The Columbus Sleep Center

05/13/2021

Can Sleep Apnea be hereditary?

Some people can be genetically predisposed to having a narrower throat or may have an enlarged tongue that falls back in their airway. If your family has a history of obstructive sleep apnea you are more likely to have it yourself.

05/10/2021

ARE YOU A TOOTH GRINDER?

A sign that could indicate Sleep Apnea that you should look into when figuring out if you have sleep apnea is frequent jaw and tooth pain. This is because those with this health problem also commonly struggle with bruxism, colloquially known as teeth grinding. In fact, a quarter of all people who have this medical issue grind their teeth, which makes it a good reason to look into whether or not you’re suffering from it.

In addition to jaw pain, you could develop a lot of long-term health issues because of bruxism. These problems include broken and chipped teeth, extreme tooth sensitivity, and problems with your gums. Make sure to ask about this issue next time you visit the dentist.

04/27/2021

Are you snoring or your partner snores? There is help.
First ruling out that you don't have obstructive sleep apnea, there is an appliance called "Silent Nite" that has sucessfully changed lives.

Call our office for more information at 614-956-9305.

04/27/2021

7 Amazing Things That Happen to Your Body During Sleep............
here’s a lot we don’t know about sleep. Questions like why we have sleep cycles, why we dream and why humans even need sleep in the first place are ones scientists are still finding exact answers to.

But one thing’s for certain: when we sleep, and sleep well, we feel better physically and mentally, and perform better during the day. Read on to find out some of the things we do know about sleep and why it’s so important for our bodies and minds.

1. Your brain sorts and processes the day’s information
Don’t be fooled into thinking that when you’re asleep your brain has shut off too. Your brain is actually quite busy while you sleep, sorting and storing information from the day. This process is particularly important for creating long term memories, as your brain consolidates all the information it’s picked up during the day and files it away for later use.

2. Hormones flood your body
There are a number of different hormones released during sleep, all with different purposes. Melatonin, released by the pineal gland, controls your sleep patterns. Levels increase at night time, making you feel sleepy. While you’re sleeping, your pituitary gland releases growth hormone, which helps your body to grow and repair itself.

3. Your sympathetic nervous system chills out
During sleep, your sympathetic nervous system – which controls your fight or flight response – gets a chance to relax. Studies have shown that when we’re deprived of sleep, sympathetic nervous system activity increases, which is also mirrored by an increase in blood pressure. Scientists studying coronary disease are investigating whether there’s a relationship between decreased sleep duration and increased risk of heart disease.

4. Cortisol levels lower
Levels of cortisol, often called the stress hormone, decreases during the first few hours of sleep before rising to peak soon after you wake up. This helps makes you feel perky when you wake up and switches on your appetite.

A little girl lies fast asleep in bed, her mouth hanging open.
Sleep is important for everyone at every age.

5. Your muscles paralyse
While asleep, you cycle through periods of non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) and rapid eye movement sleep (REM). It’s during REM sleep that we have the most vivid dreams.

During this stage, your muscles are temporarily paralysed, meaning you can’t move. Some scientists think this might be so that you don’t physically act out your dreams.

6. Anti-Diuretic Hormone (ADH) helps you not have to p*e
Ever wondered why you have to go to the toilet to p*e every couple of hours during the day, but can sleep a whole eight without heading to the loo? Thank ADH, an anti-diuretic hormone released by the brain under a circadian rhythm which switches off the need to urinate so often overnight.

7. Your immune system releases inflammation fighting cytokines
While you’re sleeping, your immune system releases a type of small proteins called cytokines. If you’re sick or injured, these cytokines help your body fight inflammation, infection and trauma. Without enough sleep, your immune system might not be able to function at its best.
Your body does a lot of important work while you’re asleep. Good sleep is vital for your physical and mental health, so if you’re having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, not feeling rested when you wake up or feeling tired during the day, talk to your doctor about what you can do to improve your sleep or whether there’s an underlying health issue or sleep disorder causing your lack of Zs.
Source: Queensland Health

04/22/2021

Sleep Apnea Explained

Watch this video to see how snoring and obstructive sleep apnea occur.

04/22/2021

Q: How will your lifestyle change with oral appliance therapy?

A: Treating snoring or OSA with oral appliance therapy can help you feel like a new person. You will find that your symptoms and your quality of life can improve dramatically when you remain committed and use your appliance each night. You will likely sleep better, have more energy, and feel sharper throughout the day.

03/23/2021

Can skinny people have sleep apnea?

Medical conditions that are associated with obesity, such as hypothyroidism and polycystic o***y syndrome, also can cause obstructive sleep apnea. However, not everyone with obstructive sleep apnea is overweight and vice versa. Thin people can develop the disorder, too.Jun 5, 2019 Mayo Clinic

03/23/2021

Sleep Apnea Fact Sheet

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is caused by obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, interrupting airflow and reducing blood oxygen levels. Common signs include loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep. Sufferers stop breathing for 10 seconds or longer, up to hundreds of times per night, often reducing
blood oxygen to dangerously low levels.
More than 43 million Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.
• To put this in perspective, according to AAA, approximately the same number of Americans – 43 million –traveled for Thanksgiving in 2012
• Over 85% of people with OSA don’t know it – yet this syndrome can be deadly
• OSA can occur in anyone, though it is more common in men, adults and obese patients
• Patients with OSA are at an increased risk of other chronic diseases and accidents:
o 2x risk of stroke
o 4x risk of mortality within four years
o 5x risk of cardiovascular event
o 7x risk of a motor vehicle accident (30% of accidents involving commercial truck drivers are sleep related)
o OSA frequently coexists with obesity, depression, diabetes, stroke, hypertension and erectile dysfunction, and can cause or aggravate these conditions.

Home Sleep Testing is easier and more cost effective than Sleep Center Testing for many patients Approximately 3.5 million diagnostic sleep tests are ordered each year. An estimated 80% of these tests are appropriate for Home Sleep Testing, where the patient is able to complete a sleep study in the comfort and
convenience of his/her own home.
• Home Sleep Testing eliminates waiting periods and improves test completion rates:
o It can take several weeks to get an appointment at a Sleep Center; Home Sleep Testing can begin within 48 hours
o Up to 15% of patients fail to make their appointment at a Sleep Center due to fear, inconvenience or delay in scheduling time
• The natural at-home sleep environment facilitates good quality sleep, improving test quality
• Home Sleep Testing is affordable – for both payers and patients – typically producing a 75% savings versus overnight in-facility testing

Whats holding you back? Contact our office at 614-956-9305 to schedule a Free Consultation.

03/08/2021

Sleep Apnea Is Just Snoring

Myth.

Snoring can be a symptom of the sleep disorder, but there's a big difference between the two. People with the condition actually stop breathing up to 400 times throughout the night. These pauses last 10 to 30 seconds, and they're usually followed by a snort when breathing starts again. This breaks your sleep cycle and can leave you tired during the day.

03/03/2021

02/24/2021

If this is you, cannot tolerate your CPAP, don't go untreated, there is alternative, proven therapy available. Call us at 614-956-9305 for more information.