Summer will be here before we know it – even if it did feel like Winter would never end! Summer tends to bring changes in our regular routines. The kids are out of school, your favorite shows are off for the summer or maybe you like the summer replacements better, and there is always vacation time. These changes all add up to affect our sleep routine which is especially bad for the millions of Americans that suffer from sleep disorders. Here are some tips for summer sleeping.

• Avoid sunlight 2-3 hours before sleep. It is tempting to stay outside on those long summer evenings but your body needs time away from the sun to get ready for sleep.
• Keep your bedroom dark. Put blackout drapes over the windows or sleep with a mask.
• Keep the allergies outside. Sleep with your windows closed if you suffer from pollen allergies.
• Eliminate alcohol and caffeine.
• Stick to a schedule. Don’t stay up late one night and try to make up for it the next day – our bodies run best if we stick to a schedule.
• Keep your bedroom cool. Hot, sticky sheets are not a recipe for a good nights sleep. Run a fan or the A/C.

If you have the following symptoms – excessive daytime drowsiness, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, loud snoring and/or a bed partner has reported that you wake gasping for breath you may suffer from a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that requires long-term treatment. If left untreated sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, increased risk of stroke and diabetes, obesity, heart disease and a high risk of accidents due to drowsiness. Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea includes sleeping with a CPAP machine or sleeping with an oral appliance, similar to an orthodontic retainer, to keep the airway open during sleep.

In the Columbus area please contact us at 614-476-6696 if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. You deserve a good night’s sleep.