Sleep and Health Journal

A recent article (PubMed abstract below) in the European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology made the following conclusions "These findings confirm the hypothesis that triptans and ergot derivatives are associated with an increased risk of drug dependence"

Sleep apnea is a life threatening condition that can cause hear attacks, strokes, worsen diabetes,adversely affect short term memory loss and cognitive function and increase risks of motor vehicle accidents 600%. CPAP, or continuous positive air pressure is used to treat obstructive sleep apnea and is considered to be the gold standard of treatment.

A new article from Headache Jan 20, 2010 from the Carolina Headache Institute (see Pub Med abstract below) on the presence of neck pain in migraine showed that neck pain was more common than naseau. This is consistent with migraines being a trigeminal nerve disorder and/or a TMJ disorder.

A recent article "Development of temporomandibular disorders is associated with greater bodily pain experience" published in the the Clinical Journal of Pain shows that the development of TMD also leads to widespread pain throughout the body (abstract below). The study was done at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill by the Center for Neurosensory Disorders.

The Trigeminal nerve is acknowledged to play a role in most migraines and Tension-type Headaches.

This is partially taken from a blog on the http://www.IHATECPAP.com website. I think that it is important to have an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages to different surgical proceedure and also to understand how doing the wrong surgery first could create additional problems or morbidity when the most effective surgery is done.

I HATE HEADACHES is dedicated to helping patients learn about the benefits of Neuromuscular Dentistry (NMD) and to assist patients in finding a neuromuscular dentist. Patients with migraines, Tension-type headaches and chronic daily headaches can frequently find help in eliminating and avoiding these headaches with neuromuscular dental treatment.

A recent article cited evidence that patients can show improvement in with dentures compared to no dentures.

Prosthodont Res. 2010 Jan;54(1):42-7. Epub 2009 Oct 9.

CPAP is still considered the Gold Standard of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea treatment but the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) now considers Dental Sleep Medicine and Oral Appliances a first line approach for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

According to information on the AADSM website "the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine supports new guidelines that identify oral appliance therapy as an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.