Last month, we wrote about reducing radiation through the use of digital x-rays. Oral Cancer was explored and it was noted that oral cancer kills one person in our country every hour of every day. This no longer has to be a correct statistic.
The use of fluorescence has been programmed into use with the Velscope. This device uses a light that can detect abnormal tissue in the mouth that cannot yet be seen with the naked eye. Dental professionals are extremely happy that oral cancer can now be detected in an early stage where it can be treated successfully.
Lasers are a third major breakthrough in the dental field. Lasers are used to remove decay in teeth without the need for injections in many cases. Laser energy changes the electrical potential across cell membranes. This change can result in the reduction of pain impulses. Therefore, many people do not need to have an injection (shot), for dental treatment. Swelling and inflammation are also reduced with lasers.
Most of us think of Lasers as a cutting tool which is used to remove decay in dentistry and is often used by the medical profession in various surgeries. However, Low Level Lasers have been used over 30 years in many countries for treatment arthritic lesions, reduction of abscesses and treatment of non-healing wounds such as cold sores and ulcers. Veterinarians have used lasers to relieve arthritis pain and inflammation, burns, bone healing, joint problems, reducing swelling, etc. Dr. Jim likes to use this particular laser after extractions to promote healing, as an accompaniment to local anesthetic and for TMJ problems.
The Diagnodent is very useful in finding cavities that may otherwise go undetected. This device uses light energy to get into the pits and fissures of molars. Until now, dental instruments have not been able to get into these small areas. Since light will shine into these areas, he can now detect a cavity long before it can be seen. This is extremely valuable when applying sealants to molar teeth.
In the past, decay has been sealed in the teeth which has caused teeth to decay from the inside. This decay could not be seen or detected in early stages. Thus, a person often had severe discomfort before the cavity could be found. With this technology, decay can be found in the earliest stage and addressed with a small restoration and at a minimal investment.
The body's response to this loss of oxygen is to cause the person to wake up. People with OSA never get restful sleep which results in constant fatigue, difficulty focusing, irritability, and falling asleep at inappropriate times (driving, working, etc.) When sleep apnea goes untreated, it can result in the following health problems: high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes (40 to 80% of stroke victims suffer with OSA) and diabetes. Patients with OSA are seven times more likely to have an automobile accident. OSA patients also have a 40% greater risk of depression. There are many risks in not treating OSA.
Many sleep apnea patients use a CPAP machine which provides a constant stream of air under pressure which holds the airway open. This system consists of a machine attached to a nasal mask which is worn while sleeping. This stops the continual wakening and allows patients to get a restful sleep.
There are, however, a number of patients who cannot use the CPAP effectively. Some studies also show that OSA patients who use a CPAP do so for less than five hours per night. For most people, this is not enough sleep. The limitations in the CPAP treatment and patient's problems with use are conditions in which a dentist may be of help.
New dental appliances are highly effective in treating OSA. They consist of two dental plates (or splints), one on the lower jaw, one on the upper. They work by positioning your lower jaw slightly forward which in turn tightens the soft tissue and muscles of the upper airway. This positioning prevents obstruction while you sleep.
These appliances can also correct snoring. 91% of patients using these appliances report a substantial improvement in sleep quality.
These appliances are comfortable to use, allowing the wearer to speak, yawn and drink. They require no head gear and make no noise. They are easy to take with you while traveling. These appliances can also be used in conjunction with a CPAP machine in the most severe cases of OSA
If you suffer from sleep apnea, know that they are new options for you in treating the condition. The new dental appliances may be just what you need to treat OSA.
There are countless stories of real people, achieving real results that I could use. That's the inspiration! Every day, people are changing their lives by making the effort to exercise (rather than excuses as to why they don't).
So what's their secret? Why are they achieving what so many of us want to - weight loss, longevity, vitality and optimal health? Simple. They're doing it!
That's it folks. They're doing what most of us make excuses for. They are no different from you or me. They're moms and dads, grandparents, they work full time, they tend to children, they have busy lives like the rest of us…but they're doing what it takes to look and feel the way they want. "The way they want" implies that they are taking control of their body, their health and their fitness. They've identified what's important to them, they've made it a priority, and they are working to achieve and maintain those goals.
I often recite the quote; "We didn't say it was easy. We said it's worth it." This sums up what I'm writing about. We can be sheep and do what over 60% of the adult population is doing - nothing - and watch the next season of the Biggest Loser. OR we can take action, just like the people I mentioned above.
There's really no good excuse as to why we don't take better care of ourselves. Most often, if we answer honestly, the excuse is we limit ourselves to what we think we can or cannot do. ("Whether you say you can or you can't, you're right," another favorite quote I use often.)
We see people of all ages and fitness levels walk through our doors every single day to do something that they know is going to improve their lives. Some days, people have to drag themselves in after a long day, but they do it anyways. We know you can too! You just have to determine what you want for yourself and put those priorities into action - literally.
Is optimal health important to you? Will losing weight make you feel more confident? Do you want more out of life? Prove it. Let your actions speak louder than words.
If you're ready to take control log on to www.omnifitnessclub.com and sign on to our Be Our Guest invite on our homepage. We'll contact you for a complimentary Fitness Coaching session, free!
After walking anywhere from one to three blocks a person may start to experience tightness, pain and fatigue in their calves, thighs or buttock. As PAD in a person worsens they may notice their feet feeling cold and bluish in color, hair loss on the legs and thickening toenails. As the disease becomes severe a person may develop nonhealing wounds around the ankle and experience pain at night that is relieved with the legs in a dependent position.
Those at highest risk of developing PAD are diabetics, elderly, smokers, individuals with high cholesterol and of course genetics. Approximately 25% of patients with intermittent claudication will become ischemic (critical PAD) within five years of their initial onset of claudication.
The ankle brachial index (ABI) is commonly used to establish the presence or absence of PAD. The downfall to using this method alone is that the effectiveness is decreased in diabetic and elderly patients because of a higher incidence of arterial calcification and collateral arterial flow. ABIs are limited by arterial calcification in 20% of the patient population.
Doppler waveform analysis should be performed in conjunction with ABIs to increase the accuracy of the results. If a patient has calcified or non compressible vessels, ABIs could be falsely elevated making it appear as though there is no PAD. An ABI greater than 1.2 or 120% should be considered positive for calcified vessels, especially in elderly and diabetic patients.
Another important diagnostic tool is exercise testing. Many times a patient with claudication symptoms will have normal "resting" ABIs with normal waveform analysis. However, with exercise testing there will be exercise induced ischemia or "true claudication."
The Vascular Lab of West Michigan can easily diagnose PAD. There are no needles or dyes injected into the body. We use noninvasive ultrasound Doppler to identify blockages in the arteries. The results of the Doppler study will give valuable information, which can ultimately lead to the repairs necessary to improve the circulation of blood to the legs.