Yes, you read right.  Just when you thought you were dealing enough with your kids’ texting addiction, now there is a new epidemic described as ‘sleep texting’.  People are waking up in the middle of the night, texting on their phones, (often resting on their side table), and going back to sleep.  The next morning, they don’t remember what or to whom they have been texting!

Sleep problems play a huge role in your daytime functioning capability. We recommend moving electronics further from your beds, especially 1 hour before bedtime.

Read more below on this new sleep disturbance problem.

‘Sleep Texting’ Poses Health Risks For Smartphone Users

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/08/22/sleep-texting-poses-health-risks-for-smartphone-users/

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, Lisle, Aurora, Bolingbrook and surrounding Chicago suburbs.  For more information on this physician recommended treatment option visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com or call us at (630)369-5508.

Mom, did you know that not getting enough sleep could cause you to drive as if you were drunk?

My daughter came home yesterday reciting a fact she had learned during health class in one of our Naperville Schools. It’s great that teachers are bringing the importance of getting enough sleep into the classroom setting!

The dentists of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine have been strong advocates, not only for the importance of getting enough sleep, but also for avoiding drowsy driving.

One of their recent public awareness programs involves Dentists Against Drowsy Driving. Here are some quick and dirty facts about drowsy driving:

• Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving.
• Drivers are 15 times more likely to be involved in a deadly motor vehicle accident when they have excessive daytime sleepiness,
• Motor vehicle accidents due to drowsy driving account for $48 billion in medical costs each year.
• Each year drowsy drivers cause at least 100,000 accidents, and teens have the highest risk.

Here are some signs that may indicate drowsy driving:

• Yawning frequently
• Unable to keep you eyes open
• Drifting into other lanes
• Can’t remember the last few miles
• Moving onto the road shoulder
• Missing turns
• Stopping too close to car in front of you

If you find yourself driving with these conditions, it may be a great idea to switch drivers, pull over to take a stretch, or get some caffeine.

If these occurrences are happening often, it would be wise to review your sleep routine for quantity and quality of sleep. If you feel you are getting enough sleep but are still often feeling drowsy during driving, discuss your symptoms with your physician.  You may have a life threatening sleep disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea.

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, Lisle, Aurora, Bolingbrook and surrounding Chicago suburbs.  For more information on this physician recommended treatment option visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com or call us at (630)369-5508.

Considering a ‘Sleep Divorce’?
New Study Shows 30-40% of Couples Sleeping Apart

Several years ago, a large survey from the National Sleep Foundation pointed to estimates of couples sleeping apart to be 25%. A 2013 study by Toronto’s Ryerson University suggests that 30-40% of couples are now sleeping in separate rooms.

Why? Well here’s a list of some reasons why couples are parting ways during bedtime:

• Different work schedules
• Snoring or restless sleep
• Uncomfortable or inadequate beds
• Poor sleep environment
• Conflicts with co-sleeping (children in room)
• ‘Night owl syndrome’ conflicting with a ‘morning person’

The study also revealed that couples that slept in the same room suffering with sleep disturbances often expressed less sense of gratitude and appreciation for their partners.

A recent article written by Michael J. Breus, Ph.D., a Clinical Psychologist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine, reviews some of the important points that couples need to take into considerations if the sleeping apart habit has kicked in.  ‘Have You Considered A Sleep Divorce’?

Join us on our next few blogs for ideas to help you tackle obstacles that are keeping you in separate bedrooms!

Please “Share” this post if you know anyone facing this concern.

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, Lisle, Aurora, Bolingbrook and surrounding Chicago suburbs. For more information on this physician recommended treatment option visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com or call us at (630)369-5508.

For years, we have seen how patients’ lack of sleep has attributed to weight gain. When recently speaking to a patient of ours, he mentioned that he lost several pounds after his apnea was treated without making any additional changes to his lifestyle.

Of course, changing lifestyles such as eating habits and activity levels helps contribute to overall health and weight loss, but sleep is often neglected as a very important piece of the weight loss puzzle.

If you are not getting enough sleep, or have untreated apnea or snoring, contact our office to discuss options available to add hours to your sleep, and potentially to help keep off extra pounds.

Here’s a recent article on how lack of sleep can affect your weight. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/06/how-sleep-loss-adds-to-weight-gain/?_r=0

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, Lisle, Aurora, Bolingbrook and surrounding Chicago suburbs. For more information on this physician recommended treatment option visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com or call us at (630)369-5508.

*photo credit to Evan Sung for The New York Times

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.