People who are still dealing with OSA or Obstructive Sleep Apnea could benefit from mouth inserts, according to a study. OSA is a sleep issue whereby the breathing of an individual is interrupted during brief intervals.

Ideally, a CPAP machine would be recommended by specialists to somehow remedy such a sleep problem, a bit irritating considering you may have to wear a mask when you are sleeping. However, a trip to the dentist may offer another solution in the form of mouth pieces, oral pieces that open up the jaw to provide a bigger airway for people.

With over 40 available oral appliances, it may take more than one try to get the proper one to fit an individual. Temporary devices used on a trial basis can cost $150. Durable devices that last for years can cost $900 to around $1,600.

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This is not the first time we will be seeing a specialized pillow made to help people sleep better. Aside from looking like a standard but overgrown teddy bear, this cuddly robot pillow from the Kabe Group looks to address the issue of sleep apnea as well.

The cuddly pillow comes with a movable robotic arm which gently nudges a person to his side when his breathing is interrupted and snoring starts to occur. To monitor a person’s breathing abnormalities, there is a pulse oxymeter worn on a person’s finger which determines when the blood oxygen dips or when breathing has stopped.

Design-wise, the pillow does leave a lot to be desired but considering that the cuddle robot pillow remains a concept, you can imagine further enhancements that are bound to be applied to it along the way.

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Unstable breathing when sleeping would normally lead people think about obstructive sleep apnea. But it seems that is not all that you would have to worry about based on a study which have associated improper breathing during sleep as possibly a link to behavior disorders.

The improper breathing patterns would normally churn up snoring where about one in ten children snore. But a study published in Pediatrics seem to have shown that there is some neurological issues which include hyperactivity and aggressiveness closely tied with the sleep deprived victim’s relationships.

This isn’t the first study to link children’s sleep issues with behavioral problems, but it was big enough – with some 11,000 youngsters involved – to rule out other possible causes.

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Sleeping pills can help you sleep but health-wise, there is no question that some health risk is at stake. And apparently if people rely on them too much, there is the possibility of death after a study showed that the said drugs carry a substantially increased risk of death for those who are prescribed.

Over a two-and-a-half-year period, they compared the death rates among more than 10,500 people who received sleeping pill prescriptions with those of more than 23,600 others — matched for age, state of health and other factors — who had not received such medication. The average age of the study group was 54.

Overall, there have been issues associated with sleeping pills. And while they do intend to help a person get the proper amount of sleep, the side effects persist. This includes increased depression which may eventually trigger suicide if they are not careful.

Aside from that, sleeping pills also interfere with motor and cognitive skills, which makes driving dangerous, and can cause sleep apnea, which can lead to heart problems.

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Obstructive Sleep Apnea may very well be one of the problems that beseech people these days but if the medical experience by this lady who had been suffering from it is any indication, robotics may soon provide a big boost towards curbing down the sleep apnea problem a lot of people have.

Dorothy Bruhling, 75, had been having rough spells with OSA which may grow serious for some people if they are not careful. But thanks to some medical referrals, Dorothy was able to meet up with Dr. Robert DeFatta, an otolaryngologist who eventually suggested a surgical approach with the aid of the da Vinci robot to remove a discovered obstructive tissue that was interfering with her breathing.

After keeping Dorothy for two nights for observation purposes, she shared that after the surgery that she had not slept that good for two nights in a row.

“All patients after they heal feel so much better,” said DeFatta, who has performed more than 40 base of tongue resections. Bruhling was the first in Wisconsin, he added.

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Just like round the clock workers, police personnel have their share of working on shifts as well. The study consisted of police officers participating in either an online or an on-site screening (n = 4,957) and monthly follow-up surveys (n = 3,545 officers) between July 2005 and December 2007

The study revealed that about 40.4% of the participating cops were found positive for the said sleep disorder. 33.6% of that were found positive for obstructive sleep apnea and 6.5% suffering from insomnia.

Apparently the shifting issue can be singled out as the culprit. A change in the regular body clock does have dire effects and from the looks of it, even the cops are not spared. Let us hope though that the margin for error does not get imperiled by all of this too.

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Sleep apnea can be a killer of sorts, especially if you do not know what and which medical treatment to take on. But perhaps if you address your sleep apnea problem (assuming you have one), then it may eventually lead to a longer life on your end since it can shy you away from the usual heart problems.

A study was published New England Journal of Medicine showing that people suffering from sleep apnea may eventually account for metabolic syndrome or better yet, health issues associated with the heart.

And after treating these sleep apnea problems, it was found that improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar ensued, eventually aiding in safeguarding people from potential heart problems or metabolic syndrome.

“This study is thought-provoking and could be really wonderful news that using a breathing machine could have all of these beneficial effects. But, ultimately, we’d want to see clinical end points, such as the incidence of cardiovascular deaths, in order to know if an intervention is appropriate and helpful,” said Dr. Tara Narula, a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

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Here is a solution that should help out sleep apnea sufferers although I am not sure how many people would be more than willing to have something inserted in their bodies to address it. Apparently the apparatus is a pulse generator which is said to be something that would be inserted below the collar bone of people.

The pulse will eventually stop the tongue from blocking the airway during sleep. The device (placed just under the hypoglossal nerve) will synchronize with breathing motions but is not active during wakefulness as shared by Dr. Andrew Jamieson of the Sleep Medicine Associates of Texas. A remote control is used to turn the pulse generator on and off.

Dr. Jamieson said early results in Dallas and other test locations are promising but FDA approval–if it comes–may be three to five years away.

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To help him out, girlfriend Nikki Alexander wooed the big man to take part in a sleep apnea study being sponsored by Harvard University. Sleep apnea has become a growing problem for Americans and sadly, even the Boston Celtic big man who has been absent in the NBA scene for some time now is not exempted from it.

The consequences of sleep apnea, as described by the litany of doctors early in the video embedded below, is pretty frightening. That and of course frequent reminders of what sleep apnea can bring should be immediately brought to the attention of specialists, O’Neal included.

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We know for a fact that a lot of Americans are suffering sleep apnea but perhaps not this much. Apparently, the big number is broken down for people who are aware they have it and the ones who don’t know they have it. Sadly, 10 million people do not know they have sleep apnea which is quite alarming.

Some get an idea when their mate starts snoring, but for the people who sleep alone, there is no telling if they are indeed suffering from sleep apnea. Dental considerations may help you out on this one. A common cause is traced to TMD or temporomandibular disorder. This is when the jaw is not properly aligned resulting in bad bites.

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons lists numerous lifestyle changes that can help to curb snoring and subsequent sleep apnea. This includes losing weight, along with avoiding alcohol and caffeine, and eating large, heavy meals. The association also advises that people sleep on their side instead of on their back, and recommends not to take a sedative, which relaxes the muscles in the throat and increases snoring.

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With the growing rate of people suffering from sleep apnea, here is another app for your Apple device that could come in handy. It called the Sleep Cycle iOS app, something that should help monitor a person’s sleep patterns all throughout the night and wakes you up in the lightest sleep phase.

The app can register up to 4 days of sleep patterns which should help you evaluate and improve your waking patterns. But this also means keeping your iPhone powered on all night and placed on your bed upside down. The app will make use of the proximity sensors of the device to turn off the display.

The App also gives you a report of your sleep patterns over the period of use of the app. With this you can monitor your sleep time and deep sleep patterns.

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Sleeping while outdoors does seem to be common these days, especially with the growing problem of insomnia and sleep apnea. While many seek help from the sleep specialists, here is one cooky invention that should “cover” you up in a manner of speaking.

This is with reference to the futuristic-looking Sleep Suit, something that should come in handy with the people always on the go. The sleep suit comes from Buckminster Fuller’s practice of Dymaxion Sleeping. Carrying a cocoon or wrapped up concept, this is one project that could help the wary worker or traveler. Now all you have to do is find a place to wear it and rest for a while.

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By cutting it, we mean surgically. Like most human problems that have become more serious, the last resort is that of leaning towards medical procedures which unfortunately is something not all can afford.

Then again, when you suffer from one of the worst cases of sleep apnea, you may as well want to consider trying to find ways to get that procedure done. Such was the case for this software engineer named Daniel Sheiner who through a sleep study found that he had one of the worst cases of sleep apnea.

“Daniel’s obstruction was both at the level of the soft palate and at the back of the tongue,” Thaler says. “He had very large tonsils, but his tonsil tissue was also enlarged in the palate area and also at the back of his tongue.”

He had the worst case scenario, needing to wear a face mask to try and remedy the problem. Normally, sleep apnea would not be seen in young thin persons but in his case, surgery has become a need.

For patients with recessed chins, small jaws and airways narrowed by facial structure, this might be the surgery for them. But it can take nearly a year to recover, and many patients opt not to have it.

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Here is another new tip for you. If you are among the many sleep deprived people, more walking may be able to help. This was what Canadian Sleep Expert Douglas Bradley suggested after linking sitting to sleep apnea.

Apparently, sitting gathers fluids in a person’s legs, , which then moves to your neck when you lie down at night. When your muscles relax, your airway can get sucked shut “like a wet straw.” Especially for the people who are in the office or spend most of their time sprawled and supposedly relaxing, getting up and walking a few steps may help improve your sleep apnea issues.

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People with snoring and/or sleep apnea problems are bound to have come to know the CPAP mask, something that may not necessarily be comfortable to wear when they want to go to sleep. However, here is one that is said to be easy to use and tasked to remedy sleep apnea issues.

The Easy to Use CPAP Therapy System or the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is an aid that helps ease breathing for people with the said sleep disorder. The device doubles up as a humidifier as well and integrates easily into the home environment.

The only drawback with this is that it seems to be a bit in the medical side of things which should be irritating especially if you do not sleep alone in your room or are looking forward to a comfortable sleeping venture.

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Sleep Apnea has been hit for affecting many parts of the human body and apparently a new study points to cognitive functions as possibly being affected as well. This covers the gray area of the brain which could affect the attention and memory of a human being.

The claim points to possibly lack of air where people who have sleep apnea may possibly stop breathing.

A small Italian study of 17 patients with OSA and 15 age-matched controls found reduced gray matter in the OSA group in several key regions of the brain connected with abstract reasoning and executive function, along with deficits in the left cortex, which were shown to be linked to daytime sleepiness.

However, the brain changes are partially or fully reversible with early detection and treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

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Here is another scoop for the people looking for remedies for sleep apnea. It seems that acupuncture can be an effective remedy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It can reportedly reduce nocturnal respiratory events, sleep disruptions, and desaturations.

The people behind it claim that this improvement is due to acupuncture’s effects on serotonergic pathways and also acupuncture’s anti-inflammatory effects. Both manual acupuncture and 10Hz electro-acupuncture techniques were found effective. The researchers note that the acupuncture points of the neck are of specific interest because they stimulate the genioglossus muscle on deep insertion.

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While breathing masks which were tasked to help regulate breathing during sleep were made to help people with sleep apnea, it seems that they do have some side effects which could deform your face after prolonged use.

Known better as CPAP, craniofacial change as a result of long term use. This is aside from skin abrasions and stuffy noses to dry mouth to abdominal bloating side effects. But while all that has been bared, further investigation into the matter is still needed.

Hiroko Tsuda reports on the findings in the October issue of Chest.

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New York Harbor Healthcare System will officially open a new Sleep Center this September 27, Monday. Now, veterans of all ages will be able to be diagnosed and treated for various sleep issues like obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, central sleep apnea syndromes, narcolepsy, as well as sleep problems associated with traumatic brain injury.

The new Sleep Center will be armed with a four-bed, state-of-the-art sleep laboratory that will provide advanced diagnostic sleep studies and therapies such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Also, the center will be conducting home sleep studies for sleep apnea testing. Having poor sleep quality is more than just feeling tired. A lack of sleep can lead to other health problems, productivity problems at work and accidents.

Image Credits

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As far as figuring out what is ailing Minnesota Vikings Percy Harvin regarding his constant migraines is concerned, all that may finally be resolved. This is after doctors diagnosed Harvin as suffering from sleep apnea after a harrowing incident during the Viking’s practice last August 19.

Doctors believe the disorder was responsible for the headaches that caused Harvin to lose consciousness and leave the practice in an ambulance. Sleep apnea causes gaps in a person’s breathing while sleeping.

Image Credits

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A partnership between Sleep Group Solutions (SGS) and Glidewell Dental Lab will help medical practitioners and people suffering from sleep-related issues like snoring and sleep apnea. This is a year-round schedule which will include seminars that will enlighten and educate dental and medical professionals on the increasingly important field of Dental Sleep Medicine.

Under this agreement, Glidewell Laboratories will actively market and promote SGS Dental Sleep Medicine CE seminars, as well as fabricate the oral appliance laboratory services, which will include the aveoTSD, Silent Nite, TAP and Myerson EMA devices. SGS will provide the training, protocols, education and instrumentation for each course.

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Sleep Group Solutions has announced the release of a new iPhone/iPad healthcare app meant to address the growing issue of sleep apnea. The new app aims to save lives and billions of dollars for the healthcare system of the U.S.

This new application asks simple screening questions and even records an audio track of a person sleeping. This information is forwarded to Sleep Group Solutions’ nationwide network of sleep professionals for evaluation. A local sleep specialist will contact the patient for further evaluation if it is deemed necessary.

The application is free and can be downloaded here.

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Rather than leave the walls of your home, it seems that there is little difference for people who want to diagnose and treat sleep apnea. This was the conclusion arrived at by researchers from the University of Saksatchewan, SK and Canada for OSA treatments on patients performed at home and sleep labs.

The comparison variables included sleepiness, sleep quality, quality of life, blood pressure, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence on more than 100 patients. After four weeks of study, there were no significant differences between variables at home and at the sleep laboratory.

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Here is another handy device for the people suffering from sleep apnea. The CPAP Chin Strap is a soft, stretchy chin strap that gently holds a person’s jaw up to keep the mouth closed when they were the standard CPAP mask.

The strap helps enable better breathing and improved airflow for sleep apnea patients and others with nighttime breathing disorders. Since the straps are adjustable, they fit most skin and face types. They are available for only $8 at this link.

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There is a new solution for snorers and people suffering from sleep apnea. The new device is the aveoTSD Anti-Snoring device from Glidewell Dental Lab. This is a simple and inexpensive anti-snoring device and is an effective form of treatment for problem snoring.

They are now available through dentists, physicians or medical specialist prescriptions and are easy-to-use. The aveoTSD is a noninvasive anti-snoring aid that aims to improve health and quality of life.

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The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies launches a new series of Sleep Apnea courses to help pin down the growing issue of sleep apnea. This comes in the light that the Dental sector seems to play an important role in pinpointing how sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated.

Dr. Brian Allman is the instructor for the course. He is a dentist practicing in Reno, Nevada. His practice focuses on TMJ therapy and sleep apnea treatment. He has been practicing for 25 years and is a diplomate of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.

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Circadiance has secured the rights to apply the CE mark for its SleepWeaver soft cloth nasal CPAP masks after securing ISO 13485 certification. With this certification, the said CPAP masks can now be sold in Europe and Canada. The SleepWeaver will likewise launch in Canada soon, offering another alternative product to address sleep apnea problems plaguing consumers.

The soft cloth masks better conform to a patient’s face, creating a better fitting seal, according to the company. SleepWeaver masks come in a variety of colors.

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About 60,000 war veterans are reportedly suffering from sleep apnea, a result of being overly exposed to dust and smoke when in the tour of duty. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorders that causes a person to gasp for breath and awaken frequently. The condition is linked to drowsiness and cardiovascular complications.

The risk of getting sleep apnea is reportedly four times likely for war veterans and the number of veterans receiving disability benefits for sleep disorders has increased by more than 60 percent in the past two years. The benefits now amount to more than $500 million annually.

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Another research has found that sleep clinic patients have a higher probability of being suicidal. This was bared at the SLEEP 2010: Associated Professional Sleep Societies 24th Annual Meeting where a 2 to 4 fold rate for suicidal ideation was presented.

And while this new discovery may make people think twice about seeking treatment and help for their sleep apnea issues, it seems that it all boils down to the psychiatric state of the person seeking treatment. The results provide more evidence that psychological disorders and sleep problems are closely interconnected.

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Sleep apnea has plagued a number of people and just in case you are wondering what kind of sleep disorder this is, Sleep Apnea is when a person stops breathing for at least 10 seconds. This of course varies, a lot depending on how severe his sleep apnea problem is.

Hence, the Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) recommends consulting your dentist. As far as Obstructive Sleep Apnea is concerned, they are perhaps the best person to consult. OSA is caused when the muscles in the walls of your throat relax too much, causing the airway to collapse.

Dental appliances that reposition the lower jaw and tongue help patients suffering from sleep apnea. The constant pressure helps to keep the airway open and for extreme cases, surgical procedures designed to open the airway include those performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

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A Sleep Health Fair will be held on June 24 at the Zandri’s Stillwood Inn at 1074 South Colony Road, Route 5 in Wallingford, Connecticut. The event is co-sponsored by Gaylord Sleep Medicine and Philips Respironics where speakers will grace the festivities to shed more light on sleep apnea and other sleeping disorders.

Respironics, PROVENT Sleep Apnea Therapy, J & L Medical Services and All-Med Health Care, Inc. will also be available with the newest sleep apnea and respiratory equipment as well as alternatives to CPAP that are exclusive to Gaylord Sleep Medicine. Dr. Stephen Palluotto, DMD will also show the dental alternatives to CPAP.

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There is a new study out and it seems it stands to provide another alternative to people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. Oral Appliance Therapy is the new alternative towards resolving the sleep apnea issue, backed by a study which experimented on people aged from 31 to 53.

After beginning some appliance oral therapy, the said patients showed effective improvement as far as sleep apnea reactions are concerned. Mandibular advancement appliances (MAA) have been shown to safely and effectively treat mild to moderate OSA. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of two different MAA over time from a previous comparative study (PCS).

This Canada-based study included four women and 10 men who had participated in a PCS that tested two oral appliances in a randomized cross-over design. The participants were 52 years of age on average.

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Sleep Apnea is normally a result of having blocked passage ways for people. It contributes to poor breathing during sleep thus resulting in snoring as well. But perhaps an exercise can help. Throat exercises.

Though not proven, throat exercises may be another alternative to the usual CPAP masks. Studies show that throat exercises can help strengthen muscles around the airway and help reduce sleep apnea episodes. Care to try it out?

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Houston Texans Mario Evans underwent a minor procedure to address his sleep apnea problem last month. It seems that Evans had problems with sleep, particularly paused breathing during sleep. A similar procedure was undergone by his teammate, Antoine Caldwell.

Sleep apnea often goes unnoticed. Only until a person is sleeping with someone will they be able to determine that they are indeed sleep apnea victims and apparently that is how Mario Evans found out and underwent the said minor surgery.

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Truckers are perhaps one of the groups that are hard hit by sleep apnea problems but Fusion Sleep hopes that their efforts would help bring down the high number of sleep apnea struck truckers. This will be tackled during the 2010 ITLC/NAFC Conference to reduce the effects and rising costs of sleep apnea issues.

Sleep Apnea, or any one of over 70 sleep disorders, are very costly diseases when left untreated, causing deteriorating health and increased hospitalizations, absenteeism and lowered productivity. By diagnosing and treating Sleep Apnea among its drivers, fleets have the potential to reduce their healthcare spend by nearly 50 percent for the affected drivers, reduce risks and increase savings in performance-related line items.

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This apparently has something to do with the ongoing Augusta Masters where as we all know is the comeback tourney of the disgruntled Tiger Woods. And whether you consider it a marketing ploy or not, Sleep Apnea Therapy can reportedly help increase golf scores.

Of course it does make sense. Sleeping well and being able to carry full concentration and strength can help a lot for you golf game.

Doctors at the Morristown Memorial Hospital in New Jersey found treating sleep apnea in 12 golfers actually improved their game by up to three strokes off their handicap in 20 rounds of golf when they underwent the sleep apnea therapy, according to a presentation today at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians.

(Source) Fox News

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Sleep Apnea has been known to be associated with heart problems and apparently that is the case in this new study connecting stroke. OSA doubles the risk of stroke in men and also increases the danger in women. Data was taken from the Sleep Heart Health Study.

Men with moderate to severe sleep apnea are three times more likely to have a stroke than men with mild or no sleep apnea while the increased risk of stroke in women with obstructive sleep apnea was significant only in cases of severe apnea thanks to a study which was published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

(Source) Web MD

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A new British study has found that a certain eye disorder has been linked to the dreaded sleep apnea problem. It is called FES (floppy eyelid syndrome) which is pretty much associated with obstructive sleep apnea.

People with OSA are at risk of oxygen deprivation when breathing slows or stops during sleep. OSA can contribute to or be aggravated by high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and other systemic problems.

(Source) Science Daily

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In a move to help address the growing sleep problem, Milton Hospital has reportedly entered into a partnership with Sleep Health Centers to develop a new sleep medicine program. Milton will open a sleep medicine clinic to help sleep patients meet specialists to get proper diagnosis for their sleep dilemma.

In addition to conducting sleep studies, Sleep HealthCenters provides physician consults, patient monitoring, patient education, and follow-up care for Obstructive Sleep Apnea patients, including Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Devices.

(Source) Health Leaders Media

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Here is something basic and useful for the people who are clueless on what sleep apnea is. The Sleep Lab provides us a 5 minute video to orient us on the due process for sleep apnea sufferers and see what form/s of treatment people can get from institutions such as the sleep lab. More videos can be viewed at www.cpap.com.

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After a partnership with Milton Hospital, Sleep Health Centers have now been opened to help develop and manage the sleep medicine program. Starting this month, the new Sleep Health Centers will be performing diagnostic sleep studies at Milton Hospital with plans to open a clinic offering CPAP therapy in the future.

In addition to conducting sleep studies, Sleep HealthCenters provides physician consults, patient monitoring, patient education, and follow-up care for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) patients including Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices. Sleep HealthCenters is the largest provider of comprehensive sleep services in New England.

(Source) Press

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Sleep Apnea, if left untreated can be life threatening. It can develop roots in your airway passage which are the culprits to snoring. So the next thing you would want is to seek some medical attention, finding out what you doctor or sleep specialist would have to say about it.

For the record, here are some recommended questions you may want to consider when you visit the sleep specialist:

• What exactly is sleep apnea and what type of sleep apnea do I have?
• What will be the line of treatment (especially medication) the doctor will follow?
• Will the treatment also require physiotherapy or an invasive procedure like an operation/surgery?
• Will I be fitted with a breathing device? What sort of device is it and how will it help me?

Normally, people would either panic or be left clueless on what to ask. The best thing to do is be focused and ask these questions and some related to them to make sure you get the proper diagnosis and remedy for this killer sleep apnea disease.

(Source) EmpowHer

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For the people who have been having problems with snoring and Sleep Apnea related issues, the New AveoTSD should be something to help. TSD stands for Tonge Stabilizing Device and is pretty much comfortable to use.

The New AveoTSD has been clinically proven to treat mild to moderate OSA, this oral appliance has been further refined by orthodontic sleep medicine specialists and engineers in New Zealand to help chronic sufferers achieve a comfortable night’s sleep. You can find out more about the AveoTSD at their website.

(Source) Press

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The human tongue has a bearing when it comes to sleep apnea problems, most likely pointing to the blockages that occur when we are asleep due to air blockage. But now a surgical procedure may yet address this issue, an implant that is placed near the tongue and is programmed to keep parts of the tongue awake and avoid blockages.

Called Targeted Hypoglossal Neurostimulation (THN) Sleep Therapy, the technique consists of a small electrical device implanted under the skin near the lower jaw and along the Hypoglossal (12th cranial) nerve, then connected to a programmable implantable pulse generator (IPG) implanted near the surface of one’s upper chest.

The surgery takes less than 45 minutes to perform and will heal after a couple of days. Something that should be checked out, especially for people who have been suffering from sleep apnea. Check out the video.

(Source) CNet

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Sleep Apnea victims be forewarned. It seems that sleep apnea will do more than deprive you of sleep. Knowing that the brain will be severely affected by obstructive sleep apnea, it seems apparent that the more serious it grows, so does your health.

Brain damage is being wooed as the possible result from continuous sleep apnea due to reduced concentrations of gray matter in the brain. A gray matter refers to the brain’s cerebral cortex, where the majority of information processing takes place. These changes in brain structure may help explain the memory, cardiovascular and other problems experienced by people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The researchers said further research is needed to determine whether reduced gray matter concentration is caused by sleep apnea, or whether preexisting abnormalities contribute to the development of the problem.

(Source) Business Week

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Snoring has been a problem among couples and if you value your marriage, addressing the issue with a compact device may be a great way to save it and yourself as well. The device is called the Apnex System which is still undergoing testing. Over three million Britons are affected by snoring and hopefully this new contraption can resolve that problem.

Sleep apnea is common in middle-aged men who are overweight, because excess fat around the neck puts pressure on the airways during sleep. If left untreated,it can raise the risk of high blood pressure and heart attacks.

(Source) Daily Mail

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For the people who don’t want to invest in sleep-related machines to determine if they are suffering from sleep apnea, here is a sleep app for the iPhone which you can use. The Sleep Aid is a handy iPhone app that should help determine if you have a breathing problem. Great for snorers, this app can aid you in determining if you are lacking in oxygen or analyze your breathing patterns.

It actually records the user’s snoring, and stores them each night to compare them in a graph, to see if there are any major changes in the cycles. It also contains examples of what people suffering from sleep apnea sound like when they’re sleeping, so you can compare your own against the case studies. The app is available now for only $2.99.

(Source) Gizmodo

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Again the iPhone has covered another part of our lives, particularly the ones with sleeping problems. The Reggie White Sleep Disorder Research and Education Foundation has releases a free iPhone app which aids users in finding out if they are at risk of sleep apnea. It combines three screening tools used by sleep specialists to determine an individual’s risk of having or developing the sleep disorder that affects 18 million Americans. It provides immediate feedback once users provide answers to questions regarding their sleep habits, snoring, fatigue, and health factors.

Indeed, this is one sleep gadget that can gather some data to properly evaluate the sleep apnea issues one has to deal with. The app is free for download and can be obtained here.

(Source) Press

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For the people continuously suffering from sleep apnea, Philips Respironics has unveiled a new sleep therapy system that should address people who are having breathing difficulties at night. The new Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine offers a new bi-level airway pressure technology which delivers a gentle flow of pressurized air through a mask and into the user, keeping their airway open and improving quality of rest.

With the growing number of people suffering from sleep apnea, this new system should be a welcome addition. OSA is a common condition that affects more men than women, with about 3.5 per cent of men and 1.5 per cent of women suffering from it in the UK.

(Source) Silent Night

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Losing weight has been known to help us as far as healthy living is concerned. And while many aim for a better looking body and physique, weight loss may yet be a great help for the people having sleep apnea problems. People who are overweight or obese are much more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which a person’s breathing stops or becomes very shallow, sometimes several hundred times a night and sometimes for as long as a minute, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association.

This could lead to heart problems which is normal for people who have these problems. But based on a study, reducing weight can limit all that. A 10% decrease in weight is enough to improve sleep apnea issues. So if you want a free ride to address sleep apnea and also obesity, start out with that.

(Source) AJC

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