Request Request an Appointment Call Call Us Forms Forms Map View Map Google Google Facebook Facebook

sleep Solutions & Tmj Pain Therapy Blog

Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Rheumatoid Arthritis

February 11, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — drwest @ 1:46 am

Comparison of normal and sleep apnea airwayRheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that causes several symptoms that can affect your quality of life, like pain in your joints, swelling, weight loss, fever, and fatigue. If you’re finding it difficult to make it through your day without more caffeine, your ongoing fatigue may be a sign of another condition. Sleep apnea and rheumatoid arthritis can go hand in hand. Here’s what you need to know to prevent potentially life-threatening complications. 

(more…)

Dental Dreams: Does Sleep Apnea Cause Nightmares?

January 8, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — drwest @ 8:10 pm
Man frowning in his sleep

Have you ever had the experience of feeling frozen in place at night while your heart races and your breathing stops? This can be a terrifying experience in addition to leaving you feeling drained and exhausted before your feet hit the floor in the morning. If you’re having nightmares you can’t explain, you may be experiencing sleep apnea. This condition interrupts your body’s natural sleep cycles which means you’re not getting the quality rest you need at night. If this sounds familiar, keep reading to learn more about sleep apnea and what you can do to prevent it.

(more…)

Best Foods to Eat If You Have a TMJ Disorder

December 22, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — drwest @ 10:15 pm

Nutritious foods on wooden tableYour temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are located just in front of your ears, connecting your lower jaw to your skull. Inflammation, tension, or injuries to the joints can cause them to function incorrectly. Whether you experience clicking and popping, your jaw locking into an open or closed position, or facial pain, the foods you eat can help or worsen your symptoms. Here are the best and worst foods to eat if you have a TMJ disorder.

(more…)

Can Weighted Blankets Help Sleep Apnea?

December 18, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — drwest @ 7:50 pm

Weighted blanket on a bedWeighted blankets are great sleep aids for people with anxiety, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, and many other conditions, but can they help sleep apnea sufferers? Yes! Anxiety can be a source of sleep issues, which can coincide with the breathing disorder. Here’s how a weighted blanket can help you get the rest you need.

(more…)

TMJ Awareness Month: Symptoms and Treatment Options

November 30, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — drwest @ 8:13 pm

TMJ and skull on deskNovember is TMJ Awareness Month, dedicated to improving public knowledge about the signs of jaw disorders and treatment options. Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are located on either side of your face, just in front of your ears. Certain issues can cause the joints to function incorrectly, leading to several symptoms that can affect your quality of life. You don’t have to live with recurring jaw pain. Here’s how TMJ therapy can stop your discomfort and improve your oral functions.

(more…)

7 Factors That Can Make Sleep Apnea Symptoms Worse

November 29, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — drwest @ 2:43 am

Close up of man’s hand holding a cigarette If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), getting a good night’s rest can be difficult. Daytime fatigue isn’t the only concern. You can be at risk of various physical and psychological health issues, like heart disease, depression, and memory loss. Many factors can make your symptoms worse. You don’t have to spend another night struggling to get some sleep. Here are 7 common triggers you should avoid.

(more…)

Better than an App: Keeping a Sleep Diary Might Be Your Key to Getting Quality Rest

October 1, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — drwest @ 2:38 pm
woman writing in sleep diary

The benefits of journaling have gotten more and more attention over the past few years thanks to modern life becoming increasingly complicated. In addition to helping you remember your day-to-day and organize your thoughts, this practice can also serve another important purpose—tracking your sleep to see why you’re so tired all the time. For people struggling with sleep apnea who don’t know it yet (which is 80-90% of those with the disorder), keeping a sleep diary can serve as the first step toward getting the diagnosis and treatment they need.

(more…)

What to Expect from TMJ Surgery

September 6, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — drwest @ 6:22 pm
Illustration of human skull with TMJ highlighted in red

If you suffer from severe jaw pain, you should certainly seek professional care right away. You might be diagnosed with TMJ disorder (TMD). In most cases, this condition can be addressed via conservative, noninvasive means. Sometimes, though, surgery is necessary. What can you expect if you need to undergo TMJ surgery? This blog post provides an overview of the process.

(more…)

Understanding the Connection Between TMD and Arthritis

Filed under: Uncategorized — drwest @ 5:53 pm
Senior woman struggling to cope with TMD and arthritis

Roughly 10 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with TMJ disorder (TMD), while a whopping 1 in 4 adults has been diagnosed with arthritis. Both of these conditions can cause persistent pain and adversely affect a person’s quality of life — but is there any real connection between them? In many cases, yes. This blog post discusses what you should know.

(more…)

Can CBD Oil Reduce Sleep Apnea Symptoms?

August 15, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — drwest @ 7:57 pm

CBD oil in glass bottle and dropperCBD oil has gained popularity over the last decade because of its claimed benefits when treating a variety of health issues, including anxiety, depression, and pain. However, can it improve sleep apnea symptoms? CBD is known to relieve insomnia symptoms to help you sleep peacefully during the night, but healthcare professionals recommend avoiding marijuana products if you have sleep apnea.

(more…)

Older Posts »