ShapiraIHateCPAP Blog

Sleep Apnea is a serious problem that literally destroy your quality of life! There are many  excellent comfortable treatments for sleep apnea. CPAP is considered the Gold Standard of Treatment but it doesn't work for the majority of patients. Studies have shown that 60% of patients abandon CPAP and only 25% use it all night on a regular basis. There a better alternative for patients who do not want or cannot tolerate CPAP. Oral Appliances are now considered a first line treatment for treating sleep apnea and snoring. Dr Ira Shapira Is a Diplomat, or the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Pain Management.   Dr Shapira recently opened a Highland Park… Read Full Post

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT HEADACHES: Question from Kasey in Pennsylvania: I always seem to have a headache that never 100% goes away, and it usually varies day to day. It can get worse by mid to the end of the day. I don't have bad jaw pain but could that be a culprit, can foods cause tension headaches? Dr Shapira Reply: Dear Kasey, I am sorry to hear you are spending your entire life in pain. I hope I can help ease your burden. Most (almost 100%) of headaches are from Trigeminal Nervous System. The Trigeminal Nerve is also called the dentists nerve because it goes to the teeth, jaw muscles, jaw joints, sinuses, gums, and periodontal ligaments. The Trigeminal nerve also controls blood… Read Full Post

I frequently discuss Dental Sleep Medicine in terms of treatment, this letter is more concerned with preventing procedures that cause snoring, sleep apnea, headaches, migraines and TMJ disorders IT IS A Reply to Real Self Letter: Expansion vs Contraction Orthodontics Orthodontics vs Orthopedics I am putting on my blog a letter to a patient from the Real Self Website The link has photos. http://www.realself.com/question/palmdale-ca-i-braces-weeks-orthodontist-needed-bicuspids-removed?utm_source=subscription&utm_medium=dremail&utm_content=Question&utm_campaign=TopicSubscription#answer-form I got braces about 5 weeks ago and the orthodontist said I needed my 4 bicuspids removed… Read Full Post

One of the best solutions for sleep apnea is an oral appliance. Oral appliances allow patients to sleep soundly, reducing the dangers of sleep apnea like snoring and insomnia.    For many patients who suffer with sleep apnea, an oral appliance can help them avoid surgery or a CPAP machine. Oral appliances may take some getting used to, but the advantages are clear.   There are many options on the market for sleep apnea appliances, so getting the right one to reposition the jaw, tongue, soft palate and hyoid bone to keep your airway optimal is key. You may need to try more than one appliance to find the one that is right for you.   Even with the right appliance, you will need a… Read Full Post

Most people look forward to summer all year, but for millions of Americans, it also means allergy season. Allergies can cause congestion that makes breathing difficult and can make sleep apnea and snoring worse than ever. Treating allergies can offer a snoring solution and reduce sleep apnea symptoms Steps you can take to reduce allergens in the bedroom include: Remove unnecessary items: Things like stuffed animals, magazine racks, unused furniture and even rugs can collect dust and allergens. A minimalist approach to your bedroom décor can provide a serene feeling while reducing allergies. Keep it Clean: Thorough and regular cleaning is the best thing you can do to rid your bedroom of… Read Full Post

The unfortunate symptoms of your sleep apnea may leave you desperate for a snoring remedy. One of the things you can do to both treat your sleep apnea and prevent snoring is to adjust your sleeping position. Changing your sleep position may seem like an impossible feat, but with practice and relaxation it can be done. For most people it only takes about two weeks, and the benefits are worth the effort. Some sleep positions may provide a snoring remedy and improve your sleep apnea, while others can make it worse: Side: Side sleeping is the best position for increasing blood flow and oxygen flow caused by sleep apnea. Adding a pillow between your legs can alleviate tension on your spine that… Read Full Post

May has been recognized as National High Blood Pressure Education Month by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute since 1974. Today, the education campaign involves over 100 national organizations and many more community health organizations across the country. Sudden drops in blood oxygen (hypoxia) which take place duringsleep apnea cause increased blood pressure (hypertension) that puts a strain on the cardiovascular system. Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea have an increased risk of high blood pressure. The more severe the sleep apnea, the higher that risk. There are many health risks associated with sleep apnea. For example, sleep apnea increases the risk of stroke, even… Read Full Post

For patients who suffer from atrial fibrillation due to sleep apnea, the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device can cut the risk of arrhythmia in half. While this news – outlined in a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology – is certainly positive for patients at risk for cardiovascular issues due to sleep apnea, many people who have undergone CPAP treatment might wonder if an alternative is available. CPAP is a proven therapy for sleep apnea. Unfortunately, it has not proved popular with patients. Many patients who use CPAP report difficulty sleeping due to the machine’s uncomfortable design and noisiness during operation. Others… Read Full Post

Patients with sleep apnea often experience cognitive problems. However, if a bed partner has complained about your snoring, these issues might be a sign that you’re at greater risk for a serious neurological disorder. A recent study at NYU found that patients with a sleep disorder tend to develop mild cognitive impairment more than a decade earlier than those who don’t suffer from chronic snoring, sleep apnea, or another condition that affects breathing during sleep. TIME Magazine reports that the researchers also found a connection between apnea-related snoring and dementia stemming from Alzheimer’s disease, though the link wasn’t as strong. Mild cognitive impairment is a risk factor… Read Full Post

According to the American Sleep Apnea Foundation, one quarter of the children diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could in fact be suffering from the effects of sleep apnea. The symptoms of these two conditions can manifest in similar ways in children, which is why it’s important for parents to know when their child might be suffering from a sleep disorder. Both sleep apnea and ADHD can lead to behavioral issues and learning difficulties. For kids with sleep apnea, these symptoms are a result of poor, inconsistent sleep patterns. Sleep apnea in children might be accompanied by the following behaviors: Snoring Restlessness Odd position while sleeping… Read Full Post