INFORMATION ABOUT Insurance Companies

Insurance PersonObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disease first described in the early 1960’s and , at that time, identified only in its most severe form: obesity hypoventilation syndrome. The disease dates back centuries, and the character of “Sam” the coach boy in Charles Dicken’s Pickwick Papers gave the newly described condition the original English name of “Pickwickian Syndrome”. Over the years this disease has spawned a new medical specialty known as “Sleep Medicine” with overlapping representation from psychiatry, neurology and pulmonology. There are more than one hundred sleep disorders including the common parasomnias of restless leg, sleep walking, and sleep talking to the more unusual abnormalities of circadian rhythm and REM behavior disorder.

In 1982 Colin Sullivan, B.SC (Med.), M.B. B.S., PhD, F.R.A.C.P. Published the first studies that examined treating patients with his invention continuous positive air pressure (CPAP). Traditional throat surgery for the treatment of snoring (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty : UPPP) was brought to this country by Dr. Fujita in 1982 and the first publications about treating obstructive sleep apneics with mandibular repositioning oral orthotics were published in 1983. To the present time, these are the three most common treatments for patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Tracheotomy is restricted for severe OSA where CPAP is not an option.

Since these three alternative therapies were introduced, hundreds of research papers have been published looking at success of treatment, patient compliance with the prescribed therapy and improvements in the patient’s quality of life. There is no question that CPAP, and its cousins BiPAP and APAP)

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (originally called the American Sleep Disorders Association) was formed in the 1980’s as a forum for physicians and practitioners who were interested in sleep disorders. This organization has grown to be a recognized medical specialty with training fellowships. It is also charged with accrediting sleep centers across America.

The professional standards practice parameters of the AASM

Oral appliance standardsof the ASSM

Surgical standards

Denist1

Dentists play an important role in the team approach to the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

Physicians, dentists, psychologists, and respiratory therapists all pool their knowledge to treat each patient appropriately and effectively.

Dentists who are specifically trained in aspects of sleep medicine and have a command of multiple appliance modalities are of great help to physicians in treating patients with sleep disordered breathing problems.

AVALABLE OFFICE HOURS:

9:00 t o 5:00 (Mon)
9:00 to 5:00 (Wed–Sat)
12:00 to5:00 (Sun)
CALL 617.964.4028
in Massachusetts
317.842.9866
in Indiana

 

The National Center on Sleep Disorders Research, can provide you with sleep education materials. As well as publications on heart, lung and blood research:
Two Rockledge Center, Suite 7024, 6701Rockledge Drive, MSC 7920, Betesda, MD 20892-7920
(P)301.435.0199 /
(F) 301.480.3451
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/ncsdr/

Information about sleep disorders may be obtained from NHLBI:
NHLBI Information Center
P. O. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
(P) 301.251.1222 / (F) 301.251.122
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/