Latex Allergies

Natural rubber latex is made from the milky substance found in rubber trees. Latex is found in many medical and dental products such as gloves, masks, syringes, tape and bandages. Some people are hypersensitive to natural rubber latex which can cause an allergic reaction.

An allergy to latex can develop after repeated exposure to products made of natural rubber latex. Healthcare workers are particularly suseptible since they are constantly exposed to latex products. Symptoms of a latex allergy can vary in severity from hives or nasal congestion to anaphylaxis, a potentially life threatening condition if left untreated.

If you have had an adverse reaction to latex, consult your physician to determine the best way to deal with the allergy. Inform your dentist and his/her staff so they can put an alert on your chart and take the proper precautions.

Fun Facts!

Abraham Lincoln issued a 'Thanksgiving Proclamation' on October 3, 1863 and officially designated the last Thursday of November as the national day for Thanksgiving.

Prior to that date, Presidents made an annual proclamation to specify the day when Thanksgiving was to be held.

The above information is for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Consult a qualified dentist or physician to determine an individualized treatment plan and for an accurate medical diagnosis and advice. Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the contents of this educational piece is current, accurate and complete, neither David A Dersh, D.M.D., PA nor any other party involved in the publication of this paper make guarantees of any kind to it's accuarcy, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and are not responsible for errors or omissions of any kind.

Sleep Apnea and Dental Care

We are hearing more and more about sleep apnea, which is a very serious sleep disorder. This disorder involves breathing that stops and starts repeatedly while one is sleeping. This can happen hundreds of times per night.

There are 3 types of Sleep Apnea

• Obstructive- Most common form that happens when throat muscles relax
• Central- happens when the brain doesn't send correct signals to the muscles that control breathing
• Complex- not as common and is a combination of Obstructive & Central

According to the National Institute of Health, sleep apnea affects more than 12 million Americans, mainly obese males over the age of 40. Sleep Apnea untreated can affect blood pressure, depression, erectile function and memory. It can lead to concentration impairment and cardiovascular diseaase. Fatigue is common since the disorder disrupts sleep. Interestingly, sleep apnea is the leading cause of car accidents both during the day and at night.

Symptoms

• Loud snoring
• Gasping for air or choking while sleeping
• Headaches each morning
• Poor memory
• Difficulty concentrating
• Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
• Frequent urination during the night
• Restless moving
• Waking yourself up from snoring or lack of air

Treatment

• Sleep Study to determine is sleep apnea is the correct diagnosis
• CPAP- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine that delivers air pressure through a mask that is placed over your nose while you sleep.
• Adjustable Airway Pressure Device- this may help if there continues to be a problem with the CPAP . It adjusts the pressure automatically while you sleep.
• Oral Appliance- Appliances work when other methods don't. These appliances bring your jaw forward and keep the throat open.
• Surgery-Surgery is done to remove excess tissue from the nose and throat that may be causing vibrations, which causes snoring and blockage of the upper air passages.

If you feel you or someone you know may be suffering from sleep apnea, we recommend you make an appointment with your medical doctor or a sleep specialist for a proper diagnosis.

The above information is for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Consult a qualified dentist or physician to determine an individualized treatment plan and for an accurate medical diagnosis and advice. Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the contents of this educational piece is current, accurate and complete, neither David A Dersh, D.M.D., PA nor any other party involved in the publication of this paper make guarantees of any kind to it's accuarcy, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and are not responsible for errors or omissions of any kind.