Neuromuscular Dentistry: Effective Relief of Migraine and Chronic Daily Headache

Neuromuscular Dentistry is incredibly successful in helping migraine and chronic daily headache for patients as well as other TMJ disorders.  Why is such an effective treatment so controversial.  The history of Neuromuscular Dentistry is important.

Neuromuscular Dentistry was the brain child of Dr Barney Jankelson a Seattle Prosthodontist Specialist who studied the physiology of normal muscles and how ULF TENS could relax muscles to their physiologic resting position.

I had the privilege of studying with with Barney  "Dr J" and I remember asking a couple of questions during his lecture.  He put his arm on my shoulder and said "great question" and I spent the next two days discussing neuromuscular dentistry, physiology and his philosophy.  He loved the science of Neuromuscular Dentistry.

I have been enthralled with the underlying science of Neuromuscular Dentistry for years.  As new research on migraines, chronic daily headache is published it always fit the paradigm the Dr J imagined.

This was a giant leap in dentistry and it created many adversaries.

The biggest contention was the use of biomedical devices to measure what was actually happening during function.  When these measurements  showed old theories were flawed there was a tendency to attack the measurements.  Those who had based their careers  these theories were critical of neuromuscular dentistry

The idea of Centric Relation was an old mechanical viewpoint of where the jaws functioned.  Measurement showed that these assumptions were wrong.  The definition of Centric Relation went thru at least 26 revisions over time many because new technology showed that the definition was not physiologically functional.

Doctors who believed in Centric Relation attacked the science of measurement because they like the the fact that it did not agree with their theories.

Dr J stated "If it is measured it is a fact otherwise it is an opinion"

In spite of numerous attacks on neuromuscular measurement devices including some that extended into illegal and unscrupulous dealings within the FDA the ability and right to measure accurately survived.  The neuromuscular instrumentation has been shown to be safe and effective by the ADA and FDA.  More importantly, patients have experienced life changing improvements in their quality of lives directly because of Neuromuscular Dentistry.

An entire FDA panel was suspended and several unscrupulous characters are no longer involved with the FDA after an internal investigation showed evidence of malfeasance.

The real winners from neuromuscular dentistry are patients whose lives are vastly improved by elimination of chronic pain, headaches migraines and other problems thru the use of Neuromuscular Dentistry.

Chicago Migraine: Is Neuromuscular Dentistry and Reductions in CGRP the best Migraine Treatment?

Understanding CGRP and Why Neuromuscular Dentistry Relieves and Eliminates Migraines 

Neuromuscular Dentistry can reduce CGRP levels and reduce the number and severity of migraines and possibly eliminate migraines.

Learn more about Neuromuscular Dentistry in the  Chicago area at

 www.ThinkBetterLife.com and at www.NorthShoreSleepDentist.com

At least three  pharmaceutical companies are currently investigating drugs to block CGRP according to: Bloomberg July 21, 2015 in an article by David Wainer titled "The Pharma Industry Thinks It Finally Has A Fix For Migraines"

According to Bloomberg, "Amgen, Alder, Lilly and Teva are developing drugs aimed at erasing those episodes entirely -- at least in some patients -- by blocking CGRPs, or calcitonin gene-related peptides, which play a role in inflammation and transmission of pain.

The Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide that the pharmaceutical companies are trying to block can be controlled by changing the neural input into the Trigeminal Nervous System.

 CGRP is  released by the Trigemino-Vascular System in the cell bodies of trigeminal nerves located with the Trigeminal Ganglion.  This is the primary source of CRGP related to headaches.  Decreasing of Nociceptive input by utilizing Neuromuscular Dentistry will prove to be a cure for many migraine sufferers.

Utilizing a Diagnostic Neuromuscular Orthotic during phase 1 treatment can determine effectiveness of Neuromuscular Dentistry in alleviating or eliminating migraines in a non-invasive manner.  Treatment is reversible if patients do not experience significant improvement or elimination of migraines.

The way Neuromuscular Dentistry affects CGRP is by removing nociceptive input to the CNS, particularly into the Trigeminal Nervous System and negating the production of CGRP.

CGRP is a potent vasodilator and works by the Trigeminal Nervous system control of blood flow to the anterior two thirds of the meninges of the brain.  This is a primary proposed mechanism in Migraine and other neurovascular pain conditions.

The drug companies want to block CGRP's that play a significant role in inflammation and transmission of pain.    They also want to partake in the estimated 8 billion dollars or more that the migraine market can generate.

According to Wikipedia:

• "In the spinal cord, the function and expression of CGRP may differ depending on the location of synthesis. CGRP is derived mainly from the cell bodies of motor neurons when synthesized in the ventral horn of the spinal cord and may contribute to the regeneration of nervous tissue after injury. Conversely, CGRP is derived from dorsal root ganglion when synthesized in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and may be linked to the transmission of pain."

If the drug companies treat with CGRP blocking agents will this adversely interfere with healing or could it contribute to Dementia, Alzheimers or other neurological problems.  

Correcting CGRP by changing neural input into the Trigeminal Nervous System via neuromuscular dentistry is probably the safest, most physiologic and efficient means of reducing or eliminating migraines thru reduction in CGRP Levels.

Unfortunately for Migraine patients the value of treatment with drugs is 8 Billion dollars so all research is directed toward the largest financial returns.  Effective and safe migraine alleviation and elimination with SPG Blocks and Neuromuscular Dentistry receive minimal funding for studies in spite of effectiveness.

Understanding CGRP and Why Neuromuscular Dentistry Relieves and Eliminates Migraines

Calcitonin gene-related peptide is the new target for the Pharmaceutical industry for treating Migraines!  

At least three companies are currently investigating drugs to block CGRP according to: Bloomberg July 21, 2015 in an article by David Wainer titled "The Pharma Industry Thinks It Finally Has A Fix For Migraines"

According to Bloomberg, "Amgen, Alder, Lilly and Teva are developing drugs aimed at erasing those episodes entirely -- at least in some patients -- by blocking CGRPs, or calcitonin gene-related peptides, which play a role in inflammation and transmission of pain.

The Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide is probably the same mechanism that allows Neuromuscular Dentistry to alleviate and eliminate migraines and chronic daily headaches.  CGRP is produced by the Trigemino-Vascular System in the cell bodies of trigeminal nerves located with the Trigeminal Ganglion.  This is the primary source of CRGP related to headaches.

The way Neuromuscular Dentistry affects CGRP is by removing nociceptive input to the CNS, particularly into the Trigeminal Nervous System and negating the production of CGRP.

CGRP is a potent vasodilator and works by the Trigeminal Nervous system control of blood flow to the anterior two thirds of the meninges of the brain.  This is a primary proposed mechanism in Migraine and other neurovascular pain conditions.

The drug companies want to block CGRP's that play a significant role in inflammation and transmission of pain.    They also want to partake in the estimated 8 billion dollars or more that the migraine market can generate.

According to Wikipedia:

• "In the spinal cord, the function and expression of CGRP may differ depending on the location of synthesis. CGRP is derived mainly from the cell bodies of motor neurons when synthesized in the ventral horn of the spinal cord and may contribute to the regeneration of nervous tissue after injury. Conversely, CGRP is derived from dorsal root ganglion when synthesized in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and may be linked to the transmission of pain."

If the drug companies treat with CGRP blocking agents will this adversely interfere with healing or could it contribute to Dementia, Alzheimers or other neurological problems.  

Correcting CGRP by changing neural input into the Trigeminal Nervous System via neuromuscular dentistry is probably the safest, most physiologic and efficient means of reducing or eliminating migraines thru reduction in CGRP Levels.

Unfortunately for Migraine patients the value of treatment with drugs is 8 Billion dollars so all research is directed toward the largest financial returns.  Effective and safe migraine alleviation and elimination with SPG Blocks and Neuromuscular Dentistry receive minimal funding for studies in spite of effectiveness.

Warnings on NSAIDS: Ibuprofen, Advil, Alieve, Motrin and similar drugs.

This post from the American Headache Society makes a case for alternative treatments for Headaches including SPG Blocks and Neuromuscular Dentistry.

Just taking non-steroidals drugs for pain may be ok but read this new warning from the American Headache Society:

American Headache Society Wants Patients, Physicians to Know About New FDA Warning on NSAIDs About Heart Attack and Stroke Risk

July 16, 2015 12:00 PM (not rated)

For Immediate Release

AMERICAN HEADACHE SOCIETY WANTS PATIENTS, PHYSICIANS TO KNOW ABOUT NEW FDA WARNING ON NSAIDS ABOUT HEART ATTACK AND STROKE RISK

People Taking These Anti-inflammatory Drugs Should Speak With Their Physician; When Prescribed, Low Dose and Short Duration Recommended

MOUNT ROYAL, NJ (July 16, 2015)– The American Headache Society wants people with migraine and other headache disorders, as well as their physicians, to know that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a new warning about possible heart attack and stroke risk for people taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The FDA has identified an elevated risk, even for those who have no known heart disease or stroke risk factors. The FDA will require manufacturers to include information in their drug packaging that discusses these risks. The warning covers popular over-the-counter NSAIDs such as Advil®, Motrin® and Aleve®, as well as prescription medications. The new warning does not apply to aspirin, which is a different type of NSAID.

            "Physicians should prescribe NSAIDs with caution, and consider other treatment options, especially for longer term treatment," said Lawrence C. Newman, MD, FAHS, President of the American Headache Society and Director of the Headache Institute at Mount Sinai-Roosevelt Hospital (New York City). "If NSAIDs must be used, it would be prudent to give the lowest possible dose for the shortest period of time."

            According to the FDA, heart attack or stroke risk can occur as early as a few weeks after beginning NSAIDs, and longer use may further increase risk.  Use of NSAIDs after a heart attack raises risk of death within the first year.  The use of NSAIDs also increases the chances of developing heart failure.  It is unknown if some NSAIDs are riskier than others.

"Many people with migraine and headache take NSAIDs on a daily or occasional basis," added Dr. Newman. "The take home for patients is to become educated about this new warning, and speak with their doctor. They should also reduce their controllable heart attack and stroke risk factors by not smoking, keeping their weight within normal limits, avoiding excess alcohol intake and working with their physician to keep cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes under control."

            The FDA has stated that the risk of heart attack or stroke for those taking NSAIDs is even greater than originally thought when it was first identified in 2005.   

            People taking NSAIDs should be aware of symptoms of heart attack and stroke, and seek immediate medical attention if any of these are present:

· Chest pain

· Shortness of breath

· Difficulty breathing

· Weakness on one side of the body

· Slurred speech

For more information, go to http://www.americanmigrainefoundation.org/fda-see​s-stronger-link-between-popular-pain-meds-and-heart-attack-or-stroke/ or http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm453610.htm

ABOUT MIGRAINE: Some 36 million Americans live with migraine, more than have asthma and diabetes combined. An estimated three to seven million Americans live with chronic migraine, a highly disabling neurological disorder. Migraine can be extremely disabling and costly, accounting for more than $20 billion in direct (e.g. doctor visits, medications) and indirect (e.g. missed work, lost productivity) expenses each year in the United States.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN HEADACHE SOCIETY: The American Headache Society (AHS) is a professional society of health care providers dedicated to the study and treatment of headache and face pain. The Society's objectives are to promote the exchange of information and ideas concerning the causes and treatments of headache and related painful disorders. Educating physicians, health professionals and the public and encouraging scientific research are the primary functions of this organization. AHS activities include an annual scientific meeting, a comprehensive headache symposium, regional symposia for neurologists and family practice physicians, and publication of the journal Headache.  www.americanheadachesociety.org

Migraine Treatment: Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) Blocks are they a Magic Migraine Cure?

The Sphenopalatine Block has been called by some the Miracle Headache Cure after being popularized in the best selling book "Miracles on Park Avenue:  Techniques for Treating Arthritis and Other Chronic Pain" by Albert Benjamin Gerber.

While not a "MIRACLE CURE" it is definitely miraculous treatment for many patients.

The Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG)  (also called pterygopalatine ganglion, Meckel's Ganglion or the Nasal Ganglion) is the largest parasympathetic autonomic ganglion a group of nerve cells that is linked to the trigeminal nerve.  

The Trigeminal Nerve is the primary nerve involved in all migraines and other headaches.  

The Trigeminal Nerve is usually called the Dentist's Nerve because dentists are considered the experts in most peripheral aspects of the Trigeminal Nerve structures. The Trigeminal Nerve goes to the teeth, the gums (gingiva), the periodontal ligaments, the jaw joints (TMJ, TMJoint) or TemporoMandibular Joints, the lining of the sinuses, the jaw muscles, the tensor of the ear drum and the muscle that opens and closes the eustacian tube, the lacrimal glands (tear ducts) and is responsible for nasal congestion.

The Trigeminal Nerve is also the major control of blood flow to the anterior 2/3 of the meninges of the brain and central to almost 100% of headaches.  The Trigeminal Nerve accounts for over 50% of the total input to the brain after amplification in the Reticular Activating System.

TMJ Disorders are often called "The Great Imposter because the can mimic all types of headaches, migraines, sinus problems and ear problems.  The majority of chronic headache patients have similar myofascial pain at patients with TMJ.  Neuromuscular Dentistry can be the best treatment for many patients with chronic headaches.  Learn more at WWW.ThinkBetterLife.com.  

The SPG is located behind and lateral nose in the pterygopalatine fossa, and carries information about sensation, including pain, and also plays a role in autonomic functions, such as tearing and nasal congestion. 

The application of local anesthetics to the SPG and the trigeminal nerve can be extremely effective in eliminating and/or controlling all types of head pain including tension headaches, chronic daily headache, new persistent daily headache, Cluster headaches, and migraine staticus.  I

SPG blocks can be accomplished by nasal swaps placed intranasally, injections intra-orally or from externally (Most effective) and recently three devices have been FDA approved for performing SPG blocks.  These devices involve placing  anesthetic through a thin cannula that passes through the nasal cavity to insert numbing medication in and around the Sphenopalatine ganglion area where it passes through the mucosa ti the ganglion.  These devices are less invasive than the injection technique but also less effective.  The three devices are the Sphenocath®, the  Allevio®, and the Tx360®.

The nasal swabs have an enormous advantage as they can be self applied by patients on a daily basis and when done with continuos delivery are amazingly effective and very inexpensive.  

Different types of anesthetic solutions can be utilized with any of these techniques.

The nasal swabs are left in place for 20 minutes to 30 minutes if done in my office.  Patients with severe problems can actually leave them in longer and self apply a couple of times a day.   The most common side effects, regardless of how SPG blocks are given are all temporary, including numbness in the throat, low blood pressure, and infrequently nausea. 

References:

Maizels, M; Scott B; Cohen W; Chen W. Intranasal lidocaine for treatment of migraine: a randomized, double blind, controlled trial. JAMA 1996;27:319-21.

Piagkou, M; Demesticha, T; Troupis, T; Vlasis, K; Skandalakis, P; Makri, A; Mazarakis, A; Lappas, D;Piagkos, G; Johnson, EO. "The pterygopalatine ganglion and its role in various pain syndromes: from anatomy to clinical practice." Pain Pract. 2012;12(5):399-412.

Jenkin,s B; Tepper, SJ. "Neurostimulation for Primary Headache Disorders, Part 1: Pathophysiology and Anatomy, History of Neuromodulation in Headache Treatment, and Review of Peripheral Neuromodulation in Primary Headaches." Headache 2011;51:1254-1266.

Martelletti, P; Jensen, RH; Antal, A; Arcioni, R; Brighina, F’ de Tommaso, M; Franzini, A; Fontaine, D;Heiland, M; Jürgens, TP; Leone, M; Magis, D; Paemeleire, K; Palmisani, S; Paulus, W; May, A. "Neuromodulation of chronic headaches: position statement from the European Headache Federation." J Headache Pain 2013;14(1):86.

Khan, S; Schoenen, J; Ashina, M. "Sphenopalatine ganglion neuromodulation in migraine: What is the rationale?" Cephalalgia 2014;34(5:382–391.

Schoenen, J; Jensen, RH; Lantéri-Minet, M; Láinez, MJ; Gaul, C; Goodman, AM; Caparso, A; May, A. "Stimulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) for cluster headache treatment. Pathway CH-1: a randomized, sham-controlled study." Cephalalgia. 2013 Jul;33(10):816-30. 

CHRONIC DAILY HEADACHES (CDH): MAYO CLINIC CONSIDERS CDH THE MOST DISABLING OF HEADACHES TMJ Treatment May be the Answer

CHRONIC DAILY HEADACHES (CDH):  MAYO CLINIC CONSIDERS CDH THE MOST DISABLING OF HEADACHES

How your headaches are defined may prevent you from having effective treatment.

Living with headaches is a fact of life for many headache survivors.  According to Mayo Clinic  “chronic daily headaches occur 15 days or more a month, for at least three months. True (primary) chronic daily headaches aren't caused by another condition.”  This definition will artificially separate similar headaches into different diagnostic groupings.

Chronic daily headache is not a specific type of headache but rather a disabling pattern of headache occurrence.

Johns Hopkins describes Chronic Daily Headache as “A patient who has headaches as many days as not — at least 15 days a month — is said to have chronic daily headache (CDH). CDH is not a specific type of headache, but rather a descriptive term applied to any number of headache types. The two most common types of primary headache are Migraine and Tension-Type Headache.  Rebound headache or medication overuse headache is a frequent occurrence in patients with CDH.  The treatment actually becomes the disease.

The typical treatment offered by headache specialists and neurologists is a prescription medication.  When the first is not effective the patient is often taken thru a series of single medication trial followed by trials of multiple medications.  This is similar to what happens to patients who utilize OTC medications moving from drug to drug often mixing prescription and non-prescription medications.

Tension-type headaches are the most common type headache but they are often dismissed as being relatively mild and tolerable.  These headaches often progress to Rebound headaches and/or migraine.  Tension-type headaches should be considered to be muscle contraction headaches.  According to Cleveland Clinic “They used to be commonly referred to as muscle contraction headaches or stress headaches, but these old terms have been abandoned.”

90 – 95% of all headaches are actually partially or completely muscle contraction headaches.  There are Vascular/ Neurogenic components to all headaches as well. 

According to the NHLBI of the NIH patients who receive a diagnosis of TMJ have a 60-90% chance of experiencing satisfactory resolution of symptoms but patients diagnosed with other types of headaches will probably be condemmed to live in pain.

 or muscle contraction headaches are considered episodic if they occur less than 15 days/month and chronic if they occur more than 15 days/month.  They may las for 30 minutes to several hours or continue for days at a time.  Because they are a type of headache referred from muscles they tend to have slow onset and are achy in nature.  Patients often describe them as a taut band, pressure headaches, and usually they are bilateral and generalized in location.   What is important to understand is that Tension –Type headaches can be part of a ongoing process that triggers migraines and other more severe headaches.  Tension headaches can be as severe or even more severe than migraine headaches. Tension-Type headaches are considered a Primary headache but referred headaches from the neck muscles  (cervical headaches or cervicalgia) and/or the TMJ  (Tempormandibular Joints) and masticatory muscles are considered secondary headaches..   

These secondary headaches are examples of muscle contraction headache as are headaches related to trigger points and taut bands in Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction. 

According to John Hopkins the following is a list of causes of tension-type headaches.  If you read the list it is almost like saying a normal life is the cause of headaches.  What all of these have in common is that they all provoke muscle contractions secondary to stress.

·        “Inadequate rest

·       Poor posture

·       Emotional or mental stress, including depression

Tension-type headaches can be triggered by some type of environmental or internal stress. This stress may be known (overt) or unknown (covert) to the patient and their family. The most common sources of stress include family, social relationships, friends, work, and school. Examples of stressors include:

·       Having problems at home

·       Having a new child

·       Having no close friends

·       Returning to school or training; preparing for tests or exams

·       Going on a vacation

·       Starting a new job

·       Losing a job

·       Being overweight

·       Deadlines at work

·       Competing in sports or other activities

·       Being a perfectionist

·       Not getting enough sleep

·       Being over-extended; involved in too many activities/organizations”

According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institute of Health TMD Disorders :

“TMD has been used to characterize a wide range of conditions diversely presented as pain in the face or jaw joint area, masticatory muscle pain, headaches, earaches, dizziness, limited mouth opening due to soft or hard tissue obstruction, TMJ clicking or popping sounds, excessive tooth wear and other complaints.

TMD remains to be classified in the larger context of other muscle and joint disorders or in the category of pain disorders (NIH Technology Assessment Conference, 1996). About half of all cases are attributed to conditions linked to the muscles of mastication”  and “Pain linked to the TMJ and/or muscles of mastication constitutes the essential criterion for case assignment. It often qualifies as “aching”, “throbbing”, “tiring” and exhausting.

These are the same symptoms found in tension headaches and both are associated with similar proportions of female to male patients.  These disorders are also associated with sleep disturbances that tie them to a wide variety of other disorders.

The National Institute of Health and PubMed.gov provide the largest database in the world of headache publications.  These publications universally agree that regardless of the type of headache a patient has almost 100% are caused or mediated by the Trigeminal Nervous system.  The Trigeminal Nerve is often called the Dentist’s Nerve because it innervated the teeth,the periodontal ligament and gums, the jaw muscles, the jaw joints and many associated structures.    The Trigeminal Nerve also controls the blood flow to the anterior two thirds of the meninges of the brain.

Why do TMJ patients do better than other headache patients?  Only dentistry treats headaches by changing input to the brain.  While migraines are often thought to be caused by chemical imbalances within the brain only dentistry attempts to correct these chemical inbalances by eliminating noxious input to the Trigeminal Nervous System.

Neuromuscular Dentistry is probably the single most effective method of controlling noxious (nociceptive) input to the brain.

TMJ Treatment, Sleep Apnea Treatment, ADHD Prevention and Improving People's Lives: A Message of Hope

Originally printed Highland Park Landmark

By Alan P. Henry

"Highland Park dentist Dr. Ira Shapira has a message for anyone suffering from TMJ disorders including migraines or for those looking for a way to deal with issues related to sleep apnea and snoring, including but not limited to ADD and ADHD.

“I want people out there who have problems and feel like there is no hope to know there is hope,” he said.

Dr. Shapira, a resident of Highland Park for 34 years and practicing dentist for almost four decades, has just opened an office at 3500 Western Ave. in Highland Park. Unlike his general dental practice in Gurnee, this office serves as a resource for people suffering chronic pain.

“I love changing people’s lives,” he said. “You have someone who has chronic pain, when you take away their headaches and their face pain, to me this is the most rewarding part of anything I do.”

Dr. Shapira’s approaches to headache treatment are not unique, but neither are they universal. Most doctors treating headaches are physicians or neurologists, he said, and if after tests they see no obvious issues involving the brain or tumors, they typically “make the assumption that it is a chemical problem” and turn to drugs to treat the problem.

But according to Dr. Shapira, the origin of most headaches is the trigeminal nerve, a nerve that is responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewing, and it is from that direction that treatment is best directed.

He founded www.Ihateheadaches.org, an online resource designed to help people find ways to combat chronic neurological pain. The site, which includes a blog written by Dr. Shapira, can be used to find a doctor and also as an educational tool where a person can discover all they need to know about the kind of headache they may have.

“Many people in pain and desperate for an end to their headaches will look to CAT Scans, powerful medication and more to help them. Very few will look to a dentist who is able to find a solution through neuromuscular science,” writes Dr. Shapira. “Our site is designed to assist you in taking the first steps of pursuing neuromuscular eduction, diagnosis and treatment.”

Dr. Shapira was initially inspired to take on the treatment of issues related to sleep apnea and snoring by way of an experience his son Billy had when he was five.

After observing a limited attention span, excessive tiredness and unusual behavior in Billy, Dr. Shapira took his son to pediatricians, ENTs and allergy doctors, who said he had ADHD. “Basically, they told us he couldn’t start kindergarten and they wanted to put him on ritalin for life,” he said.

But Dr. Shapira also took Billy to the sleep center at Rush, where a sleep test showed he had severe sleep apnea — his heart stopped beating 60 times an hour when he was sleeping. “We took his tonsils and adenoids out when he was five and widened his mouth orthodontically, so the same kid who couldn’t start school because he had ADHD ended up graduating college magna cum laude with double majors and double minors,” said Dr. Shapira. “Turns out his drug of choice was oxygen. He needed to breath. Because he couldn’t breath, he had disturbed sleep. Back then we didn't know it, but now we know now that disruptive sleep can give you exactly the same symptoms of ADHD.”

Seeing the positive changes in his son after his airways were opened, Dr. Shapira turned his attention to the field, and the relief proper treatment can give.

“There are airway issues that start young and go all the way through life,” said Dr. Shapira. “If I can help make somebody’s quality of life better, that is huge.”

Currently, he said, as many as 80 percent of children have “underdeveloped jaws” which means they run the risk of having problematic airways. “If you have a child that is snoring, that is not normal,” he said.

Dr. Shapira now has child patients as young as two for whom he makes appliances that can be worn at night. “We can grow them bigger airways,” he said.

Dr. Shapira founded www.IHateCPAP.com, a one stop source for information about sleep apnea. Severe sleep apnea affects more than 20 million Americans and can lead to hypertension, heart attack, stroke, depression, muscle pain, fibromyalgia, morning headaches, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Most people with mild sleep apnea are aware that they snore and feel overtired or fatigued but are unaware of potentially serious medical problems which may exist, he said.

Dr. Shapira, DDS, D,ABDSM, D,AAPM, FICCMO is a Diplomat of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, a Diplomat of the American Academy of Pain Management, a Fellow and current Secretary of the International College of CranioMandibular Orthopedics, and a former Assistant Professor at Rush Medical School, where he researched effect of jaw position on sleep apnea.

He has written a chapter on anti-aging dentistry in an anti-aging medicine textbook; is Dental Section Editor of Sleep and Health Journal; has lectured in the US and abroad on TMJ disorders, sleep apnea, dental sleep medicine and anti-aging medicine, and has several patents on stem cell collection from developing wisdom teeth and currently are awaiting NIH funding of a study at UIC and Baylor.

He recently started Sleep Well Illinois, a company that promotes universal sleep screening in physician offices, and just became the Chair of the Alliance of TMD organizations for a two year term.

His Highland Park office is Chicagoland Dental Sleep Medicine and the Website is www.ThinkBetterLife.com"