benefit for men using airway pressure therapy
-- Robert Preidt


MONDAY, Nov. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Despite researchers' hopes, prescription sleeping pills do not boost the effectiveness of therapy aimed at relieving obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a troubling condition marked by multiple nighttime awakenings. The gold-standard treatment is a therapy called "continuous positive airway pressure" (CPAP).

"CPAP treatment improves daytime alertness and quality of life for most patients with OSA and may prevent some of the long-term complications of this disorder, including heart attacks and strokes," study author Capt. David A. Bradshaw, of the Naval Medical Center, in San Diego, said in a prepared statement.

"Yet, many people find CPAP difficult to use. People with a good initial experience are more likely to use CPAP regularly. Our hypothesis was that a sleeping pill might help new CPAP users adjust to sleeping with the equipment and promote long-term usage," Bradshaw said.

In their four-week study, Bradshaw's group compared the effectiveness of CPAP among 72 newly-diagnosed male patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

They found that those who took sleeping pills were no more likely to use their CPAP machines than those who took a placebo.

Despite the study's findings, published in the November issue of Chest, Bradshaw said he and his colleagues believe that sleeping pills, when used correctly, may benefit certain patients with OSA.

"Studies have shown that almost half of patients with OSA have insomnia complaints. Our study does not support prescription sleeping pills for new CPAP users, but OSA patients with insomnia symptoms might benefit," he said.

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If you are a patient who uses a CPAP and absolutely hates it, call us to see how we can help! Dental Design Spa: 858-490-4281.

Snoring ... It's NOT a Laughing Matter!

One of the most annoying sounds that you can experience is to hear someone else snoring. Snoring is that "log-sawing" noise that keeps everyone awake, from
efforts to force air through an airway that is not fully open. There are
many anatomical structures that can close our airway among them the soft palate, uvula, tonsils and adenoid tissue. Special folds in the nasal passages known as "tubinates" can also cause snoring when swollen. Swollen turbinates are the most common cause for snoring in adults. In children, snoring is mainly caused by swollen tonsils and adenoids. When a person snores they are mainly mouth-breathing. When you mouth-breathe, your blood is not properly oxygenated. This lack of oxygen saturation results in drowsiness the next morning, after a so called "full nights's sleep."
Since all of your body's cells require oxygen, the heart must beat harder which causes the right vertricle to enlarge. Over time, this can progress the seizures, heart attack and sudden death. Snoring is also the first indicator of the potentially life-threatening disorder called Obstructive Sleep Apnea. In this disorder the airway totally collapses, despite efforts to breathe.

It is obvious that snoring is nothig to laugh about. Since it has some rather serious ramifications associated with it, I screen all my patients for airway obstructions during exams.

So it you're losing sleep with a snorer or as a snorer, do not hesitate to call us, so you can rest easier!!!

Sleep Apnea, Snoring and Insomnia - Learn how we, dentists, can help!!!

While most of you were busy with families and close friends during the Thanksgiving holiday, I was in the cold city of Toronto (Ontario, Canada) attending a seminar on how I can help you or anyone you know who is experiencing Sleep Apnea, Snoring or Insomnia. Although I was wishing for the nicer, warmer, paradise-like-weather of San Diego, I did enjoy the city of Toronto, which has emerged as one of the most liveable and multicultural urban places in the world today.

So ....... WHAT'S NEW? Read on.

Is snoring ruining your relationship? Do you snore or do you know how someone who snores? It is estimated that about 9 million Americans snore and under 40 million probably suffer through the night from a partner who snores.

Clinical studies show if you are a heavy snorer, you can suffer from high blood pressure, premature heart attacks, impotence, and chronic fatigue. All these symptoms are associated with oxygen loss and breathing interruption often seen in heavy snorers, but sometimes a snore is more than a roar. It may be a sign of a more serious problem, obstructive sleep apnea.

Now there are simple, easy–to-wear dental appliances that have been proven effective in clinical tests for the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea.

I have great brochures and articles here in the office, giving you a little insight as to what snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are all about. I recommend that you discuss these questions with your family members, as they may be the first to recognize these signs.

For more information on Sleep Apnea, you may also visit: http://www.sleepapnea.org/info/index.html

Please call if you have any questions or to set up an appointment.

What Simple Flossing Can Do For YOU!

Did you know that by flossing once a day you can add 2 years onto your life?
Isn't this amazing?
This tid-bit of information really cements in how the health of our body is affected by the condition of our mouth.
Make sure you are brushing properly two times per day for 2 minutes and flossing once per day.
Reserve your hygiene appointment today to ensure your overall health is up to par!
-Jennifer Kraber, RDH

Have you met our new "permanent" team member??

We are very proud to announce our new permanent team member and Registered Dental Hygienist, Jennifer Kraber. Jennifer has been with us for some time on part time basis and now we have the pleasure to have her in our team, FULL TIME!!

Jennifer graduated from Southwestern College, one of the top dental hygiene programs in the nation, with a passion for her patients' and their health and well being. She strives to provide outstanding individualized care by incorporating prevention, therapeutics, and education for each person.

Jennifer is very knowledgeable and understands the “big picture”, which helps her address not only the dental hygiene situation, but all of the patients’ goals with very thorough attention to detail and great follow-through. Patients describe Jennifer as sincere, caring, very thorough attention to detail and great follow-through.

As a native San Diegan, Jennifer grew up in La Mesa and is now happily married with two dogs. Although she loves relaxing at home, she enjoys many of her weekends camping in the desert or at the beaches.

Welcome, Jennifer!!!

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)

"Neuromuscular Dentistry can help alleviate symptoms such as headaches, neck and shoulder pain, jaw pain, clicking or popping in the jaw, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). The majority of North Americans suffer from one or more of these symptoms, and unfortunately in many cases these patients’ symptoms are either misdiagnosed or dismissed as having no physiological cause. In a number of cases, these symptoms can actually be attributed to TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome), also referred to as TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) or MPD (myofascial pain dysfunction)..." (for more information, visit www.leadingdentists.com)

Dr.Agatep continues to be on top of the cutting edge of dentistry as she comes back from taking yet another 3-day course on TMJ Therapy from Las Vegas Institute.