Stress effects everyones lives in so many ways every single day, and high levels of continuous stress can really effect your health in a bad way.  I know that it is easy to say “just decrease your stress, stop sweating the small stuff” because I am someone who has SO much difficulty relaxing when my life gets super stressful, but I always think about the physical and mental toll that stress takes out on you and there are a bunch of small things that you can do for yourself to try and decrease your stress or at least help to contain it.

Why is stress so both good and bad?
Your body has specific stress response hormones, known as catecholamines (epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline)) that are responsible for surging in times of stress.  BUT that response in the body is supposed to be for a short period of time to get yourself out of danger, like if you see a car about to hit you while walking, you are able to get a huge burst of energy and get out of the way.  You feel a little shaky afterwards, from the release of the adrenaline rush because it increases your heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.  When your body is constantly stressed, you have a slow adrenaline release; which isn’t ok.  It is meant to be a short term response to get yourself out of danger, not as a constant state of living.

What are some of the health effects of stress?
-Neck pain (tight muscles/spasms)
-Headaches
-Anxiety (possibly panic attacks)
-Depression (unable to feel happy or get out of bed; losing inspiration)
-Exhaustion
-Constipation or diarrhea
-Weight changes (some people gain weight and some lose weight)
-Insomnia
-Stomach pains
-Tight jaw/ear pain (TMJ- temporal mandibular joint disorder)
-Relationship strains
-Erectile dysfunction
-Decreased immune system
-Grinding teeth
*Every person is different and will react to stress differently, but these are some of the signs, they could also be signs of things that are more serious.

What can I do to de-stress my life?
Honestly, making a conscious decision to de-stress your life is the first step.  Often, you are so focused on getting done what you need to get done, that you don’t even realize your stress level.  But there are some things that I do, and that I tell patients to do, to at least get their stress levels under control; you don’t want your stress to control you, YOU need to control it:

– Make a list of what you need to get done in a day, and have a plan
-Set realistic goals for yourself
-Ask people for help
-Take time for yourself; wake up a little bit early, and have a moment to yourself to take some deep breaths, meditate, and get ready for the day
-Talk to a good friend, family member, counselor and vent about what is bothering you
-Eat a healthy diet (eating well can make you feel better vs. eating comfort foods that might be easy but make you feel gross later on)
-Exercise regularly (go for a walk with a friend- kill two birds with one stone and walk and talk!!)
-Don’t overextend yourself (i.e. give yourself enough time to get places)
-Feel free to say “NO” to people
-Do something that makes you feel good- no matter if it is a hobby, exercise, reading a book, sex….whatever you need to feel good (besides drugs and alcohol- they will make you feel worse and make your stress worse in the long run!)
-Keep positive
-Don’t stress about things that you cannot control (i.e. weather)

Go see your HCP for a referral for a counselor or for medication therapy if you experience panic attacks or moderate physical responses, or too much for you to be able to function normally on a daily basis.  Some of this seems so self explainatory, but when  you are stressed out, you can’t see outside of yourself.  You need to plan, make time, and prepare.  If you are prepared for stress, then you can plan for it, and it won’t overtake your life.  I make lists every day, and I give myself appropriate timelines, so I can feel like I have accomplished things, even if my whole list doesn’t get done.  I also ask people for help, utilize your friends when at home, and ask your co-workers for help when working. All stress ends, and there is a light at the end of every tunnel, it is just a positive attitude and planning that will help you get there.  A trip to your HCP to get checked out can also rest your mind at ease that your physical symptoms are just a response to your stress and will reverse, and they can help you to get appropriate therapies to prevent long term effects from stress.

Make some “Me” time and get a release, the stress will end, just stay positive!

Yours in Good Health
B

I was listening to Howard Stern yesterday morning, as I normally do, and I was shocked to hear them talk about Howard’s cousin who is apparently running around buying hand held geiger counters and potassium iodide to ward off radiation poisoning (AKA Acute Radiation Syndrome.)  I never even thought about when the Japanese reactors started acting up because we are SO far away and the amount of radiation present diminishes across distance and with buildings or other such structures blocking it.  That being said, I wanted to let people know what radiation poisoning is and what you can do to prevent it.

What is Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS)?
It is caused by a large amount of radiation exposure quickly and can cause a whole slew of health issues that effect your blood, GI system, and neurovascular systems. And the symptoms can include a low blood count (anemia), nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dizziness, headache, and loss of consciousness.  As well, you can get reddened, blisters that form on the skin post exposure.

What are sources of radiation?
There are natural sources, nuclear medicine, medical x-rays, radiation placed inside the body and numerous other sources.  The nuclear reactor breakdown in Japan was clearly unexpected and is a huge source of radiation exposure for people in Japan at this time

Bottom line?
Here in the US we are at a very low risk of ARS and there is no need to start taking potassium iodide (KI) and worrying at this point. For all of you in other parts of the world, assess your risk and talk to your HCP about your own prevention strategy. If you have concerns talk to your HCP about pros and cons of taking KI and you may want to keep some IN CASE of a nuclear emergency near where you live.  But please don’t start taking KI without talking to an HCP first!

Yours in Good Health
B

We all know that drinking soda is bad for us, it is filled with empty calories from high fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners, it causes cavities in your teeth, and now there is some new research performed collaboratively in the US and UK that shows it increases your blood pressure!  Unfortunately, it isn’t just soda either, that we could blame on transient increases in blood pressure from caffeine, but it is all sugary beverages including non-caffeinated sodas, fruit juices, and sugary sports beverages.

What is the down and dirty?
Around 2700 patients were studied, they are all within the 40-59 age group, and over a course of 4 days and they had to have their blood pressure checked numerous times throughout this time period.  On average the systolic blood pressure (top number- the maximum pressure your heart exerts) increases 1.6mm Hg and the diastolic blood pressure (bottom number- the minimum pressure your heart exerts) increases 0.8mm Hg.  And, if you tend to have higher sodium levels, when you consume these sugary beverages, your systolic bp can be raised 2.5mm Hg and diastolic bp 1.7mm Hg.

Why is this important?
I am sure that many of you are reading this thinking, so what is the big deal, it isn’t increasing your blood pressure all that much.  Well, here is the issue: sometimes people have to attempt multiple drug therapies to get their blood pressures decreased by approximately 10mm Hg.  When you are drinking 3 or 4 sodas a day, along with other forms of sugars and salt from your normal diet, your blood pressure can be increased pretty significantly and require the need for medications.

What can I do?
If you have increased blood pressure or have been told that you have ‘borderline’ blood pressure, then lay off the soda/juice/sugar beverages and stick to water!  Keep a healthy diet without any extra added salt, and check your blood pressure frequently on your own, keep a log, and discuss your diet and blood pressure changes with your HCP.  And note any changes that occur when you decrease your sugary beverage intake, and hopefully your blood pressure will adjust to within a good range!

Yours in Good Health
B

This topic just so happens to be near and dear to my heart, because my long time readers know that I LOVE my two pooches, they are (gulp) my best friends in the whole world, they don’t judge, and they are my running buddies every single day….even if another human decides to come along!  It has always been long presumed that dogs encouraged people to be more active because they need to walk their dogs and get exercise, but especially in this day and age were people tend to be more sedentary, the medical community is actually starting to do real studies on the effects of canines on human health!

The University of Michigan recently performed a study that found people with dogs 34% more likely to meet their daily exercise requirements, and in light of the information I gave you guys a week or so ago about a majority of Americans missing the boat on meeting exercise targets, this is HUGE!!  People have reported feeling healthier and losing weight after getting a dog.  A different study in the American Journal of Public Health found that dog owners were 57%-77%more likely to get the recommended amount of daily activity because of their pets!  Honestly, where I live, it is torrentially raining, and I have already suited up in my wellies and gone out for a walkies with the dogs, which I normally wouldn’t have done on a day like today when I don’t have to be out the door for a few hours.  And interestingly, in the study, it was found that not only were the owners of dogs getting activity from walking their dogs, but they showed an overall higher amount of physical activity.  Walking is the most accessible form of activity for people, and getting out to do any small form of physical acivity encourages you to do more!

I must say, I got so excited reading these studies, that maybe some of the millions of dogs waiting to get adopted all over the world might get placed by those hoping to get in shape.  But, I also think about the fact that I still see obese people with dogs, that are happy to go sit at a dog park while their dogs exercise, so it did make me question the validity of the study.  I then found a recent study from the University of Virginia looking at the effects of dogs on children; children who grow up with or frequently interact with dogs get much more moderate to vigorous physical activity a week.  Considering the current obesity rates of children today, this can be so helpful in getting kids excited to get exercise and do something physical without being forced!  Kids love to play with dogs, it makes common sense that it will have a positive health benefit on the whole family!

A few other weaker studies have shown some different health effects as well such as increased life expectancy for the elderly (especially those living on their own), a decreased rate of adult asthma in children living in homes with dogs (most likely due to increased physical activities), pet owners have stronger immune systems, and that interactions can help reduce stress, signs of depression, and blood pressure.

Who would have thought that dogs can act as an alternative therapy to blood pressure medication?  I guess anyone with a dog knows that coming home after a stressful day, and seeing someone so excited to see you that they can’t stop loving you, and want nothing from you other than a little love back, it absolutely priceless as far as de-stressing and lifting your mood.

I realize that not everyone can run out and get a dog, but maybe you can offer to help out with a friends dog, a neighbors dog, or start a dog running service (I have actually seen a lot of college kids offering this on craigslist as a way to get paid for doing what they would do anyway!)  But, if you have been thinking about it, go get a dog, get out there with your new pal and get some exercise!!  I am not going to lie that a puppy is a lot of work, integrating a dog into your life at any time is, and a monetary investment (vet bills, preventative care, FOOD) but it will be so worth it, and the whole family will benefit!

 

Go out to your local shelter and get a dog, do something good for the community AND for yourself!

Yours in Good Health
B

There are tons of reasons that people get stretch marks, also known as striae on the dermis (fancy term), and there are so many products on the market that supposedly make them “disappear”….but do they?  The best way to treat stretch marks is to prevent them, and to prevent them you need to know why they appear!

What are Stretch Marks?
To be honest, they are just what they sound like: a form of scarring on the skin with a change in color from your normal skin tone, due to a tearing of the dermis (the middle skin layer). They are usually a deep pink, purple, or red color (depending on your skin tone) when they first appear and then they gradually fade over time but they are almost always visible as scar tissue closer to your natural skin tone, and they are usually found in areas of the body with higher fat content.

Why do Stretch Marks occur?
They can occur from any cause of stretching of the skin such as rapid weight gain or loss, pregnancy, rapid muscle building, or during puberty when the body changes shape.A study from the British Journal of Dermatology found that pregnant women who gain more than 31lbs during pregnancy, with a higher body mass index score, and pregnant teenagers have the highest rates of stretch marks from pregnancy.  Also, genetics are thought to play a role, so if you notice that your family members have stretch marks then you might be at a higher risk.

How do I prevent them?
A few studies in Europe have shown that the highest risk for developing stretch marks during pregnancy are during the 3rd trimester, and women who consistently used creams containing vitamin E had fewer stretch marks than those who used a placebo cream.  Some of the creams that were tested also had other ingredients, but had similar results: Trofolastin (Gotu Kola extract & collagen hydrolysates) and Verum (panthenol, hyaluronic acid, elastin, & menthol).  Cocoa butter was also studied with moderate results, but it was a poor study and not noted whether vitamin E was present in the cocoa butter lotion. From the results of the studies, it appears that vitamin E oil is the best prevention, and bio oil (along with other products) have not been studied.

What can I do to make Stretch Marks go away?
The best is prevention, but once you get stretch marks, plastic surgeons and dermatologists can use laser treatments to decrease the visibility of the marks by zapping them over 5-6 treatments, causing micro wounds and making your body respond to the new wound and re-heal more appropriately; weak studies from the US and Brazil show a 75% decrease in the stretch marks with positive patient responses.  Also, for lower abdominal and hip stretch marks, a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) can be performed to remove the affected tissue.  In the case of extreme weight loss, a panniculectomy can be performed (and extreme removal of stretched skin)

In times of high stress, I tend to not eat a lot (I am the opposite of most people who tend to eat when they are stressed out) because when I do eat, I feel like I literally have a burning pit in my stomach.  Originally, I freaked out that I had an ulcer and ad a whole work up, then as it ended up, my HCP just diagnosed me with being super stressed; as soon as the stress ended, so did the symptoms!  But, many people do have symptoms of peptic ulcer disease and they self treat instead of getting a proper work up.  And sometimes peptic ulcer disease is caused by bacteria that is treated with two weeks on an antibiotic, instead of a lifetime of OTC antacids!!

What exactly is a peptic ulcer?
It is basically an open sore on the inside of your esophagus, stomach lining, and/or s mall intestine. These ulcerations can cause pain from contact with stomach acids.  Usually it causes pain, but there can be other symptoms as well.  And, it is usually a bacteria or medication that causes these ulcerations and not stress or diet as it had always been presumed in the past.

What are the symptoms?
-You can have pain and or burning anywhere from underneath the breastbone down to your navel area.
-Pain that is decreased with the use of antacids
-Increased pain with an empty stomach
-Vomiting blood *(immediately seek treatment at the closest Emergency Department)
-Dark blood in bowel movements (Go to see your HCP ASAP)
-Nausea and vomiting that is not related to an illness and random
**if any of these symptoms are continued you should go to see your HCP and if you are worried at any time you should seek help.

Why do you get ulcers?
-It can be caused by an infection with a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori is its more common name).  This bacteria causes irritation to the stomach lining and eventually ulcerations; and it can be transmitted person to person and through food and water.
-Certain medications like OTC pain relievers can cause ulcerations as well.  Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen can cause ulcers if not taken with food, or taken with frequency.  Tylenol is one OTC pain medication that does not cause ulcers and is a safe alternative for those diagnosed with ulcers.  Also medications for osteoporosis (i.e. fosamax) can cause ulcers too!

Is there anything I can do to decrease my risk?
Don’t smoke, limit drinking, and try to limit your stress (I know, easier said than done.) And, while stress doesn’t “cause” ulcers, the medical community still accepts it as a risk factor, so we encourage stress relieving techniques for patients with high stress.

What happens if I have an ulcer that is untreated?
-You can have ulcerations that cause internal bleeding, requiring surgical procedures to treat and stop the bleeding.
-You can have scar tissue build up which can caused slowed digestion and malnutrition problems and excessive vomiting
-You can also get an extensive infection due to the overwhelming bacteria overgrowth

How will I be tested?
-H. pylori can be tested by drawing a blood sample, through a stool sample, or a breath test (you drink a glass of a medication that reacts with the bacteria, so wen you exhale into a bag, it will have high levels of the medication and C02.)
-Endoscopy: you will have to stop eating at midnight the night before, go in to the clinic, and you will get an IV and some medications to make you VERY sleepy so you actually don’t remember anything, and a small scope is passed from your mouth into your stomach and small intestine so they can visualize any ulcerations and take samples of tissue if bacteria is still suspected.
-Barium Swallow Study: you will drink some barium then a series of xrays are taken to see if there are any ulcerations present.

Treatment options?
-If it is bacterial, you will be given an antibiotic, such as Flagyl, for two weeks.
-Histamine-2 (H2) blockers decrease the amount of stomach acid produced (such as pepcid/famotidine)
-Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI’s) block acid production and create a healthy environment for healing. An example of PPI’s are protonix (pantoprazole), prilosec (omeprazole), and prevacid (lansoprazole).
-Cytoprotective agents coat the lining of the stomach and do cause slower digestive times but create a barrier for acids, making it harder to create new erosions (i.e. carafate) but you do have to be careful with other medications as they might not absorb as well.

And make sure after starting to treatment to follow-up with your HCP to ensure that your treatment is appropriate and how long you will require treatment.  Continue to live a healthy lifestyle with exercise, healthy diet, smoke-free, limit alcohol, and try to keep stress to a minimum.  If you do experience any of these symptoms, while it could be nothing, as it was in my case, or it could be pretty serious and you should talk to your HCP about it so they can be aware and maybe get some preventative treatments in place!

Yours in Good Health
B

I am clearly an avid athlete. I run almost daily, and I work out in some form every single day. BUT I also understand that most people don’t have this option due to work constraints and life in general.  A really scary study just came out from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) looking at the exercise that the average American gets, and we all know that there are so many benefits of exercise: better mood and feel better, cardiovascular strength (heart and veins/arteries), pulmonary strength (lungs), boosts immune system, and helps your body work more efficiently so you can lose weight and stay healthy!

What did the CDC find?
Less than 2 in 10 Americans get the recommended amount of daily exercise (meaning 20-30 minutes a day of activity for a total of 150 minutes a week) and around 25% of all Americans get NO physical activity at all.

Where is the lowest amount of physical activity found?
The Southern region of the US and Appalachia where around 30% of residents reported no physical activity at all, even light activity like gardening or golfing.  In Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma in certain counties up to 70% of residents report no activity.  These are shocking statistics!! These areas also have very high rates of obesity and type II diabetes.

Where are the most active areas?
The Northeast, West Coast, Colorado, and Minnesota are the ares with the most active residents, so kudos!!

Why are certain areas more active?
The theory is that it is all related to cultural norms.  If you see people being active and walking/running/exercising then you will be more active yourself and more apt to join in.  When everyone else you know exercises, you are more than likely to join in, in some form, too!

Why is this so bad?
Well, the CDC estimates that 34% of Americans are clinically obese and 34% are overweight, which isn’t good as a baseline, but add to that the fact that, on average, people who are obese spend 40% more on healthcare every year when compared to those of normal weight, this inactivity hits your wallet too!!

The CDC is going to start recommending that employers have mandated exercise time, to encourage healthiness and well being, and get people up and moving.  Especially in a time where we are all tightening the amount of money we spend, going for a walk is totally free, and even going for a run (we don’t need all the bells and whistles that many of us use) is free, and it will save you money on healthcare bills and help you feel better and look better.  So, lead by example and get out there as the weather warms up, encourage others to get out there too and get (at a minimum) that 150 minutes of exercise, in any form that you choose….I promise you will feel better AND look better!!

Yours in Good Health
B

I just wanted to take some time to dedicate to my favorite tumor.  I know that sounds like a creepy statement, but these are more common than people realize especially in pregnant women, and I don’t think that everyone understands what they are, why they occur, and how they are treated.

What is a teratoma?
A teratoma is a tumor that contains various tissues or organ components and can contain hair, teeth, bones, eyes, and when larger even a hand, torso, feet, or other limbs. Sometimes they can fill with fluid and it can look like a fetus is within the structure, but it may just be lung or liver tissue with fluids present. They can be either benign (mature) or malignant (immature) and found in both men and women and are found in about 1 of every 40,000 births.

How do they occur?
They are considered congenital tumors in that they are present at birth but they just aren’t found until later in life, sometimes randomly, many times in women they are found in prenatal ultrasound.

Are there any complications from these tumors?
Malignant teratomas can spread to various parts of the body and can be associated with other types of tumors such as Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), small cell carcinoma, etc.  You will usually have symptoms such as chest pain, cough, fatigue, increased shortness of breath, etc and will require a chest x-ray, CT Scan, MRI, blood tests, and a possible biopsy for diagnosis.
Benign teratomas can have complications for the fetus inutero, if it is large enough  to steal some of the blood flow from the fetus and lead to vascular and heart damage.

Treatments?
Usually in benign teratomas, a surgical removal is the only treatment necessary.  For malignant teratomas, chemotherapy is required, which may be the only treatment necessary and then possible surgical removal of any remaining tumor left over.

So, while this is something you won’t run into every day, it is more common than you realize, so don’t freak out f you are diagnosed with one, and they are easily treated and removed.  For malignant teratomas, they are a little more intense in treatment, and do have actual symptoms, that are pretty generic, so let this be a lesson that you should have a relationship with your HCP and go see them with any new symptoms.

Yours in Good Health
B

Fish oils that are made into supplements are taken from the fatty tissues of fish and they contain Omega-3 fatty acids as well as DHA (docosahexaenoic acids) which both aid in decreasing inflammation and are thought to have numerous other health benefits.  They are currently being studied in the effects of Alzheimer’s, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, high blood pressure, and cancer.

Why not just eat a lot of fish?
The fish with the highest amounts of Omega 3 fatty acids and DHA unfortunately are also fish that are at the top of the food chain and at highest risk for high levels of mercury and other toxins.  The fish with the higest amounts are Tuna, Shark, and Swordfish, so the FDA recommends limiting their intake BUT you can take a supplement that will give you the same amount as if you ate one of those fish without the risk of the toxins.

What are the benefits?
Well, it is known that fish oil supplements help to decrease inflammation, so that would be beneficial for athletes and runners.
There were some preliminary studies in Cancer Epidemiology and The European Journal of Cancer Prevention looking at the association between Omega 3 fatty acid intake and cancer reduction for prostate, colorectal, and breast cancers.  One of the studies showed a reduction in the rate with mice, and another showed a decreased risk of breast cancer, but it was a preliminary study with many flaws; even the authors noted that further research was ncessary.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) suggests that people take between 1g-3g of Omega 3’s per day to reduce risks associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and high blood pressure.
A study in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that higher levels of Omega 3’s were associated with lower levels of assaults among prisoners.  As well, it has been shown to have a positive effect with those suffering from depression and decreasing suicide rates.
More research is needed but high Omega 3 supplementation seems to have positive effects with Alzheimer patients in allowing for maintained memory status and with Parkinson’s patients to delay the cognitive and physical issues that occur.

Are there side effects?
There is an increased risk of bleeding with high amounts of fish oils, possible toxin intake (if taking cod liver oil), and fish burps!!  And, with any supplementation, unless you take one that is FDA approved, you don’t fully know what you are ingesting so be sure that you talk to your HCP about the brand and type you are taking.

I suggest talking to your HCP about how much supplement you should take specific to your needs. I suggest taking the odor free fish oil pills from Whole Foods; they are the best fish oils supplement that don’t give you fish burps!  As well, the FDA has just approved Lovaza which is an Omega 3 supplement that is prescription only, so you know you are getting a pure form with low risk of toxin ingestion. Also, it is best to actually eat fish as part of your diet, but if you are someone who doesn’t like fish or eat very much, then talk to your HCP about taking a fish oil supplement….I take mine every day!!  I know the research is preliminary, but as far as I see it, the benefits way outweigh the risks!!

Yours in Good Health
B

Snoring is a huge issue in peoples lives that can cause marital issues, make you the butt of many jokes, and just cause you to have nights of fitful sleep.  The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons estimate that between 30-50% of the US population has problems with snoring, for some people it’s a chronic issue and some people it is sporadic and only when they are completely exhausted, but for some it is a real medical concern because it is actually obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or central sleep apnea (CSA).  I wanted to let you know what the difference is, how you can make some changes on your own to try to alleviate your symptoms, and what your medical options are.

So why do we snore?
During times of complete exhaustion, after drinking alcohol, or if there is swelling in the throat tissues due to GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), the muscles in the roof of your mouth relax which allows them to vibrate, obstruct your airway a little, causing you to create a more forceful airflow through the tissues and the vibrations/airflow force cause you to snore!!

health.allrefer.com

What can I do to try and stop?
There are a bunch of things that you can do to try and stop snoring, and they are really pretty simple lifestyle changes:
Lose weight: as little as 10lbs can make a huge difference, the more weight on your neck as you sleep, increases the required force of airflow through the muscles in your mouth
Avoid/limit Alcohol: it can relax your muscles even further in the roof of your mouth and cause you to snore when you normally wouldn’t.
Avoid heavy meals two hours before you go to bed: after a heavy meal, your body is focused on digesting the food in your stomach, so everything else tends to have decreased blood flow and muscles relax.
Lay off Sleeping Pills: They create a form of deep sleep and complete relaxation of your muscles, if you have a tendency to snore, you will snore more with use of sleeping pills.

Give these a try and see if your snoring disappears or decreases, most likely then your only issue is snoring, and it isn’t more serious….although you should still discuss this problem with your HCP to be safe and make sure that they don’t want to do further sleep studies!

How do I know if it is OSA or CSA?
You may have:
– Excessive daytime sleepiness (barely able to keep your eyes open in the afternoon)
– Difficulty staying asleep
– Extremely loud snoring
– Waking up gasping for breath
– Reports from a significant other/seeping partner that you stop breathing
– Morning headaches
– Waking up frequently with a sore throat
**If you have any of these, you need to go see your HCP and tell them about your symptoms.  OSA and CSA need to be treated!

What are the complications from OSA and CSA?
Heart attack, stroke, decreased libido, inability to concentrate, irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, mood problems (due to lack of sleep), irritability, ruin relationships/marital strain, memory problems, and impotence.

What puts me at risk?
– Being overweight (although thin people can have the disorder too)
– Neck circumference >17″ for men and >16″ for women
– Smoker
– High blood pressure
– Use of Alcohol/Sleeping Pills
– Narrow throat (you might not know unless you’ve had surgery before)
– Male
– Family History
– Age >60 years old
-Prolonged sitting (people who primarily sit can have fluid shifts from their legs to the rest of their bodies when they lay down at night to rest)

What are the treatments?
After talking to your HCP, and getting some sleep testing done, you will be officially diagnosed and there are various treatments that will be suggested, usually to try medical treatments first, then surgical.
Medical:
– Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): Basically a little machine that gives sir pressure through your nose into your airway while you sleep and allows you to keep your airway open and not obstruct. It prevents snoring, and while the little contraption looks like it would be really uncomfortable, people who use these machines to treat sleep apnea, say it gives them the best night sleep, and they love it!
–Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BPAP): similar to CPAP but gives different pressures during inhalation and exhalation based on what works best for you.
– Oral appliances: there are oral appliances that can pull the tongue and lower jaw forward to keep the soft palate (muscles of the roof of the mouth) tight.

Surgical treatments:
– Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): The tissues from the back  and top of your throat are removed to prevent the vibrations that cause snoring and obstructions.
– Maxillomandibular Advancement: Your jaw is moved forward allowing for more space near the soft palate and makes obstruction less possible.
– Tracheostomy: For SEVERE apnea in which you constantly obstruct at night; a plastic tube is inserted into your neck to allow for free air passage, below the areas that obstruct. You can keep it covered during the day, but open while you sleep to keep your airway open.
– Sometimes nasal polyps can be removed to aid the problem or fix a deviated septum (a curvature in the structure of the nose)

It is estimated that 1 in 5 US adults has some form of sleep apnea, so if you are a snorer please go try to make some changes and talk to your HCP, there is no need to live with the side effects of poor sleep, and while some of the treatments seem pretty extreme, they will keep you living longer, healthier, and happier!!  Plus, your significant others will thank you!! So go get checked out, and talk to your HCP about your options, and get on the road to better sleep and a better life!!

Yours in Good Health
B