Time Change Gives Little Rest for Sleep Apnea Sufferers

Spring forward, Fall back. Time once again for the time to change. On the night of the time change, Saturday, November 6, remember to turn your clocks back one hour. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends using this extra hour of sleep to rejuvenate your physical and mental health.

Nancy A. Collop, MD, FAASM, Director of the Emory Sleep Center, and President-Elect of the AASM, says that sleep deprivation decreases our ability to perform daily tasks, impacting mood, reaction time, and attention levels. Chronic inadequate sleep leads to changes in metabolism, which, some research suggests, could lead to changes in cardiovascular health.

“People tend to ignore the need for sleep in order to get other things done, but sleep is as important as what you eat, how much you exercise, and other healthy lifestyle practices,” says Collop. “It’s important to acknowledge the roles that sleep plays in our daily lives, and recognize that how we feel, think and perform is all dictated by the amount of sleep we get.”Computers, phones, TVs, MP3 players, electronic reading devices, and other forms of technology pose problems for people trying to get a good night’s sleep. “Technology bombards us all day, and it’s hard, but important, to turn it off when it’s time for sleep,” says Collop. She suggests unplugging, disconnecting, and allowing time before bed to relax and wind down. Dr. Collop says that non-stimulating activities like listening to music, reading, or knitting can help calm the mind.

The AASM offers these guidelines for better sleep:

Avoid “sleeping in” on the weekends, which makes it harder to wake up on Monday.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, heavy meals and exercising prior to bedtime.
Eat a small snack before bedtime to avoid going to sleep hungry.
Signal to your body that it’s bedtime by avoiding bright lights at night.
Follow a consistent bedtime routine.
Make your bedroom quiet, dark and cool.

The AASM encourages people to discuss sleep-related problems with a primary care doctor or your Columbus area dental sleep medicine specialist Dr. Mark Levy at StoneRidge Dental Care. Sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are dangerous, life threatening conditions if left undiagnosed and untreated.

If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and are unable to tolerate CPAP therapy there is treatment available that can give you a good nights sleep without resorting to surgery. Oral appliance therapy is safe and effective.

Please contact us today at 614-476-6696 and ask about oral appliance therapy and how dental sleep medicine can help. You deserve a good night’s sleep!