If you are having problems sleeping, the National Sleep Foundation suggests the following to improve your sleep:

• Set and stick to a sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same times each day.
• Expose yourself to bright light in the morning and avoid it at night. Exposure to bright morning light energizes us and prepares us for a productive day. Alternatively, dim your lights when it’s close to bedtime.
• Exercise regularly. Exercise in the morning can help you get the light exposure you need to set your biological clock. Avoid vigorous exercise close to bedtime if you are having problems sleeping.
• Establish a relaxing bedtime routine. Allow enough time to wind down and relax before going to bed.
• Create a cool, comfortable sleeping environment that is free of distractions. If you’re finding that entertainment or work-related communications are creating anxiety, remove these distractions from your bedroom.
• Treat your bed as your sanctuary from the stresses of the day. If you find yourself still lying awake after 20 minutes or so, get up and do something relaxing in dim light until you are sleepy.
• Keep a “worry book” next to your bed. If you wake up because of worries, write them down with an action plan, and forget about them until morning.
• Avoid caffeinated beverages, chocolate and tobacco at night.
• Avoid large meals and beverages right before bedtime.
• No nightcaps. Drinking alcohol before bed can rob you of deep sleep and can cause you to wake up too early.
• Avoid medicines that delay or disrupt your sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, ask your doctor or pharmacist if your medications might be contributing to your sleep problem.
• No late-afternoon or evening naps, unless you work nights. If you must nap, keep it under 45 minutes and before 3:00 pm.

Americans are coping with sleepiness by drinking caffeine and taking regular naps. The average person on a weekday drinks about three 12 ounce caffeinated beverages, with little difference between age groups.

Napping is common in all age groups, but the two youngest groups reported slightly more napping during the week. More than half of generation Z’ers (53%) and generation Y’ers (52%) say they take at least one nap during the work week/school week compared to about four in ten generation X’ers (38%) and baby boomers (41%).

For the more than a quarter who say their schedules do not allow for adequate sleep, when asked to evaluate the day after getting inadequate sleep, more than eight in ten (85%) said that it affects their mood; almost three-quarters (72%) said it affects their family life or home responsibilities, and about two-thirds (68%) said it affects their social life. Read the rest of this entry

Generation Z’ers and generation Y’ers report more sleepiness than generation X’ers and baby boomers, with the 13-18 year olds being the sleepiest of all. Roughly one in five of generation Z’ers (22%) and generation Y’ers (16%) rate as “sleepy” using a standard clinical assessment tool (included in the poll) compared to about one in ten generation X’ers (11%) and baby boomers (9%).

Generation Z’ers report sleeping an average of 7 hours and 26 minutes on weeknights, about an hour and 45 minutes less than the 9 hours and 15 minute recommended by experts. More than half of 13-18 year olds (54%) say they wake up between 5:00 am and 6:30 am on weekdays— compared to 45% of generation X’ers and baby boomers and 24% of generation Y’ers.

“As children develop into their teenage years, their bodies are biologically predisposed towards later bedtimes,” says Amy Wolfson, PhD, an expert on adolescent sleep. “If they are required to get up before 6:30 to go to school, it’s impossible for teens to get the amount of sleep they need.”

Source:The 2011 Sleep in America® Poll

Americans report very active technology use in the hour before trying to sleep. Almost everyone surveyed, 95%, uses some type of electronics like a television, computer, video game or cell phone at least a few nights a week within the hour before bed. However, baby boomers (46-64 year olds), generation X’ers (30-45 year olds), generation Y’ers (19-29 year olds) and generation Z’ers (13-18 year olds) report very different technology preferences.

About two-thirds of baby boomers (67%) and generation X’ers (63%) and half of generation Z’ers (50%) and generation Y’ers (49%) watch television every night or almost every night within the hour before going to sleep.

“Artificial light exposure between dusk and the time we go to bed at night suppresses release of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, enhances alertness and shifts circadian rhythms to a later hour—making it more difficult to fall asleep,” says Charles Czeisler, PhD, MD, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Read the rest of this entry

 The 2011 Sleep in America® poll released today by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) finds  that 43% of Americans between the ages of 13 and 64 say they rarely or never get a good night’s sleep on weeknights. More than half (60%) say that they experience a sleep problem every night or almost every night (i.e., snoring, waking in the night, waking up too early, or feeling un-refreshed when they get up in the morning.)

About two-thirds (63%) of Americans say their sleep needs are not being met during the week. Most say they need about seven and a half hours of sleep to feel their best, but report getting about six hours and 55 minutes of sleep on average weeknights. About 15% of adults between 19 and 64 and 7% of 13-18 year olds say they sleep less than six hours on weeknights.

“This poll explores the association between Americans’ use of communication technologies and sleep habits,” says David Cloud, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation. “While these technologies are commonplace, it is clear that we have a lot more to learn about the appropriate use and design of this technology to complement good sleep habits.”

On Sunday, March 13, Americans will lose an hour of sleep due to daylight saving time.

Dr. Alaa El-Gendy of Florida Lung & Sleep Associates is participating in National Sleep Awareness Week this week to help patients gain that hour back.

 From today through March 13, his office is offering free sleep evaluations to anyone who walks in; appointments are not necessary. 

They will help identify if patients are at risk for sleep apnea by having them fill out a brief questionnaire and discussion. 

“A lot of people have it, but they don’t know they have it,” El-Gendy said. “It’s a free evaluation to see where their lung function is at.” 

The office is located at 2625 Lee Blvd. in Lehigh Acres. For more information, call 369-3333. 

Sleep Country Canada has teamed up with the University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital to create the Sleep Country Canada Sleep Medicine Labs. Together, they aim to increase awareness of sleep problems and help people get the best rest possible. 

Trouble sleeping can be a serious a medical issue, estimated to affect approximately five million Canadians. The launch of the new Sleep Country Sleep Medicine Labs at Toronto General Hospital is a significant step forward in developing and promoting an education and awareness program targeting sleep and sleep disorders in the country, as well as enabling more people to get the treatment they need.

“Sleep Country is proud to partner with the Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network,” says Christine Magee, president of Sleep Country Canada. “By supplying this world-renowned hospital with top-quality mattresses and funding critical equipment upgrades, it is our goal to help Canadians suffering from sleep disorders get the treatment they need and find answers to their sleep questions.” Read the rest of this entry

In 2010, Twersky founded 1-800-Snoring to help chronic snorers get a better night’s sleep.  Snoring is often seen simply as an annoyance to spouses, partners or family members of snorers, but Twersky said sleep-related breathing disorders can be potentially fatal conditions.  Sleep apnea, for example, can cause the sufferer to stop breathing for up to ten seconds, increasing the risk of health complications including cardiovascular issues and hypertension.

Like 1-800-Dentist, 1-800-Snoring was created to accomplish one goal: to provide people with high-quality care from doctors in their area.  To that end, part of the company’s business plan includes hosting seminars and Web presentations to further educate its dental and medical professionals about snoring and sleep apnea issues so they can better help patients who use the service.  To ensure that all facets of sleep apnea care are included in its service, 1-800-Snoring is also maintains working relationships with sleep labs, cardiologists, pulmonologists, home sleep testing companies, medical equipment providers, manufacturers of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) ventilators, and the American Academy of Sleep Apnea.

Since its launch less than a year ago, 1-800-Snoring has already had thousands of calls each month and tens of thousands of inquiries on its website from patients in need of a solution to their snoring. [ Read Complete Post By  Nicole Fallon at BussinessNewsDaily.Com ...  ]

Breathe Technologies, Inc., a manufacturer of innovative technology solutions for people with respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), announced today that it has received FDA clearance for use of the Breathe Technologies BT-V2S ventilator in the home setting. The one-pound portable device provides ventilation assistance to aid select adult patients who suffer from respiratory insufficiency.

“This marks an important milestone not only for Breathe, but for the future of COPD disease management and patient quality of life,” remarked Larry Mastrovich, President and CEO. “Patients with advanced COPD frequently suffer a loss of mobility, which may accelerate their respiratory disease progression and lead to decreased functional abilities.  We are delighted to be able to offer this technology for patients to use in their homes because it has the potential to significantly improve their ability to perform activities of daily living.” Read the rest of this entry

The Sleep Lab at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital will take part in National Sleep Awareness Week March 6-13 and will be hosting a sleep screening and providing information from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, at the Ashland Town Center Mall.

Polysomnography technologists from the sleep lab will offer free screenings and provide information concerning sleep requirements, sleep disorders and overcoming stumbling blocks to a good night’s rest.

Other activities scheduled for the week include a CPAP mask refitting workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at the hospital campus location of the OLBH Sleep Lab. The workshop will also feature demonstrations of the newest varieties of masks. Door prizes will be awarded and refreshments will be served.

The Sleep Lab will also host a free support group for individuals with sleep apnea at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 10, at Bellefonte Centre, 1000 Ashland Drive, in the fifth floor conference room. Those interested in attending should register by calling 606-833-3993.

Dr. Mary E. Lucido demonstrates the proper way to put on an ambulatory sleep apnea device

Sleep apnea is not just a “grown-up” disease. Hyperactivity, loud snoring, weight loss, chronic mouth breathing, sleepwalking and frequent throat infections in children all could be a sign of sleep apnea.

Once a patient is diagnosed with a sleep disorder, the focus shifts to what type of solution is best for them. While the CPAP machine has become the best known and widely utilized, other options also are available.

“There are several designs now that open up the airways,” Lucido said. “For people who are not able to use a CPAP machine, this is another alternative. Also, if someone with a CPAP machine travels a lot, it is much easier to take an oral appliance with them and use it as a temporary solution.”

Lucido said she gets nervous when she sees “quick fix” solutions for snoring advertised on television. “Many times, those products can treat the symptom without dealing with the real problem,” she said. [ Read Complete Post By FRED POLLARD at The Telegraph ...  ]

A currently released report from the American Thoracic Society recommends research priorities for the incorporation into healthcare systems of ambulatory management of adults with obstructive sleep apnea.

The report was published in the March 1 issue of Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society, specifically identifies barriers preventing incorporation of portable monitor testing into clinical management pathways and suggests research and development for addressing those barriers.

Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) involves polysomnography to measure a patient’s breathing and oxygen level during sleep. Polysomnography(PSG) generally takes place at special healthcare facilities, resulting in limited accessibility for patients, especially in rural areas.

Lately,the use of less expensive, more accessible portable home monitoring to diagnose and manage patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has gained favor, but quite a few studies have examined its use and patient outcomes.

“There is also a need to develop clinical sleep research networks capable of performing large, prospective studies.”

The report placed forward its recommendations for research study design and methodology, including the need to standardize technology, identify patients who would be “best fit” for ambulatory management of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), ensure patient safety and identify sources of research funding.

March 7-13, 2011 is the National Sleep Awareness Week.

Sleep impairment is linked as a contributing factor to motor vehicle crashes, industrial disasters, and medical and other occupational errors.

People experiencing sleep insufficiency are more likely to have chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, or obesity.

In 2008, approximately 28 percent of surveyed adults in the U.S. reported frequent insufficient sleep, which as been associated with fair/poor general health, frequent mental distress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and pain.

Sleep insufficiency and poor sleep quality also can result from sleep disorders such as chronic insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and sleep apnea.

The National Sleep Foundation suggests that healthy adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per day, and school-age children might require 10-11 hours of sleep.