Sleep Center News

Sleep Study Shows CPAP Machines Help

2010-02-10T17:31:00.000-08:00

If a person snores loudly every night, they are at a much higher risk for sleep apnea than the occasional snorer.Apnea symptoms include the dangerous condition where airflow is interrupted during sleep for more than 10 seconds, up to 5 times in an hour.Other apnea symptoms are episodes of fatigue during the day and emotional as well as skill deficits when you are tired. Risk factors for sleep apnea include: being overweight by more than 120%; a large neck girth of greater than 16"; high blood pressure; narrow breathing passages.
Apnea symptoms warrant a professional sleep study for proper diagnosis. There are a number of options for treating apnea symptoms.A dental appliance can be fitted for you that you wear during the night.This appliance alters the placement of the tongue so that the airways are clear for proper breathing.Many people have had their sleep apnea disappear altogether once they lost weight and began to exercise. Also, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) masks can be worn over the mouth and nose in order to force air into the nasal passages.As a last resort,there are surgical procedures to aid in a sleep apnea disorder. This can be a life threatening condition so do not ignore your snoring as harmless.

Train the Sleep Center of Your Brain to Sleep Like a Baby

2010-02-07T14:19:00.003-08:00

Set a schedule: Go to bed at a set time each night and get up at the same time each morning.

Exercise: Try to exercise 20 to 30 minutes a day. For maximum benefit, try to get your exercise about 5 to 6 hours before going to bed. Too close to bedtime may disrupt sleep by exciting the sleep center of the brain.

Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol which rob people of deep sleep and REM sleep.
Relax before bed: A warm bath, reading, or another relaxing routine can make it easier to fall sleep.
Sleep until sunlight: If possible, wake up with the sun, or use very bright lights in the morning.
If you can't get to sleep, don't just lie in bed. Do something else, like reading, or listening to music, until you feel tired.
Control your room temperature: Maintain a comfortable temperature in the bedroom. The sleep center of the brain is triggered by darkening as well as cooling as it registers "night time".
See a doctor if your sleeping problem continues as you may have sleep apnea.

What Sleep Aids are Available?

2010-02-07T14:18:00.003-08:00

What if you fall into bed by 10 o’clock and fall asleep for hours and hours? That happens to many people, and if you’re one of them, you might want to try the best sleeping aids on the market, which are:
A Good Mattress: it might just be a better mattress that you need. Is yours sagging in the middle causing your body to tense up to balance itself? Is it too firm or too soft?
Sleep Medications: there are many available that might help you fall asleep for a full night. Start with an over the counter version and if that’s not effective, ask your doctor what prescriptions might be available to help you. Hypnosis Aids: hypnosis is used to treat all sorts of disorders, including insomnia. You’re not put into a trance, but it helps you learn how to relax into a state of peacefulness that makes falling asleep easy. Sleep Herbal Solutions: there are many herbs and natural supplements that are known to promote sleep, rest and relaxation. Lavender is famous for helping you relax just by having the scent in your room. Homeopathic remedies such as Chamomile and Coffea promote sleep without side effects. Melatonin is a great antioxident that resets the wake/sleep cycle. Sleep Apnea Masks: if you are often snoring and gasping for breath as you stop breathing during the night, a sleep apnea mask might be the cure for you. These masks force air through your airways, helping you fall asleep and stay asleep, but also potentially saving your life.

Sleep Study: How Sleeping Problems Affect Teens Performance

2010-02-07T14:17:00.001-08:00

These days teens often look like adults, and we tend to forget that their bodies are still "under construction". As a result, teens need much more sleep than most get.
You think they've gone to bed while you sleep, but often your teen is watching a video, talking on the phone and texting their friends past midnight. And then they have to be up for a 7 AM bus--that’s going flat out for 14-18 hours a day and trying to get by on less than 6 hours of sleep! This causes an imbalance in the sleep center of their brains.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that over 100,000 auto accidents are caused by inattention due to fatigue. 50% of those accidents involve teenage drivers. Poor concentration and slower reflexes can mean early death at the worst and at the least, falling grades. It is impossible to study and retain information when your mind is tired and the sleep center of the brain is out of balance.

Make it a rule to turn off the tv, video games, etc., at least 30 minutes before bedtime. Ask your teen to turn off the cell phone. If that does not work, take the phone away over night.