Summer heat, fresh air and outdoor activities can help many people achieve a good night’s rest, but if your summer days are more lazy than fun, you could be suffering from a sleep disorder. While we may want to attribute fatigue to summer’s carefree abandonment of a strict schedule, a sleep disorder, caused by disrupted breathing and snoring, leads to daytime drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, memory and mood problems.

Summer brings weekend picnics, vacation, and outdoor sports that can leave one feeling exhilarated and exhausted. Many of us dream of long weekends resting on a porch and returning from vacation refreshed. However, if your week end gardening or a trip to the lake is plagued by feeling tired, cranky and frustrated, you could be ignoring a vital sign that your health is at risk. Sleep disorders, once diagnosed can be treated.

Typical symptoms of a sleep disorder including sleep apnea can include-

• daytime sleepiness
• snoring
• difficulty concentrating
• memory problems
• depression
• feeling as if you are in a fog

After a physician referral, patients undergo a sleep study that analyzes the length and type of sleep you are getting as well as how many times you experience waking, or, alerting during the night. If you are diagnosed with a sleeping disorder, there are treatments available that can increase your quantity of sleep and quality of life.

Previously, a CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure) was the only medical treatment. Now, less cumbersome and intrusive methods are available such as a dental sleep appliance. The custom-made device, much like a mouth guard, subtly alters the alignment of the jaw which positively impacts alignment for breathing properly at rest. She advises that if you are getting a full night’s sleep, and continue to wake un-refreshed and fatigued throughout the day, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder.

So if your weekend trips to the garden center or the chores of lawn work leave you feeling more dogged than refreshed, find out if a sleep disorder could be keeping from enjoying the fruits of your labor.

Snoring is a medical problem and can be dangerous. It is important for patients to be professionally evaluated by a physician. Once your doctor finds that you may have a potential sleep disorder you will most likely be recommended to get a sleep study.

A doctor professionally trained in sleep medicine will consult with you and appoint you for a sleep study. The patient will spend one night in a sleep lab facility that is fully equipped to monitor you throughout the night.  These centers are like hotel settings with comfy pillows and beds. These centers also have TV’s and nicely appointed bathrooms to shower in the morning.

There are other options for sleep studies.  Home sleep studies are becoming more common.  These studies are set up in your own home, using your own bed.  This is a perfect option for patients with specific needs or patients that just prefer their own home.

It is important to understand that not all home testing companies are created equal.  There is a specific standard with various levels of testing that must be carried out to ensure proper test results.  Only a  health care provider can refer you to these particular companies.

Please let us know if we can be of any assistance in answering questions or concerns.

Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois, a premiere snoring and apnea treatment center in Naperville has been providing the CPAP alternative treatment of oral appliance therapy for over 15 years successfully. We are extremely passionate in helping individuals that have been struggling with CPAP therapy in Naperville, Wheaton, Aurora, Bolingbrook and surrounding Chicago suburbs. For more information on this physician recommended treatment option call us at (630)369-5508.

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Do you wake up every morning fully rested and ready to start your day?

If you answered yes, then you have many reasons to be thankful. Millions of Americans do not get the sleep they need; in fact, 40 million Americans suffer from over 70 different sleep disorders.

The first signs of lack of sleep:

• Irritability
• Moodiness
• Reduced Inhibition

Lack of sleep becomes more serious, when you are not able to catch these warning signs and get the rest you need.

A few signs of continued lack of sleep:

• Lapse in attention
• Dozing off during activity: work, reading and even driving
• Impaired Memory
• Apathy

You may notice yourself being forgetful, or irritable, but what you may not notice are the hidden signs.  These signs are life-threatening, including: hypertension and increased risk of strokes, weight-gain, erectile dysfunction and much more.

What can you do to help yourself get the sleep you need? Set a sleep pattern for yourself and get yourself into a regular sleep routine.  Start with the minimum of 7 hours for a consecutive week.  If you awake unrested, add 30 minutes each night until you notice your alertness return.

If you believe you may be suffering from a sleep disorder, please, consult with you physician and let him/her know your concerns.

Make changes today to give yourself a better day tomorrow. Call our office in Northern Illinois 1-800-SNORING OR 630 369-5508, or visit our website: http://www.tiredofsnoring.com/ for more information on how we can help you get the sleep you need.