Sleep Apnea Treatment in Soldotna & Anchorage, AK |
ANNOUNCEMENT!! DR HU WAS RECENTLY INVITED BY THE MILITARY TO LECTURE AND TEACH DENTAL SLEEP MEDICINE TO OUR SOLDIERS IN UNIFORM!! HE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO LECTURE IN SUNNY HAWAII AT THE DIFFERENT BASES AND WAS HONORED TO SPEAK ALONG SIDE OF JOHN REMMERS, MD (CONSIDERED PIONEER OF SLEEP MEDICINE) and JAMISON SPENCER (DENTAL SLEEP MEDICINE). THIS WAS AUGUST, 2018. OUR SOLDIER'S SLEEP IS SO VITAL, NOT ONLY COMBAT READINESS, PTSD, AND LIFE SPAN ARE ALL CONNECTED TO THEIR SLEEP, BUT ALL THE CO-MORBIDITIES THAT WILL IMPACT THEIR DEPLOYMENT AND SAFTEY. DR. HU IS HONORED TO HELP OUR MILITARY WHO MAKE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR OUR NATION.
Potential SLEEP BREATHING DISORDER PATIENTS:
Do you have sleep apnea? Dr. Jerry C. Hu, DDS Family Dentistry in Soldotna and Achorage, AK, can help treat your obstructive sleep apnea. In 2017, he became the first full time practicing dentist in Alaska to achieve Board Accreditation as a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM) In May, 2017, he attained his SECOND Board accreditation from the Board of American Sleep and Breathing Academy (ASBA). He is now double Diplomate - board certified in dental sleep medicine. He also has done numerous published studies in dental sleep medicine and has lectured to dentists throughout North America on this topic. He is also on his way to attaining his second Board credentials with American Sleep and Breathing Academy (ASBA); he has already passed ASBA written Board Exam. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Hu today. If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea but cannot tolerate wearing a CPAP, BIPAP, or VPAP at night, you're not the only one. As of 2015, research shows that more than 7 million Americans each year get diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. This can even be more of a problem for shift workers and slope workers living in Alaska-- Anchorage and Soldotna locations available. Furthermore, many people are suffering at high risk because the compliance factor in overall treatment success with CPAP (etc.) is notably low. Each year, between 1.25 - 1.5 million Americans abandon their CPAP use. Many potential side effects are documented from Aerophagia to allergies to cannulas. When camping, fishing, hiking, or traveling long distances, it is very difficult to utilize CPAP machines (etc.) as portable devices. Often times when people are using CPAP routinely and their bodies become dependent upon the machine, it is
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quite dangerous to go on a vacation or trip without any assistance for their airway management during sleep. There have been documented cases where individuals have passed away in their sleep (particularly during REM sleep); this is when severe apnea events have taken their lives while on a camping trip, etc. due to the lack of airway assistance. Compliance is also a major issue with CPAP. Peter Cistulli, MD in Australia, has done extensive research on the adherence/ compliance of CPAP versus dental oral appliance therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and he came up with an "effectiveness" score. The findings are alarming, in that patients are far more compliant and adherent to protocols for oral appliance therapy over CPAP usage on a long term basis. Dr. Hu is not only able to offer you an additional treatment option or adjunctive choice to CPAP (etc.) with the Micr02 dental apnea device, but he is also an American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine member and published author, clinical beta-tester, and researcher in this unique field of MADs/MRDs (Mandibular Advancement or Repositioning Devices). These devices are also very portable and titration is revolutionized with CAD/CAM technology. Unlike hand made dental sleep apnea devices which are different size and shape for each fabricated device, the Micr02 is made with CAD/CAM digital technology which is extremely accurate, and also Metal-free! For metal allergy sufferers out there with apnea, this device helps tremendously.
In Alaska, many people are employed as shift workers. This becomes even more important as heavy machinery, commercial vehicles, fishing vessels, and public safety can impact other people dramatically if there is operator error due to lack of quality REM sleep. As shift workers, you owe it to yourself and the safety of others to get a sleep test. The gold standard is a PSG for sleep test at a sleep standard, but if time, location, and not being in your own home are important to you, Dr. Hu also offers portable take home sleep tests with Alice One, Medibyte Junior, ApneaLink and Watch PAT 200. Home sleep tests (Type III ) will give the necessary results in AHI, ODI, RDI, as well as oxygen desaturation levels and percentage of REM and deep sleep, needed for sleep physicians- MD's and ENT's to diagnose sleep apnea. You will also find that compared to PSG sleep tests at sleep centers, the portable take home sleep test that Dr. Hu offers is very much affordable,-- especially considering the risks for doing nothing. If you wake up your spouse in the middle of the night, or if you wake up gasping for air, or if you often feel tired throughout the day, or feel you haven't rested well, these may be signs and you should consider getting a sleep test.
In Alaska, many people are employed as shift workers. This becomes even more important as heavy machinery, commercial vehicles, fishing vessels, and public safety can impact other people dramatically if there is operator error due to lack of quality REM sleep. As shift workers, you owe it to yourself and the safety of others to get a sleep test. The gold standard is a PSG for sleep test at a sleep standard, but if time, location, and not being in your own home are important to you, Dr. Hu also offers portable take home sleep tests with Alice One, Medibyte Junior, ApneaLink and Watch PAT 200. Home sleep tests (Type III ) will give the necessary results in AHI, ODI, RDI, as well as oxygen desaturation levels and percentage of REM and deep sleep, needed for sleep physicians- MD's and ENT's to diagnose sleep apnea. You will also find that compared to PSG sleep tests at sleep centers, the portable take home sleep test that Dr. Hu offers is very much affordable,-- especially considering the risks for doing nothing. If you wake up your spouse in the middle of the night, or if you wake up gasping for air, or if you often feel tired throughout the day, or feel you haven't rested well, these may be signs and you should consider getting a sleep test.
Dr. Hu also has the ability to look at your airway and collaborate with MD's and ENTs in Anchroage and Soldotna for anatomic issues by utilizing his Cone Beam CT Scan in his office. He can also evaluate the efficacy with a post device CT scan and compare to how much the airway opened up with a Micr02 in place. This is crucial information, because sometimes, certain patients may need surgery on top of getting appliances or devices for sleep apnea. Moreover, for those severe apnea patients, it may be necessary to utilize combination therapy (meaning, wearing a Micr02 or MAD with a CPAP, BIPAP, VPAP, etc. concurrently).
Under publications section, please feel free to look up Dr. Hu's research and publications for dental sleep apnea treatment. He has been published in prominent journals such as "Dental Sleep Practice" (DSP) with American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, as well as Dental Economics Magazine issue dedicated to Sleep Apnea. He has also lectured numerous times from Texas to British Columbia on dental sleep medicine. He also has been asked to be an instructor for Sleep Group Solutions and lecture at Annual AADSM (American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine) meetings. Dr. Hu has taken several of his team to dental sleep conference, and they are eager and ready to help. Should you have any questions, please feel free to call, ask in person, or email our office. Thank you! #SleepMatters |