June is National Men's Health Month and Dr. Kifer is hoping to educate all Fayetteville men and their loved ones about the dangers of sleep apnea. This condition is sadly underdiagnosed  and, of the 12 million people who do know they have it, many often do not get the treatment they need for a variety of reasons.

“Although sleep apnea can affect everyone, including children, those most commonly affected by sleep apnea are men,” explains Dr. Kifer.  Men most at risk for sleep apnea are those who are overweight or obese, over the age of forty and consume alcohol frequently.

If sleep apnea is left untreated, the individual can stop breathing repeatedly during the night, sometimes for a minute or longer. These periods without oxygen increase high blood pressure in patients and raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular disease. Some indicators that a man may need sleep apnea treatment include chronic snoring, restless sleep, morning headaches, and weight gain.

The most common type of apnea is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), and it can often be remedied with a dental appliance provided by our office. New discoveries in technology have produced modern dental appliances that can not only ease the symptoms of sleep apnea, but also help to ensure a full night of sleep and a longer, healthier life.

Dr. Kifer and our team are on a mission to educate patients on reducing risk factors by maintaining regular dental check-ups and encouraging their friends and family who exhibit symptoms of sleep apnea to schedule evaluations.

For additional information about sleep apnea, or to schedule a free evaluation for the men in your life, contact Dr. Kifer at 479-521-2002 or visit www.nwafamilydentist.com.

Fayetteville, AR–June is National Men’s Health Month and healthcare providers across the nation are dedicated to creating awareness for early detection and treatment of diseases that affect the men in our country. According to the Men’s Health Network, “On average, men die almost six years younger than women and suffer higher mortality rates for the top causes of death.”

The Mayo Clinic and the Center for Disease Control list the top two threats to men’s health as heart disease and cancer. This year, Fayetteville dentist Dr. Wade Kifer is making a commitment to patients to be aware of the risk factors and how to protect friends and family from these diseases.

Many issues involving overall health, including heart disease and a number of cancers, can be detected, monitored, or treated in the mouth. The American Heart Association cites that bacteria can enter the bloodstream from the mouth and cause several types of cardiovascular diseases, such as clogged arteries, stroke, and heart disease. “By staying on top of the latest in preventative care and dental technology we are able to provide comprehensive evaluations and ensure patients receive a proactive approach to long-lasting oral and overall health,” explains Dr. Kifer.

Dr. Kifer and the office team are hoping to create awareness and prevent men’s health issues by encouraging their community to keep scheduled health care visits and by inviting any patient scheduled this month to bring the men in their life in for a free oral health screening.

For additional information, or to schedule a free evaluation for the men in your life, contact Dr. Kifer at 479-521-2002 or visit www.nwafamilydentist.com.