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

People often thing snoring is “no big deal”.
However, snoring is dangerous to your health.
Play Dr. Sosenko’s video, to quickly learn how snoring is dangerous and what
you can do to help yourself stop snoring.

Dr. Sosenko would like to help you stop snoring.
You can contact her Naperville Office, Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois at 1-800-SNORING.

Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois is conveniently located in Naperville, Illinois. Our practice is 5 minutes south of I-88 and Naperville Road, 3 minutes from the downtown Naperville shopping district. Our office has ample parking to meet the needs of our patients.

for Dr. Lydia Sosenko, D.D.S., D.ABDSM of Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois

retrieved April 9, 2010 from: Science News Daily

Summary of Article: ScienceDaily (2009-01-12) — Obstructive sleep apnea decreases blood flow to the brain, elevates blood pressure within the brain and eventually harms the brain’s ability to modulate these changes and prevent damage to itself. The findings may help explain why people with sleep apnea are more likely to suffer strokes and to die in their sleep.

Why Should You Follow This Link to Read More? to read the entire article click here!

To give you one more reason to help lead a healthy life, get the sleep you need, and treat your apnea today.

For more information on a CPAP alternative treatment, visit my website, www.TiredOfSnoring.com.
I can help you get the sleep you need – CPAP-Free.

Dr. Lydia Sosenko, D.D.S, D.ABDSM for Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois

5 Surprising Signs You’re Sleep Deprived
Are you a healthy sleeper? How to tell if skimping on your Zzzs is hurting your health—and an energizing plan to get the rest you need.
By Kaitlin Bell, Prevention
article found at: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/sleep-disorders/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100254292&gt1=31019

Our bodies give us plenty of signals when we’re tired, but some of us are so used to being sleep deprived that we remain oblivious to how impaired we really are. Sleep debt isn’t something you can pay off in a weekend, researchers say—it can take weeks of building up restorative sleep habits. In the meantime, here are some signs you might be sleep deprived, and temporary fixes while you get your sleep schedule back on track.

1. You’re flummoxed by even simple decisions

You’re up late one night booking your next vacation, and even though you know the dates and destination, you’re overwhelmed by minor details. Should you get a refundable ticket? Window or aisle seat? Rent a car now or later? When you’re tired, you’re less able to distinguish between important and irrelevant information, such as your seat assignment, according to Sean Drummond, Ph.D., a sleep researcher at the University of California, San Diego. The result: Even the simplest decision takes on exaggerated importance.

Tired people also take riskier gambles to maximize results (Maybe if I wait until the last minute, the ticket price will go down) and have trouble adjusting to changing circumstances (like firming up an itinerary if flying from an unfamiliar airport).

Can’t concentrate? Reboot your brain with these simple tips.

2. You’ve been eating all day, and you’re still hungry!

Studies show that chronic sleep loss can disrupt blood sugar levels and cause the body to produce less leptin, a hormone that curbs appetite, and more ghrelin, leptin’s hunger-stimulating counterpart. Because of these physiological changes, you may be more likely to overeat when you skimp on sleep—and the food you pick probably won’t be either nutritious or a lasting source of energy. Tired people tend to be particularly drawn to sugars and other simple carbohydrates, probably because the body is looking for a quick pick-me-up, says Lisa Shives, M.D., a spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Sleep deprivation also tends to erode self-control, making you more likely to choose a brownie over carrot sticks.

Follow this link to find out all 5 tips: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/sleep-disorders/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100254292&gt1=31019

In fact, it’s so dangerous, the American Sleep Assocation is Hosting a conference just to address Trucking and Sleep Issues. May 11-12 in Baltimore Maryland. Visit their site at this link The American Sleep Association Sleep Apnea and Trucking Converence

Facts and Numbers of Driving and Sleep Apnea

Below are the bullet points listed from the American Sleep Association’s website:

~Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and SafetyOSA afflicts at least 20 million Americans…more than asthma or diabetes, and yet more than 85% remain undiagnosed.
~People with OSA tend to have high blood pressure, heart problems, stroke, depression and sexual dysfunction with annual health care costs TWO TIMES HIGHER than those without OSA.
~People with OSA are SIX times more likely to have a crash and SEVEN TIMES more likely to have multiple accidents.
~More than 800,000 drivers were involved in OSA-related car crashes in 2000, costing more than $15.9 billion in damage claiming 1,400 lives.
~It’s estimated that if all drivers with OSA were treated, $11.1B in damages could be saved, along with 980 lives each year.
~MOST IMPORTANTLY, accident and health risks return to NORMAL when individuals are diagnosed and treated for OSA.

At Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois, in Naperville, we strongly urge you to find out if you do have Obstructive sleep apnea. Visit your primary care physician to learn more.

Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are looking for a CPAP-alternative? We can help! Dr. Lydia Sosenko, a diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, and general dentist, offers Oral Appliance Therapy, an effective and convenient alternative to a CPAP.

Call our office today, 1-800-SNORING, in northern Illinois, or 630-369-5508.

We Love to Help Our Patients Sleep CPAP-Free!

A friend of ours just shared this link that we think is very useful, new information on sleep for teens. Just in case you’ve been wondering if your teenager is getting the sleep they need.

Take a look:


(CLICK ON THE RED HERE TO VIEW THE MSN REPORT!)

And let us know what you think -

Do you have strict bedtimes?
Are you going to follow their tips?
Will you show the article to your teen?

There is no doubt that getting a good night’s sleep can improve your entire quality of life!

For more information on sleep apnea and snoring, visit our Naperville Office, Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois, 630 369-5508.

An estimated 50 – 70 Million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders, obstructive sleep apnea included in these numbers.

From the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, “EDS alone costs $150 billion annually in lost productivity and mishaps, and 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 EDS, independent of alcohol effects.”

We, at Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois, urge you to know the signs of drowsy driving and take care this holiday season.

Driving with obstructive sleep apnea:

· According to a research test designed to mimic driving performance, individuals with OSA perform, on average, as poorly as individuals whose blood alcohol levels exceed the legal limit.
· A study in the May issue of the journal Sleep determined that more than 800,000 drivers were involved in OSA-related car accidents in 2000, costing $15.9 billion in damage and claiming 1,400 lives. This study estimates that if all drivers suffering from obstructive sleep apnea were treated, $11.1 billion in damages could be saved, along with 980 lives, each year.
· Drivers with OSA have a 3-7 times higher risk of having a car crash.
· A study in the August 15, 2004 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that of 406 commercial drivers studied, 133 of them (33 percent) had either mild to moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea. Sleepiness has been shown to account in 31-41 percent of major crashes of commercial vehicles.

please return tomorrow for Dr. Sosenko’s quick tips on how to keep yourself from Driving Drowsy!

Good sleep is crucial to a person’s over all well-being.  Poor sleep patterns result in sleep deprivation which in turn can result in daytime fatigue, poor mental clarity, decrease in job performance, relationship problems as well as significant chronic medical conditions.

    The most common causes of sleep deprivation are:

• Not allowing enough time for sleep
• Excessive stress
• Irregular work hours
• Sleep disorders
• Pain from medical illnesses
• Repeated awakening from noises

      Regarding the first 3, you may need to question your current work and lifestyle patterns and choices that may be causing these situations.  I have found dramatic improvements in a person’s sleep, demeanor and attitude in individuals who chose to change their jobs or proactively alleviate other causes of stress. 

   If sleep disorders are suspected such as snoring, apnea, restless leg syndrome and more, careful evaluation and diagnosis is necessary in order to determine which of the many treatments are best for you. You may discuss your sleep problems with your physician or other sleep trained health care providers knowledgeable in sleep disorders. Very often a sleep test will be recommended to uncover the main source of your poor sleep.    

       Once a diagnosis has been made and proper treatment attained, a person often reestablishes good sleep patterns.  Once this occurs, the quality of health and well being often results in a better overall mood, and decrease in symptoms such as drowsy driving, improved daytime focusing capabilities, better relationships, and improved health as associated medical complications.

 For more information on sleep visit National Sleep Foundations’ website: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/.

  Dr. Sosenko is a Diplomate of the D.ABDSM and the founder of Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois. She offers snoring and apnea patient’s relief through professional oral device therapy for patients throughout the Chicagoland area, including Naperville, Lisle, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Aurora, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, and more. 

 Visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com. For more information.

Just the other day, our own sleep coordinator and oral appliance user, Mary Ellen Hughes, was waiting at a red light at the corner of Washington St. and Ogden Ave. in Naperville.  The light turned green and the cars in the right lane continued to wait . . . and wait. . .   Until someone started beeping their horn.  Cars began to pull around a sedan.  As Mary Ellen pulled around she saw the lady inside jerk her head up, look around and begin to cry.  What happened?  We think the driver fell asleep at the wheel while waiting at the red light.  Has this ever happened to you or someone you know? 

Be aware of the signs and symptoms of Drowsy Driving!  The following 7 signs were found on the National Sleep Foundations website. 

1.      Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking, or heavy eyelids

2.      Daydreaming; wandering/disconnected thoughts

3.      Trouble remembering the last few miles driven; missing exits or traffic signs

4.      Yawning repeatedly or rubbing your eyes

5.      Trouble keeping your head up

6.      Drifting from your lane, tailgating, or hitting a shoulder rumble strip

7.      Feeling restless and irritable

According to the National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep in America poll, 60% of Americans have driven while feeling sleepy and 37% admit to actually having fallen asleep at the wheel in the past year!!!

Visit the National Sleep Foundations Website for More information: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/