Our Naperville Dentists have found no sweat exercises to improve your sleep and improve your life!

Can swallowing really help you sleep better? Recent studies suggest that certain exercises of the tongue and throat muscles can improve sleep, reduce snoring and reduce daytime sleepiness in apnea patients. Researchers used exercises that have been used by speech therapists treating swallowing disorders. Using isometric tongue and throat exercises that focus on strength and endurance, a study found that they have promise in treating apnea patients. Other studies included daily practice with a “digeridoo” —Australian instrument and balloon blowing. Exercises were completed for about 30 minutes, five times a week. Results showed reduced neck circumference and reduction in apnea severity for patients that performed tongue and throat exercises. As with all exercise, check with your doctor before trying. If you have TMJ problems, please see a doctor before attempting these exercises.

Here are a few to try:

1. Place your tongue tip behind your front teeth and push the tongue back towards the back sliding it along the roof of your mouth. Push your tongue hard against the soft palate and swallow.
2. In front of a mirror, open your mouth and stick your tongue straight out of your mouth and then pull it back to behind the front teeth. Keep your jaw stable and complete number 1.
3. Try number one for 15 reps saying “eee” and “ing”

For more information about sleep apnea and treatment, contact our Naperville Dental Sleep and TMD Center at:
Lydia Sosenko, D.D.S., D.ABDSM
Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois (630)369-5508
1-800-SNORING in Northern IL only
TiredOfSnoring.com

Article Summary of:
1: Puhan MA, Suarez A, Lo Cascio C, Zahn A, Heitz M, Braendli O. Didgeridoo
playing as alternative treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome:
randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2006 Feb 4;332(7536):266-70. Epub 2005 Dec 23.
2.PubMed PMID: 16377643; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1360393.

CPAP therapy is considered often as the first choice to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Although this type of therapy is very effective, studies estimate that 40-60 % of patients do not continue to use their CPAP devices after the first year.

At the 19th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) in San Antonio, I attended a presentation discussing points to consider in helping patients stick to recommended treatment for apnea. Even though the study’s target was CPAP patients, I believe that the same factors would be likely to help patients continue with oral appliance therapy for snoring and apnea. Even though the compliance has been estimated to be much higher than CPAP therapy at approximately 80%, important points could help oral appliance users increase the likelihood to stick with their therapy.

Some of these points are:
- It is important for patients to know the f importance of treating apnea and the consequences of no treatment.
- If comfort is fairly high early in treatment, there is more chance of patients continuing with treatment long term.
- Close follow-up between prescribed dentist and patients is very important so as to help patients with any obstacles that are uncovered during use of appliances
- If patients are motivated to use the oral devices, they will have a better chance of success.
- If the patient embraces a healthy life style such as good eating habits, not smoking, etc, they often are more likely to adhere to recommended treatment
At our practice, Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois, we follow the guidelines of the AADSM which include close follow-up and guidance to help our patients with obstacles and to increase successful outcomes. Our wonderful staff is here as well to help with questions and concerns regarding this type of therapy.

Dr. Lydia Sosenko, D.D.S., D.ABDSM
for Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois
1100 Sherman Ave. Suite 103
Naperville, Il 60563
1-630-369-5508
www.TiredofSnoring.com

Did you know that there are over 1800 drugs in more than 80 drug classes that have the ability to cause mouth dryness! Most common of these medications are those prescribed for blood pressure, anxiety, depression, allergies, weight loss, Parkinson’s disease, pain and many more.

Dry mouth in adults is also associated with Sjogren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune condition which results in dryness in many of the body’s tissues, including the oral cavity (mouth).

Listed below are several tips that may help patients suffering from dry mouth lessening the risk of developing cavities and gum disease.

At the dental office consider:

· Fluoride varnish application at cleaning appointments
· X-rays annually or as prescribed at cleaning appointments to catch cavities early
· Frequent dental check-ups in 3-4 month cleaning intervals

At home consider:

· Use of electric toothbrush after proper home care instructions by a registered dental hygienist
· Daily use of an prescription strength fluoride toothpaste like Prevident 5000
· Calcium-containing remineralizing rinses
· Antibiotic rinses

Here’s a short list to help the discomfort of having a dry mouth:
· Oral lubricants such as vitamin E or Oral Balance
· Dry cracked lips can be soothed with topically applied oil-based balms or vitamin E-containing balm
· Xylitol-containing salivary stimulants (Biotene gum, Trident, Orbit, etc…)
· Prescriptions Medications such as Gelclair
· Biotene Products: Mouthwash / toothpaste / etc
· Ora Moist – time released capsules that adhere to the roof of the mouth and causes increase in salivation

Drinking plenty of water and eating a well balanced diet is also important to minimize the risk of cavities and gum disease.

For more information on dry mouth visit: http://www.drymouth.info/practitioner/default.asp.

Lydia Sosenko, D.D.S., D.ABDSM
Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois (630)369-5508
1-800-SNORING in Northern IL only
TiredOfSnoring.com

Maintaining a healthy weight is often the best ‘preventative medicine’ for so many medical conditions including apnea, diabetes anf heart disease. As our practice continues to focus on helping our patients overcome obstacles to living a healthier lifesbtyle, we have asked our colleague and weight loss boot camp leader to post a guest blog on the danger of wearing scrubs! I too have seen the detrimenetal affects of wearing loose clothing at work…Enjoy…. Dr. Lydia Sosenko

Loose fitting clothes may be dangerous to your health!!

Ok, this may sound crazy but being in the health profession my self as a dental hygienist, my theory is just that my theory!!

I have never been a lover of scrubs. Yes, they are comfortable and very loose, which doesn’t help when it comes to watching your body get bigger. The looser the clothes the more you eat!!!! The tighter the clothes the less you eat. So, when you work an 8 hour day in very loose clothes, you tend to not watch what you put in your mouth because your clothes still feel loose. Then you come home from work and go right into sweats or pajama’s which again are loose. This is helping America get fat!!

Being a personal trainer too, I have come across many health professionals that are struggling with their weight. I blame the loose clothing. How many of you come home and put on a pair of jeans or pants with a button and zipper? Try it, it may be an eye opener. Some of my clients don’t even know their size because they live in scrubs and sweats.

In both of my professions I can be one of the professionals who get caught up in this trap, but I refuse to be one of them. I never wear a scrub top and my bottoms are a more fitted pant. I do wear a lab coat, but underneath you can see my figure. I still look like a health professional because I feel we should practice what we preach! If we a preaching good health we should look it.

In conclusion, I am not telling you to get rid of your scrubs, because in many situations they are required to wear. All I am saying is that when you get home, try on a pair of pants with a button and zipper and be more conscious of what your size is and what you put in your mouth. Look your part as a healthy person, not an overweight person. Watch what you eat and live a healthier lifestyle.

Thank you,

Sharon Kline

A Lifestyle Change Of Health And Well Being Through BALANCE

2112 Winding River Drive
Suite 124
Naperville, IL 60564
630-202-0583 or 630-922-9603
www.sharonsfitness.com

You are not alone! Recent research suggests that as many as 40%-50% of patients don’t use their prescribed CPAP machines. For those that do use it, it is a wonderful treatment often changing their lives by helping them sleep well.

Unfortunately, for many others using this bedside air breathing device is a nightmare. Patients often struggle with the hoses and masks, and they hate to travel with them. Many patients are simply just too claustrophobic with them in place. And untreated apnea can be life threatening especially in the earlier adult decades.

Luckily, for thousands of individuals, professional oral appliance therapy is now considered the standard of care but the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for mild to moderate OSA and for others who can not tolerate CPAP.

This well researched therapy involves the fitting of a custom made night time oral appliance. Current research has documented that the compliance is far greater with OAT than CPAP because of increased comfort, lack of sleeping constraints, no noise levels, and ease of transportability. Documented research also has shown that even 75% of successful CPAP users who tried OAT would in future take the OAT route even if they had to pay for it in its entirety. However, medical reimbursement for such therapy is quite common.

Patients seeking this type of treatment should be referred to dentist specifically trained in sleep disorders. These dentists work with your physician as part of your medical team in your diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care. Should you find you find oral appliance therapy an effective option for you, you may not only sleep better, but you will feel better knowing that you are treating this life threatening condition.

To find out more about oral appliance therapy visit www.FreeMeFromCPAP.com .

While preparing for a presentation on snoring, I came across some interesting facts. According to the National Association of Home Builders,
• it is estimated that by 2015, 60% of upscale home constructions will include increasingly requested “two –master bedrooms”! These extra rooms can be used for visiting in-laws, returning children and friends, and — in growing numbers — snoring spouses.

In my practice, I have found that it’s not unreasonable to estimate 30 % of our patients, before treatment, are sleeping in separate rooms.

Lack of sleep isn’t just an inconvenience for merely a few people.
Recent polls by the National Sleep Foundation found:
• 67% of people who were married or living with someone reported their partner snored.
• People who had a partner with any type of sleep problem such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and insomnia were more likely to say they had sleep-related problems themselves, including greater trouble falling asleep, more-frequent daytime sleepiness and fewer nights of satisfactory sleep.

These problems can lead to serious trouble. 13% of fatal car accidents are tied to drivers who drift off behind the wheel, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration . In the workplace, about $13 billion and 30 million workdays are lost each year because of sleep-related accidents on the job.

Does Your Snoring Make Your Bed Partner or Family Sick?
Sleep interruption caused by a spouse is “probably often the most common unresolved difficulty” in a marriage, Paul Rosenblatt, a professor at the University of Minnesota and author of the book, Two in a Bed: The Social System of Couple Bed Sharing. Snoring is not only affecting your sleep, but your bed partner and possibly you entire household, too. In fact, every time your wife/husband has to wake you up to tell you to roll over and stop snoring, you’re interrupting their sleep. The consequences of sleep deprivation often lead to serious health problems, including hypertension, stroke, diabetes, an increased risk for heart attacks and heart disease, depression and weight gain.

It’s rewarding for us not only to help the individual seeking help to get a better night sleep, but to be able tio bring couples back together in the same room peacefully. Sometimes patients are so quiet after treatment, that there spouses have actually awoken them up to make sure they are still breathing! We especially love to hear those stories.
You can start tonight and get the sleep you need to improve the quality of your life.

Dr. Sosenko is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and the founder of Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois. She offers snoring and apnea patient’s relief through professional oral appliance device therapy. Visit www.TiredofSnoring.com or call her office, 630-369-5225, for more information.

Every Vote Counts
And We are Counting on You!

Please vote for us ~ Sherman Oaks Dental ~
for Best Dentist in Naperville

vote at Naperville Magazine: NapervilleMagazine.com
You can vote for us up to 10 times!
10 times in less than 5 mintues!

We’re Counting on your help!
Dr. Lydia Sosenko and Dr. Bryan Weyneth

***Voting Deadline, June 15, 2010****

Sports Safety: Avoiding Tooth and Mouth Injuries.

By Dr. Anita Choudhary

One of the major causes of snoring in modern times is obesity. If you look at obesity, the pandemic is cutting across all nations today due to the sedentary lifestyle and low exercise regimen that have become a bane of modern living. Excess weight gain can be also due to pregnancy, induced post natal weight, side effects of certain medications that tend to effect individuals, inclusion of junk food in regular diet, aerated drinks consumption and high stress levels that lead to a variety of psychological disorders, inducing weight gain by binging.

If you are a few pounds overweight, you might have started snoring. Contrary to usual belief a person who snores is not a heavy sleep, but that is a warning by the body of impending health hazards. Weight gain is not isolated in pockets, but all over the body layers of fatty tissue accumulation starts affecting the heart, compresses the throat region, creating narrow air passages that simulate snoring.

When you gain weight, you also lose toned muscles! Yes, snoring is a direct consequence of loose muscles of the throat and jaws, which indirectly let the tongue fall back into the throat. This obstructs normal breathing patterns when you are asleep. The constant vibration of the soft tissue in the throat region by the air pressure flowing through the narrow constricted air tracks causes the irritating noise, that we call snores.

Snorers stand a higher risk of being diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes, depression, and sleep apnea, cardiac and sleep deprivation related heath problems that knows no barriers of age, race and nationality.

On a regular day, most people who snore wake up to a headache, caused by low oxygen supply to the brain, dry mouth and throat as you snore through the mouth most times. The constant waking up through out the night does not let you get into REM sleep pattern, considered to be the deep phase of sleep.

Most of the people require 9 hours of sleep to rejuvenate but snorers, who wake up all through the night have issues of sleep deprivation. In most cases, the bed partner also suffers from sleep deprivation due to the constant tossing, coughing and interruptions all through the night.

Mostly sleep deprivation is often ignored as a minor problem. The major symptoms are constant drowsiness, poor alertness, low concentration, low productivity and relationship issues that crop up over time. Sleep apnea is a major concern for those who snore heavily on a regular basis.

However, the extreme stage of sleep apnea occurs when you ignore mild or medium snoring and over time the issue escalates to become a major health hazard. If you are still steps away from becoming a heavy snorer, it is time to take action and look for a good anti snoring remedy. You can choose from anti snoring pills, sprays, nasal strips, mouth guards and a variety of other ways to stop snoring. Part from that you can also refer about your condition with your doctor today.

Dr.Anita Choudhary researches and writes for asonor.com. Browse our site for more information about anti snoring treatment and related issues.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Anita_Choudhary

After Your Sleep Study: CPAP and Sleep Apnea | National Sleep Foundation – Information on Sleep Health and SafetyPosted using ShareThis