Argh!/Another medical professional who is misinformed

[OkyDoky]

I really don't see how one would expect an oral surgeon to be current a statistics relevant to a sleep medicine specialty. Oral surgery is a dental specialty, and they don't even go to the same school as MDs.

I think you are wrong on this. A few years ago, I consulted with an oral surgeon about an impacted wisdom tooth. We discussed my sleep apnea, and he was very knowledgeable. During his internship, he had assisted in maxillomandibular advancement surgery on sleep apnea patients.

Check into it and let me know what you find. http://myoms.org/

Thanks,

Gramps

I agree an oral Surgeon should be aware of airway structural issues unrelated to weight, gender or age that might cause SA. And like said before what does it matter which percentage you are in if you have it?

[ChicagoGranny]

And like said before what does it matter which percentage you are in if you have it?

It's a 50/50 chance for anyone. 50/50: Either you have it, or you don't.




Gramps

[flightco]

Male disease of sleep apnea and how the penis and testicles contribute to both obstructive and central apneas. ???? ".

This only applies to gay men, right?

[bdz]

Consulted an oral surgeon regarding a possible procedure and when I told him I had sleep apnea, he called that a male disease which I took issue with as a thin female. But I gave up when he persisted and said that about 75% of the sleep apnea cases consisted of men who were overweight. I was afraid I would say something I would regret.

If anyone has good comebacks in case I deal with people like this guy again, I would greatly appreciate it because frankly, I am really getting tired of this stereotype. It makes me wonder how many thin people, particularly females end up not getting diagnosed because of outdated attitudes like this one.

Being female and at one time...had a slighter build...it took me forever to get my diagnosis! I am talking years. Oh, you're just depressed! Finally I was told to go to a psychiatrist for 6 weeks. He and I had a great time, unfortunately at my expense. I got my sleep study though.

[chunkyfrog]

I heard hubby snoring and gasping to regain his breath.
He heard me snoring, but could not hear well enough to tell whether I was breathing.
We pushed each other to get sleep studies. We faced the doctors together.
"Together, we are juggernaut. Nothing can stop us."

[49er]

What a bozo! Do you really want him monkeying around in your mouth while you are under anesthesia?

I think this would put him in his place:

"Then I feel very fortunate that Dr. X actually listened to my symptoms and helped me get the correct diagnosis instead of ignoring me because of that outdated statistic."

And I would add:

"Does this mean I have to grow a penis before I can trust you to protect my airway during the proposed oral surgery???"

Haven't decided if I am going to pick him or not. If I decide against him, it won't be because of the remark as irritating as I found it to be.

I like your comment by the way.

49er

[49er]

There are a number of ways to determine the amount of undiagnosed sleep apnea within a population. In fact, some studies indicate as much as 20% of the adult population have sleep apnea, and that 90% of those are undiagnosed.

Here's one such study: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar ... 5708003079

This study determined the presence of sleep apnea by making a diagnoses. The post I was referring too says that you cannot base statistics off of diagnosed cases. As soon as you do a screening study, the cases you are referencing in your study are no longer undiagnosed cases.

I am actually wondering if the OP was inquiring about a surgery that was even related to sleep apnea. I really don't see how one would expect an oral surgeon to be current a statistics relevant to a sleep medicine specialty. Oral surgery is a dental specialty, and they don't even go to the same school as MDs.

I see this on scuba diving forums all the time. Somebody gets all upset because a reporter referred to an air tank as an oxygen tank.

Actually, I wasn't but Gramps is right about oral surgeons being knowledgeable about sleep apnea. And this guy does MMA procedures.

49er

[49er]

As what difference it makes whether I am in the 25% or not, it really doesn't matter. But if a physician is making health care decisions based on information that may not be accurate, that could be very damaging to someone. bdz is a perfect example of this.

And sexist assumptions have derailed women in other areas such as heart issues:

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archi ... en/412495/

At the same time, I can't assume that if I had come to the oral surgeon initially without being diagnosed with sleep apnea and mentioned issues that screamed for the diagnosis, that he wouldn't have suggested a further evaluation in spite of what he believes. Still, those types of assumptions make me quite nervous for the reasons I have outlined.

49er