Sleep plays an important role in emotional and physical well-being, but research shows it may also help determine who gets cancer and how successfully they recover. In a study that looked at 1,200 women diagnosed with breast tumors between 2005 and 2008, rates were 30 percent higher in those who worked shifts versus regular schedules, and researchers found similar results in men with prostate tumors.
Topics: sleep apnea, cancer, cbt
At The Alaska Sleep Clinic one of our missions is to bring foreward as much information on sleep disorders as possible. When you hear that approximately 20 million U.S. adults suffer from sleep apnea it's enough to raise your eyebrows. But when you hear that of those 20 million sufferers, around 80% of them go undiagnosed, it's enough to make your eyes bulge out of your head.
Many of these people with untreated sleep apnea don't even realize they have a sleep disorder and are completely unaware that the reason they're tired all the time is because they're not really sleeping well at night. Others may realize they have a problem but either are (irrationally) afraid of the cost of a sleep study, or are unaware of the long term consequences of undiagnosed, sleep apnea.
Topics: sleep apnea
Being a mom can be as rewarding as it is difficult. With all the joy comes challenges, such as not getting enough sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 90% of parents believe that sleep is very important in their lives for their own wellbeing and that of their family. But how many moms are getting enough sleep?
Topics: sleep apnea, Sleep Tips, moms
Obstructive sleep apnea is a fairly common sleep disorder. It is estimated that approximately 20 million adults in the U.S. suffer from the disorder. And while sleep apnea is fairly common, many people go undiagnosed for the disorder. In fact, it's estimated that up to 80% of people with sleep apnea don't get the disorder diagnosed.
Some of these people may have mild symptoms of sleep apnea and don't recognize many of the symptoms as being a sleep disorder. And others may not understand the serious nature that untreated sleep apnea can have on their lives. What's even worse is that sleep apnea is one of the easiest sleep disorders to treat. Through the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, or alternative treatment options, symptoms of sleep apnea can be managed quite easily.
Topics: sleep apnea
Camping enthusiasts that live in climates with drastic temperature changes do not want a limited time to explore the outdoors. But in order to stay safe while camping in the frigid tundra, especially snowy or icy covered regions, requires smart planning and research.
Topics: sleep apnea, winter, camping
Parasomnias are a group of sleep disorders in which something goes awry with a person’s sleep cycle.
If you break down the word “parasomnia,” you get “para,” which can mean abnormal or incorrect, “somnia,” which, of course, means sleep. Indeed, something is not normal or correct with the sleep of a parsomnia sufferer.
Parasomnias are oftened referred by those in the sleep medicine field as those things that go "Bump in the Night" since many are associated with some type of movement during sleep.
Outside of sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and periodic limb movement disorder, many disruptive sleep disorders can be considered a parasomnia. And most of them can lead to sleep deprivation—after all, even if you get the ideal 7-9 hours of sleep, the quality of those hours can be diminished if your sleep cycle is interrupted. Here are six common parasomnias that afflict sleepers:
Topics: sleep apnea, sleep disorders, parasomnia, night terrors, nightmares
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain important hormones. Women are more likely to have hypothyroidism as it upsets the normal balance of chemical reactions in your body. Thyroid disorders are common affecting about 12 percent of Americans at some point during their lives.
According to healthline.com, the thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that drapes across the front of your windpipe. For an idea on location, you will feel your thyroid by placing two fingers on the side of your windpipe. After swallowing, the gland slides under your fingers.
The gland releases a thyroid hormone, which controls the growth and metabolism of essentially every part of your body. The pituitary gland in the middle of your head monitors your physiology and releases thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH is the signal to the thyroid gland to release thyroid hormone (1).
“Sometimes TSH levels increase, but the thyroid gland can't release more thyroid hormone in response. This is known as primary hypothyroidism, as the problem begins at the level of the thyroid gland. Other times, TSH levels decrease, and the thyroid never receives the signal to increase thyroid hormone levels. This is called secondary hypothyroidism.”
Though there is not one direct symptom of hypothyroidism, outside weight gain or fatigue patients may experience:
Topics: sleep apnea, thyroid, fatigue
Gasping for air when either asleep or awake. It's not a good sign for your health. One reason people gasp for air can be sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is directly related to so many other health issues, including depression, oral health and anxiety.
Topics: sleep apnea, dental, sleep hygiene
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What is the best way to eliminate insomnia? For almost a year, I've had trouble getting much sleep. I've tried over-the-counter medications, but they aren't very effective.
Topics: insomnia, sleep apnea, medication
