Sweet DreamsGetting good rest is not a luxury—it’s essential to your health.

If you have trouble sleeping, know that help is near

By Kristina Weaver, Parrish Sleep Disorders Center technician and educator

The quality and quantity of your sleep is just as important to your health as what you eat or how you exercise.

But how much sleep do you really need? There isn’t one number that quantifies a good night’s worth. Most adults need seven to nine hours; others manage just fine with six. It’s even possible to get too much sleep. Spending excess time in bed can be a sign of a health problem like depression or chronic fatigue syndrome.

Although many people attribute being tired to stress, getting older or busy lifestyles, experts say that feeling drowsy during the day could indicate that you haven’t had enough sleep. Those who fall asleep within five minutes of lying down could have severe sleep deprivation, or possibly a sleep disorder.

The most telling sign of a disorder is how you feel during the day. Healthy sleepers generally wake up alert, refreshed and ready to take on the day. If, however, you chronically wake up sleepy, irritable and unfocused—and stay that way throughout the day—you might have a sleep disorder, no matter how much time you spend in bed.

How Are You Sleeping?

Sleep disorders can affect children, teens, single adults, parents and seniors, and disturb their overall quality of life. More than 70 million people in the U.S. have sleep disorders. In fact, 12 million Americans ages 30 to 60 suffer from sleep apnea, making it more common than asthma. Surprisingly, most people who have a sleep disorder may not even know it. Others may be aware of it but never choose to seek the help they need.A lack of sleep, especially on a regular basis, is associated with long-term health consequences, including diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, stroke and heart disease. For instance, a single night of inadequate sleep for a person with high blood pressure can cause elevated blood pressure throughout the following day. This effect may begin to explain the correlation between poor sleep

and cardiovascular disease and stroke. In addition, people with diabetes who have untreated sleep apnea may have higher-than-normal fasting blood sugars in the morning, because of poor sleep.The American Academy of Sleep Medicine advises that people suffering from chronic conditions, including diabetes, anxiety, heart disease and obesity, should have a sleep screening done by a sleep specialist.

What You Can Expect at a Sleep Center

The physicians and technologists at the Parrish Sleep Disorders Center are trained to identify and treat sleep problems including apnea, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, nocturnal seizures and REM behavior disorder. Specialized tests include shift work sleep studies during the day and actigraphy (useful to diagnose and treat insomnia).One solution for sleep apnea, called CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, can be frustrating as patients get used to sleeping with the device. The sleep center conducts CPAP desensitization, a process that allows a person to be gradually introduced to the CPAP mask while awake. A technologist will begin by helping the person choose the most comfortable CPAP mask from among many sizes and styles. The patient will be allowed to hold the mask in position until he or she feels comfortable. The technologist will then introduce the positive pressure and help the patient acclimate to the new experience. For those who currently have a CPAP machine but would like to check out the newer CPAP mask and machines can do so at the sleep center.

Sleep Studies—No Referral Needed

The Parrish Sleep Disorders Center at Port St. John is the only sleep center in Brevard County to offer self-referrals. Call 321-268-6408 to schedule your sleep study.

Did You Know?

1. People taking three or more blood pressure medications have an 83 percent higher risk of sleep apnea.

2. Obesity causes a 77 percent higher risk of sleep apnea. If you are obese and have diabetes, your risk jumps to 87 percent!

3. Congestive heart failure has a 76 percent higher risk of sleep apnea. If you have a pacemaker, or any type of irregular heartbeat, you are over 50 percent more likely to have sleep apnea.

Many chronic conditions can be caused by poor sleeping. What’s more, the chronic conditions can make your sleeping worse. Stop the continuous battle. Sleep should be your first line of defense to help better manage your chronic conditions.