Cracking the Sleep Code

Sleep Deprived? What's Keeping you From Sleeping?

I can't stand not being able to fall back asleep.  It is my number one pet peeve. I call it maintenance insomnia.  I found that it takes some investigation but you can cure this problem. It' s so important to find out what could be waking you up. If you wake up and can't get back to sleep then it's time to eliminate the things that are responsible for waking you and robbing you of your precious sleep.  I mean let's face it, if we wouldn't wake up in the first place then we wouldn't need to deal with getting back to sleep.  Here are some things to look at...

1. Are there noises in your house that could be awakening you?  Those creeks and squeaks in a house need to be eliminated.  Get a fan or sound machine for add white noise or wear ear plugs.

2. Do you wake up with one side of your nose clogged?  That's annoying isn't it?  If it's consistent then go to a Ear Nose and Throat doc and find out what's causing the problem.  It could be enlarged turbinates or a deviated septum that's causing your nose to close off.  Believe it or not this could be the sole cause of your insomnia.  If you're awakened from the discomfort of your nose it doesn't take long to form a habit of not getting back to sleep.  For that matter anything that wakes you up consistently can turn into insomnia. 

3. A Hormone imbalance can be another culprit.  This pertains to mostly women and can become a real health problem.  Starting as early as mid thirties women can start to have  perimenopause symptoms that can greatly affect their sleep.

4. Of course there is always your snoring or a snoring partner.  If your snoring is waking you it's most likely because your snoring is restricting your airway--- it might be time for a sleep study to check for obstructive sleep apnea.  If it's your partner snoring then encourage them to seek treatment or move to another room.  Don't worry about the "stigma" of sleeping apart. You won't be much of a partner if you don't get your sleep.   

5. There's always the more obvious causes...caffeine, alcohol and too much to drink creates frequent awakenings, lighter stages of sleep and bathroom trips. 

Whatever is responsible for waking you... the anxiety from not getting back to sleep can drive us batty.  That's why it's important to keep a sleep journal---just a short recap of what happened the night before so you can find out why you are having these problems and then fix them for good.

What's your 'wake up' culprit?  Or is it trying to fall asleep that plagues you? Your story or suggestions are wanted.

Are You a Professional Snorer? Seek Help... Before It's Too Late

Snoring can be dangerous. The adage "When I die I want to go in my sleep"...can be too real for someone who has sleep apnea. Obviously nobody wants to die prematurely from a sleep disorder yet I've seen too many cases where that could of been prevented.

If you have been a snorer for years there is a good chance that you have periods of cessation of breath.  It's a good idea to get it checked out if you are tired during the day or have been told that you stop breathing.  Overtime those seconds or minutes that you're lacking in oxygen are hard on your heart.

Snoring with a deadly pause puts you at high risk for arrhythmia's, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure and hypertension.  Do you know for sure that your snoring doesn't contain that... pause?

This video says it all...

Have Sleep Problems? The Top 6 Sleep Sites That Will Get You Back to Dreaming

http://www.sleepdisordersguide.com/blog/
The latest news on therapies and treatments of all sleep disorders

http://sleepingwelltonight.blogspot.com/: Great information on insomnia, sleep apnea and how reducing stress can help with these and other sleep disorders

http://www.sleepapneafacts.info/sleepapneablog/
Extensive information on the latest treatments for sleep apnea and snoring

http://blog.cpap.co.uk/: Everything you need to know about sleep apnea, sleep lab visits and CPAP treatments

http://sleepdoctor.blogspot.com/: Dr. Michael Rack, a sleep specialist, shares his knowledge on the descriptions and latest treatments for every kind of sleep disorder

http://always-sleepy.blogspot.com/ : One man's funny and fascinating journey with narcolepsy

Are You Just a Snorer...Or Could You Have a Breathing Disorder?

I was just going to do "sleep Apnea" week.  But the 'week' is turning into a month.  There is so much to cover with this sleep disorder I've decided to continue this series for another week.

Todays article is about diagnosing your sleep apnea.  Are you sure you're just a snorer??  There are ways to tell if you are at risk for obstructive sleep apnea even before going in for an overnight sleep study. It's important to point out that there are different treatments for snoring and sleep apnea.  A lot of the over the counter 'snore fixes' can be dangerous to a person who has sleep apnea.  The last thing you want to do is mask the disorder or delay diagnosis because you just want a quick fix for the snoring.  If you are at a point where you want to do something about your snoring then your first action should be a physician visit.

Is it time to find out if your snoring has transformed into sleep apnea?

Sleep Deprivation Affects Everyone... Even Pastors: Turn Off Your Cell Phone in Church!

Insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, a snoring partner...they all rob us of something we so desperately need!  What would life be like if every night we hit the pillow, we would sleep straight through for the next 7 hours?  I do know, after being in the sleep business and struggling with disruptive sleep myself, that we would be different people.

These are some differences that I think would take place...

1. More patience, with everything and everyone.

2. More time in the day..meaning you wouldn't be
    cat napping or making up for lack of sleeping the
    late morning.

3. less divorces, period.

4. More energy...resulting in more exercise and
    more weight loss

5. Less driving accidents and driving accident deaths

6. Less health risks associated with sleep disorder breathing,
    i.e.---highblood pressure, arrhythmia's, congestive heart
    failure and permanent cessation of breath during sleep.

7.  Higher employment retention

Again, these are only some of the things that would change in our lives.  This doesn't include the enormous chain reaction.  There are so many "normal" people affected by the sleep deprived people.

I can definitely identify with this man in the video.  Proper cell phone etiquette craves community awareness just as much as the risks associated with snoring and sleep apnea.  But I think we'll have less chance of "cracking" if we can get the sleep that we need...

What do you think?

How Dangerous is Untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Do you or your spouse suffer from a possible sleep disorder.  If you or someone you know snores and suffers from fatigue during the day...I implore you to take it seriously.  You're not just hurting yourself if you have sleep apnea.  If your productivity and patience are being affected then you are no doubt having a negative impact on someone else. 

Do any of these people describe you?

1.  A person who sleeps next to a snorer and has witnessed their disruptive breathing?

2.  A person who snores and is used to being tired during the day---you just  haven't gotten around to going to see a Doctor to ask for a sleep study.

3.  A person who has been diagnosed with sleep apnea but can't tolerate wearing the CPAP---there hasn't been time to trial other masks or discuss and move forward with other treatment options.

If you are tired when you're behind the wheel you could kill yourself or someone else. There is very little difference between being excessively tired behind the wheel and being drunk behind the wheel. Untreated sleep apnea can put excessive strain on the heart but there are also risks that are not health related.  All of these car accidents were as a result of fatigue...don't be another statistic.

Hating CPAP?! Experimental Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Under Way

Are you still looking for a treatment for sleep apnea? Or do you currently have CPAP and are having trouble tolerating it?  There's new research for a new treatment that is looking promising.

Nasal Cannula insufflation or TNI is a treatment that might be able to replace CPAP for some sleep apnea suffers.  Instead of a mask over your nose with the cumbersome hose, it would be two small soft plastic prongs that sit within your nostrils.  This way of administering the oxygen is much less intimidating and more comfortable.  The researchers expected the improvement in the subjects with mild sleep apnea but the results were better than they thought. When the oxygen flow is set at 20L/minute there was marked improvement in the participants with severe sleep apnea as well.  The research was reported in the second issue for July 2007 of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine published by the American Thoracic Society.

New Cure For Snoring?

Snoring.  Everyone is looking for a cure...or I should say 'spouses are looking for a cure.'  There has been everything from throat sprays to nasal strips--- all claiming to cure or help snoring.  If you understand what causes snoring then you probably wouldn't look twice at these products.  Snoring is caused by a collapse in the soft palate in the back of the throat.  Throat sprays lubricate your throat and nasal dilators help open your nasal passages; neither will hold open the back of your throat.  There have been cases where a deviated septum or enlarged sinuses can cause negative pressure contributing to the cause of snoring and/or sleep apnea.  A nasal dilator will not be strong enough to keep the throat from collapsing.  If your snoring includes interrupted breathing or cessation of breath you should see a sleep specialist to see if you need a sleep study.

I have heard from many people that if they could only stay on their side or stomach then they wouldn't snore. The body position is one of the options that can truly help with snoring.  It's obvious right?  If you're on your stomach then the tissue in your throat is falling forward...not backward  closing off the airway.   But how does anyone keep themselves from moving onto their back?  I have heard of the tennis ball trick.  Tape a tennis ball to your back and you won't be able to roll over ---at least not comfortably.  This worked for some but not others.  Some still manage to roll over partially since the ball is in the middle of the back...and then the snoring begins. 

I want to share an article about an ingenious invention by Sean Kerklaan, a snorer and entrepreneur. Lisa does a great job at telling Sean's story, so I'll give her the stage.

LISA FITTERMAN, Freelance

A Cure For Snoring?  Sleep On It

Published: Monday, July 09, 2007--- canada.com

These days, I fantasize about He Who Must Obey wearing a little T-shirt, and not one of those muscle things that show off biceps and abdominals that once were a four-pack (alas, not a six).

Instead, my fantasy revolves around a standard grey, heavy cotton Fruit of the Loom number that comes with a "three-pack" at the back. Confused? Let me explain.

Can't take CPAP Anymore? Learn About The Pillar Treatment For Sleep Apnea

One of the newer procedures for sleep apnea is called the pillar palatal procedure.  Some physicians are real believers in this procedure others are not. I recently talked to an otolaryngologist who said that his group is reluctant to do the procedure.  There are questions about how difficult the implants are to remove if infection or an allergic reaction were to occur.  The upside to this procedure is that the surgery is done in about 10 minutes with very little discomfort.  The pillar is the only office based minimally invasive surgery to be FDA approved for treating snoring and sleep apnea while other minimally invasive surgeries are approved for only treating the snoring.

This surgery entails placing three tiny woven inserts or implants into the soft palate with a needle.  The inserts firm the soft, loose tissue as the body makes scar tissue in response to the inserts.  The stiffening effect decreases the vibration in the soft palate. This surgery has been said to be comparable to UPPP (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) but without the recovery time and is recommended for mild to moderate sleep apnea.

Webmd posted that this is such a simple procedure that "if there's any benefit at all, I don't see why you wouldn't do it," says Regina P. Walker, MD, associate professor of otolaryngology at Loyola University Medical Center.

This surgery is definitely worth looking into if you are not a fan of the CPAP or if you're someone who has just been diagnosed with mild to moderate apnea.  The only recommendation I would make is make sure the physician is comfortable with taking them out if there is a problem.

New snoring device coming to the US?

Snoring.  It can be exhausting to the snorer and the snoree (the person laying next the the snorer).  Snoring has now become a buzz word when talking about sleep disorders and can be more than just the annoyance of a loud sound.  If snoring becomes sleep apnea it can have major health risks. High blood pressure, congestive heart failure and coronary heart disease are just a few of the other "annoyances" that are correlated to sleep apnea. 

Please watch this video on a new snoring device that seems to look promising. There is such a need for more treatment alternatives to help the snoring and/or sleep apnea population.  Even though CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is the first treatment offered it does not work for everyone.

After watching this video please come back and let me know if you could see yourself (or your bed partner) wearing this...although I might get different answers from both.

New Snoring Device