Tired All the Time? Answer These Questions to Assess Your Sleep Apnea Risk

Snoring is a problem for 25% of American adults, and almost half of all adults snore occasionally.  Snoring is much more than an annoying habit.  It can be a symptom of a more serious condition known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA is a condition which prevents normal breathing during relaxation.  When the throat muscles relax during sleep, they collapse upon each other, obstructing the airway and causing loud snoring and/or periods of apnea (not breathing). OSA can cause a variety of problems with both overall health as well as lifestyle.

25% of American Adults 

Suffer With Habitual

Snoring.

OSA and Chronic Health Conditions

Patients suffering with OSA can experience problems ranging from high blood pressure to clinical depression.  Extreme fatigue and sleepiness during the day, along with forgetfulness, mood changes and even loss of libido affect quality of life.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea Help

The good news is, there is help available.  Traditional treatment for OSA often includes the use of a C-PAP machine over night. Many patients find the C-PAP cumbersome and uncomfortable, reducing compliance.  Dental treatment for snoring and sleep apnea has been shown to reduce symptoms significantly. A custom made dental appliance which maintains an open airway, reducing snoring and preventing obstruction of the airway during sleep, can reduce or eliminate the serious problems associated with sleep apnea.

Snoring/Sleep Apnea Self Assesment

Answer the following questions to asses whether snoring or sleep apnea could be affecting your ability to achieve a good night's sleep. 

1. Do you often wake up in the morning with a very dry or sore throat?
2. Do you suffer from forgetfulness, mood-changes or decreased libido?
3. Do you snore, or have you been told that you snore?
4. Do you experience sleepiness or decreased energy during the day?
5. Do you frequently wake up in the morning with a headache?
6. Do you awaken during the night with a sensation of gasping or choking?
7. Do you experience restless sleep?
8. Do you experience extreme sleepiness while driving?

 If you answered "yes" to two or more of these questions, then you could be suffering with OSA.  The best way to find out for sure is to have a personal examination and consultation with a sleep apnea treatment provider, such as Dr. Jack E. Burroughs.

Your examination and consultation will reveal if snoring or sleep apnea is likely a problem for you.  A professional sleep-study will be used to gain a proper diagnosis.  Treatment for snoring and sleep apnea is easy to use and easy to comply with using a dental sleep apnea oral device.  For more information about OSA and treatment for snoring and sleep apnea, contact Dr. Burroughs at Forest Lane Dental. 

New Rules Prevent Doctors From 'Calling In' Prescriptions for Pain Medications

New Prescription Rules Go Into Effect Soon

Have you ever called your dentist late on a Saturday with a dental emergency?  Emergencies happen, and often, they do not happen during normal office hours.  Tighter regulation of prescribing certain medications can make painful dental emergencies a little harder to cope with. 

Beginning October 1, 2014, DEA and DPS regulations will change the drug classification of common pain medications, requiring all prescriptions to be written on official forms.  This means that all patients receiving prescription pain control must come to the office to receive the prescription. 

No More 'Calling In' Prescription Pain Medications

The new, tighter regulations are a good thing for preventing the abuse of prescription medications like hydrocodone and codeine.  Making these substances harder to get will hopefully help control the amount of prescription medications making their way onto the street.  For dental patients, this means, in the event of a late night toothache, your dentist will no longer be able to 'call in' a prescription for pain medications to ease your discomfort until you can make it into the office for treatment.

The Best Way to Prevent the Need for Prescription Pain Medicine

These new regulations can have a silver lining for patients who typically wait for a dental problem to become painful- it may prompt patients to seek help for their dental problems before they become severe and painful.  Regular dental check-ups are for more than just cleaning teeth.  Your dental exam is intended to track your dental health and take note of changes such as tooth decay, gum disease and the stability of previous dental restorations.  When you avoid check-ups and wait for dental problems to become symptomatic, dental emergencies happen.  Most dental problems do not cause pain until they have become severe and advanced.  Detecting and repairing minor, painless dental problems before they become symptomatic will not only prevent pain, but will cost far less to repair.  Keeping your teeth in good repair will prevent most weekend dental emergencies.

Dental Cleanings and Check-Ups Can Prevent Dental Emergencies

One hour, twice a year is the investment you make in your dental health.  In addition to good personal dental hygiene, keeping your dental check-up and cleaning appointments every 6 months will help prevent dental disease as well as detect problems like cavities before they become painful and symptomatic.  Your teeth are not supposed to hurt, keep them healthy with professional dental care.
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