Snoring- A Sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Snoring: A sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Not all snorers have sleep apnea, but snoring can be an indicator of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the condition in which there is  insufficient oxygen flow to the lungs when sleeping. Many times this can be cause by an obstruction of the air flow into the lungs, frequently caused by enlarged tonsils or a tongue that blocks the air passage in the throat.  This can lead to the sounds we regard as snoring.  But more importantly, the snoring can indicate the obstruction is causing a lack of oxygen flow to the lungs. 

Many patients are unaware of snoring.  But if you have any of the following signs, you may indeed have OSA.  Do you have puffy, tired eyes? Do you wake up with a sore throat?  Do you feel sleepy during the day?  Have you ever been told you gasp for breath, or pause and stop breathing during the night?  Do you fall asleep while sitting, reading, watching TV or worse, driving?  These are all indicators of OSA and warrant an evaluation to determine the severity of your apnea. Typically, this is done through a sleep study at a hospital or clinic.

Treatments include surgery, CPAP-continuous positive air pressure via a mask tethered to an oxygen tank, or oral appliances.  Some of the more severe cases may preclude oral appliances, but for many, oral appliances are a comfortable way to breath easier.  Spouses agree!

Humorous video on MidLevel Providers

For a clever look at the Midlevel Provider issue visit:
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/11804404/midlevel-dental-providers

Hi tech- hi touch?

A few years back practice management people would lecture on the value of keeping current on technology and maintaining good relationships with patients as the model for success in dentistry.  They even promoted abundant contact with the patient in those safety zones of the body (shoulder and hands).  A gentle tap on the shoulder or hand was a way to connect with a patient in a safe, non-aggresive, and nonthreatening way.

Yet in today's workplace there is no leniency for personal violation.  Besides shaking hands on greeting or leaving, there is tolerance for bodily contact. I read on a forum on the internet where one person actually considered it assault. The hi-tech may be true, but the hi-touch may be a thing of the past...or is it?

We have many patients who value the gentle holding of their hands by the assistant when they are afraid and nervous.  We have patients who appreciate a gentle pat on the back to signal everything is all right.  While it may be inappropriate to tap a total stranger on the back, our patients are not total strangers.  Yes, they are entitled to their personal space, but dentistry is more intimate than the corporate world which evoked these changes.  Just because the corporate world needed such distance, do our patients really want this?  I invite your comments.

New Technology

Dr. Lavine presented a wonderful and encompassing lecture on technologies of interest to the dental profession.  From intra-oral imaging to extra-oral data backup, there is so much change going on.  I would highly recommend Dr. Lavine's lecture to anyone interested keeping current and keeping up with the changing face of technology.

I have planned some future blogs with timely information for dental professionals and patients alike.  I hope they will prove to be of interest and/or useful.

Dr. Schonberg