By David L. Podos
Sleep disorders affect an estimated 50-70 million Americans. Adults 60-74 and older experience the highest rate of overall sleep problems and chronic sleep disorders. However, sleep disorders can affect a wide age range and children as young as 5 can experience what is called behavioral insomnia.
An article by UCLA Health states nearly 25% of children have behavioral insomnia.
Eileen Luley is a service line administrator working in the sleep lab of Rome Health. She works with many patients who are experiencing sleep issues.
“The people I see are those that for the most part, wake up throughout the night, gasping for air, coughing, etc. This is most often related to sleep apnea. Most of the patients I see have been diagnosed with sleep apnea or insomnia,” she said.
A recent study conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine revealed obstructive sleep apnea could be a hidden health crisis costing America billions. The study further showed that there are approximately 30 million Americans suffering from sleep apnea. This has a direct correlation to workplace accidents, automobile accidents, comorbid diseases and a loss of productivity in the workplace.
Key sleep apnea symptoms include loud chronic snoring, (chronic is the key word here), pauses in breathing, gasping and or choking during sleep and excessive daytime fatigue.
“Patients can wear a CPAP, (continuous positive airway pressure), a mask device that the patient wears when they go to bed. These masks cover the person’s whole face and for people who might be claustrophobic there are other devices,” Luley said. “There are tiny little masks that just covers your nose. These devices are just as effective as the whole face mask in helping the person with positive airway pressure. When wearing the nose device the patient needs to keep their mouth closed. So, sometimes a person will use a chin strap to ensure that their mouth will be closed during the night.”
There are a number of reasons why people have sleep disorders, such as psychological stress, chronic pain, lifestyle factors such as shift work where a person might have to work a variety of different times throughout the day.
“One of the biggest factors for sleep apnea is obesity. For those people who are obese, if they lose some weight, then their neck gets thinner and the airway opens up more allowing the person to breathe more normally,” she said. “There are other options that are available to help those with sleep disorders. One of them that is becoming increasingly popular is a device called Inspire. This is an implantable device surgically put underneath your skin where you have a remote control. At night you turn the unit on and it moves your jaw forward. There is a wire that goes up to a nerve that once the unit is on the impulse moves the jaw forward. This opens up the airway without ever having to put on a mask.
“There are other more benign ways to improve your sleep as well. Keeping the bedroom cool, lower than 68 degrees [Fahrenheit],, no pets in the bedroom, no television, no cell phones. Going to bed around the same time each night and waking up around the same time each morning helps with good sleep habits. Forgo eating and or drinking —water and or alcohol— two hours before bedtime and make sure the bedroom is dark, no night lights if possible.”
Sleeping disorders, while a problem for many, can be managed and there is help. Contact your primary care physician first if you feel you are having issues with sleeping. He or she can then do an initial evaluation and if necessary, refer you to a medical doctor specializing in sleep disorders.