Enjoy the Final Weeks of Livonia’s Farmers Market

Posted September 26, 2010 by Dr. Stewart

Livonia’s Farmers Market offers a wide variety of local fruit, vegetables, plants and flowers. By buying local products you can improve your health, your community and the environment, all at the same time. Local food doesn’t lose nutrition from long cross country trips. It also puts more money back into Livonia’s economy and saves a whole lot of gas. All three are great reasons to make a trip to the Farmers Market this week!

Be sure to take advantage of the last month of our local Farmers Market. Located at Middlebelt & West Chicago in Livonia, the market is opened every Wednesday and Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. during October.

Reports Say, Sleep Apnea Can Cause Pilots to Fall Asleep at the Controls

Posted September 22, 2010 by Dr. Stewart

Sleep apnea affects approximately 70 million Americans, and the medical expenses, lost productivity, sick leave, and damage cost about $100 billion annually. In addition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can increase a person’s risk for auto accident by six times. It also increases a person’s risk of heart attack. People with OSA often experience daytime drowsiness, fall asleep at inappropriate times, and suffer from forgetfulness, irritability, depression, and fatigue.

Falling asleep on the job is bad if you work in an office. It’s worse if you drive a truck for work. But if your job is flying a commercial aircraft, even almost falling asleep is potentially catastrophic — but not unheard of. According to anonymously authored responses compiled in the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System reports, there are several dozen instances in which pilots fell asleep at the controls of an aircraft. (Source: USA Today)

In studying pilots and sleep apnea, I came across a Federal Aviation Administration’s brochure on Sleep Apnea that begins with a story about two pilots who fell asleep at the controls and overshot their destination. The 40 passengers and 3 crew members aboard safely deplaned, thank goodness. However, the National Transportation and Safety Administration (NTSA) determined that obstructive sleep apnea and draining work schedules were to blame.

Now, the FAA requires sleep apnea testing for pilots.

I’m Dr. James Stewart, and I treat obstructive sleep apnea in my Livonia dental office. With conservative oral appliance therapy, my OSA patients have overcome symptoms commonly associated with sleep disorders. (more…)

Visit the Northville Victorian Festival this weekend!

Posted September 17, 2010 by Dr. Stewart

Journey back through time to a simpler era with a visit to downtown Northville’s 22nd annual Victorian Festival on September 17-19. Experience the art, history, and romance of the 1800s amid Northville’s historic downtown district and tree-lined streets.

The festival begins with the traditional parade on Friday at 6:30pm and continues throughout the weekend. The streets will be closed to automobile traffic as townspeople, artists, and business owners turn back the clock and transform themselves into a Victorian Village complete with period costumes, storytellers, magicians, musical entertainment and demonstrations. Ryde Park features rides for kids and the Victorian Saloon (sponsored by Edward Jones) offers entertainment for adults.

Visitors can also enjoy a unique shopping experience in the many establishments in Northville, old-fashioned games, and food booths. Victorian Teas and Fashion Shows take place on Saturday at Northville’s own historical village. Mill Race Village will host activities on Sunday. The festival is hosted by the Northville Chamber of Commerce and celebrates the town’s special heritage.

For more information download the Victorian Festival Brochure.

One Quarter of Truck Drivers Suffer from Sleep Apnea

Posted September 14, 2010 by Dr. Stewart

In 2002, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sponsored a study that showed, of the nearly three-and-a-half million truck drivers with a commercial license, 26% suffer with sleep apnea. This finding is a serious concern because sleep apnea significantly impairs driving ability and can lead to highway accidents. Many truck drivers avoid diagnosis because the FMCSA’s policy states that once diagnosed, a driver must be successfully treated before he or she can resume driving a commercial truck.

Because people with a body mass index over 30 are in a high risk category, the FMCSA board recommended in 2008 that drivers with a BMI over 30 must be screened for sleep apnea. The recommendation has not led to a change in policy as of yet.

As a sleep apnea doctor and general dentist, I treat sleep apnea with conservative oral appliance therapy. While the CPAP (continuous positive air pressure) machine is the gold standard for sleep apnea treatment, oral appliance therapy can be easier to comply with, particularly for people who travel.

Whether you’re a truck driver, medical doctor, teacher, or policeman, sleep apnea can inhibit your performance on the job. Most sleep apnea patients feel unrested, lethargic, and irritable. Oftentimes, these patients are forgetful and suffer with depression, as well. (more…)

Livonia Civic Park Senior Center brings Detroit’s Statler Hotel back to life, Friday, September 17th12:30pm.

Posted September 13, 2010 by Dr. Stewart

The guest speaker, Lucas McGrail will, once again, be at the Center to share the rich history of this landmark hotel. Mr. McGrail will have many artifacts and photographs for this outstanding lecture.

The Statler, once located across from Grand Circus Park, was designed in the Georgian architectural style, with English Renaissance Revival roots evident. It consisted of 18 floors: sixteen above grade and two basement floors. Construction began on the original 800-room portion in 1914 and was completed in 1915. The hotel remained open for over six decades, until it finally had to close its doors in 1975.

Amount the hotels famous guests was Harry Houdini. He stayed at the hotel in October1926 during his last performance at the nearby Garrick Theater (Majestic Theatre). The hotel also saw such luminaries as President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Zsa Zsa Gabor.

You can register for this program at the Civic Park Senior Center volunteer desk or call (734) 466-2555 for more information. Cost is $6.00 per person and includes lunch based on menus from the “Café Rouge” at the Statler Hotel.

Click here for more information about all the senior events offered at the Livonia Civic Park Senior Center.

Sleep Apnea Affects One-Fifth of US Military Veterans

Posted September 7, 2010 by Dr. Stewart

I thought I’d tell you about some recent data regarding our veterans and sleep apnea.

Experts aren’t exactly sure why, but about 20% of American war veterans suffer with sleep apnea. Some believe that the smoke and dust the vets inhaled in Afghanistan may be to blame. Problem is, sleep apnea causes daytime drowsiness, forgetfulness, irritability, and an inability to focus. It can also contribute to stroke and heart disease. The Veteran’s Administration invests $500 million each year to provide treatment to these individuals.

While CPAP is the gold standard for sleep apnea treatment, it’s not the only option. In many cases, people who use CPAP find the device uncomfortable, ill fitting, or confining during sleep. This leads to noncompliance, meaning patients who don’t like it don’t use it.

As a sleep apnea dentist, I offer an alternative. My name is Dr. James Stewart, and my Livonia, Michigan dental office provides oral appliances to combat sleep apnea. Whether you’re a veteran or not, if you suffer from sleep apnea, and you can’t tolerate CPAP, call me to schedule a visit. We’ll discuss your situation and talk about practical treatment options, so you can get back to living life to the fullest! (more…)

Experience the World’s Largest and Best, Free Jazz Festival!

Posted September 4, 2010 by Dr. Stewart

The 31^st Annual Detroit Jazz Fest will be held for the entire Labor Day holiday weekend. This event occupies two million square feet of downtown Detroit–from Hart Plaza on the riverfront, to the beautiful Campus Martius Park, just three blocks north.

The festival will pay homage to six trailblazers of modern jazz–Art Blakey, Ray Brown, Miles Davis, Horace Silver, Betty Carter and Gil Evans. There will also be fireworks, nightly jam sessions, poetry slams, giant puppets, educational workshops and much, much more.

Can’t be there in person? Bring the Jazz Fest to your Labor Day celebration by tuning into Jazz Planet TV. This all jazz, music channel will feature live and taped performances, news flashes, interviews, and behind-the-scenes commentary directly from the festival grounds.

Cosmetic Bonding: A Conservative Procedure Can Make a Big Difference in Your Smile!

Posted September 2, 2010 by Dr. Stewart

Do gaps in your smile make you self-conscious? Do you avoid smiling in photos or hide your smile when you’re with others because of chipped, stained, or otherwise flawed teeth? If this describes you, it may be time to talk to Dr. Stewart about cosmetic bonding. This common cosmetic corrective service is a less costly, more conservative alternative to procedures like porcelain veneers or other cosmetic care. While it’s not the answer for every patient, Dr. Stewart can assess your situation at our Livonia office and recommend the appropriate treatment, which may include cosmetic bonding.

What is bonding?
During a cosmetic bonding treatment, Dr. Stewart matches a quality composite resin to the color of your existing tooth structure. If you’d like a whiter smile, ask us about take-home teeth whitening before the bonding appointment. That way, the resulting bonding treatment can blend with your brighter smile. Dr. Stewart will artistically sculpt the composite material to correct any flaws, and after he cures it with a special light, you’re left with beautiful teeth. No one will know your stunning smile is the result of a cosmetic treatment! (more…)

Take a walk in the park and into the past…

Posted August 28, 2010 by Dr. Stewart

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Sunday, August 29, 2010, visit Greenmead Historical Park from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Enjoy a tour of the grounds, gardens and buildings.

This city owned park serves as a legacy of Michigan’s agricultural heritage. The property was originally the 1820’s homestead of Michigan pioneer, Joshua Simmons. It includes the original farm complex, Historical Village, picnic facilities and recreational areas.

The farm complex features an 1841 Greek revival farmhouse and its outbuildings, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The farm maintains its unique architectural character in that nine of its eleven original outbuildings are still intact that feature period artifacts and furnishings. Together, the buildings and the grounds tell the story of farm life in rural Michigan.

Pack up the family, bring a picnic lunch and learn more about Livonia’s history!

Heart Attack from Snoring is a Risk You Can Avoid

Posted August 24, 2010 by Dr. Stewart

Many people think that snoring is just an annoying habit. Studies show, however, that snoring can indicate sleep apnea, a condition linked to cardiovascular disease.

Fact: Men who snore face a 60% (or greater) risk of heart attack. Women who snore are at 50% increased risk for heart attack.

Fact: When treated for sleep apnea, people who snore significantly reduce their risk of heart attack.

Fact: Sleep apnea is more common in people with diabetes, high blood pressure, and those who suffer from obesity.

Fact: Dr. James Stewart (that’s me) offers non-surgical, non-CPAP treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Treatment reduces risk of heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, and heart disease. (more…)