Driving and Snoring By Craig Schwimmer, MD

No, it’s not a country song – it’s a potentially deadly combination. Loud snoring is the hallmark of sleep apnea, a disease from which an estimated 18 million Americans suffer. And yet another study has shown that people with untreated sleep apnea are likely to be dangerous behind the wheel. A recent study from University Hospital in Leeds compared people with sleep apnea to people without sleep apnea on their ability to safely complete a 90 kilometer driving simulation. The drivers were evaluated for their ability to follow instructions, stay in the middle lane, and avoid unprovoked car crashes. The drivers who had sleep apnea were twice as likely to fail the test, as were drivers who didn’t have sleep apnea.

Given the public health implications of these findings (do you really want to share the road with someone with untreated sleep apnea?), it is terribly concerning to note that only about 10% of people with sleep apnea are diagnosed and treated.

So if not for your own health, then for the safety of those around you, if you snore, please get checked for sleep apnea. With new home based testing, it’s more convenient and less expensive than ever, and there are also many more ways to treat sleep apnea than in the past.

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A Kernel of Truth By Craig Schwimmer, MD

Over the years, I have found that even the most ridiculous health claims tend to stem from some small kernel of truth. Take this “Overnight Diet”, whereby you lose weight just by sleeping, and are not required to exercise. In my opinion, this is just wishful thinking - after all, wouldn’t it be amazing if excess weight really would magically come off just by sleeping! But the idea is based upon a kernel of truth: adequate sleep is essential to weight loss. The disconnect, of course, is that good sleep is necessary, but not sufficient, for weight loss. A successful weight loss program consists of a healthy diet, a reasonable amount of exercise, and adequate sleep. As important as sleep may be to a successful weight loss program (and it really is important), it is just one leg of a tripod. All three elements are required for a successful outcome. So if you are trying to lose weight, by all means get your rest. But eat a little better, and get a little more exercise, too. That’s the real deal.

http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/overnight-diet-promises-weight-loss-while-sleep-140908175–abc-news-health.html

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As Stroke Risk Rises Among Younger Adults, So Does Early Death

This recent story about the increasing rate of stroke among young people reiterates the need to treat sleep apnea, which is known to be asignificant risk factor for stroke. Up to 10% of adult men and 5% of adult women are thought to have sleep apnea, and it is estimated that fewer than 10% of all people with the disease have been diagnosed. Loud snoring, poorsleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness are the hallmarks of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, so if you (or someone you love) has a snoring problem, please have it evaluated!

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/04/01/175682963/as-stroke-risk-rises-among-younger-adults-so-does-early-death

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Spring Forward…UGH!! By Paul Fulmer, MD

We all look forward to this time of year. Trees budding, flowers blooming and the weather changing from the grey of winter to the bright colors of SPRING!

As much as I love the change of the seasons, the one thing I don’t like is “loosing an hour of sleep!” I know we get more daylight in the evening and longer days, but I just love my sleep!! Don’t you?

If you are having trouble with your sleep patterns, disruptive sleep or even signs of snoring and sleep apnea, this will often exaggerate your tiredness symptoms. Moving the clock forward can really affect your energy level, especially if you already are not getting good sleep.

So, if you can’t seem to bounce back this week after adjusting the clock, then ask your partner if you have the following symptoms. Snoring, restless sleep, trouble concentrating or even gasping or choking at night! You may have developed sleep disordered breathing.

Whether just snoring or a progression to sleep apnea, sleep disordered breathing can come on gradually over years. Therefore, we often don’t realize that we are gradually getting less and less sleep. That is why a sudden change in your internal clock can make it more apparent.

So get outside and enjoy the Spring! But if you can’t seem to shake off the tiredness associated with changing your clock, then give us a call. You may have gradually developed a problem with your sleep and WE can Help!! Our goal at The Snoring Center is to help you get better sleep.

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THAT ISN’T YOGURT…IT’S CAKE! By Craig Schwimmer, MD

Because weight plays such an important role in snoring and sleep apnea, I spend a fair bit of time counseling patients about weight loss. Yesterday, I saw a fellow for a three month follow up appointment. At his previous visit, we had discussed the need for a better diet and more physical activity, if he was to achieve his weight loss goals. In the intervening three months, he said that he had been eating better and exercising more. But he had gained 15 pounds! How could that be? I asked him what he had had for breakfast. “Yogurt and a granola bar”, he said, pleased with his smart food choices. “What type of yogurt”, I asked? “Brand Y” strawberry, he said. So we looked up the sugar content of his “yogurt”, and he was surprised to learn that he could have had a big fat slice of cake and consumed less sugar. Same thing with his “healthy” granola bar. Caveat emptor, indeed.

There is significant research supporting the notion that it is our consumption of excess sugar that is causing our epidemic of obesity. It is estimated that the average American adult consumes between 80 and 100 pounds of added sugar each year! For many, that hidden sugar is the cause of weight gain. My advice to patients? Pay close attention to what you eat, because many “healthy foods” simply aren’t.

Craig Schwimmer, MD, MPH, FACS

Founder and CEO

855 DR SNORE

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New Study Demonstrates Efficacy of Pillar Procedure in the Treatment of Snoring and Sleep Apnea – Dr. Craig Schwimmer, Founder of The Snoring Center, the nation’s leading provider of the Pillar Procedure, comments on the study.

DALLAS, TX (PRWEB) – 28 February, 2013 – A study published in the January issue of Laryngoscope confirms that the Pillar Procedure is an effective means of reducing snoring and mild-to-moderate sleep apnea.

After reviewing seven studies on the impact of the Pillar Procedure on snoring and mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea, the authors concluded, “the Pillar implant seems to have a considerable efficacy on snoring and mild-to-moderate OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) patients.”

Medtronic’s Pillar Procedure is a minimally invasive method for stiffening the soft palate that works by placing small woven implants into the soft palate. The Pillar Procedure was first approved as a treatment for snoring by the FDA in 2002, and for mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea in 2004. This review adds to the considerable pre-existing data supporting the use of the Pillar Procedure as an effective, convenient, patient-friendly treatment option.

Dr. Craig Schwimmer, Founder of The Snoring Center, offers this assessment of this recent study:

“As encouraging as these results are, I believe that they actually underestimate the value of the Pillar Procedure in the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea. This study examined the impact of the Pillar Procedure as sole therapy, in that all patients were treated only with a Pillar Procedure. While the results from the Pillar Procedure alone were quite good, there is compelling evidence that outcomes are even better when the Pillar Procedure is combined with other minimally invasive treatment options. It is exactly this type of multi-level, or comprehensive approach, which is the basis of care at the Snoring Center, where the Pillar Procedure is an integral part of, rather than the sole means of, snoring and sleep apnea treatment”.

To read the entire study, “Efficacy of the Pillar Implant in the Treatment of Snoring and Mild-to-Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea: a Meta-Analysis,” please visit: www.laryngoscope.com.

About the Snoring Center

The Snoring Center is the country’s leading provider of minimally invasive, office based snoring and sleep apnea treatment. The Snoring Center has performed more Pillar Procedures than any other practice in America. The Snoring Center treats patients with snoring and sleep apnea, using a variety of procedures – all of which use only local anesthesia, and which allow patients to immediately return to normal activities.

The Snoring Center offers patients “comprehensive treatment”, combining those procedures most likely to yield maximal improvement with minimal inconvenience or discomfort – all for a fixed price. Eschewing traditional invasive surgical procedures, the Snoring Center has grown to be the largest such practice in the world, with offices in Dallas, Houston, Austin, Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, Atlanta, and Chicago. Since it’s founding in 2004, by noted Otloaryngologist Dr. Craig Schwimmer, the Snoring Center has treated over 10,000 patients from around the world.

Contact:

Sammey Mihos, Manager

The Snoring Center

(214) 369-2345

smihos@snoringcenter.com

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Obese Drivers Are More Likely To Die In Car Crashes By Craig Schwimmer, MD

A recent study shows that obese drivers are more likely to die in car crashes than non-obese drivers. The reason(s) for this are unclear at this time, but this article discusses several possible explanations. Including vehicle design and the underlying poorer health of the obese. I suspect that another factor may be at play: sleep apnea.

We know that obesity is a key factor in sleep apnea. We know that people with sleep apnea experience increased daytime sleepiness. We know that sleepy drivers exhibit levels of impairment comparable to drunk drivers. I believe that at least some of the increased risk of mortality for obese drivers is attributable to sleep apnea, and that this is simply one more public health implication of the growing prevalence of both obesity and apnea in the United States.

http://nyti.ms/VgFD2o

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The Sleep Apnea Surprise By Craig Schwimmer, MD

It’s only Tuesday, and I’ve already surprised two people by diagnosing them with sleep apnea. Both know that they were snorers, but when asked, they each specifically denied any symptoms related to their snoring, They simply came in hoping to treat their snoring as a way to help their bed partner. Both were slightly overweight, and one had mildly elevated blood pressure. On a standard measure of daytime sleepiness, each reported levels slightly higher than expected. I was concerned that for each of these two patients, their snoring could be a sign of sleep apnea, and so I had each of them undergo a home-based sleep study. They each wore a simple monitoring device to bed last night, and returned today for their results. Both were absolutely astonished to learn that they do indeed have sleep apnea, and aren’t getting normal sleep. Happily, each underwent treatment today, and should soon start enjoying better sleep and better health.

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that disrupts sleep, and increases the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, obesity, erectile dysfunction, and many other diseases. It is estimated that up to 10% of adults suffer from sleep apnea, and most of them don’t even know it. Diagnosis and treatment have never been easier, so please – if you snore, get evaluated. You may well improve your own health, as well as your loved one’s.

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Are you suffering with Cedar Fever? By Paul Fulmer, MD

The term CEDAR FEVER usually refers to symptoms caused by Mountain cedar allergy. Symptoms are the same as hay fever, including sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, nasal congestion and a runny nose. With both cedar fever and hay fever, a person will not actually have a fever.

Mountain cedar is a type of juniper tree found mainly in South and Central Texas that pollinates in the winter, from December through March. It is usually the only major pollen present during the wintertime in the areas where it grows. Mountain cedar can release such large amounts of pollen that the trees can appear to be on fire. As the pollen is released, large clouds of “smoke” rise up from the trees. With such a heavy pollen load in the air, no wonder so many people are miserable during this time of year.

Medicinal remedies include over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants. Cedar fever sufferers can ask physicians to prescribe nasal corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory drugs, but ideally such treatments should begin before allergy season starts. Doctors can also prescribe a series of allergy shots. A non-medicinal remedy is nasal irrigation — using a “neti pot” or commercial saline solution — to clear the pollen out of nasal passages.

If this is a yearly condition and the nasal congestion seems to stay even after the allergy symptoms are gone, then you may have developed “turbinate hypertrophy.” This is a common problem in people who suffer from allergies. If nasal steroids and antihistamines don’t resolve the stuffiness, then you could be a candidate for “Turbinate Coblation”. Turbinate coblation uses radiofrequency to cause shrinkage of the nasal tissues and improve your nasal airway. It’s a quick, in office procedure and you return to your regular activities that same day.

So if “Cedar Fever” has you all stopped up, take a look at our website, www.snoringcenter.com and lets get you breathing better today!!

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Steve Harvey! By Craig Schwimmer, MD

A few weeks back I received a call from a producer on Steve Harvey’s new TV show. Seems they had gotten a call from a young lady who was considering moving in with her boyfriend, but was reluctant to move ahead because of his snoring. Would I be interested in helping out, she wanted to know. Of course I was.

So I headed up to Chicago and met with this nice young couple, and arranged to have his snoring problem taken care of. I also had a chance to appear on the show with Steve Harvey, who is, I must say, both incredibly funny and awfully nice. Anyway, the segment airs on Monday October 15^th. If you can, check it out.

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Driving and Snoring By Craig Schwimmer, MD

A Kernel of Truth By Craig Schwimmer, MD

As Stroke Risk Rises Among Younger Adults, So Does Early Death

Spring Forward…UGH!! By Paul Fulmer, MD

THAT ISN’T YOGURT…IT’S CAKE! By Craig Schwimmer, MD

New Study Demonstrates Efficacy of Pillar Procedure in the Treatment of Snoring and Sleep Apnea – Dr. Craig Schwimmer, Founder of The Snoring Center, the nation’s leading provider of the Pillar Procedure, comments on the study.

Obese Drivers Are More Likely To Die In Car Crashes By Craig Schwimmer, MD

The Sleep Apnea Surprise By Craig Schwimmer, MD

Are you suffering with Cedar Fever? By Paul Fulmer, MD

Steve Harvey! By Craig Schwimmer, MD