longer. Usually those sleeping are
not aware of these breathing stop-
pages because they don't quite
trigger a full awakening.
IOW
However, left untreated, sleep
apnea can cause high blood
pressure, heart disease, stroke,
automobile accidents because of
falling asleep behind the wheel,
diabetes, depression and other
illness. Other symptoms may
include a decreased sex drive,
morning headaches, irritability
and loss of concentration.
For some patients, surgery
alleviates these possible life-
threatening problems. For others,
the answer is using a continuous
positive airway pressure (CPAP)
machine that opens up the air-
ways and allows for more normal
breathing during sleep.
CPAP is the most common
treatment recommended for
sleep apnea. The machine pumps
air through a hose and into a
mask that fits over a person's mouth
is very grateful. It took a little getting and nose or just over the nose. The
used to, but I'm wearing the same
machine blows air into the throat,
appliance since 2010 and it still fits
artificially holding the airway open.
comfortably"
"Although the CPAP is the
Treating sleep concerns
gold standard for treating
has been a focus of Bruce
sleep apnea and the most
Luria's dental practice for the
effective nonsurgical treat-
past 12 years.
ment for obstructive sleep
"I developed an interest
apnea, the machine is not for
in treating sleep problems
everyone Luria said. "Many
when a friend came to me
people have trouble getting
for a snoring problem," said
used to it because they have
Luria, D.D.S., with a practice Dr. Bru ce Luria problems tolerating forced
in Dearborn. "Most people
air, or they feel claustro-
with sleep apnea snore but not every- phobic wearing the mask. Some also
one who snores has sleep apnea."
feel it discourages intimacy with
Luria is a member of the American their sleeping partner. As a result,
Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.
some people don't use the machine
"As the American population
every night or they take off the mask
trends toward weight gain, the
because it's uncomfortable, all of
number of people with sleep apnea
which leads to making the patient
continues to rise he said. "In
feel sleepy the next day:'
fact, in close to 25 percent of mar-
ried couples in the U.S., one of the
Dental Sleep Medicine
spouses sleeps in another bedroom
Oral appliance therapy involves the
selection, fitting and use of specially
because of snoring problems. That
designed appliances that maintain
number may rise and the number of
an open, unobstructed airway in the
people with sleep apnea is expected
to grow because of the rise in obesity throat when worn during sleep. They
are an option for patients diagnosed
and the aging population. Both age
with mild to moderate obstructive
and weight are two elements that
sleep apnea.
increase the chances of developing
Dentists with training in oral
chronic sleep apnea."
appliance therapy are familiar with
Symptoms/Treatment
the various designs of appliances and
There are three types of sleep apnea
help determine which is best. These
— central, mixed and obstructive
devices are considered 90 percent
sleep apnea, which is the most com-
effective.
mon. Although there is a differ-
"These appliances push your lower
ence in the root cause of each, left
jaw forward while sleeping which
untreated in all three types a person
keeps airways open for breathing and
stops breathing repeatedly through
the night and often for a minute or
Apnea on page 32

Need Minimally Invasive Surgery?
Discover St. Joe's Oakland

By Jack Weiner,
President and CEO
St. Joseph Mercy
Oakland

At St. Joseph Mercy Oakland
(SJMO), we focus on patient safety and
preserving life. With that mandate, our
highly skilled physicians and surgeons
look for the safest, most respectful way
to restore our patients' quality of life.

One of these ways is through
minimally invasive surgery. Our experienced surgeons will employ a minimally
invasive surgical procedure rather than traditional or open surgery, depending
on the patient's condition. There are many benefits to the patient:

•
•
•
•
•
•

Little or no trauma to the body
Smaller incisions, usually 1/4- to'/2-inch long
Less pain and scarring
Reduced risk of infection
Shorter hospital stay
Faster recovery time

Our innovative, technologically advanced, state-of-the-art Surgical Pavilion
allows our surgeons to offer a higher definition of surgical precision, optimal
patient care and enhanced safety. A major feature of the Surgical Pavilion is
the da Vinci® Surgical System.

The da Vinci robotic assisted surgical system provides an extension of
the surgeon's eyes and hands in the surgical field. It offers more than twice
the viewing resolution and 20 percent more viewing area, which means
improved clarity and detail of tissue planes and anatomy. By way of a console,
where the surgeon views the surgical field, the system seamlessly translates
the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time
movements of surgical instruments inside the patient. Surgeons who employ
the da Vinci find that standard laparoscopic techniques may be performed
more quickly and easily using this system. The da Vinci enhances the
surgeon's capabilities when performing delicate procedures and improves
clinical outcomes.

Minimally invasive procedures performed at SJMO include the following:
General Surgery, Urology, Gynecology, Cardiovascular, Thoracic, Bariatrics and
Neurosurgery.

At SJMO, we employ cutting-edge technology and procedures. We have
perfected the art of minimally invasive surgery, including robotic surgery, and
our hospital is consistently recognized for performance excellence, quality and
patient safety. When you need surgery, ask your provider about a minimally
invasive procedure and have him or her refer you to a St. Joe's surgeon at
1-800-372-6094.

DiscoverRemarkable

ADVERTISMENT

1854960

November 27 • 2014

31

