"please keep me updated about oximeters "
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Holding Breath Whilst Awake?
Just been asked by a Twitter follower who has sleep apnea if it's normal to sometimes hold our breath whilst awake. I do this sometimes and have queried it before with my GP who told me I'm more 'expert' than he is on these matters LOL, so in other words he didn't know. My theory is that it could be a habit we've picked up due to it happening so often in our sleep.
Does anyone else notice this?
Views: 4360
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by ZolliStar on
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Thank you for this detailed information, David. It's appreciated.
David E. Lawler DDS D.ABDSM said:Mary, some of the issues that you raise are what have kept me from posting on this site for quite some time. However, when I got an email asking about "holding your breath" I really did not feel it appropriate to at least answer WHY this phenomenon occurs. And if you can't at least suggest a solution, there is little point in much discussion as to the "why".
To my knowledge, there are no Oral Systemic Balance practitioners outside of the United States and there are very few in the US with current certification. This can be extremely frustrating for those without potential help nearby. This is a relatively new concept in upper airway management, and like any new concept, it takes awhile for it to become understood and accepted, particularly with no clinical trials to verify efficacy. However, I and other OSB practitioners have accumulated a vast amount of anecdotal data with well document video recordings of patients experiencing the effect of swallow management with OSB orthotics. This can be with a single, lower orthotic as shown in the patient above, sometimes a lower and sometimes a special orthotic that moves the mandible forward (similar but also very different from traditional dental sleep appliances). The video documented results of this kind of treatment leaves those with tradition medical backgrounds scratching their heads in wonder.
Because some patients are best served with different combinations of orthotics and because there are different fees based on cost of living in various areas of the country, discussing fees in this forum is not appropriate. I am not trying to be evasive, but pragmatic. I can say without hesitation that this type of care is not inexpensive because of the significant amount of time invested in adjusting the orthotics to optimum function. For those curious about cost, I would recommend that they first get clear if their symptoms match those symptoms that are commonly addressed with information gathered in various websites like mine. If they feel that the treatment is a match, then see if someone is available to perform that treatment. Once that process is complete, any OSB practitioner would be candid about potential cost prior to scheduling an appointment.
Regarding insurance, and I can say this regarding my personal experience in our office, we have had little trouble getting significant medical insurance reimbursement for patients with a diagnosis of OSA.
In answering the question, "does it work for everybody?" I can say that we are trying to enhance human anatomy and make the swallowing process more efficient with a piece of plastic. Certain patients present more challenges than others. With that said, I have never seen a more predictable way of addressing the constellation of symptoms that OSB treats.
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Permalink Reply by David E. Lawler DDS D.ABDSM on
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Mary, it's interesting how something that gets posted on the internet has a long shelf life. Again, the fee clearly varies with patient's needs and the type and number of orthotics needed, but the average fee for OSB treatment is far, far less than that. I perform no traditional dentistry. My practice is limited to the management of sleep-related breathing disorders along with head, neck, and TMJ type pain. Almost 100% of what I do is with Oral Systemic Balance appliances. The vast majority of my patients have very average incomes.
Mary Z said:Mary, some of the issues that you raise are what have kept me from posting on this site for I have heard that in general the cost of your therapy is $35,000. I also think it worthwhile to mention the dearth of practitioners in the US. I appreciate what you are trying to achieve with your therapy, and I respect you. However this mode of therapy is out of the reach of most of us. I realize it will take investigation into the purposes of your device in treating our particular symptoms and your post is entirely appropriate and appreciated to the subject raised. You are the only one with an explanation and who presents a solution and I do thank you for that.
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Permalink Reply by MZH on
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Maybe I can reply now. I seem to be having trouble posting the last 24 hours. David, I sent a request for info on a local doctor yesterday, I believe. How long does it normally take to get a response? It would be a miracle if there was a practitioner somewhere near where I live; just hoping beyond hope and eagerly looking for a reply from them!
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Permalink Reply by Kathy Priebe on
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I actually "forget" to breathe while I'm awake. I've done this for as long as I can remember, even as a child. When re-testing my O2 levels at nite with the cpap machine, the Dr. said it even dropped to 44 for a split second...then I woke up. (I am on O2 at night w/Cpap but for the sake of the test- to retest on how I was doing- I wasn't using my oxygen) I told her(doc) that I am amazed that I didn't die from SIDs as a baby because of the "not breathing". She just made me promise to always....always have the O2 hooked up to the Cpap before going to sleep.
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I have just added video records of 4 different patients who have had Oral Systemic Balance treatment to the video section of this site. There are almost endless variations in the way people will describe breathing issues that ultimately are do to tongue posture and swallow mechanics. These 4 patients are very representative examples. It is important to notice the speed at which the body normalizes when tongue posture and swallow mechanics are enhanced.
There are a long list of symptoms that patients often complain about, but the common threads for most of these patients are the following:
- some awareness that their breathing is not right
- occasionally choking on food or liquids
- difficulty swallowing big pills
- tightness or pain in the jaw, neck, shoulders or shoulder blade area
- history of "TMJ" problems
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Good grief, I have all of that. I * know* my tongue feels like it's hindering things.
I still haven't heard back from the locate-a-dentist resource. Again, any ideas how long it takes for a response? Maybe the lack of response means there is no one in Upstate South Carolina where I am.
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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope www.hope2Sleep.co.uk on
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Just to say a huge thank you to everyone who's joined in on this discussion after I'd got the query from Twitter. I've read every post and found a lot of interesting things, as well as the discovery that it's a fairly common issue in people with sleep apnoea.
Kath
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Dr. Lawler,
Good to see you back on this forum. As a 3 year OSB patient I am very aware of the long list of issues that lack of sleep and obstructed breathing can do to the body and the relief that can be achieved. I am preparing to participate on an employee wellness initiative with my employer and want to focus on health education related to quality sleep. With high deductible health care plans, my concern is that it will be harder than ever to get people to think about going for a sleep study. I know that you use WatchPAT , but was curious if a pulse oximeter that can record would give an adequate enough reading through the night to indicate that someone may want to investigate further.
I am also very interested in what "official" diagnosis may be needed in order to get OSB coverage by insurance. I did not have a sleep study before I found out about OSB and insurance denied coverage for mine. However, I still consider OSB to be a VERY necessary investment in my health. Many people around me know what OSB has done for me, but they want me to tell them how to get insurance to pay for it, and I don't know.
David E. Lawler DDS D.ABDSM said:I have just added video records of 4 different patients who have had Oral Systemic Balance treatment to the video section of this site. There are almost endless variations in the way people will describe breathing issues that ultimately are do to tongue posture and swallow mechanics. These 4 patients are very representative examples. It is important to notice the speed at which the body normalizes when tongue posture and swallow mechanics are enhanced.
There are a long list of symptoms that patients often complain about, but the common threads for most of these patients are the following:
- some awareness that their breathing is not right
- occasionally choking on food or liquids
- difficulty swallowing big pills
- tightness or pain in the jaw, neck, shoulders or shoulder blade area
- history of "TMJ" problems
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Since Dr Lawler's first post I've asked twice via the contact section on the website to find out where the nearest clinic location is to me, telling them I'm willing to travel. I've yet to receive a response. I've even tried the email method. Nada. Has anyone else tried to get a location and gotten a response? This is pretty disappointing. There's always the 800 number, I guess, but I have to wonder if they're really interested in getting patients!
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Marcia,
I did an internet search. Frustrating since most of what comes up is dr evaluation sites. Not finding anything in North Carolina, Dr Whitley 433 Bridgewater Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Ph: 540-371-9090and Dr. Lawler is in Bloomington Indiana http://www.centerforsoundsleep.com
Arthur M. Strauss, D.D.S.
311 Park Avenue
Falls Church, VA 22046
Phone: 703-237-2350
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Thanks Lisa. I also found Dr Whitley but I didn't find Dr Strauss. Virginia isn't too far from South Carolina and there are two there; interesting. Still haven't heard back on my doctor location requests. I knew Dr Lawler is from Indiana but that's probably kinda far for me to go. LOL
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