Snoring in Children Can Lead To Heart Disease

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Blog, In The News

snoring kid

Snoring isn’t just an adult problem. New Delhi Doctor JC Suri says five percent of children between the ages of 2 and 18 have sleep breathing disorders. Snoring is caused when air can’t move freely through a sleeping person’s nose, and there are plenty of reasons why kids snore. However, this medical condition could cause serious medical issues, including heart disease. As parents and caregivers, protect your children as you understand snoring and its health effects.

Why do Kids Snore?

Excessive tonsil and adenoid growth in the back of a child’s throat can cause snoring. However, other culprits also block nasal passages and airways and prevent a child from breathing properly during sleep. These causes can include:

  • Seasonal, dirt or pet dander allergies
  • Colds and sinus infections
  • Swollen or enlarged tonsils or adenoids (glands located near the interior nasal passages)
  • Deviated septum (crooked tissue and cartilage that separates the two nose nostrils)
  • Obesity

What are the Effects of Snoring in Kids?

Snoring can disrupt a child’s sleep, and it certainly prevents other family members from sleeping. Lack of sleep can cause irritability, increased aggressiveness, lack of concentration, attitude changes and difficulty learning.

How is Snoring Connected to Heart Disease?

In addition to dangerous mental conditions, snoring can cause chronic heart disease, including high blood pressure, arrhythmias and heart attacks. Researchers have found that people who snore often have damaged carotid arteries, the lifelines that carry oxygen-rich blood to a person’s brain. If those arteries are thickened, a person’s heart has to work harder to deliver oxygen to the brain.

Likewise, snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea. Kids with this condition stop breathing for three to hundreds of times each night, their blood oxygen levels drop and their heart works harder to compensate.

How Can Kids Stop Snoring?

If your child snores, tilt the mattress so that your child sleeps at an angle and rests his or her head higher than the rest of the body. Then, talk to your pediatrician. He or she can examine the tonsils and adenoids to determine if they’re the culprit. The doctor can also prescribe cold medication, order allergy tests or recommend a weight loss strategy if congestion, allergies or obesity factor into snoring. A sleep study may also be ordered as the doctor decides if your child suffers from sleep apnea.

No matter what the cause, snoring can be dangerous to your child’s health. Seek medical treatment now as you prevent heart disease and other serious medical issues that may be the cause or eventually develop because of snoring.

New Treatment Available For Sleep Apnea Sufferers

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Blog, In The News

new treatment

Although most people have at least heard of sleep apnea, many consider it to be nothing more than a nuisance for the people who have to endure the loud snoring typical of someone suffering from it. That’s bad enough, but sleep apnea can also be a serious condition contributing to many debilitating, even life-threatening illnesses. Luckily a brand-new treatment is offering relief for sleep apnea sufferers without having to resort to potentially dangerous surgery or wearing bulky, uncomfortable devices while they sleep.

 

According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep apnea is a condition which causes interruptions in breathing during sleep, lasting for several seconds or even minutes, several times per hour. At best this results in a poor night’s sleep, causing fatigue, drowsiness and poor performance during waking hours. At worst it can increase the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and heart disease.

 

The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea, which is caused by excessive relaxation of muscles in the tongue and throat, causing an obstruction to breathing. Obesity is often a factor. The less common type is called central sleep apnea, and is caused by the brain sending incorrect signals to the muscles that control breathing.

 

The Mayo Clinic lists the types of treatment currently prescribed, generally involving cumbersome and uncomfortable oral appliances worn during sleep to facilitate normal breathing, or surgery to open air passageways.

 

However, these methods of treatment aren’t always appropriate, and for some patients that’s where a new treatment called Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) is offering hope.

 

Developed by Inspire Medical Systems, the new therapy utilizes a small electronic device, about the size of a pacemaker, implanted under the skin in the muscles of the chest and neck. The device monitors the rhythm of a patient’s breathing during sleep, and emits a continuous low electrical current to the muscles that control the tongue and airway, moving the tongue back and out of the way during inhalation, and expanding breathing passages.

 

The Inspire device was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in May 2014, after extensive testing and trials that showed great promise for the new therapy. Commented Inspire Medical Systems CEO Tim Herbert, “The FDA approval of Inspire therapy represents a new era of choice for a subset of patients with moderate to severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea who are unable to use CPAP.”

 

Meir Kryger, professor at the Yale School of Medicine, agreed, saying “This therapy represents a major advance in sleep apnea treatment for some patients who are unable to use or tolerate CPAP therapy.”

 

To learn more about the correlation between tongue size and sleeping problems, visit your doctor or consult a sleep center.  You can find a sleep center near you by searching our sleep center directory. 

New Guideline Supports Need for Sleep Studies

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Blog, In The News

Based on new evidence-based clinical practice guidelines from the American College of Physicians medical doctors treating an unexplained daytime sleepiness condition should assess the patient’s risk and symptoms of having obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). According to David Fleming, MD current President of the American College of Physicians “obstructive sleep apnea is a serious health condition that is associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cognitive impairment and type 2 diabetes. It is important to diagnose individuals with unexplained daytime sleepiness so that they can get the proper treatment.”

OSA occurs when there is a total or partial blockage of the upper airway. When the air can’t pass through freely, this causes shallow breathing or breathing pauses that are often repeated during sleep. These breathing interruptions can occur frequently while asleep and put your health at great risk. Some symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea are: snoring, daytime sleepiness and feelings of exhaustion and fatigue.

According to the new guideline, The American College of Physicians recommends having a sleep study done at a sleep center when OSA is suspected. If the patient is unable to have a polysomnography at a sleep center a home sleep test monitored by a sleep center or a qualified physician is suggested.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute indicate that approximately 18 million American adults have obstructive sleep apneas. It is suspected the increase in the incidence of OSA in this country is correlated to the nation’s obesity problem. Solutions to reduce obesity may help to lower the incidence of OSA.

There is yet another reason to consider a sleep study as soon as OSA is suspected. Prior to being diagnosed, data shows people with OSA visit medical doctors and hospitals more frequently and also spend more dollars on health care. As a result, early detection will not only benefit your health but in terms of overall health care costs will save you money too.

Individuals experiencing daytime sleepiness, fatigue, or any other symptoms associated with potential sleep disorders should make it their priority to discuss this condition with their physician or contact a sleep center.

Study Identifies the Hidden Dangers of Snoring in Children

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in In The News

 A recent study in Hong Kong identified certain dangers that are associated with snoring, particularly when it comes to the health of children. The study determined that roughly one in eight children throughout Hong Kong, or roughly 12.7 percent of children, snore when they sleep. Unfortunately, snoring can be a sign of a serious sleep disorder and parents should be aware of the potential dangers associated with the habit.

Risk of Snoring

According to UCLA, almost 20 percent of children snore occasionally; however, the children who are at risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea are those who snore on a regular or nightly basis.

The risks associated with snoring include:

  • Increased risk of developing high blood pressure at a young age
  • Higher risk of obesity
  • Developing behavioral problems similar to attention deficit hyper-activity disorder
  • Lower levels of oxygen in the blood during sleep

While it might seem cute when a child snores, it can lead to serious health concerns when it occurs regularly. Over time, the possibility of facing serious health concerns that are related to hypertension, obesity or anxiety can increase.

Who is impacted?

The study in Hong Kong discovered that obstructive sleep apnea is more likely to develop in boys who are classified as obese or who have developed asthma. Although the study in Hong Kong suggested that boys have a higher incident, UCLA notes that girls have as much risk as boys when it comes to obstructive sleep apnea.

Warning signs that the condition may develop include:

  • Sleeping in awkward positions
  • Snoring on most nights
  • Breathing stops for short periods during sleep
  • A child suffers from regular headaches, particularly in the morning
  • Sleep is not restful and a child is irritable or grumpy throughout the day

Parents should pay particular attention if there is any sign that a child stops breathing at night or snores very loudly. Behavioral problems do not always relate to sleep apnea, but it can be a sign of the condition when it is combined with snoring, regular headaches or other signs of the condition.

When children snore, it does not always mean that a child is simply tired or sleeping in a funny position. It can be a sign of more serious concerns and parents should know that there are risks associated with snoring on a regular or nightly basis.

 

A Good Night’s Sleep Helps Keep Your Driving Record Clean

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Blog, In The News

driving_record

The inability to get a good night’s sleep affects more than just your ability to stifle yawns during the workday. In fact, a lack of sleep is directly related to many auto accidents, some of them involving fatalities. A recent example of such an instance is the highly publicized auto accident involving actor and comedian Tracy Morgan and the Wal-Mart truck driver who had allegedly not slept in over a day. Most of us have a few nights here and there when we don’t get enough sleep, and when that happens getting behind the wheel turns into a risky venture.

How Sleep Deprivation Affects Drivers

When you do not get enough sleep, it’s likely that you notice feeling tired during the day. While that may not seem like a big deal, that’s not the only way that sleep deprivation changes you. Among the problems you can experience as a result of sleep loss, WebMD includes the following:

  • impaired critical thinking
  • lack of alertness
  • concentration problems
  • difficulty paying attention
  • inability to make sound judgments

These factors all contribute to the main problem that WebMD mentions, which is that sleep deprivation is directly related to auto accidents, as well as some of the biggest disasters in history like Chernobyl.

Sleep-Deprived Driving Can Kill

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy drivers are directly responsible for over 100,000 vehicle crashes each year. Of those crashes, the NHTSA notes that 1,550 fatalities and 40,000 injuries happen each year. While those numbers are staggering, the real numbers are much higher since it is believed that sleep deprivation as a crash cause is highly underreported.

Who It Affects and How To Prevent It

Though driving while drowsy is most seen in the under 25 age group, it affects people of all ages. In fact, the NHTSA identifies three main groups who have the most risk of driving without enough sleep and getting into an automobile accident. Those groups are:

  • shift workers
  • younger drivers, especially younger male drivers
  • drivers who suffer from sleep apnea and/or narcolepsy

For most people, simply getting an adequate amount of sleep each night is all that it takes to not fall victim of the effects of sleep deprivation when driving. In fact, the NHTSA pinpoints this as the single most effective solution.

When you have to drive after not getting an adequate amount of sleep, there are some measures you can take to reduce or eliminate some of the negative effects. If time permits, then napping for around 15 minutes before getting on the road improves driving performance.

Other options that seem to work include drinking a couple of cups of coffee to boost your caffeine or creating an uncomfortable driving situation, such as keeping it really cold in the vehicle.

Those drivers with medical conditions like sleep apnea should consult with a physician for effective treatment options before driving.

And if your sleep deprivation is due to poor sleeping conditions, then consider sleep masks, ear plugs or other devices that exist to create an ideal environment for sleeping.

 

Find the Cure for Your Snore with 3D Printing Technology

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Blog, In The News

      640px-Printing_with_a_3D_printer_at_Makers_Party_Bangalore_2013_12

If you snore, you’re probably very well-versed in its side effects–disrupted sleep, chronic tiredness and decreased focus throughout the day–to name a few. None of these conditions contribute favorably to your quality of life, but new innovation in the treatment of  sleep disorders is bringing hope to those who snore and to the long-suffering family members who love them.

Enter snore cure by 3D printing.

What is 3D Printing?

Three-dimensional printing technology has been in use since 1983, when unassuming scientist, Chuck Hall, first conceived the notion in a laboratory where he worked making coatings for tables. The very first 3D printer used a form of liquid acrylic that was doused with UV light to make it harden instantly. According to CNN Tech, this technology is still the basis for today’s stereolithography, or 3D printing:

  • Using a CAD, or computer-assisted design software, an operator enters a three-dimensional model into a computer, which then slices it into horizontal layers.
  • The image is then sent to a 3D printer, which “sprays” material onto a building surface, layer-by-horizontal-layer, until the entire object has been recreated in a solid form.

It’s the stuff of science fiction, for sure, but it’s revolutionizing industries from construction to dentistry.

How Does 3D Printing Cure Snoring?

Researchers have developed a 3D oral appliance to combat snoring and treat sleep apnea.

Utilizing a 3D scanner to copy a person’s mouth, scientists from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization in partnership with the Austrailian dental company Oventus can create a customized mouthpiece specific for each patient.

Oventus CEO, Neil Anderson says “this new device is tailored to an individual’s mouth using a 3D scan and is used on the top teeth which makes it more compact and far more comfortable.”

The new mouthpiece is expected to come out to market at an affordable price sometime in 2015.

How Many People Will Benefit?

Its estimated 22 million Americans and 100 million people worldwide suffer from the symptoms of sleep apnea–the sleeping disorder often marked by irregular breathing, snoring and abrupt wakening during sleep. For these people, the new, more affordable mouthpiece is heartening. Existing methods of treating sleep apnea include bulky masks and uncomfortable vibration devices. For snorers currently using these methods, or those who simply can’t afford treatment at all, this latest announcement is joyous news.

So if you snore, or love someone who does, this innovation in 3D printing just might help you sleep a little better at night, which translates into a better, brighter tomorrow for everyone involved.

 

The Snore Stopping Superbed Changing the Way We Sleep At Night

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in In The News

 

New Technologies Helping You to Catch up On Sleep

There’s nothing worse than having someone keep you awake at night by their snoring or restlessness. You feel every movement of their shifting body and you can’t tune out their snores even with the use of earplugs. When they wake up in the morning, they have had a full night’s rest while you groggily sip 5 cups of coffee trying to get your day started.

Sleep Number Has the Answer with the Snore Stopping Superbed

What would you say about a bed that can monitor the movements of the people laying on it and make adjustments so both people can get a full night’s rest? That is exactly what the new Sleep Number’s Snore Stopping Bed claims to do. Unveiled at the CES 2014 show in Las Vegas, this bed can monitor how a person sleeps, make adjustments, and send information through a convenient tablet app so that people can use to find out how restful their night’s sleep had been, according to BBC News.

How the Snore Stopping Superbed Works

Medical Daily reports that the Snore Stopping Superbed has the Sleep Number’s SleepIQ technology embedded in two mattresses. It gathers information on sleeping patterns for each person that can be reviewed on a tablet device. It can tell each person exactly how much they fidget in bed, and whether the other person has had a restless night caused by the other person’s fidgeting. It offers tips on how to maximize sleeping behavior as people can adjust the bed’s firmness settings on their side.

The coolest thing about this bed is how it addresses the dreaded nighttime snorer. A person can set the bed to gently move them up and down during the night. This movement will help open the snorer’s air passages without waking them up the way a traditional jab of an elbow would. Also, the bed’s settings can be changed with voice commands to eliminate the need to get out of from under the sheets as both people can get a great night’s sleep.

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Stop Losing Sleep with These New Technologies

As new technologies are rolled out, people will have choices on the best methods for them to get a good night’s sleep. Keep the Snore Stopping Superbed from Sleep Number on your radar if you are dealing with a snorer in the bedroom.

 

Do Truck Drivers Cause Accidents Because They Snore?

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Blog, In The News

new study from Australia says truck drivers who drink caffeine are less prone to accidents than their counterparts who don’t drink caffeine.  The study found that long haul truck drivers who used coffee, tea or other caffeine products to stay awake reduced their risk of getting into an accident by over 60%.  My reaction?  Go for it!  If caffeine helps truck drivers stay more alert and reduces accidents, give them all the caffeine they want.  In fact, give it to them free!

But there’s a bigger problem.  A much more serious one that needs to be addressed.

Hurricane Sandy Evacuees Lack Natural Snoring Remedies

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Blog, In The News

Natural Snoring Remedies Needed During Natural Disaster

hurricane-sandy-snoring

When Hurricane Sandy’s devastating blows struck, many people were forced into shelters, gymnasiums, and evacuation centers. Large groups of people lived and slept together for several days.  For those stuck in such turmoil, sleep was the last thing on anybody’s mind and it was even harder to achieve because of all of the snorers packed into the same room.

‘Tackle Sleep Apnea’: NFL Greats Come Together to Raise Awareness

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Blog, In The News

NFL players are coming together to increase the visibility of a common and very serious chronic sleeping disorder — obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Healthy Living Foundation reports that sleep apnea affects nearly 20 million people in the U.S. and is often found in men with large body mass; however, people of all shapes and sizes are at risk. That’s why the “Tackle Sleep Apnea” team pairs NFL greats with dental icon David Gergen and Sleep Group Solutions to raise awareness through sharing personal experiences that educate people on the importance of being tested for the condition.