ABSTRACT
In recent years, diagnostics in the field of medicine has developed at an extremely rapid pace, thanks to the use and improvement of new medical devices and devices. The problem of timely and adequate diagnosis and treatment of the syndrome of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring is particularly relevant world-wide. The disease has been proven to worsen the patients' quality of life, and may even threaten it. Obstructive sleep apnea and snoring syndrome (OSAS) is a widespread disease of social importance in which there is a reduction or cessation of airf low through the nose/mouth during sleep due to upper airway collapse. Obstructive sleep apnea affects the cardiovascular, endocrine, neurocognitive and other systems of the body. There are symptoms of loud snoring, choking, hypoxemia, and micro-awakenings, leading to sleep frag-mentation, daytime fatigue, and sleepiness. The latter greatly worsens the quality of life of patients. There are real risks to the life and health of the patient and others, given the possibility of falling asleep at the wheel in drivers with sleep apnea and participation in traffic accidents. To diagnose the syndrome, a poly-somnographic study is performed, which is still the gold standard. For a better diagnosis, it is recommend-ed to combine it with rhinomanometry. Treatment of OSA includes control of risk factors and removal of obstructive factors that make breathing difficult. Severe OSA syndrome is treated with continuous positive pressure ventilation (CPAP) during sleep, possibly in combination with intraoral devices. Rhinomanome-try can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of CPAP therapy in severe forms of the syndrome by deter-mining tissue resistance. The impact on patients with a milder form of OSA treated with intraoral devices is also monitored. The method can also be used in patients with allergic rhinitis, sinusitis of rhinogenic and other origin, and patients with orthodontic deformities. The correct choice of intraoral appliances for conservative treatment of OSA and timely diagnosis are key to successful treatment.Copyright © 2022, Bulgarian-American Center. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people wearing masks in everyday life has increased. At the same time, there has been a noticeable rise in the amount of patients with bad breath (foe-tor ex ore), gingivitis, caries, and xerostomia. The appearance of these symptoms and diseases caused by wearing a mask is designated by the term mask mouth. The aim of this article is to establish the link between wearing protective masks and deteriorating oral health. From the conducted research, it has been es-tablished that wearing a surgical mask over a long period of time leads to reduced air exchange in the mask and "recycling" of exhaled air. This leads to inhalation of air with increased CO2 content and increase in pCO2 in the blood, which is subsequently compensated by rapid and deep breathing in most cases through the mouth. The goal is to exhale the accumulated CO2. As the mask reduces air exchange, the level of CO2 in the mask remains relatively high. Prolonged breathing through the mouth often leads to xerostomia. Saliva is known to have protective functions against the development of bacteria in the oral cavity through its an-tibacterial properties. Xerostomia can be a prerequisite for the development of various diseases of bacterial origin, such as gingivitis. Furthermore, oral respiration leads to an increase in temperature and CO2 in the air in the mask and a decrease in pH in the oral cavity, which are optimal conditions for biofilm formation, plaque buildup, development of most bacteria, e.g., S. mutans, which is the main cause of caries.Copyright © 2022, Bulgarian-American Center. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the present study is to examine the students' opinion regarding the conducted online educa-tion. Sociological methods: an anonymous Google forms survey was conducted including dental medicine students studying in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the need to switch to an online form of education. It was conducted online on a voluntary basis in the month of March 2021. A total of 50 students from various years, studying Dental Medicine at the Medical University of Varna took part in the study. The provided survey consists of 20 questions. The majority of students categorically state that face-to-face study is preferable and that digital learning methods are motivating for them. Almost half of the students have a positive opinion regarding online lectures. Through them, they get more advice and guidance from the teachers and it is easier to participate in discussions. The participants in the survey shared that online training, as a result of the introduced anti-epidemic measures, was a good option for learning the the-oretical study material.Copyright © 2022, Bulgarian-American Center. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
This paper aims to provide in-depth analysis of legal education in Bulgaria since it is of paramount significance for the creation of well-trained lawyers for the state, local authorities, as well as the judicial system. The historical method was used to examine the system of the Bulgarian legal education that has been developing for about 130 years and has gone through numerous difficulties. The comparative and juxtaposition approach were utilsed in the research to help in making inferences about the present situation regarding legal education in Bulgaria. Now there are nine law schools that deepen international co-operation and adapt their curricula to respond to the changes in national and European legislation. It takes five years to receive a legal education in Bulgaria and the process ends with a Master's degree in Law (LLM). There is no Bachelor degree in Law (LLB in other European countries) in our country. All in all, the main objective of this article is to look at the Bulgarian legal education in the past and nowadays. The paper attempts to show that legal education in Bulgaria is faced with diverse challenges of the new millennium. The process of globalization as well as the recent situation with COVID-19 make it necessary to add information technologies and distant learning forms to legal education. © The Author(s) 2022.