The results of your sleep study are in. Diagnosis: sleep apnea. If lifestyle changes don’t help this medical problem, or if your symptoms are severe, your doctor may prescribe a treatment called nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). In this treatment, you wear a mask to keep your airway open during sleep. CPAP is the most effective treatment for sleep apnea, according to a 1999 study in the journal American Family Physician. In fact, it works in more than 80% of cases.

(more…)

It’s 3:54 A.M. and you’re jolted awake, wheezing and coughing until a few puffs on your inhaler ease the tightness in your chest. Sound familiar? If you have nocturnal (or nighttime) asthma, you’re not alone: A University of Colorado study of nearly 8,000 people with asthma found that 39% were awakened by asthma symptoms at least once each night. About two-thirds reported having nighttime asthma episodes three times a week, and three-quarters had to reach for their inhalers about one night a week. In addition, the American Lung Association reports that asthma symptoms are often worse at night.

(more…)

People often overlook the link between better breathing and truly restorative sleep. But respiratory conditions that disrupt normal sleep patterns, such as sleep apnea and nocturnal asthma, can deprive your body of a good night’s sleep regardless of how many hours you’ve spent in bed. According to a range of scientific research over the past 50 years, maintaining overall good health depends not only on the quantity but also on the quality of the sleep you get each night.

(more…)

Do you often feel tired and groggy after a full night’s sleep? Do you find yourself nodding off at odd moments throughout the day — in the middle of a meeting at work, for example? Do you snore? If you answered “yes” to all three questions, you may have sleep apnea, a common disorder in which breathing is interrupted during sleep. An estimated 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, says the National Institutes of Health.

(more…)

While snoring is often the subject of jokes, it’s no laughing matter. Snoring can be a sign that your airway is partially blocked or obstructed during sleep. Almost everyone snores once in a while, but for some, it can become a chronic health problem. Chronic snoring is more common in men than women, typically affecting men who are middle-aged or older. Researchers estimate that 30% to 50% of people snore regularly by age 50.

(more…)

Have you ever wished for a perfect surgical procedure to correct snoring and obstructive sleep apnea? Unfortunately, there’s no such thing. UPPP, the most commonly performed surgery, has only a 40% success rate, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), less than a perfect track record. Still, people who have tried other therapies like a CPAP mask without results may want to talk to their doctor about surgery.

(more…)

People who snore are usually the last to know. It may take some gentle nudging from a bed partner, or a little teasing around the breakfast table before you realize you’ve joined the millions of Americans sawing away each night. In some cases, however, what you don’t know (or can’t hear) may hurt you. While snoring is often a natural result of aging, it may also signal an underlying sleep disorder.

(more…)

Americans are getting a lot less sleep these days, and it isn’t necessarily because of all those 10- or 12-hour workdays. The U.S. population is getting older. And as baby boomers age, they may notice certain changes in their sleep patterns. They may have trouble falling asleep or sleeping through the night, or they may find themselves waking up in the wee hours of the morning. According to a study by the National Institute on Aging, over half of Americans over 65 report having at least one chronic sleep problem.

(more…)

Whether you’re watching TV or relaxing with a book, do you always fall asleep as soon as you hit the couch? Most people doze off once in a while. But if it happens often, your spontaneous snoozing could point to a sleep disorder like sleep apnea.

According to the National Institutes of Health, most people need 10 to 20 minutes to drift off. Regularly taking only 5 minutes to fall asleep may signal a chronic lack of sleep. If you think you might have a sleep disorder, talk to your doctor about getting a diagnosis so you can treat the problem.

(more…)