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999 18th St Suite 1300, Denver, CO 80202 (303) 377-5337

Sleep Well This Summer Tackling Your Sleep Apnea

June 18, 2014

Filed under: Denver Sleep Apnea Treatment,Sleep — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — cosleepap @ 5:22 pm

With summer knocking on your door, everyone is getting ready to enjoy the summer sun as much as possible. Some may prepare for summer by buying the right food for the barbeque, other may be visiting the gym more often to get their bodies ready for the beach, but either way, summer is known for being a platform to creating lasting memories and endless amounts of fun. The most important thing in being able to enjoy your summer is making sure you have a restful night’s sleep. Many people suffer from sleep apnea without knowing it, and it is important to be able to recognize signs of the disorder in order to handle it correctly. Dr. Gary Radz wants his patients to be as informed as possible, being able to recognize the signs and symptoms that sleep apnea encompasses.
The most common form of sleep apnea is OSA, or obstructive sleep apnea. The word “apnea” literally means “without breath”, so when you sleep, your body’s breathing becomes interrupted for up to 10 seconds. Because this pause can happen several times in a single night, your body is left feeling more tired than it did when you went to bed. If you suffer from OSA, when you sleep, the soft palate in your mouth relaxes and collapses, causing your airway to become obstructed and narrower. This may cause you to snore excessively and loudly throughout the night, have short breaths, as well as other symptoms.
There are many side effects associated with sleep apnea, and none of them should be taken lightly. The effects include sudden death, increased nocturnal urination, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, and many, many more frightening health issues. If you feel as though you or your partner suffers from sleep apnea, make an appointment with Dr. Radz as soon as possible, and we can create a treatment plan just you.
Contact our office today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Radz and our experienced, compassionate team today. We look forward to showing you what a difference sleep apnea therapy can make in your daily life. Our conveniently located office proudly serves patients from throughout Denver, as well as the surrounding areas of Aurora, Englewood, Lakewood, Greenwood Village, Centennial, and more.

Quiet Night, Better Sleep

March 12, 2013

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , — cosleepap @ 1:47 am

There is more to snoring than just the noise. Snoring only appears to a problem for the bed partner who has to listen to it all night long, after all a good snorer can crank out about 90 decibels which is comparable to a train whistle at 500 feet. That’s loud!
It is usually the one that has to listen to the snoring that forces some kind of solution. Everyone wants a good night sleep in order to be healthier and happier. Ironically, it is the snorer who could be in mortal danger. What starts out as a problem for me, the bed partner, ends up being a serious problem for the one doing the snoring.
Patients ask me what the options are to stop snoring. My answer is, “Well, that depends because no two people are alike.” Snoring can be the sign of some very serious medical issues not to be taken lightly. Like with any medical condition, the serious issues should not be overlooked.
Here is why it is confusing:

  • A person who snores may have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
  • A person with OSA might not snore so they go undiagnosed which is dangerous.
  • Apnea comes in several forms in several stages of sleep. One form of apnea is created by the brain and not nasal obstruction.
  • It can create dangerous problems with the heart during sleep.
  • It can cause Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD).
  • It can cause the patient to stop breathing in such a manner that the oxygen saturation of the blood can go down to very serious levels.

Common Snoring Traits 
People who snore and those who have apnea can have the following common physical traits:

  • Overweight
  • Large Necks
  • Big Tongues
  • Wear on Lower Teeth
  • GERD
  • Extreme day time sleepiness

Diagnosis
Apnea is a medical problem and should be treated as such. The first step in treatment is getting a proper diagnosis which can only be done with a formal sleep study and under the guidance of a sleep physician.
The diagnosis is broken up into the following:

  • Snores only
  • Mild, Moderate or Severe Apnea

Treatment
In the past, the gold standard was the CPAP which is the mask that fits over the nose and is hooked up to a air machine. It is still the standard for severe apnea. The problem with the CPAP is that not everyone can or will wear one.
Recently, the FDA has recognized that certain oral devices, which can only be made by dentists, can and do stop snoring for the mild and moderate apnics. This reality has quite literally forced MD’s and dentist to work together for the betterment of their patient’s health and that is a great thing.
So, if you or your loved one snores, it can be a serious issue so talk to Dr. Radz and your MD about your concerns.
Thanks to Dr. Mack Lee for this contribution.

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