Request Request Appointment Quiz Quiz Like Us Like us on Facebook Reviews Read Our Reviews Call Give us a Call Map View our Map
Request an Appointment Take Our Sleep Quiz
999 18th St Suite 1300, Denver, CO 80202 (303) 377-5337

Sleep Well This Summer Tackling Your Sleep Apnea

June 18, 2014

Filed under: Denver Sleep Apnea Treatment,Sleep — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — cosleepap @ 5:22 pm

With summer knocking on your door, everyone is getting ready to enjoy the summer sun as much as possible. Some may prepare for summer by buying the right food for the barbeque, other may be visiting the gym more often to get their bodies ready for the beach, but either way, summer is known for being a platform to creating lasting memories and endless amounts of fun. The most important thing in being able to enjoy your summer is making sure you have a restful night’s sleep. Many people suffer from sleep apnea without knowing it, and it is important to be able to recognize signs of the disorder in order to handle it correctly. Dr. Gary Radz wants his patients to be as informed as possible, being able to recognize the signs and symptoms that sleep apnea encompasses.
The most common form of sleep apnea is OSA, or obstructive sleep apnea. The word “apnea” literally means “without breath”, so when you sleep, your body’s breathing becomes interrupted for up to 10 seconds. Because this pause can happen several times in a single night, your body is left feeling more tired than it did when you went to bed. If you suffer from OSA, when you sleep, the soft palate in your mouth relaxes and collapses, causing your airway to become obstructed and narrower. This may cause you to snore excessively and loudly throughout the night, have short breaths, as well as other symptoms.
There are many side effects associated with sleep apnea, and none of them should be taken lightly. The effects include sudden death, increased nocturnal urination, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, and many, many more frightening health issues. If you feel as though you or your partner suffers from sleep apnea, make an appointment with Dr. Radz as soon as possible, and we can create a treatment plan just you.
Contact our office today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Radz and our experienced, compassionate team today. We look forward to showing you what a difference sleep apnea therapy can make in your daily life. Our conveniently located office proudly serves patients from throughout Denver, as well as the surrounding areas of Aurora, Englewood, Lakewood, Greenwood Village, Centennial, and more.

Is Snoring Hurting Your Relationship?

May 15, 2014

Filed under: Denver Sleep Apnea Treatment,Denver Snoring Treatment — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — cosleepap @ 1:47 pm

Shutterstock Sleep Apnea SnoringLoud snoring is a common issue that leads to problems between bed partners, often sending the hapless offender out of the room to spend the remainder of the night on the couch. Couples frequently argue over snoring and both parties typically get less restful sleep after all is said and done. Is snoring causing a rift between you and your partner? At the office of Dr. Gary M. Radz in Denver, CO, our team helps patients with excessive snoring find a sleep apnea treatment plan that fits their lifestyle.
Snoring: More Than Just a Nuisance
While the sounds of snoring are certainly obtrusive, the underlying cause of this annoying noise may actually be of more concern than many people understand. The sound we associate with snoring is actually caused by the vibration of air through the passages formed by soft tissues in the nose, mouth, and throat. When these soft tissues obstruct proper airflow during sleep, the patient may experience a lapse in breathing. This is known as sleep apnea.
Not all people who snore suffer from sleep apnea, but because the disorder itself is considered potentially dangerous to health, disruptive snoring should be evaluated by a qualified professional. If sleep apnea is the reason for your snoring, sleep apnea therapy from Dr. Radz can help.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
If you or your partner frequently experiences loud, excessive snoring and it is creating problems in your relationship, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are ways we can help. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Radz and our experienced, compassionate team today. We look forward to showing you what a difference sleep apnea therapy can make in your daily life. Our conveniently located office proudly serves patients from throughout Denver, as well as the surrounding areas of Aurora, Englewood, Lakewood, Greenwood Village, Centennial, and more.

How Much Sleep Do You Need Each Night?

April 22, 2014

Filed under: Denver Sleep Apnea Treatment — Tags: , , , , , , , , — cosleepap @ 12:03 pm

sleepingWhat does it take to be at your best during the day? It takes, among other things, a good night’s rest.
Many of us are not getting the rest we need, however. In our hectic world, long hours at work or family commitments can keep you awake for longer than you should be.
In today’s post, we want to give you some idea of how much sleep you need each night.
How much sleep you need depends a lot on your age. Not surprisingly, children need more sleep than adults. In general, most adults should sleep between seven to nine hours each night, at roughly the same time. Going to bed and waking up at different hours each day can make it difficult to sleep well at night. Aiming for a consistent schedule will help you get the rest you deserve.
For children, getting more sleep is important. Newborns should sleep anywhere from 12 to 18 hours a day. Babies three months old and older should get 14 to 15 hours. Even children who are between five and 12 should sleep at least 10 hours, if not more.
Of course, not everyone who feels sleepy during the day feels that way because he went to bed late. Some patients have trouble sleeping because of a condition like sleep apnea or snoring.
If you think you might struggle with one of these, call Dr. Radz’s Denver office for an appointment. We offer exceptional care for both to patients from Englewood, Aurora, Lakewood, Greenwood Village, Centennial, and beyond.

Tips for a Good Night’s Rest

March 26, 2014

Filed under: Sleep — Tags: , , , , , , , , — cosleepap @ 12:38 pm

restful sleepWe spend a lot time on our blog talking about sleep apnea and snoring and how they’re treated. But not everyone who has trouble sleeping at night struggles with sleep apnea or snoring. Some patients could simply benefit from following a few of these tips for getting a better night’s rest.
First, pay attention to the foods or drinks you’re consuming before bedtime. Eating too much or not enough can affect your quality of sleep, as can drinking caffeine or alcohol. Even just drinking too much water can stand in the way of truly restful sleep.
Having a pre-bedtime routine and going to bed at the same time every night can also help. Maybe you like to take a bad or shower before bed, or you enjoy a soothing cup of chamomile tea. Whatever it is, a routine will help your brain recognize that it’s time for bed. Meanwhile, your sleep schedule will help you get a consistent amount of sleep each night.
Just as important, make sure your room is dark enough to trigger the brain’s release of melatonin, the hormone that helps us sleep. And it will help to invest in pillows and a mattress that you’re truly comfortable on. A lumpy pillow or a mattress that’s not supportive enough will make it difficult to get comfortable and could lead to soreness in the morning.
Have you tried following these steps, but you still can’t seem to sleep well at night. Talk to Dr. Radz of Denver. During your appointment, he can ask you questions about your quality of sleep and whether you struggle with any sleep apnea symptoms. He can also schedule a sleep test for you that will help us determine if you need care for sleep apnea.
We’re happy to serve patients from Denver, Englewood, Aurora, Lakewood, Greenwood Village, Centennial, and nearby areas.

What Causes Snoring?

November 13, 2013

Filed under: Denver Snoring Treatment — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — cosleepap @ 5:02 pm

One of the most common sleep problems that people can face is snoring. It’s not uncommon for family members to tease each other about another’s snoring, but sometimes it’s no laughing matter. Not only can relationships be strained by severe snoring, it can also be a sign of a larger problem—sleep apnea. Thankfully, the causes of snoring aren’t a mystery, and treatment is possible.
The Most Common Cause
In many cases, the cause of snoring can be tied to obstruction. In other words, the tongue, jaw, or the mouth’s soft tissues have relaxed to the point that the patient’s airways are blocked. The sound that you hear when someone snores is the sound of air noisily passing through the body to the lungs. That same obstruction is also what causes sleep apnea patients to stop breathing during sleep.
At Dr. Gary Radz’s office, we offer oral appliances to help patients treat both their snoring and their sleep apnea symptoms. An oral appliance is a custom-made device designed to fit over the patient’s upper and lower teeth, repositioning the jaw and tongue so that they don’t block the throat. For many patients, an oral appliance is the treatment of choice for both sleep problems and snoring.
Give Us a Call
Is snoring and sleep apnea getting in the way of your health or your relationships? Call Dr. Radz’s Denver office today for a consultation. During your visit Dr. Radz will help you understand your needs and find a treatment solution. We serve patients from Inglewood, Aurora, Lakewood, Greenwood Village, Centennial, and all surrounding areas.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

September 19, 2013

Filed under: Denver Sleep Apnea Treatment — Tags: , , , , , , , , — cosleepap @ 7:05 am

Do you routinely feel tired during the day, even after going to bed early the night before? Have others noticed that you seem stressed or moody? All three of these are signs that you may be struggling with interrupted sleep as a result of sleep apnea.
Patients with this underdiagnosed condition stop breathing for 10 or more seconds during sleep. As a result, the brain sends out a signal waking them up to take a breath. Not every sleep apneapatient will wake up all the way, though; some only move to a lighter stage of sleep, which explains how a sleep apnea patient may be unaware of his or her problem.
In many cases, sleep apnea is caused by obstruction. This type is known specifically as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, orOSAS. What causes the obstruction? The most common causes include the size of the patient’s airway passages, swelling, and the position of the tongue.
After the sleep apnea patient has returned to sleep, the cycle of sleeping and waking will continue throughout the night, leading to the drowsiness, stress, and moodiness we mentioned above. Sleep apnea can also make it difficult to concentrate and cause memory loss or accidents at home, work, or behind the wheel. If left untreated, it may also cause high blood pressure, heart problems, and premature death.
But thankfully, sleep apnea is treatable. As a locally and internationally recognized dentist, Dr. Gary M. Radz can provide effective relief at his Denver dental office. CPAP is a common and universally recognized treatment, but custom-made oral sleep appliances are quickly becoming the new standard for care.
Are you worried that you might be struggling with sleep apnea?Dr. Radz of Denver can help. Call us today for an appointment. We serve patients from Inglewood, Aurora, Lakewood,Greenwood Village, Centennial, and all surrounding areas.

Quiet Night, Better Sleep

March 12, 2013

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , — cosleepap @ 1:47 am

There is more to snoring than just the noise. Snoring only appears to a problem for the bed partner who has to listen to it all night long, after all a good snorer can crank out about 90 decibels which is comparable to a train whistle at 500 feet. That’s loud!
It is usually the one that has to listen to the snoring that forces some kind of solution. Everyone wants a good night sleep in order to be healthier and happier. Ironically, it is the snorer who could be in mortal danger. What starts out as a problem for me, the bed partner, ends up being a serious problem for the one doing the snoring.
Patients ask me what the options are to stop snoring. My answer is, “Well, that depends because no two people are alike.” Snoring can be the sign of some very serious medical issues not to be taken lightly. Like with any medical condition, the serious issues should not be overlooked.
Here is why it is confusing:

  • A person who snores may have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
  • A person with OSA might not snore so they go undiagnosed which is dangerous.
  • Apnea comes in several forms in several stages of sleep. One form of apnea is created by the brain and not nasal obstruction.
  • It can create dangerous problems with the heart during sleep.
  • It can cause Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD).
  • It can cause the patient to stop breathing in such a manner that the oxygen saturation of the blood can go down to very serious levels.

Common Snoring Traits 
People who snore and those who have apnea can have the following common physical traits:

  • Overweight
  • Large Necks
  • Big Tongues
  • Wear on Lower Teeth
  • GERD
  • Extreme day time sleepiness

Diagnosis
Apnea is a medical problem and should be treated as such. The first step in treatment is getting a proper diagnosis which can only be done with a formal sleep study and under the guidance of a sleep physician.
The diagnosis is broken up into the following:

  • Snores only
  • Mild, Moderate or Severe Apnea

Treatment
In the past, the gold standard was the CPAP which is the mask that fits over the nose and is hooked up to a air machine. It is still the standard for severe apnea. The problem with the CPAP is that not everyone can or will wear one.
Recently, the FDA has recognized that certain oral devices, which can only be made by dentists, can and do stop snoring for the mild and moderate apnics. This reality has quite literally forced MD’s and dentist to work together for the betterment of their patient’s health and that is a great thing.
So, if you or your loved one snores, it can be a serious issue so talk to Dr. Radz and your MD about your concerns.
Thanks to Dr. Mack Lee for this contribution.

Have Questions? Get Answers.