Carb Craving Linked to Sleep Apnea

At Cooley Smiles Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Bellevue, WA, we believe in offering our patients the very best and latest in information for their overall health. In June we shared information via our sleep apnea newsletter about a recent study that has linked sleep apnea with an increase in carbohydrate craving. Unsure whether sleep apnea is affecting your life? We can help - so call us today!

June 13, 2012 in Sleep apnea

Researchers in New Jersey are encouraging primary care physicians to screen for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with Type 2 diabetes. They found that in a small sample of clinic patients, the risk for sleep apnea was high among diabetics compared with non-diabetics, and that sleep apnea appeared to be associated with carbohydrate craving.

Their study, being presented today at SLEEP 2012, screened 55 patients for diabetes, OSA and carbohydrate cravings. More than half of the patients were diabetic. Among the diabetic patients, the prevalence of OSA was 82 percent, and diabetics had almost double the risk of carbohydrate craving than non-diabetics. In addition, researchers found that patients with OSA were almost twice more likely to have carbohydrate craving than patients without sleep apnea.

"This study provides an indication of the magnitude of the associated risk between sleep apnea and self-reported carbohydrate craving in the diabetic population," said study co-investigator Mahmood Siddique, DO, clinical associate professor of medicine at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, N.J.

"Previous studies have shown that sleep deprivation may lead to changes in hormones that regulate appetite and hunger," Siddique said. "These hormonal changes can lead to significant craving for high-calorie carbohydrates such as cookies, candy, breads, rice and potatoes. The current study supports previous findings by validating this in a community sample of diabetics."

The study, conducted by the Sleep and Wellness Medical Associates LLC, is one of the first cross-sectional clinic-based studies to show an association between OSA and self-reported carbohydrate craving among patients with Type 2 diabetes.

 

To read more on this study, visit http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-06-apnea-linked-carbohydrate-craving-diabetics.html.

Ideal Solutions for Missing Teeth

When you are missing a tooth, the neighboring teeth may begin to shift in order to fill in the gap. You may also notice a loss of chewing ability as your mouth adjusts pressure, placing a heavy burden on the rest of your teeth. Missing teeth can impact your ability to speak clearly and may also cause your jaw to collapse, resulting in additional functional and aesthetic concerns.

Dental implants offer an ideal solution for missing teeth. Secured directly into your jaw, they work to prevent jaw collapse. Using the highest quality porcelain crowns, we are able to match the color, shape, and size of your false tooth exactly with the natural teeth in your mouth. In this way, functionality is restored and cosmetic imperfections are alleviated, leaving you with a seamless, beautiful smile.
Thanks to modern dental technology, the dental implant process today is safer, more efficient, and more reliable than ever. Dental implants have a 95% success rate, and the dental crown restorations used by our Bellevue and Seattle, WA implant dentists Dr. Aaron and Dr. Brandon are virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Since implants are bonded to your living bone – a process called osseointegration – they are also highly durable and functional, becoming a natural part of your smile.

It takes anywhere from 3-6 months for dental implants to anchor themselves to your jaw bone and heal. Once an implant is installed, the final crown restoration will be placed, and you can enjoy a new smile that not only looks and feels great, but protects your mouth from the many dental problems caused by missing teeth.

Are you ready to explore the benefits of dental implants? Cooley Smiles Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Bellevue, WA is here to help you!

Sleep Dentistry - Anxiety Free Dental Treatment

It is estimated that 15% of Americans suffer from dental phobias. Unfortunately, these dental phobias can not only keep you from receiving the general dental care necessary to keep your mouth clean and healthy, but the cosmetic dental procedures you desire to give you the smile of your dreams.

Bellevue, WA sedation dentists Dr. Aaron Cooley and Dr. Brandon Cooley understand how frightening a visit to the dentist can be. Starting with a comforting and inviting office, we strive to make your entire dental experience anxiety-free and pleasant. For patients who cannot overcome their dental phobias, we are pleased to offer sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry employs a variety of techniques to place you in a more relaxed state while you receive your dental treatments. At Cooley Smiles, we offer several types of sedation to match your unique individual needs. In this way, proper dental care and advanced cosmetic procedures can be made available to everyone.

Types of Sedation
Dr. Aaron and Dr. Brandon offer the following types of sedation:

•	Nitrous Oxide Sedation – Nitrous oxide is one of the most common forms of sedation. It allows you to be comfortable and relaxed while remaining responsive. Our dentists generally choose this form of mild sedation for patients who do not suffer from severe dental phobias.
•	Oral sedation – Oral sedation is a popular choice for patients with moderate to severe dental phobias. With this method, you will be given a pill to take about an hour prior to your procedure. Once the medication is completely in your system, you will feel complete relaxation, and you may even fall asleep.

Our compassionate dentists will work closely with you to ensure the method and dosage most suited to your needs is chosen. We strongly believe that everyone deserves proper dental care and a chance at achieving the smile they have always desired. Please contact us if you have questions about how sedation dentistry can help you!

Sleep and Your Mental Health

Sleeping for Sanity

 Source: Summarized from an article by By Morgan Jones

At Cooley Smiles Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Bellevue, WA, we take pride in staying on the cutting age of treatments, including those for sleep apnea. Recent studies have shown that many Americans are finding it harder and harder to get a decent amount of sleep. Why? Studies have pointed to physical issues,  (obstructive sleep apnea), and mental health issues, (stress and depression).

It's been proven that losing weight can greatly improve symptoms of sleep apnea. But what about treating mental health issues? In a question similar to the "chicken versus the egg" conundrum, could sleep problems traditionally thought to be symptoms of mental disorders actually be the cause of the mental disorders? Could treating sleep disorders help heal mental health problems?

Sleep Basics

It’s obvious that our bodies and minds want and need sleep, but what exactly is happening when we start snoozing? According to the Harvard Medical School, there are two main categories of sleep, each with its own important functions.

During rapid eye movement, or REM sleep, heart rate and breathing return to levels comparable to those seen when awake. At the same time, our bodies become paralyzed, ensuring that we don’t act out our dreams. This period of dreaming has been shown to contribute to emotional well-being, memory and learning ability, though the manner of connection is not yet entirely understood.When in “quiet,” or non-REM sleep cycles, heart rate and body temperature decrease and breathing slows and becomes regular. In this stage the immune system is bolstered and strengthened.

Sleeping builds our immune system and can even contribute to maintaining a healthy weight. According to the National Sleep Foundation, “If sleep is cut short, the body doesn’t have time to complete all of the phases needed for muscle repair, memory consolidation and release of hormones regulating growth and appetite.”Furthermore, it seems that the disruption of sleep affects stress hormones and neurotransmitters, interrupting one’s ability to think, process information, and regulate their emotions. It is because of this mechanism of sleep that, according to Harvard Medical School, “insomnia may amplify the effects of psychiatric disorders, and vice versa.”Harvard Medical School reports that while 10-18% of American adults overall are affected by chronic sleep issues, anywhere from 50-80% of patients in an average psychiatric practice are plagued with these problems.

The Sleep-Mental Health Connection

It has traditionally been the assumption that insomnia and other sleep problems were simply symptoms of the psychiatric issues that these patients with sleep issues were already being treated for.

“The medical profession is becoming more aware of the correlation between sleep and emotional disorders,” said William Kohler, M.D., Medical Director of the Florida Sleep Institute, in an interview with dailyRx. Some research has now shown that sleep issues might increase the likelihood of mental health problems. Harvard Medical school reports that it might even be the case that sleep problems “might even directly contribute to the development of some psychiatric disorders.”

For more information on how sleep apnea can affect your health, and to learn whether an oral appliance may help you manage your sleep apnea, visit our website.

http://www.dailyrx.com/feature-article/sleep-and-
mental-health-connected-various-levels-19402.html

5 Tips for Choosing A Dentist

There are many dentists to choose from, and it can be overwhelming to try and find an experienced, professional dentist by looking through the phone book or browsing the Internet. Here are 5 tips as you search for a new dental home.

• What are the range of services provided?  If you are looking at a general dentist, are they experienced in specialty services such as cosmetic dentistry, sedation or sleep dentistry, and all areas of restorative care? Be sure to review credentials and experience prior to your initial visit.

• Are new technologies embraced? Dentistry is an ever changing field, and many advances have been made over the last few decades. Digital radiographs (x-rays), the use of lasers in periodontal care, digitally enhanced placement of crowns (CEREC) and other technologies can help make your experience quick and comfortable.

• How easy is it to interact with the administrative staff? The front office staff will be your primary contact with the doctors and their dental team, so be sure they offer superior customer service.

• What are your scheduling options? Are you able to request appointments online and is the scheduling process efficient and respecting of your time?

• What amenities are offered? Many dental offices are beginning to offer more in the way of comfortable surroundings, including televisions, wireless internet, a water or coffee bar, and some offices even offer spa treatments during your dental service.

At Cooley Smiles, we are proud to offer our patients in Bellevue and Factoria a complete range of dental services. For over 35 years, our family owned and operated office has been providing superior quality general and cosmetic dentistry procedures. We use state of the art dental technology to make your visit quick and pain free, and we can assist you in achieving a smile that is healthy and beautiful.

For more information about Dr. Aaron and Dr. Brandon Cooley, please visit our website at www.cooleysmiles.com.

Can Sleep Apnea Cause Death?

At Cooley Smiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we take a strong interest in the health of our patients that goes beyond oral care. One of the most common sleep disorders is sleep apnea. Some of the most common symptoms of this sleep related breathing disorder are fatigue, morning headache, weight gain, long neck circumference, bruxing, and snoring. For more information on sleep apnea and how it relates to dentistry, visit our website.

Millions of Americans suffer from what’s called maintenance insomnia, which leads them to wake frequently throughout the night. While this problem can be caused by a variety of factors, it’s sometimes stems from an underlying sleep disorder, such as OSA. While many consider this condition to be nothing but a troubling nuisance, more and more studies are suggesting that sleep apnea can cause death both directly and indirectly.

Sudden Death

OSA gained a lot of attention back in 2004, when Hall of Fame NFL football player, Reggie White died suddenly in his sleep at age 43. Although medical examiners ultimately attributed his death to cardiac and pulmonary sarcoidosis, they speculated that sleep apnea might have been partly to blame. Although rare, experts agree that it is possible for a sleep apneic to die in his or her sleep due to a lack of oxygen.

Long-term Health Risks

More and more studies suggest that OSA could ultimately kill sufferers by gradually damaging their health. This dangerous sleep disorder has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and dementia, all of which can affect mortality. Furthermore, a recent study suggests that sleep apneics are at a five times greater risk of developing cancer than those who do not suffer from the disorder.

By: Paul A. Achoa on July 4, 2012 - 1 800 Sleeptest Patient Newsletter

For more information about this article, please visit  http://kingofhowto.com/sleep-apnea-cause-death-5743