Pregnancy and Sleep Apnea

A new study has found that women diagnosed with gestational diabetes are 75 percent more likely to also suffer from sleep apnea. The study, conducted on a small group of 45 women, found that while sleep disorders are common amongst most pregnant women, those with gestational diabetes suffered more fragmented sleep patterns.

Diabetes has long been known as one of the dangers of sleep apnea, but the study’s authors admit they are not certain if there is a cause and effect relationship between gestational diabetes and this particular sleeping disorder.

If you are pregnant and suffering from sleep disturbances it is important that you speak to a sleep specialist as soon as possible. There are a number of minimally invasive sleep apnea treatments that can be used to restore a restful night’s sleep and help protect both you and your growing baby’s health. Untreated, sleep apnea can result in serious mental and physical health issues, making it important that you bring sleeping issues to the attention of a sleep doctor as soon as they appear.

If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes or are suffering from sleep disturbances during pregnancy, please contact an experienced sleep specialist in your area today.

Is Snoring Ruining Your Relationship?

Snoring can be a terrible nuisance for everyone within earshot, but no one suffers second-hand as much as the person you share a bed with. If your partner has complained of your snoring, you may wish to speak to a sleep specialist who can assess your case and help you find the most suitable treatment option. People deprived of sleep often make rash decisions, making it best to talk to a sleep doctor before your loved one throws in the towel on your relationship.

A lack of sleep can cause more than foggy thinking for your partner. Snoring is often one of the symptoms of sleep apnea, a disorder that may result in serious health complications and even death. People with sleep apnea are at an increased risk for heart disease, respiratory issues, and diabetes as well as anxiety disorders, depression, and memory loss. Fortunately, these and other dangers of sleep apnea can be avoided when prompt treatment is sought.

Speaking to a sleep doctor can save more than your marriage, it can save your life.

If your snoring has become an issue for others in your household or if you are suffering from any of the symptoms of sleep apnea, please contact an experienced sleep specialist in your area today.

Poll Finds Fewer than Half of Americans Get a Good Night’s Sleep

In the 2013 National Sleep Foundation’s Bedroom Poll, 53 percent of Americans polled said they slept less than seven hours a night. 44 percent of those polled said they do not regularly get a good night’s sleep, even on weekends, and a shocking 25 percent claim to never get a full night’s rest.

While anxiety or stress can keep even the most sound sleeper awake every once in a while, chronic sleeping problems are often the result of something more sinister. Some of these sleep disturbances may be caused by a spouse or partner’s loud snoring, others may be a result of disorders such as sleep apnea. No matter what the cause, failure to get a good night’s sleep over a long period of time can have a profound impact on your mental and physical wellbeing.

Fortunately, there are a number of options for people who suffer from chronic sleeping disorders. Talking to your doctor about your sleep problems is the first step in finding a solution that is tailored to meet your specific needs and help restore a full and restful night’s sleep.

If you or someone you love suffers from sleeping issues, please contact an experienced sleep specialist in your area today.

Sleep Apnea May be Linked to Glaucoma

A recently published study has evaluated the medical records of 1,000 people over the age of 40 who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and compared them to the records of a control group of 6,000 people without this common sleeping disorder. 

Published in the August issue of Ophthalmology, this study was focused on the relationship between sleep apnea and vision disorders, and a relationship indeed was found. In fact, this study found that people who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea are 1.67 times more likely to develop open-angle glaucoma within five years of their diagnosis than those who had not been diagnosed with sleep apnea.

Dangers of sleep apnea such as mood disorders, chronic fatigue, and even increased risks for heart failure have all been well documented, but this is the first study to focus exclusively on sleep apnea and vision. Because glaucoma is painless and causes a gradual loss of vision, it can often rob a person of sight before they are aware they have the disease. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, it is important that you work with a sleep specialist to help treat the disorder and prevent serious and life-altering consequences.

Please contact an experienced sleep apnea physician in your area today to schedule an initial treatment consultation.