Snoring occurs when the air inspired is disturbed during the sleep by narrowing the airways at the level of the nose, mouth, or throat. It may be accompanied by apnea syndrome, when bouts of snoring are associated with periods of stopping breathing.

In children, the most common causes are enlargement of adenoids (polyps) and / or tonsils. In adults, narrowing of the upper airways may be a consequence of nasal obstruction (septal deviation, chronic rhinitis, nasal polyposis, allergies, colds), as well as the enlargement of the tonsils, or the development of laryngeal tumors.

Snoring can also be caused by some modifications of the facial skeleton, such as the developmental disorder of the mandible, when the lower jaw remains smaller, causing the narrowing of the airways because of the tongue which slips in, when we sleep on the back.

Snoring treatment specialists point out that there are a number of favorable factors (general causes) that contribute to the snoring. These include smoking, alcohol consumption, the use of sedative drugs which excessively relax the muscles, but also obesity.

Multisystemic diseases, from heart failure to various genetic abnormalities, but also some endocrine diseases such as hypothyroidism with its widespread edema and weight gain, may result in snoring. Precisely because snoring can “hide” serious illnesses, doctors advise us not to neglect the signals that our body sends in this way, and to investigate further.

Article Source here: Common Causes of Snoring

More and more researchers, psychologists, psychiatrists are concerned by it. Studies are made, conclusions are drawn… Although it might seem an exaggeration for some, in the long term the lack of sleep affects not only our health, but also our entire life, causing various problems from heart disease, diabetes and asthma, to hormonal disorders, nervousness, depression and anxiety. Insomnia is today a condition more and more common in people living in developed countries. it is important that those suffering from this type of problem seek out medical insomnia treatment options sooner than later.

According to international statistics, women are twice as likely to develop insomnia as compared to men. Insomnia does not bypass children either, so in the United States, about 2 million children suffer from sleep disorders, including insomnia.

Depression and stress, the main causes of insomnia

Statistical data show that 35% of insomniacs have a family history of insomnia. Also, it seems that there is a connection between the onset of depression and the onset of insomnia, so that 90% of people suffering from depression also experience symptoms specific to insomnia.

Repeated sleep deprivation leads, in 27% of cases, to the onset of obesity. Neither sexual activity is bypassed by the effects of insomnia, so a study by consumer reports.org last year highlights the fact that fatigue is the main reason for couples not having an active sex life.

Last but not least, sleep disorders have negative effects on the heart, the risk of myocardial infarction or stroke increasing in people suffering from insomnia.

First Seen on: What Medical Conditions can be Caused by Insomnia

You get into bed, turn off the light, close your eyes and try to sleep. But it seems that sleep does not come. The hours pass by and your anxiety increases. And even if you do fall asleep, you wake up very easily, only to start the whole falling asleep process all over. You do not want to look at the clock because you know that in just a little while, the alarm will sound. If this scenario is common in your life, read on and learn some tips to help you fall asleep more quickly.

Create a sleep schedule

This way, the body will know when to sleep and when to wake up.

Keep a journal

This habit will help you release stress hormones, relax and get rid of sadness. You do not need to maintain a certain order of thoughts. You can put on paper everything that worries or bothers you. This way, you will not stay up all night, thinking about solutions to your problems.

Consume more magnesium

Studies have shown that magnesium is needed to rest well at night and sleep “like a baby”. Try to eat pumpkin seeds, mangold beet and spinach.

Create a relaxing atmosphere in the room

This involves having a comfortable mattress, pulling curtains or blinds in order not prevent the light from penetrating the room and wake you, painting the walls in a relaxing hue, maintaining a suitable temperature, keeping noises away, having a sleeping partner that doesn`t bother your sleep, wearing comfortable pajamas etc.

If none of these suggestions seem to work for you, schedule an appointment with a well known sleep doctor.

 

Original Post on: Tips to Help You Fall Asleep More Quickly

Narcolepsy is a term describing a neurological disorder, which affects natural sleeping and waking up cycles, being characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness. This rare disease affects 2-5 out of 10,000 people. At present, there is no cure. Therefore, the treatment focuses on improving the symptoms as much as possible.

Causes

The brain produces a natural hormone named Orexine that helps us stay alert. In people suffering from narcolepsy, the brain region producing orexin does not function properly, because some cells are irreversibly affected by an autoimmune process. In other words, the patient’s own immune system attacks these cells. This reaction is partially inherited and can also be increased by infections or vaccination against some types of flu.

Modified sleep cycles

Healthy people sleep in 90 minute-cycles. A normal cycle includes phases of stable and deep sleep, followed by a phase of rapid eye movement, when person’s eyes move quickly, while the eyelids are closed; in this phase, most of our dreams are produced.

Things are different in people suffering from narcolepsy; their sleep cycles are disturbed. Instead of spending time in the non-REM phases of stable and deep sleep, they enter the REM phase shortly after they fall asleep. If you feel you are suffering from narcolepsy or any kind of sleep disorder, see a premier sleep specialist near me. Dr. Dawn Stanley can provide experienced diagnosis and treatment for many types of sleep disorders.

First Seen right here: What is Narcolepsy?

The CPAP abbreviation stands for continuous positive airway pressure and it is the name of a device successfully used in the treatment of sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous sleep disorder in which the patient’s breathing stops and starts again several times during sleep. The disorder is usually associated with severe snoring as well as fatigue and focusing difficulties experienced during the day.

The CPAP machine consists of a mask that is applied on the patient’s face at night and attached to a unit that delivers a constant flow of air pressure. The machine practically blows air into the patient’s throat, increasing the pressure in the throat to prevent the temporary narrowing of the airways. The most modern CPAP machines come with integrated humidifiers to prevent throat drying and heaters to ensure that the air blown into the patient’s throat is of the right temperature.

Before you start using a CPAP machine, talk to a medical doctor – your family doctor or a respected sleep doctor near me will be able to tell you how to use the machine correctly and efficiently and you should also return to your doctor regularly, to report about any changes in your sleep quality as a result of CPAP therapy.

First Seen right here: What is a CPAP machine?

Sleep specialists are professionals in the field of medicine or psychology who also specialize in the treatment of sleep disorders.

Most of us experience sleeping difficulties at some point in our life, but in most cases, the cause behind the sleep issue is stress, unhealthy lifestyle or lack of physical exercise – problems that can be corrected with lifestyle changes relatively easily. However, sleep of improper quality can seriously impact one’s waking life as well, so if the sleeping issue persists, it is a good idea to seek medical help from a sleep specialist.

The patients treated by sleep specialists are usually referred to them by family doctors. Family doctors will listen to the patient’s description of their symptoms, then they will order medical tests to rule out any physical conditions that might cause the sleep problem. If the tests don’t reveal the cause, the next step is to turn to a sleep specialist, who will perform specialized tests, such as a polysomnogram test. The testing involves the application of electrodes on the patient’s body to record brainwaves, eye movement, heart rate and muscle movement during sleep. The sleep specialists will analyse the recordings and will recommend treatment options, such as behavioural therapy, lifestyle changes or medication.

Article Source right here: Reasons to Visit a Sleep Specialist

Getting proper sleep is essential for overall health, but the quality of the rest we get at night is influenced by many things, including the amount of stress we had to face during the day and our diet. Sleep disorders are issues we all encounter in some form or another – here are the most common forms:

• Insomnia – the inability to fall asleep or being woken up by even the slightest noise is the most common form of sleep disorders. The causes behind insomnia can be extremely varied, from conditions that affect certain organs, such as the heart, hormonal issues or stress; Insomnia treatment options vary, and it is important that you see a medical doctor for this problem.
• Sleep apnea – another very common form of sleep problem manifests through interrupted breathing during sleep and can potentially be very dangerous. The breathing of the person suffering from apnea stops several times during sleep, often for several seconds. The condition is often associated with severe snoring;
• Narcolepsy – this affection is more frequent than many people think. It is a neurological problem that affects the brain’s ability to control sleep and wakefulness – narcolepsy patients can fall asleep anytime, anywhere, during any type of activity;
• Restless leg syndrome – another neurological affection that causes an irresistible urge to move the legs, especially while lying in bed and prevents the patient from getting proper rest during sleep.

Originally Posted on: The Most Common Sleep Disorders

A sleep specialist is a medical doctor specialized in the treatment of sleep problems (there are over 80 different sleep disorders known today).

Patients usually come to a medically trained sleep doctor after they have undergone standard medical testing to rule out any illness that might cause the sleep issue and all those tests came back negative, yet the sleep issue persists. The most common problems that patients turn to sleep specialists for include insomnia, severe snoring, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome and problems related to the circadian rhythm, including the disorders caused by severe jet lag or shift work.

The treatment process usually starts with further testing by the sleep specialist. The diagnosis is usually based on the results of testing with a polysomnogram device that records various parameters while the patient is sleeping, laboratory tests and physical examination. After the identification of the exact type of the sleep disorder, the specialist will develop a treatment plan that might involve lifestyle changes, such as changes in terms of diet and exercise routine, medications, oral appliances to prevent teeth grinding as well as cognitive and behaviour therapy. The body usually reacts very quickly to the changes, so many patients experience an almost instant improvement in their sleep patterns.

Originally Posted on: What Does a Sleep Specialist Do?

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