January 23, 2012

Talking 2012 Health Trends

Filed under: Sleep Apnea/Snoring/CPAP Intolerant — Tags: , , — admin @ 6:20 pm

Every year there are certain trends that get talked about — it happens in technology, fashion and yes, even our health! The Values Institute at DGWB, a national research group,  determined the following are going to be hot health topics in 2012:Health trends for 2012

Hot Health Topics

  • Sleep – Study after study confirms the link between poor quality sleep with  high blood pressure, heart disease, weight gain, depression and even sexual dysfunction. Anyone who snores loudly should be tested for a sleep breathing disorder such as sleep apnea to preserve their own health as well as the health  of their bed partner.
  • Flexitarian eating - This means that more American’s will enjoy a few more vegan or vegetarian meals each week for health purposes but still eat animal protein on occasion. Vegan and vegetarian diets can be excellent for gum health.
  • Natural energy drinks - Instead of Red Bull or 5 Hour Energy,  consumers will be looking for an energy boost from more natural ingredients like vitamins and tea extracts.
  • Health Apps -  Do it yourself health applications for smart phones and tablet computers can do everything from monitor your moles and blood pressure to scan your sleep for disruptions. Expect to see even more as the Apple App Store expects their offerings to increase to 13,000 in this category by the end of the year.
  • Digital Motivation – Track your fitness with a gadget or commit to losing weight via a Facebook page where your friends can help lend accountability to your actions.

According to Mark Weisman of the Values Institute “These trends are consistent with the growing importance of health in America — if not yet as a daily routine then certainly as a primary goal in 2012 for three out of four consumers… Health is the new prestige barometer in the country — meaning that the great majority of Americans would rather be considered healthy than wealthy.”

Let’s add improving our oral health to the list above. In 2012 make a commitment to proper brushing, flossing and regularly schedule hygiene visits. Overall health begins with a healthy smile and  sleep apnea dentist Dr. Bernard Greenbaum is looking forward to helping you make 2012 your healthiest year ever. Contact us at 301-530-3600 today to schedule your consultation

January 6, 2012

Do You Have a Sleep Problem?

Filed under: Sleep Apnea/Snoring/CPAP Intolerant — Tags: , , , , , , , , — admin @ 9:03 pm

As a dentist treating sleep apnea patients in the Bethesda, MD area I usually ask all of my patients about their sleeping habits and if they have a sleep problem. A national survey asked the same type of questions and an astounding 99% percent of the people surveyed reported at least one sleep complaint even though they rated their own health as good, very good or excellent.

Over half said they didn’t feel as if they were getting enough sleep, 45% said they snore, 45% also said they suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness, 37% had trouble falling asleep and 12% knew that they stopped breathing or experienced gasping while asleep.

What is worse than the 99% number is the fact that only 24% had told their doctor about their sleep problem. The data from the survey showed that while 4.6% had received a sleep apnea diagnosis, 33% of the people actually had the signs of sleep apnea.

Living with an untreated sleep disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea can cause serious health problems including cardiovascular disease, depression, diabetes and sexual dysfunction. Getting diagnosed and treated can drastically improve your quality of life and give you back the energy and pep that you thought was long gone.

If you snore, feel excessively sleepy during the day, have experienced weight gain or difficulty in losing weight or if you have been told to stop breathing during sleep you may have obstructive sleep apnea. To learn more about diagnosing your sleep problem and how your Bethesda sleep apnea dentist can help please contact Dr. Bernard Greenbaum at 301-530-3600 today to schedule your consultation.

August 18, 2010

Sleep Apnea and Snoring

Filed under: Sleep Apnea/Snoring/CPAP Intolerant — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 3:39 pm

Snoring Can Be Dangerous to Your Health

Snoring can deprive you and your partner of hours of valuable sleep that are vital for your body to refresh and restore itself. For example, snorers get into three times the amount of traffic accidents due to sleep deprivation. This deprivation can shorten your life span and cause you to function sub-optimally on a day to day basis. More importantly, did you know that snoring can limit the amount of oxygen your brain receives by 50% while sleeping?  It has been estimated that 45% of the population snore on a regular basis.

Snoring is a sign of abnormal breathing due to the fluttering of the soft tissues in the throat. These tissues can become so relaxed that they obstruct the airway into the lungs causing you to stop breathing. This condition is called “Sleep Apnea”. The word “Apnea” is a Greek word meaning “want of breath”. Many sleep apnea sufferers literally stop breathing dozens to hundreds of times in a night without any memory of having done so. Sleep apnea has been linked to cases of heart attack, stroke, hypertension and other dangerous conditions.

The most common treatment for sleep apnea is  Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) system. Although this system has successfully treated many people, some patients find it uncomfortable and are unable to comply with the treatment recommendations.

Whether you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea or your partner suspects that you may be a habitual snorer, Dr. Greenbaum’s office can help. We offer years of study and research in the field of sleep apnea. For the patient who suspects that she/he is a habitual snorer, Dr. Greenbaum will guide you through a preliminary questionnaire which will determine whether or not you should perform a Home Sleep Screening Study. Should your test results indicate sleep apnea, you will be referred to a sleep lab for an official diagnosis which can be covered by medical insurance.

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and have tried using a CPAP but are not compliant, then your sleep apnea is NOT being treated properly. We offer a revolutionary alternative to CPAP users which includes a custom appliance that opens the airway and reduces snoring. This appliance is considerably more comfortable and much easier to travel with. Our patients love the comfort of the appliance and most importantly, love how well rested and good they feel from wearing it.

Salivary Diagnostics

Filed under: News — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 3:26 pm

I just read a great article in ADA News, I’ll sum it up here.

“Researchers have identified four early detection bio-markers for pancreatic cancer. Worldwide, the prevalence of pancreatic cancer is so high, and the disease is so deadly, that it calls out for a reliable means of early diagnosis, said Dr. David Wong, who is one of the senior investigators of this topic.”

“According to the American Cancer Society, pancreatic cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. and the lifetime risk of developing it is about one in 72.”

Dentistry is bringing about great change in the world of health, and this salivary diagnostic bio-marker is an excellent example. “A deadly cancer that has no early detection tools is now detectable in early stages in saliva, non-invasively, inexpensively and based on credible science.” Hopefully, in a few years dentists will be able to use this new technology in the comfort of their office.

Want to read the whole article? I have attached the link.

http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/adanews/adanewsarticle.asp?articleid=3944

Also, go to www.greenbaumdds.com for more great facts.

office: (301) 530-3600