Alternative Treatments for Sleep Apnea with Escondido Holistic Dentist Dr. Kerbs – Study Shows Dental Appliance Successful in Treating Patients with Severe Sleep Apnea

Dr. Kerbs practices holistic dentistry in Escondido, CA. As a part of Dr. Kerbs holistic practice of dentistry, he treats patients who suffer from snoring and sleep apnea who are seeking treatment other than a CPAP, surgery or prescription medication. Dr. Kerbs treats these patients with a comfortable dental appliance that is successful in reducing and in most cases eliminating snoring and sleep apnea. The following study talks on the successful treatment for patients with severe sleep apnea.

Study Shows Dental Appliance Successful in Treating Patients with Severe Sleep Apnea

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Monday, February 23, 2009

SAN ANTONIO (Jan. 14, 2009) – Imagine choking and gasping for air every time you fall asleep. Between 18 million and 20 million people in the United States suffer from these frightening symptoms because of a common disorder called sleep apnea. Because of a lack of awareness among both health professionals and the public, up to 90 percent of sufferers aren’t diagnosed or treated, and that could prove deadly.

When left untreated, sleep apnea may lead to more serious health problems. According to national health statistics, nearly 38,000 cardiovascular deaths annually are in some way related to sleep apnea.

Although treatment is available, many don’t comply with standard therapies. Researchers in the Dental School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio are offering another treatment option that is more appealing, more affordable and easier to use than standard therapies.

Paul McLornan, B.D.S., assistant professor in the Department of Prosthodontics, is the lead investigator of an 18-month study involving sleep apnea patients at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie Murphy Division. Researchers used an oral appliance called the Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP) to treat those suffering from moderate to severe sleep apnea.

“What we found was that many of our patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea were not adhering to standard treatment with a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine,” Dr. McLornan said. Although the CPAP is considered to be the gold standard in treating sleep apnea and is very effective, Dr. McLornan said compliance by patients is well below 50 percent.

“Some patients say the machine (which uses a face mask connected to tubes and blows air down a patient’s throat during sleep to keep the airway open), is cumbersome or noisy,” Dr. McLornan said. “Some said it was uncomfortable or that it bothered their spouses, or that they were just too embarrassed to use the machine.”

Dr. McLornan’s study proved that the TAP device, which is much smaller and fits in a patient’s mouth, is now an option for patients with severe sleep apnea.

“It was previously thought that treatment for patients suffering from severe sleep apnea was limited to use of the CPAP or surgery,” Dr. McLornan said. “Our study added to the body of medical and dental research literature by showing that oral appliances can be effective in treating people with severe sleep apnea. As an added advantage, the device is less cumbersome, is better tolerated by patients, and is much less invasive and costly than the CPAP or surgery.”

Patients in the study were fitted with the TAP appliance and given a tiny key that fits in the front of the device. The patient was instructed to wear the appliance every night and to insert and turn the key several millimeters before bedtime. By turning the key, the patient pulls his lower jaw forward, thus creating an open airway in the throat.

“We asked the patients to tell us when they reached a point in the adjustments that felt comfortable and when they felt they were able to sleep without snoring or gasping,” he said. “We then evaluated patients using standard sleep studies to determine whether or not their sleep had indeed improved.”

Dr. McLornan said patients in his study improved significantly using the TAP. “We saw patients who began the study with severe sleep apnea end the study with very mild or no sleep apnea. They reported sleeping better, feeling more rested in the morning and altogether healthier.”

Dr. McLornan said this research is vital to both the medical and dental communities.

“Sleep apnea is a growing and serious problem for people of all ages and all ethnic groups,” Dr. McLornan said. “If left untreated, it becomes progressively worse. People suffering from sleep apnea are at increased risk for high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, obesity and diabetes. It takes both dentists and medical professionals working together to control this potentially deadly disorder. The TAP gives patients another viable treatment alternative.”

Dr. McLornan said patients who think they may suffer from sleep apnea should consult their family physician and undergo a standard sleep study in a lab. Costs are normally covered by medical insurance.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the professional society that sets the standards for and promotes excellence in sleep medicine, now recommends that oral appliances can be the first line of treatment for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea. Dr. McLornan’s study demonstrates it can be used for patients with severe problems as well.

If you or a loved one suspect that sleep apnea may be a problem please call our Escondido dental office today for a free consultation. Dr. Kerbs provides take home sleep tests as a screening tool to discover if sleep apnea is a problem. Our patient’s find our sleep tests and treatment options user-friendly and comfortable. Dr. Kerbs office is located in North County San Diego, in Escondido near the downtown campus of Palomar Hospital. Please visit our website at http://www.drjekrbs.com or call us today at 760-746-3663.

 

Read Full Post »

Sleep Health – Escondido Holistic Dentist Dr. Jeffry Kerbs Treats Both Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Sleep Health and Sleep Apnea Treatment with Escondido Holistic Dentist

Escondido dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, focuses on health and well being at his holistic dental practice. Treatments for sleep apnea and snoring are a large part of Dr. Kerbs dental practice. Dr. Kerbs focuses on the importance of sleep health and screens his patients for snoring and sleep apnea and seeks appropriate dental and medical attention when warranted.

Dr. Kerbs wants his patients to be aware of the importance of a good nights sleep. According to medical experts, a lack of healthy sleep can lead to severe health problems such as cancer, diabetes type II, heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity.

There are many things in our modern world that are affecting our sleep health. Dr. Kerbs knows the impact of healthy sleep and wants to be a resource for better health.

This is an article that speaks on the topic of healthy sleep:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2626981/The-great-sleep-gamble-Arrogance-ignoring-need-shut-eye-increase-risk-cancer-heart-disease-diabetes.html

We encourage our patients to visit our website for more information about our practice and the services that we provide. For more information on our treatment of sleep apnea and snoring please visit: http://www.drjkerbs.com/sleep-apnea-and-snoring.html

If you have any questions regarding sleep health and our holistic dental practice please call our Escondido dental office at 760-746-3663 and speak with one of our experienced dental team members, we are here to answer all of your questions and assist you in better health.

Read Full Post »

Best Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment by Escondido Dentist Dr. Jeffry Kerbs

For years the standard of care for snoring and sleep apnea has been a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure device). Now, with the advancement of technology, the new standard of treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea is the use of a dental oral appliance. Escondido dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, is a trained dental sleep doctor and is a recognized expert in OAT (oral appliance therapy). Dr. Kerbs uses the latest technology available to diagnose and treat his patients for sleep apnea and snoring. He uses a team based approach for his patients, working closely with a board certified sleep physician and his patients’ primary care physician for the best results.
Dr. Kerbs uses a pharyngometer and a rhinometer to measure and diagnose how collapsible the airway is. This information, along with a take home sleep test, allows Dr. Kerbs to accurately diagnose and treat mild to moderate sleep apnea. For our patients who are diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, a CPAP is the recommended treatment. However, in some cases patients wearing a CPAP find that they are unable to tolerate it. In this case, OAT is the next best care and proves to be highly affective in reducing sleep apnea episodes in the majority of cases.
Every patients’ case of sleep apnea is different and must be treatment planned correctly based on each diagnosis and need. Dr. Kerbs uses the leading and most advanced sleep appliances available for perfect fit, optimal comfort and success.
If you think you snore or may have sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy may be the answer for you. Dr. Kerbs’ treatment can help you get a better nights sleep and make you healthier because of it. Please call our Escondido dental office to make a free consultation appointment today. Our team is very knowledgeable about our sleep apnea treatments as well as medical insurance billing in order to maximize your benefits. Dr. Kerbs and our team are here to help. Call us today at: 760-746-3663.

Read Full Post »

Do You Snore? Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment with Escondido Dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs

Do you or someone you know snore? Many people do not realize that snoring is the number one symptom for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is when breathing completely or partially stops during sleep causing a lack of oxygen to the body. Escondido dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, treats both snoring and sleep apnea at his office. He utilizes the most current methods for diagnosing and treating snoring and sleep apnea by using sound waves through a rhinometer and pharyngometer to measure the airway and a simple take home sleep study to diagnose the level of snoring and sleep apnea that is occurring in a nights sleep. Our patients find that our process of diagnosis and treatment is simple, efficient and affective in getting the results they need to eliminate or significantly reduce snoring and sleep apnea.

WHAT CAN SNORING INDICATE?
Just about everyone snores occasionally – even a baby or a pet may snore. However, many times snoring can be a sign of a much bigger health problem.
Snoring can affect the quantity and the quality of your sleep. Consequently, inadequate sleep can lead to daytime fatigue, irritability, weight gain, memory loss, acid reflux, headaches, and other serious health ramifications. In addition, if your snoring is so loud that your bed partner can’t sleep, both of you are not achieving the proper sleep and rest at night.
If you snore regularly and experience any of the symptoms above, you may have sleep apnea. Untreated sleep apnea can wreak havoc on your overall health.

TREATMENT
Escondido dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, uses oral appliance therapy to treat his patients who suffer from snoring and sleep apnea. Oral appliance therapy is a mouth piece that is measured and fitted for each individual to reposition the jaw in a way that keeps the airway open while sleeping. Dr. Kerbs utilizes a pharyngometer to measure where each individuals jaw should be placed in order to achieve maximum comfort and maximum oxygen. This allows the body to relax, get adequate oxygen and not constantly gasp for air.

We have seen phenomenal results with our treatment of sleep apnea for our patients. Our patients sleeping better and feel rested upon waking. Most of our patients who have undergone treatment say that they had no idea how much better they could feel and now have no idea how they lived before on such inadequate sleep. They feel rejuvenated and are so thankful for their treatment. It goes beyond feeling great, our patients also tell us that their weight has improved, their acid reflux has diminished or completely gone away, and their physicians have told them that their blood pressure has improved and pre-diabetic patients or patients with adult onset diabetes have reported better insulin levels.

We feel very strongly about treating snoring and sleep apnea at Dr. Kerbs office. We have seen how oral appliance therapy has improved the lives of our patients and potentially saved a life by reducing/eliminating the health risks involved with sleep apnea. We want to help as many people as possible live better. If you or a loved one snores or you suspect that you or a loved one may suffer from sleep apnea, please give our Escondido dental office a call today 760-746-3663. We offer complimentary sleep health consultations and can bill medical insurance including medicare. We are here to answer all of your questions and look forward to hearing from you.

Read Full Post »

Complimentary Sleep Consultations with Escondido Dentist Dr. Jeffry Kerbs

There are millions of people who snore. Snoring, although very common, is not normal and has the ability to cause disruption in sleep cycles. This disruption can cause a whole list of serious health conditions: weight gain, high blood pressure, heart problems, heart attacks, lack of oxygen to the brain causing seizures, stroke, diabetes, cancer, sudden death.
Snoring is a sign that the airway is being compromised and collapsing. If you snore, it is important to find out if your airway is collapsible. At Dr. Kerbs Escondido dental office, we have the capability to test for this. We can check your airway in your nose as well as through your mouth with a simple test. This allows us to see how collapsible your airway is and if you may be at risk of having sleep apnea.
These simple tests along with our capability to do home sleep tests, allows us diagnose snoring and sleep apnea and help our patients get treatment. Our treatment is a custom fitted and custom adjusted mouth piece that repositions the jaw in a way that prevents the tissue in the airway from collapsing on itself. This can completely eliminate snoring and significantly reduce sleep apnea or completely eliminate sleep apnea all together.
The health benefits to eliminating sleep apnea are vast. Successfully treating sleep apnea can change your life and potentially save your life. If you have any questions about snoring or sleep apnea and how we at Dr. Kerbs office can help you, please call our Escondido dental office today at 760-746-3663. Your sleep consultation is free!

Read Full Post »

Escondido Dentist Discusses How Sleep Apnea Raises the Risk of Cardiac Arrest

Escondido dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, is concerned about the numerous health risks involved with untreated Sleep Apnea and wants to raise awareness so that his patients and others can reduce their health risk. Dr. Kerbs is able to screen, diagnose, and properly treat sleep apnea in his Escondido office. If we can help you or a loved one, please don’t hesitate to call. 760-746-3663

Recently a study was published indicating the correlation between sleep apnea and sudden cardiac arrest. The new research became available on June 11, 2013, and was posted online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The study has gained both medical and public interest. For years doctors have suspected and researched the link of cardiac arrest with existing sleep apnea and now additional studies further support the medical understanding.

Study leader Dr. Apoor Gami, a cardiac electrophysiologt at Midwest Heart Specialists – Advocate Medical Group in Elmhust, Illinois, has indicated the presence and severity of sleep apnea in association with a significantly increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Sleep apnea is known as a sleep breathing disorder that stems from an airway issue in which a person stops breathing frequently during sleep. A sleep apnea diagnosis is made through an evaluation of a sleep test by a board certified physician that determines if a person stops breathing for 10 seconds or more and at least five times hourly while sleeping.

THE SCOOP:
Dr. Gami’s study, a group of approximately 10,000 men and women were followed who were referred for sleep studies at the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorders Center, mostly due to suspected sleep apnea. After sleep tests, 78 percent were found to have sleep apnea. During the patient follow-up review of up to 15 years, they found that 142 had suffered sudden cardiac arrest. Conclusively, Dr. Gami and his team learned that there were three determining factors that strongly increased the risk of sudden cardiac death: age (60+), apneic episodes (20+ an hour – also categorized as moderate sleep apnea), and having low levels of oxygen.

LOW BLOOD OXYGEN LEVELS, WHAT?
When a peron’s airway is compromised, the amount of air flowing into the lungs is also compromised, which leads to oxygen desaturation in the blood levels. The study concluded that “If the lowest oxygen saturation was 78%, or less, the risk of sudden cardiac death increased by 80%.” REALITY CHECK: In a healthy person, 95% to 100% is normal.

IT GETS SCARRIER!
Sleep apnea is estimated to affect about 12 million American adults and up to 90% of the group is still undiagnosed. Not sure whether the new medical reporting around the significantly increased risk of a heart attack is more shocking or the statistics that nearly 90% of Americans affected by sleep apnea remain in the dark of the possible diagnosis.

Many people wonder why conversations about sleep health and sleep apnea have become so prevelaent. For starters, sleep health sciences are relatively new in the medical world and the sleep breathing disorder known as sleep apnea was only discovered in 1966. In addition, research also suggests that sleep apnea is increasing in Americans in part because of the rapid increases of obesity in the country.

Understanding that sudden cardiac death kills 450,000 people a year in the United States and also considering the impact that sleep apnea has on increasing cardiac arrest, should force us to take the matter more seriously. If you think that you or someone you know may be at risk for sleep apnea, please seek testing and help accordingly. If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea and cannot effectively tolerate your prescribed treatment, please call Dr. Kerbs at our Escondido office. 760-746-3663

PAY IT FORWARD, PLEASE.
If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are successfully being treated, please remember to pay it forward and help spread awareness. By working together we can slow down the growing rate of sleep apnea and fatality in our country.

Read Full Post »

Overcome Sleep Apnea and Snoring with Escondido Dentist Dr. Jeffry Kerbs

Escondido dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, treats snoring and sleep apnea with a comfortable oral appliance. At Dr. Kerbs office we are able to test for, diagnose, and successfully treat snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea. Dr. Kerbs serves Escondido and all of North County San Diego and its surrounding areas. If you or a loved one suspect that snoring or sleep apnea are a problem, please don’t hesitate to give our office a call at 760-746-3663.

Snoring and insomnia are so common that we tend to see them as just the price of modern life. Yet many snorers experience sleep apnea, an affliction which limits oxygen intake, which in turn, lowers blood oxygen levels and causes the brain to wake you up repeatedly to breathe. These frequent interruptions in sleep can cause many problems including fatigue, inability to focus, memory loss, irritability, acid reflux, high blood pressure, stroke, headaches, impotence, and sudden death. Serious stuff, but Dr. Kerbs has been through extensive training and is here to help you.

You may have been putting off seeking treatment if you have heard about the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Device (CPAP). This method is highly effective but so cumbersome and restrictive that many people just don’t want to use it. In addition, the CPAP device isn’t always essential for mild to moderate sleep apnea.

Escondido dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, offers a small, comfortable, portable oral appliance that can be used discreetly and without interfering with your lifestyle.

In order to help our patients financially, we have the ability to bill your medical insurance to help you get the maximum coverage for a custom oral appliance to prevent snoring and sleep apnea.

Please don’t endure sleep loss, work, health, and even relationship issues because of snoring and sleep apnea. Call 760-746-3663 today and ask us about a sleep assessment in the comforts of your own home.

Read Full Post »

Dr. Jeffry Kerbs Treats His Patients Who Suffer From Sleep Apnea and Snoring At His Escondido Dental Practice

Dr. Jeffry Kerbs treats his patients who suffer from sleep apnea and snoring at his Escondido dental practice and he encourages the public to become informed about this potentially deadly condition.

A common misconception is that snoring is a normal occurrence. Snoring while very common, is one of the main signs that sleep apnea could be occurring. Other signs include occasionally waking with a choking or gasping sensation, waking up with a very sore or dry throat, sleepiness or lack of energy during the day, morning headaches, forgetfulness, mood changes, a decreased interest in sex, restless sleep, recurrent awakenings, insomnia and weight gain.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) causes snoring, airway blockage and sleep disruption. It occurs when the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat collapse to block the airway during sleep, producing pauses in breathing that can occur a few times or several hundred times a night, disrupting sleep.

Facts about snoring and obstructive sleep apnea:
– An estimated 30 million – or one in eight – Americans snore
– Individuals who snore have a high likelihood of having (or developing) obstructive sleep apnea
– Approximately 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea
– Some 28 percent of men over the age of 65 suffer from sleep apnea
– Up to 50% of sleep apnea patients have high blood pressure
– Risk of heart attack and stroke also may increase among those who have sleep apnea
– Snoring and mild-moderate sleep apnea is improved and often eliminated in many patients who use oral appliances

Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious, life-threatening condition. There are several ways to treat sleep apnea: with surgery, a continuous positive airway pressure device (Cpap) or a dental oral appliance. While the methods of surgery and a Cpap are both effective, surgery is invasive and many who have tried a Cpap are non-compliant. For many patients, treating sleep apnea can be as easy as utilizing an oral appliance at night. A properly fitted custom oral appliance is a highly effective, comfortable and easy to use method of treating sleep apnea and alleviating it’s harmful effects.

Escondido dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, treats his patients with a custom measured and fitted oral appliance that has the ability to control sleep apnea with minimal discomfort or disruption. Dr. Kerbs has the technology and knowledge to measure his patients’ airway and along with his easy to use take home sleep study, Dr. Kerbs together with a sleep physician are able to provide the correct diagnosis and treatment.

Oral appliances offer a safe, effective and non-invasive treatment option for the millions of Americans suffering from obstructive sleep apnea and severe, chronic snoring. When utilized during sleep, the oral appliance helps maintain an open and unobstructed airway in the throat by repositioning or stabilizing the lower jaw, tongue, soft palate or uvula. Dr. Kerbs has a unique process of custom measuring and adjusting the oral appliance in order to achieve the maximum effect for his patients.

When left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a growing number of health problems, including:
– High blood pressure
– Weight gain
– Stroke
– Heart failure, irregular heart beats, and heart attacks
– Diabetes
– Depression
– ADHD

Dr. Kerbs is concerned about the high occurrence of untreated sleep apnea and wants to help as many people as possible. He has a system in place at his office that makes the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea and snoring simple and effective for his patients. Dr. Kerbs is also able to bill medical insurance to help his patients financially.

If you suspect that you or a loved one might be suffering from sleep apnea please don’t hesitate to call our office today. 760-746-3663

Read Full Post »