J. Sabo July 2019
Highland Springs HERALD
July 2019
701 Highland Springs Avenue, Suite 12 Beaumont, CA 92223 www.tmjandsleepapnea.com babylaser.com 951.769.1616
The Vacation That Spurred My Sleep Medicine Passion Rock the Boat
I t’s safe to say that I feel as relaxed as ever! My family and I just returned from our annual trip to Lake Powell, which sits along the Arizona and Utah border. Every year, we spend an exciting week aboard a houseboat on the lake’s crystal blue waters. At Lake Powell, your days are spent swimming, playing water sports, and enjoying a cellphone-free week. During the night, you fall asleep counting shooting stars. It’s the perfect setting for family memories.
And it’s also where I got my start in sleep medicine.
Six years ago, I noticed my son, Owen, tossing and turning in his sleep. His breathing appeared irregular as well. I remember thinking, “That doesn’t seem very restful.” The crinkling of his sleeping bag certainly kept me awake!
I shared my concerns with Owen’s pediatrician shortly after our trip. She started him on a nasal steroid in an attempt to reduce his tonsil and adenoid tissues, which would, in theory, open his airway for better flow. But it didn’t have the desired effect. The next step was a sleep test to look at his condition on paper. Ultimately, Owen was diagnosed with sleep apnea. After having his tonsils and adenoid tissue removed and undergoing an orthodontic expansion of his dental arches, Owen is thriving. Today, he is 10 years old
At just 4 years old, “sleep apnea sleep” was all Owen had ever known. As a young kid, he could have never realized this was abnormal. That’s part of the reason why it can be so difficult to diagnose kids with sleep-disordered breathing conditions. Adults can even suffer from this “symptom blindness,” too, and sometimes it takes someone else recognizing the abnormality before you can find a diagnosis. This is why my team and I are so passionate about screening our family and patients for signs and symptoms they may have gone “blind” to. I’m grateful that I caught Owen’s irregular sleeping when I did. I was able to quarterback my son’s care, and this ultimately led me to a field that I am passionate about. Best of all, it gave our son a great chance at permanent developmental change. Today, he continues to be our budding jazz musician, who hasn’t let our early interventions slow him down. I could not be more proud of him.
and participates in orofacial myofunctional therapy to continue this improvement.
–Dr. Jessica Sabo
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The Guardian Who Would Not Leave His Watch
Odin Lives Up to His Legendary Name
members increasing with each passing minute, the Hendels made the heart-wrenching decision to leave Odin and the goats behind.
Amid the devastation of the wildfires that tore through California in the fall of 2017, a few heroic tales rose up to give people hope. One such tale was of Odin, a loyal Great Pyrenees guard dog. Along with his sister, Tessa, and eight rescue goats, Odin is part of the Hendel family.
The family made it to safety with Tessa in tow, relieved to be together but heartbroken that Odin and the goats weren’t with them. After several agonizing days, it was finally safe enough for them to return home and survey the destruction.
What did the Hendels find? Ashes, rubble, their barn and home burned to the ground — and Odin. There he was, still guarding his eight goats and some small deer that had
It was mid-October when the Hendels were awoken by the smell of smoke, a fierce orange sky, and
sought shelter with the brave canine. Weakened, burned, and limping, but nevertheless steadfast, Odin had never left his goats, even as the fire raged around them. Odin wagged his tail as he saw his family, happy to see they were also safe. The Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue and the Goatlandia Animal Sanctuary provided temporary shelter for the goats and pups while the Hendels rebuilt their barn. Odin received all the care he needed, along with a lot of love and treats. Today, Odin and his goats are back with their family, rebuilding their lives after this devastating wildfire. But the Hendels, and anyone who’s heard the story, won’t soon forget the bravery of their amazing pup.
sounds of destruction — urgent warnings from Mother Nature. Gathering everyone as quickly as they could, the Hendels got their human family members and Tessa in the car, but Odin, seated proudly next to the eight goats, refused to get in. Try as they might, the Hendels could not get him to come with them, and there wasn’t enough room in the car for the eight goats. With the firestorm quickly approaching and the risk of losing even more family
The Connections Between Your Mouth and Your Body A Miraculous Mouth
Our bodies are beautifully designed, and each component works in a symbiotic fashion. It’s no surprise then that your oral health can influence your overall health. Researchers have directly linked the conditions in your mouth with either prompting reactions throughout your body or worsening chronic conditions.
In addition, the bacteria linked to periodontal disease — an infection that degrades the jaw bone and inflames the gums — has been linked to strokes, diabetes, acid reflux, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, pregnancy complications, cardiac conditions, and kidney and liver diseases. Coincidentally, these conditions can also influence your oral health. For instance, acid reflux can cause the erosion of your enamel because of the stomach acids that bubble up through your esophagus. Sleep-disordered breathing conditions manifest symptoms in your mouth, as well. Dental experts can often identify redness in your throat or the abnormal function of your tongue, both of which can influence breathing. Previously, medical and dental science rarely worked together, but now, more dentists and doctors team up for patient care. Together, they encourage patients to properly brush and floss and to attend regular dental appointments. Dentists monitor the mouth for symptoms of sleep apnea, oral cancers, and bleeding tendencies, while doctors look for conditions that could influence oral health. Your body is an amazing work of art, and it deserves the best care. The experts at Dr. Sabo’s office can help you lead a happier, healthier lifestyle with regular cleanings and guidance. Learn more and schedule your appointment by calling 951.769.1616.
Your mouth is one of the main ways nutrients enter your body. Traditionally, people eat, talk, drink, and get sick in their mouth. (People also have an unhealthy habit of using their teeth to open or separate things.) This opens your mouth
to a litany of problems. For example, if you are missing teeth, you may struggle to eat nutrient-dense foods that are more challenging to chew, like carrots. This could ultimately lead to weight gain and nutrient deficiency.
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What to Expect During a Sleep Test
Sleep medicine has been revolutionizing the way researchers diagnose and treat varying conditions for the last 100 years. Today, sleep tests are the premier option for diagnosing sleep-disordered breathing conditions, but the process can be intimidating. Here’s what you can expect during your sleep test. At Home Many patients turn to the comfort of an at-home test before the laboratory. These tests allow you to stay in your environment, but they can be confusing when the time comes to start the test by yourself. You can avoid this by doing your very best to closely follow the instructions on how to apply every component of the test. When you are shown how to put the device on, take a quick “selfie” picture! This will help remind you later where everything goes and make for a fun memory of this technological adventure! Most importantly, don’t stress out. If the results of your at-home sleep test do not reveal a possible diagnosis, an in-laboratory sleep test will be used to definitively determine if there is a sleep-disordered breathing diagnosis. In the Lab Laboratory sleep tests can be daunting, but the key is to mimic your at-home bedtime routine. Wear your usual pajamas, bring a fan or a book with you, or play your music or calming sounds. Maintaining your usual routine will give your body a sense of normalcy in a setting that can be unfamiliar. This will produce the most accurate results. And, yes, you will fall asleep! It won’t be your most restful night of sleep, but it will hopefully lead to many restful nights in the future. The Results Sleep technicians will monitor your heart rate, oxygen levels, sleep stages, limb movements, and more for any abnormalities. These findings may help indicate a sleep-disordered breathing diagnosis, but experts are also looking for other signals that may iron out sleep-related disturbances of other origins.
Test Prep
A sleep test can be imperative to discovering a treatment plan that works best for you. Learn more about what you can expect or set up a consultation with Dr. Sabo by calling 951.769.1616.
Have a Laugh
Sudoku
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www.tmjandsleepapnea.com babylaser.com 951.769.1616
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701 Highland Springs Avenue Suite 12 Beaumont, CA 92223
Inside This Issue How a Vacation Led Dr. Sabo to Sleep Medicine
A Tail of Bravery Why Your Oral Health Matters to Your Body
Sleep Testing 101 Take a Break
Food for a Clear Mind
Food for a Clear Mind What We Can Learn From Cooking Without Alliums
Can you imagine cooking without alliums, aka garlic, onions, chives, or leeks? In Buddhist temples in Korea, avoiding alliums is something that has been practiced for hundreds of years. Days are filled with prayer, meditation, and meals centered on vegetables and fermented foods — no meat, fish, or alliums. Monks and nuns who live in these temples cook with intention, to keep a clear mind and a healthy body. As one nun explains, “The food creates the entire human being.” A typical temple meal might include rice, mushroom fritters, fried potatoes, kimchi, fermented radishes, marinated tofu, and crispy greens. Despite missing the ingredients so many of us rely on for flavor, anyone who’s tried temple food attests to how aromatic and delicious it is. How is this achieved? With fermented foods, carefully aged sauces, and fresh ingredients picked straight from the source. Many temples grow their own food and use what’s in season, preserving vegetables and fruits at the end of summer to sustain them through the winter. Soy sauce is traditionally fermented in large jars throughout the year and can be aged for 50 years or more to elicit the deep umami flavor
that makes temple cuisine so flavorful. Each meal is intended to be fulfilling and nourishing so residents can focus on their meditation and prayers. Several different cultures and religions, including Buddhism and Ayurvedic medicine, have traditionally avoided alliums because the pungent properties in them are believed
to distract the mind. Those following a low-FODMAP diet (a diet restricting foods not well absorbed by the small intestine) and those suffering from IBS also opt to cut alliums from their diet to improve digestion. It may be worth avoiding alliums for a day or two and noting how you feel. Maybe, like the nuns and monks in Korea, you’ll find yourself graced with a clear mind and a happy belly. 4
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