The evidence that sleep deprivation adversely affects mental and motor performance is striking.  Recent studies have shown that people who are awake for 19 hours score substantially worse on performance and alertness than those who are legally intoxicated.  Getting three, five, or less than seven hours of sleep a night for seven consecutive nights can significantly impair alertness and motor performance.  In addition, researchers have found that people with mild to moderate sleep apnea; a health condition in which breathing stops periodically during sleep and disrupts sleep, did as bad or worse on reaction-time tests as those who would be considered inebriated in most states.

Recently I was reading an article in the paper regarding the sports activity schedule of a high school student.  Her wake up time starts at 4:30 am and her bedtime average was between 11-12:00pm, which gives her only 5 hours of sleep each night.  I know how busy kids can get with their school, sports and activity schedules but are we placing too much stress on the kids?  Yes, it does look great on college resumes, and activities are a great way for the kids to get exercise and mingle with their own peers, but is it costing your child good sleep?  It is important for kids to relax and unwind and have some time to themselves.  Sleep is one of the most important aspects of child development and health.

On average, teen’s age 10-17 should get 8.5-9 hours of sleep each night.  Elementary school kids should be getting on average 10-11 hours of sleep each night.  Please think about this when deciding on sports schedules or adding extra activities to your children’s schedules.

Some questions you may consider before saying yes to that next activity:

• Is your child getting enough sleep most nights?
• Do they have time to eat well balanced and nutritious meals, or are you eating on the run?
• Is the family sitting down to share their meals the majority of the week?
• Is there time allotted each night for the kids to focus on schoolwork?
• Is there downtime for the kids to have to themselves, to read, listen to music, etc.?

After reading this, you still have a choice. But if this is your decision, and one that works well for you and your family then, wonderful.  But for those looking to end the world of non-stop running and meals at fast food places, tired kids and perhaps falling grades, then maybe step back and take a look at what are we trying to develop for our kids.

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. For more information on this physician recommended treatment option, visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com or call us at (630) 369-5508.

People who often snore are at risk of higher blood pressure, strokes, heart attack, and of course relationship strains. If that’s not enough to look into ways to get your snoring treated, you may be interested to know that snoring can also have a dangerous effect on your eyes.

People who snore often may have a condition called obstructive sleep apnea, a life-altering condition, in which a person unknowingly stops breathing during sleep, or has oxygen-dipping events throughout the night.

This lack of oxygen affects the body negatively in many ways.  In relation specifically to eyes, people with obstructive sleep apnea are at risk for:

• Floppy Eye Syndrome
• Normal tension glaucoma
• CPAP associated – eye strain
• Asthenopia (generalized eye discomfort)
• Papilledema (swelling of the optic nerve)
• NAION (decreased oxygen and blood flow to optic nerve)

These last 2 conditions can lead to vision loss.

Also, some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Fatigue
• Tiredness
• Eye strain
• Morning headaches

These common symptoms of snoring and apnea are often confused with eye problems.

If you are snoring or have a family history of snoring, consider treatment and evaluation for your particular situation. If you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned above and sleeping disorders have been ruled out, it may be time to get your eyes evaluated.

Sleep is as important in your daily routine as brushing your teeth and showering.  Sleep is critical to maintaining and improving your physical and mental well-being. The National Sleep Foundation estimates 47 million Americans are sleep deprived, recommending 8 hours of sleep for most adults.

Sleep deprivation leads to:

• Weight gain
• Depression
• Decreased memory
• Poor Concentration
• Irritability
• Relationship trouble

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

A few ideas to help you make Sleep changes at home:

1. Log the sleep hours of each family member, before and after you try to add sleep to your new year. (You’ll be surprised!)
2. Cut out all electronics 1 hour before bedtime.
3. Eliminate caffeinated drinks after dinnertime.

If you are getting a full night’s sleep and STILL wake unrefreshed and fatigued throughout the day, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder. Please, consult with your physician and let him know you are concerned. Make changes today to start off on the path to a full night of sleep, every night!