ChicagoENT

Drowsy Driving and Sleep Apnea: Closely Related

ChicagoENT — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:20:31 +0000

The close association between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and drowsy driving has been identified for some time now, but a new study presented this month at the Sleep and Breathing Conference in Berlin solidified it even more.

The study involved a driving simulation, which was undertaken by OSA patients and those without OSA. Researchers at the University Hospital in Leeds, England found that 24% of the OSA patients failed the test, while 12% of people without OSA failed. Furthermore, 35% of OSA patients admitted to nodding at the wheel while only 11% of non-OSA participants admitted to nodding.

“Those who suffer from OSA don’t get restful sleep,” explains Robert Kuhn, clinical director of ChicagoENT’s Sleep Diagnostic Center. “And since their sleep is so fragmented, they become sleep- deprived. They might not know it, but soon they have slower reaction times. And eventually you fall asleep at the wheel.”

The airway blockages that occur among OSA patients don’t allow for proper oxygenation throughout the body, leading to a wide variety of symptoms. Even if you’re getting enough sleep, if you’re still finding yourself drowsy during the day, Obstructive Sleep Apnea may be part of the picture. There’s no need to continue putting yourself – and others on the road – in danger. Visit ChicagoENT’s sleep specialists to see how we can help you be more energetic, more alert, and a safer driver.

Free cancer screening this Wednesday – limited space available!

ChicagoENT — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:56:19 +0000

This week is the 16th annual Oral Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week, organized each year by the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance. Oral, Head and Neck cancer is the sixth-most common form of cancer in the world, and our physicians treat hundreds of Head and Neck cancer patients in Chicago alone, each year.

ChicagoENT is proud to participate in this year's program by offering a free cancer screening this Wednesday, April 17 from 4-5 pm at our 3000 N. Halsted location. Space is limited to 50 people, so you MUST RSVP to Jacob Kanter at 773-289-1832. If you reach a voicemail, please leave your name and number.

We encourage you to explore the various resources at the OHANCAW website: info and resources on Oral, Head and Neck cancer, inspiring patient stories, links to various charities and organizations and more.

If you've recently discovered any lumps around your neck, or any discoloration around your lips or mouth, please RSVP today and stop by on Wednesday for a free screening! Better to be safe than sorry!

A New Solution for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Without Throat Surgery

ChicagoENT — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:00:57 +0000

With Obstructive Sleep Apnea affecting tens of millions of Americans, medical sleep researchers are constantly striving to develop new alternatives to open up blocked airways. ChicagoENT has conducted a number of studies to determine the effectiveness of these new techniques, and we're excited to embark on our latest: Targeted Hypoglossal Neurostimulation (THN).

Many patients' Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is caused when the base of the tongue falls back towards the throat during sleep. That is one reason why snoring is often worse when sleeping on your back. The tongue can gain weight along with the rest of your body; and when it takes up too much space at the back of the mouth, air cannot travel as freely, leading to apneic events.

We’ve been perfecting Targeted Hypoglossal Neurostimulation (THN) for several years, and recently made it available for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) patients. Dr. Friedman is one of the few surgeons in the US who can perform this procedure, which involves placing a tiny neurostimulator chip in the base of the tongue. You can't feel it at all, but when your tongue starts to collapse towards the back of the throat while you're sleeping, the chip sends a signal to your brain which unconsciously keeps the tongue forward and the airway open.

The Targeted Hypoglossal Neurostimulation (THN) system consists of a rechargeable pulse generator placed under the skin near the collar bone, and a multi-electrode lead placed in the upper neck. The electrodes deliver mild electrical pulses to the nerve underneath the tongue, stimulating the muscles, improving the muscle tone of the upper airway and allowing you to breathe safely at night. It's almost like a workout for your tongue, and you don't even know you're doing it!

Dr. Friedman first developed nerve stimulation in 1990 for the treatment of spasmodic dysphonia, a voice disorder caused by laryngeal muscle spasms. But only now has nerve stimulation been FDA approved for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

It's one of the most innovative techniques available to patients suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), and ChicagoENT is proud to be one of the few clinics in the USA to offer it. If you suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea and would like to be considered for the upcoming study, please contact our research department at 773-289-1823.

Dedicated to Continuing Medical Education (CME)

ChicagoENT — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:46:07 +0000

In addition to hours spent in consult rooms, procedure rooms and operating rooms, ChicagoENT’s doctors spend a great deal of time on stage or behind a podium. Taking care of our patients is of utmost importance, but we're also dedicated to sharing our experiences and research with other doctors so they can in turn better take care of their own patients and continue their medical education.

In just the first few weeks of 2013, Dr. Michael Friedman has delivered a number of continuing medical education (CME) presentations, both in Chicago and around the country:

Advocate Illinois Masonic Grand Rounds: “Minimally Invasive and Innovative Techniques in Otolaryngology” (Chicago, IL: Jan. 2013)
Presence Health Saint Mary’s Continuing Medical Education Lecture: “Comprehensive Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea” (Chicago, IL: Jan. 2013)
Metro Atlanta ENT Society : “Oral Appliances in the Treatment of Sleep Disordered Breathing” (Atlanta, GA: Jan. 2013)
Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses: “Obstructive Sleep Apnea Fact vs. Fiction; Transoral Robotic Surgery” (Chicago, IL: February 2013)

Dr. Friedman, seen here at St. Mary’s Hospital in Chicago last month, is always sharing his findings with colleagues.

At the end of February, Dr. Friedman will be traveling to New York City to present “Treatment of OSA beyond Uvullopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), Robotics, ZPPP, and Revision UPPP” in a CME lecture at Mount Sinai Hospital.

If you are a doctor or medical researcher who would like more information on the continuing medical education in Otolaryngology about any of the above topics, or if you would like copies of slides, please contact Jacob Kanter at 773-289-1832.