Daylight Savings Time is set to return again – along with the annual  sleep disruptions that most of us experience following the changing of the clocks. The National Sleep Foundation suggests several steps to reduce the sleep loss and the grumpiness that “losing” that one hour of sleep brings for most Americans.

The first step to any easy transition – set your clocks on the Saturday before the switch. Next, make sure you get a full night’s sleep during the change – this is not a night to plan to be out late. Make sure you get up at your regular time on the morning following the time change, don’t try to sleep in. The Foundation also suggests avoiding the urge to take a nap on Sunday afternoon and make sure you go to bed at your regular time on Sunday evening.

Most people adjust to the change in time in a day or two. The circadian rhythm that governs our internal clocks will usually realign within 24-48 hours and we can begin enjoying the “longer” days.

If loud snoring is affecting your sleep and you always feel fatigued even when the clocks aren’t changing you may suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is a serious illness but it can be treated. CPAP therapy is the most common treatment but for those patients who cannot, or will not, sleep with the mask and machine there is an option. Oral appliance therapy is highly effective and available in the Columbus area. Please contact Dr. Mark Levy today at 614-476-6696 to arrange a consultation to see if you are a candidate for oral appliance therapy.