How Snore Guard® Works

Snore Guard® is a small intra-oral (in the mouth) device used only during sleep. It helps prevent the jaw and tongue from dropping back into the throat and restricting the air passage. Keeping the air-way open greatly reduces snoring.

It has a unique inner lining that is softened by heat during the fitting process (similar to custom athletic mouth guards). It fits snugly over your top teeth while you sleep and is designed to keep your lower jaw in a comfortable forward position. This keeps your airway open, helping to eliminate snoring.

Snoring: It's a Problem Worth Solving!

"Snoring has been identified as a risk indicator of and possible risk factor for hypertension, heart disease and stroke." B.C. Walter and R.S. Bhopal, "Is snoring a Cause of Vascular Disease? An Epidemiological Review," Lancet, \bl. 1, 1989, pp 143-146.

If you snore, you are not getting the rest you should from your sleep. You may also be at risk for sleep apnea and other serious health disorders.

Fortunately, your doctor can now treat your snoring with Snore Guard ®. This safe, fast treatment is effective the first night you use it.

Many a vacation trip was marred by my snoring and my wife putting her foot in my back."

"I want to thank you for showing me the Snore Guard . . . The results have been wonderful!" - Robert M. W., DDS

Snore Guard after fitting.

"Snore Guard is an effective treatment in patients with snoring and mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea and is associated with fewer side effects and greater satisfaction than alternative methods."  K.A. Furgeson, T. Ono,A.A. Lowe, S.P. Keenan, and J.A. Fleetham, "A Randomized Cross-Over Study of an Oral Appliance versus Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in the Treatment of Mild-Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea," Chest Vol. 109, 1996, pp. 1269-1275

Some CPAP users have found: Snore Guard® convenient for weekend get-aways or vacation use!o Comfortable ONE-PIECE design. No multiple pieces, screws, wires or elastic bands.

Though my wife complained of snoring, especially when I returned from a Sydney or Hong Kong flight, I realized I had a problem (and set out to correct it) when my snoring woke my daughter up, through two closed doors.

With no changes in my lifestyle, using the Snore Guard I now wake up (after 7 hours of sleep) at 6-7a.m. well rested."  - Lew M., Airline Pilot

Dr. Keefe can tell you more about Snore Guard and how it works to stop snoring.

As a physician I like to do blood work, it's a window in to what's going on inside the body. Lab work can lead to effective treatment in returning health or maintaining health. But then it depends on the tools the physician uses. If the tools are toxic or dangerous then maybe it's better not to know what's going on inside the body, it least that's what the latest task force of independent scientists concluded.

For instance if your doctors is going to use drugs that make your liver sick because he finds your cholesterol elevated then maybe it's best he doesn't know your cholesterol is  high. Test study after study indicates drugs for cholesterol not only don't work (save lives), but they lead to other health problems and shorten a person's life. That's a similar finding with the PSA test. Because of the damage to men's health and the lack of extending life from all the expensive and dangerous procedures that are done once a positive PSA is found this task force recommends not doing routine PSA's.

Sure the urologists are screaming bloody murder but then this finding will substantially reduce their income.

So should a man in his 40s do a PSA? Here's what the task force says: Oct. 7, 2011 -- Men should just say "no" to prostate cancer screening with the common PSA blood test, according to draft guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

About a third of men over age 40, and about half of men age 65 to 79, get regular blood tests for prostate specific antigen, or PSA.

Rising PSA levels are an early sign of prostate cancer, but the test gives a false cancer signal up to 80% of the time. Moreover, not all PSA-detected prostate cancers are dangerous.

"The common perception that PSA-based early detection of prostate cancer saves lives is simply not supported by the scientific evidence," task force co-vice chair Michael L. LeFevre, MD, MSPH, professor of family and community medicine at the University of Missouri, tells WebMD.

"In the American Cancer Society's 2010 guidelines, we said we were uncertain: The evidence is not convincing that PSA testing works," Lichtenfeld tells WebMD. "We feel the task force came to a reasonable conclusion."

Just as women once were told that hormone replacement therapy would prevent heart disease -- until scientific studies showed that it did not -- Lichtenfeld says current evidence strongly suggests that doctors were wrong to tell men that PSA testing would protect them from dying from prostate cancer.

"Men need to know the truth," Lichtenfeld says. "We have gone through 20 years where we have had strong voices telling us PSA testing works. So there is a huge component of men who believe PSA testing has saved their lives. Now, when we say it wasn't necessarily so, that becomes a difficult conversation."

The idea of PSA screening is that it will detect early prostate cancers that can be cured. But clinical trials fail to show that PSA screening cuts prostate-cancer death rates.

"At this point we have had over 370,000 men enrolled in clinical trials, and we still do not see a significant benefit," LeFevre says. "If there is a benefit, it is very small. That is different from zero benefit, but the true benefit is somewhere between small and none."

The harm from a PSA test is that a positive test leads to a biopsy . Biopsy can detect prostate cancer -- but that's where troubles begin.

"The major problem is that most of the cancers we detect do not need to be treated, but we do not know which ones do need to be treated," LeFevre says. "And these treatments do have significant harms."

Etzioni argues that the Gleason score -- a scale used to evaluate prostate cancer severity -- tells doctors which cancers should be treated and which should not. But Lichtenfeld agrees with LeFevre that "we do not have a test to tell which cancers are indolent and which are aggressive."

Once they learn they have a prostate cancer, most U.S. men want treatment. And LeFevre notes that treatment carries very real risks. "I'm not going to criticize men who believe that their lives have been saved by this test," because that's what doctors have told them, Lichtenfeld said. "If you're sitting there and you wet your pants three times a day, you've got to believe it's worth it, that it saved your life."

Many men who agree to a PSA test do not understand what it is. Some common misconceptions:

PSA is just a measure of inflammation, and it can be elevated for many reasons besides cancer: normal enlargement of the prostate with age, an infection, even recent sex, a strenuous bike ride or horseback riding.

A recent Johns Hopkins University study found surprisingly high rates of hospitalization after prostate biopsies and a 12-fold greater risk of death in those who develop infections.

About 90 percent of prostate cancers found through screening are early-stage. Most will grow so slowly they will never threaten a man's life, but there's no good way to tell which ones will. Research suggests that tumors causing symptoms are more likely to warrant treatment than those that are not. Also, finding aggressive prostate tumors early may not affect how lethal they prove to be; the PSA test may just let men learn of them sooner than they otherwise would.

For every 1,000 men who undergo prostate-cancer surgery, five die within a month. Another 10 to 70 men will have complications of surgery. And 200 to 300 of these men will go on to have long-term urinary incontinence, impotence, or both.

"The net result is that doctors and patients and families are going to have to have very careful conversations with their doctors that really emphasize what the scientific evidence shows," Lichtenfeld says. "And that is not overwhelmingly in favor of PSA testing."So the question is should you have a PSA? What if you had a positive PSA would you run and have a dangerous and ineffective treatments done simply because you're scared? This study, which if you read it carefully, had over 370,000 men. It is a massive study. You would be surprised how small studies there are that release new dangerous drugs on the market or medical surgical procedures that have not been studied fully as this has.

If you have a Chiropractic Physician to do the PSA and follow his recommendations then that would be a completely different story. Working with nutrition and diet and lifestyle to improve your immune system and target the prostate with nutrients that have been shown to improve function makes a lot of sense. This is the best cancer to have. I know that sounds strange to your ears but if you read the study carefully you will realize the vast majority of man with prostate cancer outlive the cancer. Cancer studies show that nutrients from vegetables can stop the progression of cancer at every stage. Do you think improving your diet might help prostate cancer? What about restoring nerve function in your body? The nervous system regulates and controls the immune system, the hormonal system and directly influences the health of prostate. What do you think the effects of improving the nerve supply through chiropractic adjustments would have on your prostate?

Getting a PSA is a personal decision. The studies indicate that if you are having symptoms related to prostate than getting a PSA might be indicated, it's just what you do with those results once you get them.

Study after study indicates conservative healthcare is the most intelligent approach. You're not going to be left impotent, incontinent or worse with chiropractic and natural healthcare. The choice is yours. You can follow the crowd or you can follow wisdom.

Kids and Chiropractic Care

"Chiropractic care for my child? Why? His back doesn't bother him." How often chiropractors have encountered parents who appreciate the importance of regular checkups for their child's teeth, hearing, eyes and ears but draw a blank when it comes to a spinal checkup. In fact, a spinal check up could be one of the most important checkups your child will ever have.

Your child's spine is his/her lifeline because running through it is the spinal cord, containing billions of nerve fibers that send messages and energy from the brain to every part of their body. If there is blockage of any of the nerves along the spinal cord, any nerve damage at all, then a state of " dis-ease" will develop. Dis-ease means dis-harmony in the body that will cause generalized weakening of your child's body, lowered resistance to disease, and consequent body malfunction and sickness.

Blockage of nerves in the spinal column are usually caused by tiny fixations and misalignments of the spinal vertebrae that are called vertebral subluxations. Only chiropractors are trained to detect and correct subluxations, much like only a dentist finds cavities. Subluxations can be cause by the birth process, the very physical childhood activities of running and jumping, falls and accidents.

Because your children (and you) may have spinal subluxations and not know it, all children need periodic spinal check ups. There are however certain warning signs indicating that the spinal column may be out of alignment: one hip or shoulder is higher than the other, hyperactivity and can't sit still, frequent falling, a foot turned in or out (foot flare), neck tilt, one leg shorter than the other, chronic fatigue, "noisy bones" or joint aches, and skin conditions. Some other indicators are increased allergies, colds and flu, asthma and ear infections. A recent study of 332 children showed that chronic ear infection sufferers under chiropractic care had no more infections in 80% of the cases (JCCP, Vol.2, No.2 1997). The Chiropractic Approach

By releasing stress on the nervous system with very gentle and safe chiropractic adjustments, the body will work more effectively and be able to express better health. The nervous system controls EVERY function of the body (Gray's Anatomy) and thus the nervous system when not interfered with by subluxations can enable the body to heal itself and be healthy.

No matter what health concerns you or your children may have, you can benefit from a healthy spine. Spinal health can be as important for your overall healing as proper nutrition. Are you and your family carrying vertebral subluxations in your spines? A spinal checkup can tell. Among the many things contributing to your health: the quality of the air, food and water you take in, how you handle stress, your inherited weaknesses, strengths and activity levels - a healthy spine is absolutely essential. In some people and children it is a major factor and can make the difference between a life of health, strength and vitality or a life of disease, weakness and disability.

More and more families are finding that chiropractic care for their children makes a big difference in their health. Every day we see children in our office getting healthier as they receive adjustments, because their parents who saw benefits from chiropractic care for themselves wanted their children to have the same. One of the comments that we hear over and over again is "My child doesn't seem to get sick as often since getting adjusted".

Over the past 40+ years I've had the privilege of helping kids overcome their reoccurring ear infections, asthma, fever, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, digestive problems (colic), allergies, sleep problems, moodiness and spinal dysfunction. Drugs weaken kids developing systems. Chiropractic and nutrition enhances the function of the immune system, digestive system, hormonal system etc. Kids deserve chiropractic care.

Why not include chiropractic spinal checkups for you and your children? It may be the best move for your family's health you'll ever make.

 

 50% of successful quitters did it cold turkey: the other 50% quit gradually. The first 48 hours are critical for most people once you pass them, it will be easier each day. So pick the tips that suit you.

1.            Smoke one less cigarette each day.

2.            Make each cigarette a special decision, and put off making the decision.

3.            Don't give up cigarettes - completely carry one with you in case of need. You'll find you're saving it - permanently.

4.            Don't quit “forever” just stop for a day - and tomorrow try it for another day, and tomorrow and tomorrow.

5.            Tell your friends and family you're quitting. A public commitment bolsters will power.

6.            Pick Q (QUIT) Day  and quit.

7.            Hide all evidence of cigarettes, ashtrays, matches, etc, so you aren't reminded of your renunciation.

8.            Lay in a supply of chewing gum, celery sticks, nuts, carrot sticks, etc.

9.            Nervousness, hunger, etc., are signs of the body's readjustment. If they're hard to manage, consult me.

10.          We carry supplements that help cut the craving and are safe, ask about them.

If you need help, we can employ auriculo-therapy which is a physical therapy modality used in addictive disease. This therapy consists of specific micro-electrical currents which are directed to isolated points on the ear which triggers the release of pituitary hormones (endorphins) which is thought to alter simulative physiological brain pathways.

Effects of auricular therapy  on drug addictions

It has been found that by stimulating these acupuncture points in the ear, you could enhance what is known as an "award cascade" effect from the limbic system. This re-balances an addict's chemistry. It can change the addiction from an overwhelming compulsion to a manageable situation which the patient can then eliminate. Certainly, many drug addicts would give anything to rid themselves of their habits - but that over-whelming compulsion to use the drug is more than they can overcome. Thus, this help is a wonderful asset to the addict on a physiological level.

It is through this mechanism that a person is able to break the addictive habits of smoking, alcohol, drugs, etc.

THE SUCCESS RATE FOR this PROGRAM HAS been running APPR0XIMATEY 79% with WOMEN AND 85% with MEN.

The breath of life

Since breathing is a movement pattern, it can be  altered by a combination of factors. The rate, rhythm and volume of breathing are affected by physical, chemical and emotional influences. How we breathe is a habit or repetitive process, that processor pattern is controlled and regulated through the central nervous system.

Breathing has a significant role in its effect on movement quality and stability of the core and spine. If breathing is normal or "functional", posture and stabilization of the spine will be maintained in a healthy manner. The converse is true in that dysfunctional breathing plays a key role in not only posture and stabilization of the spine, but also a myriad of other health issues.

 

The rhythm and quality of our breathing affects blood pH levels, making it more alkaline or acidic; and altered pH can correlate with asthma, anxiety and chronic pain syndromes. Stress, high-altitude, infection, allergies, kidney disease and even mouth breathing can affect pH levels. Short-term pH levels are regulated by the lungs, long-term regulation is by the kidneys. It is a long-term pattern of respiration and pH levels that are of concern. Breathing patterns can also be consciously restored to functional or normal patterns replacing dysfunctional patterns caused by many of these issues, especially in the pattern has been altered by musculoskeletal pain.

 

The relationship between the diaphragm, breathing and stabilization of the spine is closely linked. When the diaphragm is compromised and breathing patterns are altered, the spine will be involved and when the spine is involved with this function, pain, reverse is also true. Patients with a history of neck or back pain, even when the pain is gone, will most likely have an abnormal breathing pattern, causing inner core dysfunction affecting the diaphragm. Of note, epidemiology studies have shown that disorders of breathing and continuance are more closely linked to the development of low back pain than are excessive BMI and physical activity.

 

Breathing 101

Breathing should begin with the diaphragm and the opening up of the lower lungs. As we move through inspiration the upper chest will be the last that is activated. A lot of people will present with shallow breathing. In other words most of their breathing is in their upper chest which leads to hyperventilation and feeds anxiety or stress situations. When you're under stress it's common to go into shallow breathing as a stress response but in the reverse shallow breathing can cause stress. So under stress you need to breathe slower and deeper.

 

Breathing exercise

Lay on your back and put one hand on your upper chest and the other over your stomach. Now take a deep breath and notice which hand moves first or if both of them move at the same time. If both of them move at the same time or the upper chest moves first you need to re-program your breathing. When you first take a deep breath the hand over your stomach should move first and you should feel the air fill up around to your back, then your upper chest should move as you fill the upper part of your lungs. With a little practice you can retrain your breathing so the diaphragm works first. As the diaphragm expands you will feel your stomach move first at the end of the complete breath your hand over your upper chest will move last; this is the proper breathing sequence.

Take time to do 10 slow deep breaths and make sure that the bottom hand moves first, you can develop proper breathing habits. Using this method you can reduce stress. If you find yourself in a stressful situation and you take a deep cleansing breath and then 10 slow deep breaths engaging the diaphragm first this will have a calming effect on your system. This will help your body learn how to handle stress in a more positive manner. This 10 breaths training can also be helpful when you want to fall asleep, because this calms the nervous system.

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