Are you kids’ grades suffering due to lack of sleep?

With all the demands and luxuries of our culture, many school-aged children are often sleep deprived.

A recent study by Boston College reviewing sleep patterns of students from over 50 countries revealed that the United States has the highest number of sleep-deprived students.  In the study,  73% of 9 and 10 year olds and 80 % of 13 and 14 year olds were identified by their teachers as being adversely affected by lack of sleep.

In comparison, Japan ranked as one of the best in regards to getting enough sleep.

The study consisted of a huge data-gathering process involving the subjects of mathematics, science and reading literacy.

In general the studies revealed that students receiving on average more sleep do better in math, science and reading. In the study,  the Asian education systems dominated the top of the ranking.

What’s to blame for this in our communities?  More affluent countries are at higher risk with sleep experts citing the use of mobile phones and computers in bedrooms as a major problem.

Other factors such as home culture, nutrition, as well as levels of wealth and poverty are being reviewed as influencing factors of achievement.

So what can we do to help your children’s grades? Watch out for their quantity of sleep and remove cell phones and laptops from their bedrooms at night.

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 call us at (630)369-5508.

For quite some time, exercise has been shown to help improve people’s problems with being sleepy during the day. But why?

Some of the most common reasons for being fatigued and sleepy include the following:

• Depression
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Inadequate sleep
• Obstructive sleep apnea

Physical exercise can help with the first 3 conditions above.

There have been studies showing how exercise can help with depression. Physical exercise has also very important to any weight loss program and can help expedite weight loss measures. In diabetes, exercise can help through helping with glucose control.

Many conditions associated with sleepiness are associated with increased levels of substances known as inflammatory markers. These substances, which include C-reactive protein, tissue necrosis factors and interleukins, circulate in the blood and may cause sleepiness. It has been shown that exercise can reduce the levels of these agents. This may be the reason why exercise can help reduce sleepiness.

Of major importance, is that the inflammatory markers are also associated with cardiovascular disease. With exercise reducing the inflammatory markers, it can in return reduce heart disease.

Although there is yet much to learn on all the benefits of exercise, consider adding exercise to your daily routine to help alleviate excessive sleepiness during the day.

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.

Although scientists still are trying to find out why people need sleep, research on the sleep of animals show that sleep is necessary for survival.  Some experts believe sleep allows the body to repair itself: during sleep many cells show increased production of proteins, the essentials building blocks needed for cell growth and repair from stress and ultraviolet rays.  The fact that many biochemicals and physiological processes take place during sleep has led to consensus among researchers that adequate sleep is essential to health and wellness.

A look at the impact of sleep loss on physiological and cognitive functions can also help shed on the purpose of sleep.  Some of the functions include memory and attention, complex thoughts, motor response, and emotional control.  But sleep loss does far more than make us grumpy and groggy.  In the past few years, investigators have found that sleep loss may have harmful consequences for our immune system, as well as contribute to serious illness such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

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 call us at (630) 369-5508.

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…but, you don’t want to spend a night taking a sleep test?

That’s a common reaction. Most people do not want to take the time or be inconvenienced by spending a night at a sleep center.  We recently treated a 41 year old marathon runner that thought he was a “light” snorer.  His wife insisted he woke her up several times each night.  She had enough! She was waking up with headaches, irritable all day and basically at her wit’s end!  Her husband went in for a sleep test, received his results and found he had moderate to severe apnea.

Top 3 Reasons to Schedule a Sleep Test

1. Determine the severity of your snoring and/or apnea.
2. Develop a treatment plan to help you and your bed partner sleep.
3. Stop the detrimental effects that untreated apnea causes, including strokes, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, weight gain and heart attacks.

Your first step in scheduling a sleep test is to visit your primary care physician to discuss your concerns.  Next, follow-up with a sleep test at a certified sleep center.  Finally, request a copy of your sleep test to discuss and review with a knowledgeable medical professional trained in sleep disorders.  Contact our office, we would be happy to refer you to a MD in the area that will help you determine the best treatment option for both your sleep condition and lifestyle. The options that should be presented to you?  Positional therapy, CPAP-therapy and Oral Appliance Therapy.  All of these treatment options may not work for you, however, know they are available.  Be an advocate for yourself, know your options!!

Please call us if you have any further questions. 630/369-5508

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.