Prisma Health Magazine

PRISMA HEALTH MAGAZINE

Among his simple tips for a better night’s sleep are keeping all electronics out of the bedroom, dimming all lights, follow- ing a set bedtime routine and working to reduce stress in your daily life. Dr. Healy further noted that physical activity and weight loss are frequently positive factors in reducing or even eliminating OSA. “I feel that one of the hallmarks of a good sleep medi- cine doctor is that he or she discusses with each patient the importance of diet and exercise in dealing with their OSA and explains that in certain cases sleep apnea responds positively to simply adjusting one’s sleeping position from the back to the side,” he said. Until fairly recently, the doctor observed, “people didn’t think of sleep medicine as a distinct specialty. Some patients even today are surprised to learn that it exists.” So why did he choose to focus on diagnosing and treating OSA? “Because it is really rewarding to help people feel better during their waking hours. Treating OSA brings great benefits in terms of energy and quality of life," he said. And how about all those TV and radio commercials touting certain mattresses and pillows as critically important to a good night’s sleep? You might as well stick with what you’re used to because Dr. Healy stated “we just don’t have the data to show that any of those claims are true.” And the next time you’re having your teeth cleaned, mention any sleep issues to your dentist.

data by monitoring such factors as brain-wave activity and leg movements during sleep. If dental intervention is recommended, the patient is fitted with one of several styles of appliance, all of which are similar to the mouthpieces worn by many athletes in sports such as football and boxing. Each is custom-fitted, fabricated to each individual patient, worn only at night and discreet and convenient to use. Dental sleep medicine experts such as Dr. Blalock always work hand-in-hand with sleep medicine physicians. Dr. Blalock frequently accepts referrals from these doctors and also refers her dental patients to the same specialists when she detects oral anomalies that might contribute to OSA. She said that she estimates 15% to 20% of the patients she sees on a regular basis are potential OSA patients. She added that OSA is serious business. Dr. Blalock noted that untreated, OSA “can kill.” The condition and the reduction in oxygen intake it causes make the heart work harder, which can lead to heart failure or stroke. It can also cause elevated blood pressure and has been linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Healy clearly does not disparage any technical advances in treating OSA. However, he notes a general inclination among both medical professionals and the general public to always be looking for that silver bullet for improving sleep. “We often focus on the most complicated solutions to medi- cal problems when there may be simple, albeit less glamorous, techniques that can work very well,” he said.

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