Tuesday, 13 December 2016

Best relief for sufferers of sleep disorder

The Center for Sleep Medicine is pleased to announce that area residents who are suffering from one or more sleep disorders can find relief, thanks to the professional team working at The Center for Sleep Medicine. The Center has a multidisciplinary, multispecialty team of board certified sleep specialists who treat any sleep disorder known to the medical community.  Included are specialists from the fields of neurology, pulmonary medicine, psychiatry, internal medicine, pediatrics, and dental sleep medicine.

Sleep Disorder Treatment

A representative for the Chicagoarea sleep disorder center spoke to an interviewer recently, "We begin your visit to the Center for Sleep Medicine by evaluating your sleep history. You may be asked to spend the night in one of our nicely appointed bedrooms for a sleep study. The completed study is reviewed and interpreted by one of the professionals on our team. An assessment is made and therapy is recommended. The primary care physician receives the information from the Center with the patient’s approval."

He continues, "Professionals at the sleep medicine facility have the skills and experience to not only seek answers to questions about common sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and insomnia, but to provide solutions which improve the quality of sleep in patients. The therapeutic measures that are suggested may rely on lifestyle changes, as well as more traditional methods."

Research studies are pointing out the links between poor sleeping habits and many of the common diseases today. Lack of quality sleep may compromise the body's ability to fight off conditions such as cancer, depression, heart problems, and obesity. There may also be a link between diabetes and sleep disorders.

Learn more about sleep disorders and how they may be alleviated by paying a visit to the web pages at http://www.sleepmedcenter.com today. 

Tuesday, 29 November 2016

How To Stop Snoring With Chicago Area Sleep Medicine Center

Chronic snoring can be a problem for everyone in a home. The person who snores may not get adequate rest. Those who live with a snorer probably do not get the rest they need, either. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with this issue. Many professionals life’s work is devoted to helping those who suffer from chronic snoring.  Therapies are available that benefit people who are afflicted with chronic snoring.


One of the best things that a snorer can do is to get professional help. Scheduling an appointment at The Center for Sleep Medicine would be a wise strategy for a snorer. The professionals at The Center for Sleep Medicine treat snoring on a daily basis. CPAP Therapy and Oral Appliances are the most common remedies for snoring.

Sometimes, snoring is a result of an existing health problem.  Snoring is often a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea.  Appropriate testing is available at The Center for Sleep Medicine to determine if a person has this condition. 

People are pleased to learn that there are treatments designed to combat snoring and sleep apnea. A professional might recommend an oral appliance that can be worn at night. Such an appliance keeps the airway open when a person is sleeping. As a result of having an open airway snoring will no longer occur.  Also, a professional make recommend CPAP therapy in lieu of an oral appliance based upon the severity of one’s sleep apnea.  CPAP therapy also eliminates snoring.

The divorce rate among men that snore is significantly greater than men who do not snore.


Those who suffer from a snoring problem have many options from which to choose. Visiting a professional is always a good idea. Dealing with chronic snoring is beneficial to everyone involved.

Friday, 21 October 2016

Chronic Insomnia and the Center for Sleep Medicine

Lack of sleep is a common problem that many people face each day. In fact, it occurs to everyone at some point in life. Yet, for some people it can become chronic and totally disrupt one's life. Here are some suggestions to aid you in getting a better night’s sleep from the professional sleep specialists at The Center for Sleep Medicine.
                                 

A sleeping problem may be caused by going to bed and getting up at different times during the course of the week.  Having the same sleep schedule every day of the week can help.  For example, if you work at night and sleep during the day five days a week you should maintain that same sleep schedule for the two days you do not work.

As soon as you get home from work in the evening you may be tempted to take a nap. After all, you might feel tired and sleepy and a nap can make you feel much better. However, this can make it very hard for you to fall asleep or stay asleep during the night.  Avoiding such naps may make getting to sleep and staying asleep easier.

Perhaps you like to watch television and snack in the bedroom. This is very convenient but it could be making it hard for you to sleep at night because one associates going to bed with staying awake not going to sleep.  A bedroom should be used for sleep and intimacy only.  Avoid activities in the bedroom that will keep you awake.

Eating just prior to bedtime can cause sleep problems. For example, many people like to snack on foods like sweets and potato chips late at night. These foods contain carbohydrates that raise blood sugar which in turn releases stress hormones, making sleep difficult. If you must eat before bedtime, try foods high in protein and tryptophan like turkey, roasted soybeans or pumpkin seeds.

Before bedtime, limit your fluid intake, especially beverages that contain sugar or caffeine. Start a regular exercise routine during daytime hours to lower stress. If you already practice good sleep hygiene but are unable to sleep well please contact The Center for Sleep Medicine. They provide sleep evaluations and effective therapy for chronic insomnia.

Wednesday, 28 September 2016

How Oral Appliance Therapy Provides Relief to Patients in the Chicagoland Area

Snoring is sometimes viewed as “funny” and “cute”.  However, snoring can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea which has been associated with heart attack and stroke.   Fortunately at The Center for Sleep Medicine dentists who have received special training the selection, fitting, and use of a specifically designed oral appliances are available to provide a solution to snoring.


The reality is that nobody appreciates a person who snores because it causes significant disruption to other peoples' sleep.  It is, however, something that can be alleviated through the use of custom made oral appliances which repositions and maintains the lower jaw in a protruded position during sleep.  This opens the airway by indirectly pulling the tongue and soft tissue behind the tongue forward.  Doing so maintains an open, unobstructed airway when worn during sleep.

Custom made oral appliances are proven to be more effective than over-the-counter devices.  Oral appliances are comfortable and easy to wear, small and convenient, making them easy to carry when traveling.  Also, oral appliances are easily adjustable and less conspicuous with a bed partner. 

The Center for Sleep Medicine follow guidelines as set forth by the physicians and dentists of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, the two most respected organizations in the sleep medicine field.  The dental sleep specialists at The Center for Sleep Medicine stay abreast in the latest advancements in the field of dental sleep medicine and are able to offer an array of devices, based on patient needs.

There are two basic types of oral appliances. The tongue retaining device and the mandibular repositioning device.  Both prevent the jaw and tongue from moving by keeping them in a forward position. Both of these techniques keep the airway open and ensure that breathing proceeds as it should.

Oral Appliances are also used as a therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which can be a potentially serious medical condition if left untreated.  Snoring is often a symptom of OSA.  Snoring occurs when the upper airway partially collapses during sleep. 
  

Proven Ways to Stop Snoring

The loud snoring some people make while sleeping is no joke. Snoring is often a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea(OSA).  OSA, if untreated, can lead to serious health consequences.  The Center for Sleep Medicine can help those suffering from snoring and sleep apnea. An estimated 17% of the general population has OSA and the numbers are increasing with the obesity epidemic. 

Proven Ways to Stop Snoring

Snoring occurs when there is a partial collapse of the upper airway during sleep. The flow of air through this partially collapsed airway causes tissue vibration.   The partial collapse of the airway occurs when the tongue slips backwards into the airway during sleep.  This blockage can be caused by the position of the body at rest and muscle tone that gradually diminishes during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. 

The incidence of OSA is higher among men than women until women reach menopause. At and after menopause the incidence of OSA is the same in men and women. Approximately 70% of people having OSA are overweight or obese while the remaining 30% are not overweight.  Therefore, not all obese or overweight individuals have OSA and not all people with OSA are obese.

Because snoring is so widespread, new consumer products are regularly introduced that promise instant relief. While individual successes have been reported long-lasting solutions may involve physical changes including weight loss and exercise.

Sometimes snoring can be addressed by having a person sleep on their stomach or side.  Nasal strips and antihistamines offer no relief from snoring for those having OSA. 

Snoring may seem funny in a cartoon, but is no laughing matter to those who must deal with the consequences daily.  Seeing a board certified sleep physician at The Center For Sleep Medicine can put you on a path to end your snoring.


Wednesday, 21 September 2016

Learn How Oral Appliance Therapy Alleviates Sleep Apnea

When a person's sleep is disrupted even for one night, they may wake up groggy and spend the whole day sleepy and unproductive. If this happens every night or almost every night, then the affect becomes magnified, making life difficult. If this is you or someone you love, consider an evaluation from the professionals at The Center for Sleep Medicine to help alleviate the problems that come with interrupted sleep.

Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea


One of the most common reasons for lack of sleep is called sleep apnea. It can be marked by loud snoring and occasional interrupted breathing while sleeping. It can leave you feeling tired in the morning even when you slept all night without waking up. It can be caused by a number of factors, including other medical conditions, an enlarged tongue, obesity, jaw or dental issues, and other conditions. If not treated, it can lead to other health problems, some of which can be very serious.

The good news is that there are devices called oral appliances that can help fight the causes of sleep apnea to help you get better rest. With a proper fitting from a professional, an oral appliance can help you wake up each morning ready to face the day.

OSA Treatments


Two among the best oral appliances therapies are:

  • MRD (Mandibular Re-positioning Device).
  • TRD (Tongue Retaining Device).
MRD

There are several oral appliance types, including the very popular MRD, or Mandibular Repositioning Device. This repositions the tongue and jaw. Your airways are not blocked, making breathing much easier.

TRD

The TRD or Tongue Retaining Device keeps the tongue in a forward position so it does not fall backwards and block the throat.  A partially blocked airway can cause uneven and interrupted breathing. It is also a good alternative for those with enlarged tongues or missing teeth.

These devices are a great alternative to surgery.  They should be prescribed and fit by a medical professional. Make your appointment today if you think you suffer from sleep apnea.


Monday, 29 August 2016

Interesting & Unique Facts about Sleep and Sleep Disorders

Sleep Facts


  1. Sleep is not elective nor is an option, Sleep is required. If you want to survive Sleep is right up there with Food, Air and Water.
  2. If you sleep less than 6 hours a night you are sleep deprived.
  3. 40% of Adult Americans and 70% of adolescences are sleep deprived.
  4. 15 Million Americans work the night shift-40% of them get less than 6 hours of sleep per day.
  5. 30% of all working people in the U.S. sleep less than 6 hours a night.
  6. Every species known to man sleeps.
  7. On average Americans sleep two hours less a night than the average American did 50 years ago
  8. The average American sleeps less than 7 hours a night Monday through Friday.
  9. The consequences of sleep deprivation are: degraded learning and memory, mood disorder, impaired cognitive functioning and reaction times
  10. Individuals are terrible at recognizing their own impairment from sleep deprivation
  11. Short Sleepers eat 500 calories or more per day than normal sleepers. Short Sleepers are more likely to eat more fatty foods and carbs.
  12. Sleep boosts the immune system.
  13. Amyliod Beta is a protein produced all the time in the brain which is flushed out of the brain when you sleep. There is a correlation between the level of Amyliod Beta in the brain and Alzheimer’s disease.
  14. Recent research shows that an individual receiving cognitive behavioral treatment for sleep while taking an anti-depressant doubles their chance of overcoming depression.
  15. 70 Million Americans suffer from Insomnia and The chances of having insomnia increase with age.
  16. Taking more than 30 minutes to fall asleep is clinically significant.
  17. 20% of the U.S. population take sleep aids to help them sleep.
  18. In 2011, U.S. physicians wrote 60 million prescriptions for sleep medications.
  19. The most common prescription sleep medications are sedative hypnotics such as Ambien and Lunesta and their generic counterparts Zolpidem and Escopiclone.
  20. Sedation inhibits parts of the brain. These drugs are associated with sedation the next day. Such medications are for short term use not use over the long term.