ShapiraIHateCPAP Blog

New dental appliances for treating apnea and snoring. Are they better? By Ira L. Shapira, DDS FICCMO CPAP is the gold standard in sleep medicine for treating sleep apnea. There is a major problem with compliance. That means that even though the CPAP is successful in treating the problem it is not used as intended. Studies have shown that less than half of all patients are successful users of CPAP. Oral appliances are the preferred alternative for many patients and they have a long history of success. The most important factor to consider is that the sleep apnea problem must be treated successfully. The newest appliance available is the somnomed MAS, and it is very comfortable according… Read Full Post

Sleep Disorders Falling Under the Radar Immediate Release: February 24, 2006 Sleep Apnea Sufferers are Seven Times More likely to be involved in a Car Accident. Highland Park, IL - Imagine waking up suddenly every night. Not just once, but hundreds of times. For more than 20 million Americans with sleep apnea, the most common sleep disorder, it's real and real tiring. With over $100 billion in lost productivity, medical expenses, sick leave, and property/environmental damage reported annually, its time to put the spotlight on sleep disorder treatments. Sleep Apnea is a curable health hazard and a public threat. Maturing baby-boomers need to know that the incidence of sleep apnea… Read Full Post

New Study Shows Oral Appliance Reduces Blood Pressure As Effectively As CPAP By Ira L. Shapira, D.D.S., F.I.C.C.M.O. Patients prefer oral appliances to CPAP when they are given a choice. There have been many studies showing that oral appliances successfully treat sleep apnea and snoring. A landmark article published in Sleep, Vol. 27, No. 5, 2005, written by Doctors Gotsopoulos, Kelly and Cistulli, revealed that appliance therapy reduced elevated blood pressure similar to results achieve with CPAP. These results were found to be clinically significant and according to the authors, could represent a twenty percent (20%) reduction in the risk of stroke if maintained for two to three years… Read Full Post

Sleep Apnea & Snoring Treatment By Ira Shapira DDS A recent study published in the British Medical Journal has shown improvement in mild to moderate apnea with learning to play the Didgeridoo. The didgeridoo is possibly the oldest musical instrument and comes from northern Australia where it is an integral part of Aboriginal life. It is made from tree… Read Full Post

Some Patients Experience Problems Such as Discomfort and Bite Changes By Ira L. Shapira, DDS FICCMO It is now acknowledged that oral appliances are well-accepted treatment of mild and moderate sleep apnea and are even being used successfully with severe sleep apnea in patients that do not tolerate CPAP. A recent article showed drops in blood pressure in appliance wearers comparable to CPAP users. Most patients who have tried an oral appliance prefer them to CPAP, but they are not without problems. Some Problems Correct Themselves Compliance studies show patients wear appliances more frequently and for more time per night than they use their CPAP machines. The most common problems are… Read Full Post

Oral Appliances to Treat Snoring and Sleep Apnea By Ira L. Shapira, D.D.S., F.I.C.C.M.O. Reprinted from Sleep & Health - October 2004 It is now acknowledged that oral appliances are well-accepted treatment of mild and moderate apnea and are even being used successfully with severe apnea in patients that do not tolerate CPAP. A recent article showed drops in blood pressure in appliance wearers comparable to CPAP users. Most patients who have tried an oral appliance prefer them to CPAP, but they are not without problems. Some Problems Correct Themselves Compliance studies show patients wear appliances more frequently and for more time per night than they use their CPAP machines. The… Read Full Post

I HATE CPAP!® By Ira L. Shapira, DDS FICCMO Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that can decrease the quality and quantity of your life if it is not treated. Apnea comes from the Greek and means want of breath. Sleep apnea is the periodic cessation of breathing during sleep. There are two types of apnea, central and obstructive. The majority of patients have obstructive sleep apnea which is usually characterized by snoring, dry mouth, morning headache and excessive daytime sleepiness. It is most commonly diagnosed when the significant other observes the patient periodically stopping breathing and then gasping for air. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (… Read Full Post

Dental Appliance Aids Weight Loss and Could Also Reduce Sleep Apnea By Ira Shapira, D.D.S., F.I.C.C.M.O. Reprinted from Sleep & Health - July 2004 The DDS System, from Scientific Intake, is a new way to lose weight by altering some of the underlying causes of obesity. This behavior modification device slows the pace at which meals are consumed and allows the brain to register satiety. Satiety is the brain's signal that we have taken in the nutrition we need and are full. There are natural feedback systems that limit hunger, but our modern fast food culture and on-the-run meals have short-circuited them. The DDS System is an appliance that fits on the roof of the mouth and… Read Full Post

A Dental Alternative to CPAP By Ira L. Shapira, D.D.S., F.I.C.C.M.O. Reprinted from Sleep & Health - May/June 2004 Many patients who snore and have sleep apnea report positive results from CPAP treatment to their doctors. However, less than 50 percent tolerate it on a long-term basis and even regular CPAP users experience problems when they travel away from home. Fortunately, good news does exist for patients who are unresponsive to or frustrated with CPAP treatment. The alternative is called the intraoral dental appliance. A little more about the device: patients can wear it comfortably without noisy compressors, bulky tubes, masks or straps. Most people who have tried the appliance… Read Full Post