Dr Craig Schwimmer

Medical Director "The Snoring Center"

The Snoring CenterSM of Dallas is a unique medical practice dedicated exclusively to the evaluation and treatment of snoring and sleep apnea. Snoring is more than just an embarrassment-it can be indicative of serious health problems. Even mild snoring can disrupt sleep, depriving snorers and their bed partners of the rest they need. Lack of sleep can cause everything from fatigue and short tempers to decreased job performance and auto accidents.

Cutting-edge medicine

Our medical staff uses the latest technology to treat snoring and sleep apnea. Treatment options include home based sleep studies and a variety of in-office procedures. Injection Snoreplasty, The Pillar® Procedure, and Turbinate Coblation®  are all performed at the Snoring CenterSM. Laser SMR of the turbinates is performed at Methodist Hospital of Dallas.

Great treatments, better sleep

Anybody who's missed out on a good night's sleep because of their or their partners' snoring knows it's nothing to laugh at. You deserve a restful night, and The Snoring CenterSM of Dallas can help you get it. But you don't have to take our word for it. Browse through our website, learn about our treatment options (and some of the other popularly marketed remedies), hear from some of our satisfied clients, and decide for yourself.

Craig Schwimmer, MD, MPH, is the Medical Director of the Snoring Center. The Snoring Center is the nation's leading provider of office based treatment for snoring and sleep apnea.

Dr Schwimmer is a board-certified otolaryngologist, or head and neck surgeon. He is a 1991 graduate of the Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Schwimmer completed his otolaryngology training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, studying under some of the leading clinicians and scientists in the field of snoring and sleep apnea. He has co-authored numerous articles on the subject, including pioneering work on the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux.

After six years of residency training, he practiced in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was also a member of the teaching faculty at Johns Hopkins University. Since 2001, he has practiced in Dallas, where he remains involved in residency training. He holds a clinical appointment at the UT Southwestern Medical School and is a member of the teaching staff at Methodist Health System. Dr. Schwimmer founded the Snoring Center in 2004, and has successfully treated more than 2,000 snoring and sleep apnea patients since the Center opened its doors.

The Snoring Center's medical staff uses the latest technology to treat snoring and sleep apnea. The Snoring Center is the leading provider of the Pillar Procedure in the United States.

For more information about The Snoring center, log onto snoringcenter.com call 214-369-2345.

Q. Can you tell us what sleep apnea is? I always thought it was the same as snoring, but apparently that’s not the case. A. No, the two are not the same, although one of the most common symptoms of apnea is snoring. A patient with sleep apnea is literally losing air. Someone who suffers from apnea will often stop breathing during the night, usually for around 10 seconds, but sometimes as long as a minute. It is caused when tissues in the upper throat collapse during sleep, blocking the passage of air. A little less than half of all Americans snore at least occasionally, but only about 4 percent of men and 2 percent of women between the ages of 30 and 60 suffer from apnea.

Q. Why is it so dangerous? A. In the short-term, it causes sleep deprivation, which can cause everything from fatigue and irritability to depression and automobile accidents. But the scarier consequences are the long-term ones. Because apnea sufferers aren’t getting the oxygen they need, their hearts are having to work harder than normal. The ultimate result of this is that apnea sufferers tend to have higher rates of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. And, although we don’t necessarily believe that apnea causes asthma, we have reason to believe that it can worsen asthma symptoms, which can also be life-threatening to asthma sufferers. You add the short-term consequences of apnea—the sleep deprivation and all its consequences—to the long-term consequences, and you’ve got a condition that can pose some serious medical problems to its sufferers

Q. What actually causes apnea? A. In some cases, it’s structural abnormalities in the face, such as in the tissues that lie between the back of the mouth and the esophagus. An enlarged soft palate can also be the cause. There is a definite link between obesity and apnea, although that’s a bit of a chicken-or-the-egg question. On the one hand, there is evidence that fatty cells clogging the throat tissue could narrow the airways. But it stands to reason that a sleep-deprived person is going to have less energy and be less active than someone not suffering from apnea. There is also research suggesting that sleep apnea is more common in patients with atrial fibrillation than patients with other heart conditions. Again, we don’t know whether one causes the other, just that there is a correlation between the two.

Q. Who should be checked for apnea? A. Some symptoms to look out for include excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, irritability, impaired mental or emotional functioning, snoring, and heartburn. If a person frequently suffers from those symptoms, I would highly recommend a visit to the doctor. Sometimes, the best person to flag the problem is a spouse. I frequently get my best information from the husbands or wives of my patients. They’re the ones who can tell me if the person stops breathing at night or if their snoring is severe. And, since they’re usually being kept awake by the snoring, or they’re the ones who are most affected by their spouse’s irritability, they’re also often the ones who are most motivated to seek treatment for the problem

Q. Does any particular group tend to suffer from apnea more than another? A. Men tend to suffer from sleep apnea more than women, that is, until they hit 60. At that point, women tend to have it at the same rate as men. Apnea is most common and its symptoms are worse in middle-aged adults between 40 and 60, but it still affects people of all ages. It has even been reported in a small percentage of children.

African Americans face a higher risk for sleep apnea than any other ethnic group in the United States. Other groups at increased risk include Pacific Islanders and Hispanics.

Q. How is sleep apnea diagnosed? A. A doctor may order a patient to keep a sleep diary for a few weeks, just to establish what kind of patterns the patient is experiencing. Then their doctor may send them to a sleep disorders clinic, which can do an on-site sleep study or send the patient home with a machine that will monitor their sleep patterns. And there are a variety of treatment options that patients can choose from that have been very successful.

Q. It sounds like a lot of work. A. Well, not every patient will require that much diagnosis. But it’s important to remember that sleep apnea, if left untreated, can set the stage for some serious, life-changing medical conditions. On the positive side, my patients who have had their apnea treated report that it literally changed their life. They have more energy, their outlook on life has drastically improved, their marriages are better—you name it. The quality of sleep you get at night has a direct effect on the quality of life you have during the day.

Olshan Foundation Repair

At Olshan Foundation Repair our goal is to provide our customers with structural repairs of the highest value and quality. With over 70 years of experience and the advanced technology of Cable Lock Plus, Olshan remains the leader in the foundation repair industry by offering a Lifetime Transferable Warranty and a commitment to customers. That's why more than 50,000 homeowners have chosen Olshan for their home repairs. We offer free inspections and full service repairs. Olshan is a member of the BBB as well as the Foundation Repair Association.

Blaine Bartley

Blane Bartley is the General Manager for Olshan Foundation Repair of Dallas. Mr. Bartley has been in the foundation repair business for four years working in all areas of the business from production supervisor, to estimating and now is operations manager for the largest Olshan company in the country. Prior to joining Olshan, Blane was in the service industry for more than twenty years.

Contact Information:

•Phone: 972-238-1600
•Website: www.olshanfoundation.com

Here are some questions you may have about your foundation.

What are the most common signs of foundation problems?

A: cracks around doors & windows; crack in brick.   Doors that do not open properly

What is normal settlement versus a real problem?

A: Some settlement is normal especially in brand new homes but look for problems over wide areas and monitor them over a period of time.

Do all homes have the potential for a foundation problem?

A: With our soils in the Dallas area there is always the threat but with good maintenance and prevention many problems can be avoided.

How quickly can a foundation problem develop?

A: In the type of drought we have had this year it can happen quickly. I have seen problems develop in as little as a few months.

What should someone do if they suspect they have a problem?

A: You should get an inspection from a professional company. This evaluation should be at no cost. Make sure you choose from companies that have a good record with the BBB and are a member of the Foundation Repair Association.

What happens on an inspection?

A: Any inspection of your home should be thorough. Everything should be measured and diagrammed. Digital elevation readings should be taken and presented directly to the homeowner. Having a qualified person doing the inspection is important as well. At Olshan all of our Technicians are certified and required to pass a test and do continuing education unfortunately this is not standard in our industry.

Is having foundation repair performed at your home an ordeal?

A: The truth is, it is not as fun as some things you have done to your home; like new carpet or other beautification projects but we complete most jobs in 1-3 days. Our customers tell me all the time how happy they are it is finally fixed and how good they feel knowing the foundation is secured by our warranty.

Is foundation repair covered under homeowners insurance?

A: No, the only policy I know that protects homeowners against the cost of future foundation problems is the Cable Lock Safeguard.

For more information, log onto: www.olshanfoundation.com

Dr James Addison, DDS

Dallas Center for Cosmetic Dentistry

"Picture Perfect Smile"

Dr. James Addison is first and foremost an exceptionally skilled dentist with years of top-quality practice to his credit. His expertise in cosmetic dentistry is hard to match. He received advanced training at Yale-New Haven and Bridgeport Hospital, the largest teaching hospital of Yale University, in addition to earning his DDS from the University of Texas Health Science Center.

He is a member of the American Dental Association; Texas Dental Association; Dallas County Dental Society; Academy of Laser Dentistry; and the Texas Academy of Laser and High Tech Dentistry.

Dr. Addison is a lifetime Dallas resident. He graduated from Highland Park High School and Southern Methodist University.

Dallas Center for Cosmetic Dentistry

We are the oldest dental practice in the prestigious Preston Center, and have proudly served Dallas residents since the late 1940s. Our office was the first dental office, and the first professional office of its kind, to be established in the Preston Center. Dr. James P. Addison, Sr., opened the practice right after World War II. Today his son carries on the family tradition of excellent dentistry in this forward-thinking practice.

You can find out more about Dr. Addison and the Dallas Center for Cosmetic Dentistry at dallasbeautifulsmiles.com  or call 214-550-6574.

Paige McCoy Smith

"Not so Perfect Parent"

Paige McCoy Smith is a professional speaker who has entertained audiences with presentations that are both light-hearted and fun. Paige has had significant media experience with both national and local media. She has been interviewed by ABC's Good Morning America, The New York Times, Money Magazine, the Hallmark Channel, the Dallas Morning News, Teen People as well as many more television and radio stations, magazines and newspapers.

A Dallas native, Paige McCoy Smith received a communications degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder. She began her career in Sports Marketing, coordinating endorsements for professional athletes, as well as planning and implementing special events. Returning to Texas in 1993, Paige received her Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Abilene Christian University. For the past nine years, Paige has been an executive and spokesperson for a large not-for-profit organization. Paige is married and has two children ages 7 and 2.

If you have a question for Paige, email her at psmith@wfaa.com.

Thomas Gilliam

“Move It, Lose It, Live Healthy”

Thomas B. Gilliam, Ph. D., is the founder and president of T. Gilliam & Associates, co-author of the book Move It. Lose It. Live Healthy.: Achieve a Healthier Workplace One Employee at a Time! , creator of the Move It. Lose It. Live Healthy (r) wellness program, designed to teach workers how to achieve a healthy body weight, founder of healthybodyweight.com, and founder and owner of Industrial Physical Capability Services, Inc. (IPCS).
Since 1982, Dr. Gilliam has designed and managed many corporate fitness centers ranging from 500 square feet to 34,000 square feet. In addition, Dr. Gilliam has established a variety of wellness programs to deal with such topics as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, physical inactivity, stress, osteoporosis, low back pain, and many more.
Dr. Gilliam is a pioneer and acknowledged expert in the field of dynamic strength testing for industry based on the sports medicine model. Since 1982, Dr. Gilliam has provided isokinetic physical capability assessments for Fortune 1000 companies through his company Industrial Physical Capability Services, Inc. (ipcs-inc.com). Dr. Gilliam's programs have dramatically reduced workers' compensation costs and decreased injury incidence and severity rates for major industrial clients. In addition, Dr. Gilliam has been instrumental in identifying and presenting to industry the higher risk for injury and disease caused by obesity in the workplace.
Dr. Gilliam is the creator of the Heart "E" Heart program, which is a healthy lifestyle program for children and their families. Dr. Gilliam was the principal investigator in a National Institutes of Health research study investigating the impact of physical activity and nutritional habits on heart disease risk in young children. This research in the late 1970s resulted in numerous scholarly publications and television and radio interviews throughout the world including NBC's Today Show and NBC's Nightly News with their science editor, Robert Basel.
In 1973, Dr. Gilliam earned a doctorate degree from Michigan State University in exercise physiology with a minor in graduate statistics and research design. From 1974 to 1982, Dr. Gilliam was a tenured faculty member at the University of Michigan. Before resigning from his tenured faculty position, he was involved with numerous funded research projects (i.e., N.I.H., Kellogg Foundation, State of Michigan, and others) that resulted in 29 refereed, scholarly publications.# # #Five Factors to Look for in a Wellness Program
Excerpted from Solving a Weighty Problem: Companies Can Combat the Rising Costs of Obesity in the Workplace, a paper by Thomas B. Gilliam, Ph.D.
1. Long-term timeline. It takes about twenty-four months to lose weight and establish healthful lifestyle habits that allow employees to maintain their new bodies. Fad diets and get-thin-quick programs are doomed to fail.
2. A philosophy centered on small, gradual changes. People cannot transform their lifestyles overnight. Slow and steady wins the race.
3. Emphasis on education. When employees understand how weight loss works, as opposed to "following orders," they're more likely to buy in and voluntarily make changes. Teach it; don't preach it.
4. A family-centered approach. Today's children are tomorrow's workers (and today's family insurance policy liabilities). Choose a program that helps them eat right and exercise, too.
5. The fun factor. If employees don't get to bond with coworkers over recipes, walk together at lunch, or engage in some friendly departmental competitions, they're less likely to stick to it. Select a program that makes it fun.

Bronwen Weber

Every cake from Frosted Art Bakery is created by Bronwen Weber, "America's Favorite Cupcake" and award-winning baker. Celebrated on the Food Network as one of the top pastry chefs in the nation, Bronwen took home the Grand Prize at the 2005 Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show, the topmost tier of wedding cake competitions in this country. For more information log onto www.frostedart.com.