Hello Chicago! This week the Snoring Center opened it’s newest office, located in beautiful Water Tower Place in downtown Chicago. We’ve already met lots of great folks, including the legendary Coach Ditka, who was kind enough to pose for photos with some of our staff, and welcome us personally to the Windy City. What a treat – thanks again, Coach!

Even though I was born in New York, I love Chicago – it’s history, architecture, midwestern spirit and sensability – what a great town! On behalf of everyone at the Snoring Center, thank you for having us – we are thrilled to be here. We are committed to providing exceptional, patient focused medical care, and to providing unmatched customer service. We are here not only to treat snoring and sleep apnea, but to serve as a resource for the community. We hope to reach as many people as possible, educating about the importance of adequate, restorative sleep, and arming people with the tools to get better sleep, so that they can enjoy healthier, happier, more productive lives. Here’s to a great future together, Chicago!

Learn more about The Snoring Center minimally invasive treatments for snoring and sleep apnea.

So it’s time for your New Year’s Resolutions – what are you going to resolve to do this year? Exercise more? Lose weight? Work on your marriage? Get a promotion? What if I told you that one simple change would dramatically improve your chances of achieving all of those goals? Interested? I thought you would be.

The magic bullet, as it turns out, may be as simple as getting better sleep. If this year you resolve to really, really, finally make it to the gym more often – get more sleep. People who are sleep deprived have less energy and are less likely to exercise regularly than well rested counterparts. Think that the secret to weight loss is diet and exercise? Nope. It’s diet, excersise, and sleep. Studies have shown that people who get at least eight hours of sleep per night lose more weight than people who sleep less – even if their diet and exercise programs are the same. Marital satisfaction has also been linked to sleeping patterns – spouses of snorers have less sex, argue more, and report lower marital satisfaction scores than “non-snoring” couples. Snoring has even been cited as a leading cause of divorce. How about job performance – can sleep really impact my likelihood of getting a promotion? YES! Studies have shown that people with sleep disorders receive fewer promotions, and lower overall job performance measures than co-workers without sleep problems.

So in virtually all aspects of our lives, sleep really does make a difference, and one of the best ways to ensure that the new year is happier, healthier, and more prosperous is to simply get the sleep that you need.

Happy New Year!

Craig Schwimmer, MD, MPH, FACS
Medical Director and CEO

The Snoring Center
www.SnoringCenter.com

A recently published article in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that effective treatment of patient’s sleep apnea significantly reduced their cardiac risk factors. Patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea who wore their CPAP masks for at least 5 hours per night derived the most benefit, highlighting the role that sleep apnea plays in cardiovascular disease, and the ability to reduce patient’s risk factors by treating their sleep apnea. For patients who are able to comply with CPAP, the message is clear – keep wearing it. For patients who cannot tolerate it (and there are many), the message is equally clear: pursue alternative treatment options. Leaving sleep apnea untreated is not a responsible option. Read full article

HOUSTON – In Health Works this morning… A lot of women don’t like to admit it… But they snore too! One-third of snorers are women… Which leads to a poor night’s sleep not only for the snorer… But their partner as well. Dr. Paul Fulmer is the Medical Director of the Snoring Center of Houston. He shares with us a variety of treatments out there…

Learn more about The Snoring Center minimally invasive treatments for snoring and sleep apnea.

Men aren’t always the ones responsible for the snoring in the sack. Women may be responsible for some of that sound too. Rachel K explains how you can find out.

Learn more about The Snoring Center minimally invasive treatments for snoring and sleep apnea.

By SUE MAYFIELD GEIGER
Correspondent

If you live with a snorer, a silent night this holiday season may be hard to come by.

Although often joked about, snoring is serious business, sometimes disrupting the sleep of entire families and forcing some couples to retire to separate rooms.

And sawing logs also comes with some serious health risks.

Snoring, which according to some polls affects 90 million Americans ages 18 and older — often is a symptom of sleep apnea, a disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep.

The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute cautions that undetected sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity and diabetes. It can also increase the risk of, or worsen, heart failure, and encourage irregular heartbeats.

Not all snoring, however, is related to sleep apnea, which can only be diagnosed by a physician.

Getting a physical exam is an important first step to a better night’s sleep, said Dr. Farrah Siddiqui of the University of Texas Medical Branch’s Department of Otolaryngology. Siddiqui also recommends getting a sleep study if merited.

There are several different ways to treat snoring, depending on the cause.

Studies show from up to two-thirds of snoring cases are associated with some degree of sleep apnea — more common in overweight patients and also in children who snore.

“If the sleep study shows evidence of sleep apnea, then a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) trial is important along with controlling other exacerbating factors,” Siddiqui said.

A CPAP is a treatment that uses mild air pressure to keep your airways open. In some cases, surgery may be the appropriate intervention, she said.

“Unless there is definite anatomical obstruction, CPAP is the most effective therapy for obstructive sleep apnea in adults,” said Siddiqui who cautioned that not all adults tolerate CPAP, in which case surgical intervention is recommended.

‘Quieter in their home’

The Pillar procedure has gotten more attention in the past five years and has been successful in treating snoring, experts say.

The Pillar procedure involves the placement of five woven inserts into the soft palate. Over time, the body’s natural tissue response to the inserts increases the structural integrity of the soft palate, thereby reducing the vibration that causes snoring.

More than 40,000 people worldwide have been treated with the Pillar procedure to reduce snoring, said Dr. Paul Fulmer, a medical branch graduate and medical director of The Snoring Center Houston.

Fulmer said he has seen a success rate (defined as bed partner satisfaction) of 85 percent to 90 percent, with the procedure.

Fulmer agrees that CPAP is the most effective treatment for patients with sleep apnea. But only 45 percent of patients who are given CPAP and advised to use it for their health can tolerate it, he said.

“So that leaves 55 percent of patients with sleep apnea and they are doing nothing,” Fulmer said. “Also, as much as 40 percent of the population snores and 25 percent are habitual snorers. These people don’t have sleep apnea, so they don’t need CPAP, yet they are still causing significant disturbance in their household. For these people, a procedure as simple and painless as the Pillar procedure makes perfect sense and gets them sleeping better and quieter in their home.”

Home sleep study

“Because the Pillar procedure actually places a permanent stitch under the lining of the soft palate, the result is permanent,” Fulmer said. “We often use the palate coblation as a “touch-up” for those patients who have had the Pillar procedure and are not completely satisfied. If they have other areas of their palate which need to be stiffened, then this is a perfect solution to get them quieter.”

The Sleep Center does offer a home sleep study, which Fulmer advises is a much more economical option for evaluating someone who is thought to have sleep apnea.

“They are able to take the study in the comfort of their own bed and get a true reading of how they sleep in their own environment,” Fulmer said. “It is also about a fourth of the cost of a traditional “in-lab” sleep study and gives us all the information we need to decide if a patient has sleep apnea, how severe it is, and if CPAP is an option.”

Lifestyle changes

A large number of sleep apnea cases in adults is preventable,” Siddiqui said.

“Obesity is the most important factor,” she said. “Better lifestyle with improved diet and exercise are the key to managing this subset of patients in the long run.”

And snoring isn’t just an adult problem.

“A lot of children with attention deficit disorder may in fact have sleep apnea,” Siddiqui said. “And parents may witness loud snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep and even gasping.”

Some cases can be improved by tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, she said.

Lifestyle intervention, including healthy diet and ample physical activity is imperative in the pediatric population, she said.

Helpful hints

• Sleep on your side. Lying on your back makes the base of your tongue collapse to the back wall of your throat. Try taping a tennis ball to the back of your pajamas to keep you from rolling over on your back. Elevate your head with an extra pillow.
• Lessen your alcohol intake. Alcohol and sedatives relax the throat.
• Lose weight. Excess weight causes fat to accumulate around your neck, squeezing the internal diameter of the throat, making it more likely to collapse during sleep.
• Quit smoking. Smoking aggravates the throat tissues and causes them to vibrate more.

Holistic remedies

Homeopathic throat and nasal sprays, neti pots and aromatherapy are natural remedies that enthusiasts swear by. Marjoram oil is believed to be the most appropriate, but a blend of essential oils can also work.

Over-the-counter products

• Nasal strips: Bands of plastic embedded in an adhesive pad keep your nose open, making breathing easier.
• Nasal support devices: Adjustable devices that fit in the nose. Also, consider nose clips that clip on the septum.
• Anti-snoring mouthpiece: A device that fits in your mouth that pushes your jaw forward while you sleep.
• Anti-snoring pillow: Supports and positions the head and neck to improve alignment, causing the throat to open the airway passage.

Where to get help

The Snoring Center
Dr. Craig Schwimmer Dr. Paul Fulmer 3900 Essex Lane, Suite 215, Houston 713-622-2345

View article on The Daily News – Coast – Heath & fitness Section (p.32)

During the holiday season, we may indulge in the spirit of giving by sacrificing a lot of our time and energy, but there is definitely one gift we must reserve for ourselves–the gift of sleep.

Staying up late, performing holiday errands, or attending parties, and sleeping in the next day may be a part of holiday custom, but it is enough to throw our sleep rhythms off, as if we were suffering from jet lag. The best behavior would be to stick to our regular sleep/wake cycles, however at least trying to get back to a regular schedule just before returning to work or school in the new year may make it easier for your body to reset, and wake up on time.

The quality of the sleep we do get during this time of year can also be affected by the holiday customs. When attending evening parties, try toavoid too much alcohol or caffeine–either can inhibit your normal sleep pattern. Avoiding big, heavy meals close to bedtime reduces the likelihood of stomach upset or heartburn–either of which makes it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. If restraint was not part of dinner, actually sleeping on your left side may help reduce the severity of heartburn or reflux. Finally, getting enough quality sleep helps you keep your exercise routine on track to help you ward off excess weight gain during this holiday season, which will be tackled on many a resolution list for 2012!

Here’s wishing everyone a happy and healthy holiday season, a great new year, and many nights of restful sleep!

Read more about The Snoring Center minimally invasive treatments for snoring and sleep apnea.

This week the Today Show ran a fascinating spot on sleep apnea. I found it fascinating because it highlighted the use of robotic surgery as a treatment method, referring to this application of the DaVinci system as “state of the art”. While I applaud the Today Show for explaining the dangers of sleep apnea, and for their efforts to increase awareness of this potentially deadly disease, I’m not sure I agree that robotic surgery is the “state of the art” way to treat this disease. Robotic surgery undoubtedly offers advantages in a number of surgical applications. But I’m not aware of any literature suggesting better outcomes, or a less painful recovery, following robotic surgery for sleep apnea, compared to less invasive techniques. Further, given how common sleep apnea is (estimated to effect up to 10% of adults), and how scarce and expensive robotic surgery is, I would argue that what is truly state of the art are less invasive, less expensive, more readily accessible treatment options.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit The Snoring Center for more information on alternative procedures

The educational seminar discussing “Better Sleep and Your Health” this week went very well.  Over twenty people attended and they had all types of sleep issues.  We discussed the importance of sleep in your overall health and the significant health risk that people with sleep disordered breathing can have.

Several had questions regarding what to do about Snoring!!  Once I explained that the majority of the noise is related to the vibration of the soft palate (the tissue at the roof of your mouth),  then they wanted to know how can we fix this since they are not getting to sleep with their spouse.

Therefore, I discussed the Pillar procedure.  This is an easy, painless and elegant way to stiffen the palate in the office in 15-20 minutes and is successful 85-90% of the time.  You could feel the excitement in the room as they realized that they might have a solution for all their restless nights.

Some of the people who attended had been using CPAP for years and were just tired of the nightly fight with the machine.  I explained that many of our patients who are looking for an alternative have had remarkable success with a combination of the Pillar Procedure to stiffen the palate and Turbinate Coblation to open up their nasal airway.  As we went through the different procedures, many were relieved to know that they had options.

Overall, the participants came away with the understanding that SLEEP is very important to their overall health.  They also learned many practical ways to change their sleep hygiene and improve their daytime energy, productivity and feel more rested.

The bottom line is everyone needs SLEEP to rejuvenate their body and replenish their soul.  Something as simple as getting 8 hours of sleep nightly can make a world of difference.  So make it a priority and get some SLEEP and feel BETTER!!

We are currently in the middle of National Drowsy Driving Prevention Week (November 6-12, 2011), which is an annual public awareness campaign from the National Sleep Foundation (NSF).

Since over half of us admit to having driven while drowsy at some point (NSF Sleep in America poll 2009), our initial reaction may be to question the significance of prevention.  It is hard to argue with the numbers.

Last year, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released a study showing the pervasiveness and morbid effect of drowsy driving. This study showed that drowsy driving involves approximately:

• one in six deadly crashes;
• one in eight crashes resulting in hospitalization;
• one in fourteen crashes in which a vehicle was towed.

According to the study, younger drivers age 16-24 were nearly twice as likely to be involved in a drowsy driving crash as drivers age 40-59, and about 57 percent of drowsy driving crashes involved the driver drifting into other lanes or even off the road.

So, who is most at risk and why? Well, anyone who drives is at risk of falling asleep at the wheel, but the following groups of people are more at risk than others:

1)      Young drivers – Combining inexperience with sleepiness and a tendency to drive at night puts young people at risk, especially males aged 16-25 years.

2)      Solo drivers on long road trips – The same Traffic Safety study above found that vehicles in which the driver was accompanied by a passenger were nearly 50 percent less likely to be involved in a drowsy driving crash.

3)      Shift workers and people working long hours – People who work night shifts, rotating shifts, double shifts or work more than one job have a six-fold increase in drowsy driving crashes.

4)      Business travelers – Frequent travelers crossing time zones, suffering from jet lag, or spending long hours behind the wheel, may get too little sleep.

5)      Commercial drivers – Those who drive a high number of miles and drive at night are at significantly higher risk for fall-asleep crashes. Commercial drivers have also been found to be at a high risk for sleep disorders.

6)      People with untreated sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – People with untreated OSA are up to seven times more likely to have a drowsy driving crash. For some people, drowsy driving is the most obvious indicator for the need to be evaluated by a physician for sleep problems such as sleep-disordered breathing.

Maybe you are unaware if you fall into one of these high risk categories.  Awareness is still critical, as most people are not very good at predicting when they are about to fall asleep.  Here are key warning signs that indicate that it’s time to stop driving and find a safe place to pull over and address your condition:

• Feeling restless, irritable, or aggressive
• Turning up the radio or rolling down the window
• Difficulty focusing
• Frequent blinking or heavy eyelids
• Trouble keeping your head up
• Frequent daydreaming and wandering thoughts
• Yawning repeatedly
• Inability to clearly remember the last few miles driven
• Drifting from your lane, swerving, tailgating, or hitting rumble strips
• Missing exits or traffic signs

If you experience any of these, pull over immediately at a safe place, switch drivers, take a short nap, consume caffeine or find a place to sleep for the night.

The below list is a set of “Do’s and Don’t’s” from the National Sleep Foundation to help you prevent drowsy driving.  If you continue to notice drowsiness, please find time for a  consultation with your physician.

DON’T

• Drive if you are tired or on medication that may cause drowsiness. (Check medication labels and speak to your doctor)

• Rely on the radio, an open window or other tricks to keep you awake.

• Drive at times when you would normally be sleeping.

• Drink even a small amount of alcohol, especially if you are sleepy.

DO

• Get a good night’s sleep before a long drive.

• Get off the road if you notice any of the warning signs of fatigue.

• Take a nap – find a safe place to take a 15 to 20-minute nap.

• Consume caffeine – the equivalent of 2 cups of coffee can increase alertness for several hours, but DO NOT rely on it for long periods.

• Try consuming caffeine before taking a short nap to get the benefits of both.

• Drive with a friend. A passenger who remains awake can help watch for signs of fatigue in the driver and can take a turn driving, if necessary.

• Take a break every 100 miles or 2 hours.  Do something to refresh yourself like getting a snack, switching drivers, or going for a run.

• Always wear your seatbelt.