Issue 14.17
A recent sleep study of 30,594 people over age 16 conducted in the United Kingdom has revealed that insufficient sleep or poor quality of sleep can worsen medical conditions and emotional states. The results of this study reinforces the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s assertion that not getting enough sleep may lead to a range of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity or cancer, as well as increasing the risk of premature death. Plus, not enough shuteye reduces the quality of life and could lead to depression.
The United Kingdom study analyzed individuals’ sleep quantity, sleep quality and the use of sleep medication. Simply stated, researchers found that improvements in sleep quantity and quality, and using less sleep medication, led to an improvement in a psychological well-being. In fact, the score improvements were comparable to what people typically experience after eight weeks of cognitive therapy. The improvements were also comparable to those found in lottery winners two years after winning $250,000.
If you don’t sleep well, you could be suffering from sleep apnea, a medical condition in which the body has one or more pauses in breathing, or shallow breaths during sleep. These pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes, and may occur 30 times or more in a minute. People with sleep apnea often snore. What’s more, those with sleep apnea typically don’t realize they have this condition. So, it’s usually a person’s sleeping partner who initially identifies the problem. If untreated, sleep apnea can lead to other health issues.
Premier Sleep Solutions specializes in treating patients suffering from sleep apnea by fitting them with custom-made oral appliances. These appliances, which are similar to bleach trays in appearance, can often be used in place of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. While CPAP machines have been used for years, recent research has shown that in many cases, custom-made oral appliances can be as effective as CPAP in treating sleep apnea. Plus, a substantial percentage of patients find CPAP machines to be so cumbersome that they eventually refuse to use them regularly, and their overall health suffers.
Most insurance companies now cover oral appliance therapy and the oral appliances. Medicare is leading the way relative to standard of care within the industry.
For a limited time, Premier Sleep Solutions in St. George is offering free sleep consultations. This is normally a $200 value.
For more information or to schedule a sleep consultation, contact Premier Sleep Solutions in St. George at (435)319-0478 or visit www.premiersleepsolutions.com. Premier Sleep Solutions has offices in St. George and Salt Lake City. The St. George office address is 75 South 100 East, #1E, St. George, UT 84770.
Dr. Shad Morris, DMD, is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, the only certified diplomate of the American Academy of Sleep and Breathing in Southern Utah, and CEO of Premier Sleep Solutions LLC.