Better Sleep Better Health

Recently came across this from the AASM Weekly Update:

“Forty-five percent of U.S. residents have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, possibly increasing their risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a data brief released by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) on Monday, ABC News reports.

This is the first study conducted by the agency to examine the combined effect of all three conditions. The study is based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, an ongoing study that administers interviews, physical examinations and laboratory tests to participants. The results showed that about 3 percent of adults have all three conditions, while 13 percent have two.

The report also found that about 15 percent of adults with one or more of the conditions have not been diagnosed. According to experts, the cause of these chronic conditions is related to the purported obesity epidemic that has swept the country over the past few decades. Nearly 67 percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, according to the CDC.”

This finding is very important because, as we have reported in the past, having Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are all contributing factors to severe sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. If you have any of these conditions talk to your doctor and get screened for sleep disorders. For more information on sleep or to talk to a board certified sleep specialist, contact Oregon Sleep Associates.

The dentist has been telling you for years. Maybe you even use a night guard to protect your pearly whites. But new research indicates that teeth grinding, or Bruxism, may be a sign of something more dangerous to your health.

Bruxism occurs in approximately 8% of the US population and is not considered a life threatening condition. It can cause excessive wear on the enamel surfaces of the teeth and is usually diagnosed by dentists. Many times a simple nighttime retainer or oral appliance is all that is needed to correct the problem. But researchers recently uncovered a connection between Bruxism and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. They found that nearly 25% of people with Sleep Apnea also grind their teeth at night. The connection may come from the frequent nocturnal arousals associated with Sleep Apnea. “The ending of an apneic event may be accompanied by a number of mouth phenomena, such as snoring, gasps, mumbles, and teeth grinding,” said Dr. Shyam Subramanian of Baylor College of Medicine.  The researchers found that teeth grinding is most prevalent in Caucasian males and may also be related to anxiety and heavy caffeine use.

While having Bruxism doesn’t guarantee you have Obstructive Sleep Apnea, it may be prudent to watch for signs of the condition. Overly sensitive teeth, painful jaws, and inflammation in the mouth are all symptoms of Bruxism. At your next dental visit, ask your dentist to check for signs of teeth grinding. They can tell you if there is damage to the enamel of your teeth and the best method to prevent it. Then, visit a sleep specialist to make sure you don’t have an underlying sleep disorder such as Sleep Apnea.

Since Starbucks Coffee® opened its first location in 1971, the company has ballooned to have more than 15,000 stores in 44 countries.  In recent years sales of energy drinks such as Rockstar® and Redbull® have reached well over 3.5 billion dollars annually. While slick advertising and aggressive business tactics can help explain the successes of these products, there is one underlying reason for it all:  Caffeine addiction.

Caffeine has been called the most popular drug in the world and is used by over 80% of the population. It is found naturally in over 60 plants including the coffee bean, tea leaf, and cacao pod. All over the world people consume caffeine on a daily basis in coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks, and some drugs. Because caffeine is a stimulant, most people use it after waking up in the morning or to remain alert during the day. While it is important to note that caffeine cannot replace sleep, it can temporarily make us feel more alert by blocking sleep-inducing chemicals in the brain and increasing adrenaline production. Once in the body, caffeine will persist for several hours: it takes about 6 hours for one half of the caffeine to be eliminated.

Though there are numerous studies to support the idea that caffeine causes physical dependence, traditionally it has been thought of as having fairly benign health effects. However, in recent years more evidence has surfaced on the damaging prospects of caffeine use. In one 2007 study by Kaiser Permanente, researchers reported that the risk of miscarriage by pregnant women doubles with just moderate caffeine use. They advised that pregnant women reduce or eliminate their caffeine intake. Also, the substance has been found to increase blood sugar levels in people with Type II Diabetes, making it harder to control that disease.

Doctors recommend limiting caffeine use to less than 200 mg per day, or about the equivalent of 3 cups of coffee. Try not to consume any caffeinated items within 8 hours of your bedtime.