Vacation Light without CPAP
Immediate Release: November 24, 2006
Oral Appliance Gives Air Travelers Fit-in-Pocket CPAP Alternative.
Highland Park, IL - Listen up, all you CPAP carrying travelers and all of you snoring, sleep apnea sufferers (this sleep disorder affects nearly 1 and 8, according to the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine). There's a better alternative to packing a CPAP machine to treat your medical condition or purposely leaving it at home. You can be fitted with a lightweight discreet oral appliance that protects each breath without hoses, tubes, masks or plugs.
With custom fitted oral appliances that can fit in your pocket, you eliminate the risk of damage, loss, delay and other CPAP packaging burdens. This convenient slip-in-your-mouth sleep apnea treatment option ends embarrassing and loud snoring episodes on long flights. Hygiene's also a cinch; just use your tooth brush and paste to clean your appliance. No damp attachments to clean or mold risks.
CPAP
Oral Appliance
"It's a shame that many people with snoring or sleep disorders either shun vacations or take unnecessary risks because they don't want to lug or use their CPAP while away." comments Chicago Dentist Ira Shapira (a pioneer of dental sleep medicine). "The Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine supports the use of lightweight easy to use dental appliances that eliminates the hassle of packing cumbersome CPAP equipment and gives rest to those folks who don't like or want a CPAP."
While CPAP (continuous positive air pressure applied through a nasal mask) is considered the "gold standard" for treatment, compliance is less than 50% because users find the mask irritating, the CPAP machine is too noisy to allow sleep, the tubing gets in the way, or the mask gives a feeling of claustrophobia.
Sleep apnea sufferers who have yet to be diagnosed or stop wearing CPAP often snore, gasp and choke loudly disturbing their bed partners placing a strain on relationships and marriages. Untreated sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder that affects 20 million people, can cause high blood pressure, stroke, memory problems, headaches, job impairment, and sleep-related motor vehicle accidents.
A 36% decrease in survival over eight years was noted in untreated patients with an apnea index of >20 as compared to treated patients with an apnea index of > 20 were sited in the Journal SLEEP.
Chicago Dentist Ira Shapira, who first began studying sleep apnea treatments over twenty years ago when his three years old son was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, has experience curing hundreds of sleep deprived Chicagoans who suffer from disruptive snoring and life threatening sleep apnea with custom oral appliances that keep the airway open, ensuring a restful sleep.
Dr. Shapira offers his patients a choice of more than 60 oral appliances, contributes the latest clinical research, and consults with the best dental sleep medicine experts worldwide. A charter member of the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and founding member of Dental Organization of Sleep Apnea (DOSA), Dr. Shapira is a Diplomat of the Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. Over the past twenty years, this Sleep Medicine Expert has made significant contributions to the advancement of OSA dental treatments.
For more information about oral appliances, sleep apnea and related disorders, contact Dr. Shapira at 847-623-5530 or 1-800-TM-JOINT. You can also visit www.delanydentalcare.com.
About Dr. Shapira
Ira L. Shapira, D.D.S., F.I.C.C.M.O. is principal of Delany Dental Care, Ltd., Highland Park, Illinois, and is also the Director of the Dental Sleep Medicine Program at the Sleep and Behavior Medicine Institute and a member of the Advisory Board of the Sleep Medicine Center of Excellence. Dr. Shapira is credentialed in dental sleep medicine and a charter member of the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (www.dentalsleepmed.org), founding member of Dental Organization of Sleep Apnea (DOSA), a Diplomat of the Academy of Pain Management, and a Fellow of The International College of Craniomandibular Disorders. In addition, Dr. Shapira is currently Dental Editor of the Sleep and Health Newspaper and a frequent contributor.
Dr. Shapira completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery at Loyola University Chicago in 1977, and is a graduate of Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. He is a member of in the Chicago Dental Society, American Dental Association Illinois Dental Society, Academy of General Dentistry, American Equilibration Society, and Academy of Craniofacial Pain.
Dr. Shapira enjoys leisure time with his wife Elise and anything to do with his two children. He collects animation art, travels, plays tennis, and is an avid reader.
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