Better Sleep Better Health

In 2006, sales of the sleep aid Ambien® topped almost two billion dollars and placed that medication at number 13 on the list of the top 200 drugs prescribed in the US. The popularity of Ambien® and other sleeping aids suggests a growing trend of addressing sleep problems with medications. Unfortunately, with so many competing drugs and opinions based upon advertising, it is hard for a patient to distinguish what sort of treatment they need.

If you are having trouble sleeping, the first thing a doctor should do is determine what type of Insomnia you are experiencing. Insomnia can be “Transient”, occurring infrequently and in relation to temporary difficult or stressful times, or “Chronic”, occurring on a regular basis. The symptoms of insomnia can also arise as “Sleep-onset Insomnia” or they can manifest themselves after the patient has fallen asleep as “Sleep Maintenance Insomnia”. Depending on what type of Insomnia you have, sleeping pills might be an effective treatment. For example, a person has Transient Insomnia triggered by stress at work; they can’t seem to shut off their mind and fall asleep. In this situation, a short term prescription of a sleep aid might help them. On the other hand, someone else has been waking up several times a night and has difficulty getting back to sleep. In their situation it would be prudent to be screened for an underlying sleep disorder such as Sleep Apnea. Their sleep may be disrupted by the disorder, resulting in Insomnia symptoms and sleeping pills would further mask the problem.

It’s important to remember that sleeping pills should not be prescribed nor used lightly as they can have serious side effects and consequences. One recent study concluded that patients with Sleep Apnea who did not have their condition treated and were instead given sleeping aids had a substantially higher risk of car accidents. Also, some people may experience effects similar to sleep walking and may become a danger to themselves and others. Long term effects of sleeping aids have not been well documented and the FDA generally recommends short term use of most hypnotic medications.

We recently came across this local radio interview with Dr. Root from a while back. In it he discusses sleep disorders such as Sleep Apnea, Snoring, Insomnia, Bad Sleep Hygiene, and Restless Legs Syndrome. Check it out!

Dr. Root Interview on 750 KXL

Many people today have heard of Sleep Apnea, if not, you probably have at least heard the symptoms of it: The constant snoring rattling your tents when you’re on a camping trip with friends, the coworker who just can’t seem to stay awake during a meeting, or the guy in his car nodding off at the red light in front of you. It seems like we all know someone or are related to someone who does these sorts of things.

But how do you know whether you are at risk for this sort of behavior, after all, how can you watch yourself when asleep?

Here are some questions I found which could help you determine whether to get screened for Sleep Apnea:

• Do you wake up in the morning feeling unrefreshed or tired?

• Have you ever been told you snore?

• Have you ever been told you struggle, gasp, or stop breathing at night?

• Do you get morning headaches?

• Do you have a hard time staying awake during the day? What about without caffeine?

• Have you ever fallen asleep driving a car?

• Do you feel you have a hard time remembering things or focusing on tasks?

• Do you have high blood pressure?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should visit a sleep specialist to be screened for Sleep Apnea.

Myth: Snoring is common, especially among men, but it isn’t harmful.

Fact: Although snoring may just sound annoying, it is a major symptom of Sleep Apnea, a potentially life threatening condition which is related to heart disease, strokes, and many other conditions.

Myth: Turning up the radio, opening the window, or turning on the air conditioner are effective ways to stay awake when driving.

Fact: These methods will do little to wake you up on the road. It is best to pull over and take a 15-45 minute nap. Remember, falling asleep for even a couple of seconds behind the wheel can be fatal.

Myth: Teens who fall asleep in class have bad habits and/or are lazy.

Fact: On average teens need more sleep than adults, usually 8-9.25 hours. Unfortunately, early school start times and technological distractions take away from that time and may exacerbate tiredness.

Myth: Daytime sleepiness always means a person isn’t getting enough sleep.

Fact: Though this may commonly be the case, daytime sleepiness may also be a sign that the sleep a person is getting is not of good quality. It could be fragmented by an underlying sleep disorder such as Sleep Apnea and should be addressed.

Myth: If you wake up in the middle of the night, it is best to lie in bed, count sheep, or toss and turn until you eventually fall back asleep.

Fact: Most experts agree that if you do not fall back asleep within 15-20 minutes, you should get out of bed, go to another room and engage in a relaxing activity such as listening to music or reading. Return to bed when you feel sleepy. Avoid watching the clock.