Are you getting enough sleep? Do you wake refreshed and alert and ready for daily activities? In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to omit adequate sleep from your priority list. But, even small disruptions in sleep can wreak havoc on your personal health, safety and performance. And, research now links chronic sleep disorders with cardiovascular disease, obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.
How much sleep does a person need? “The average adult should get eight hours of uninterrupted sleep per night,” says Diana DeMasso, Lead Sleep Technologist at Ohio Valley General Hospital’s sleep evaluation center located in Kennedy Township. “It should be a continuous and restful sleep that allows a person to complete the normal sleep cycles. It’s impossible for someone to maintain good health and be efficient if the biological need and rhythm of sleep is ignored,” Demasso said.
DeMasso, who is also a respiratory therapist, oversees the sleep evaluation center at Ohio Valley General Hospital and was the original sleep technician at the inception of the center in 1995. “The center was established because education and awareness of sleep disorders was increasing and we expanded to meet the needs of our community.” DeMasso estimates that more than 400 sleep evaluations are performed each year in the center.
Sleep disorders affect people of every age, race and economic class. More than 70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders according to the American Sleep Disorders Association. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving results in over 100,000 motor vehicle crashes per year in the U.S. It is estimated that a whopping $15.9 billion is added to the national healthcare bill as a result of sleepiness, sleep disorders, and sleep deprivation.
“Recognizing the symptoms and communicating with your doctor is vital in identifying and treating a sleep disorder,” counsels DeMasso. “Common symptoms include snoring (usually interrupted by pauses in breathing or gasping or choking during sleep), restless sleep, excessive daytime fatigue or sleepiness, morning headaches, drowsy driving, excessive leg movements, poor concentration, irritability and mood swings.”
“I was so tired of being tired all of the time,” said Bonnie Downs, 46. “I was always sleepy during the day and struggling to get through working hours. I knew from family members that I snored, and decided to talk to my doctor.” Downs underwent a sleep study at Ohio Valley General Hospital’s sleep evaluation center. “I was diagnosed with sleep apnea with more than 62 documented episodes of apnea [absence of breathing] during one night of sleep.”
There are scores of recognized sleep disorders. The most common are sleep apnea (cessation of breathing during sleep), sleep bruxism (grinding of teeth during sleep), narcolepsy (falling asleep spontaneously), and restless leg syndrome (a prickling sensation in the legs urging movement to find relief.) There are many different treatments depending on the type and severity of the disorder.
Recognizing the danger of his problem, Mike Yoder, 39, sought help from his doctor when he experienced continued drowsy driving even when he thought he was getting enough sleep. “I do a lot of driving for my job and was experiencing so much daytime sleepiness and kept ‘zoning out’ while driving,” Yoder described. “Sleep apnea was confirmed after I was evaluated at Ohio Valley General Hospital,” said Yoder.
While there are different treatments for apnea, both Downs and Yoder are using the primary treatment of a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine while sleeping. The small machine has a nasal mask or nasal prongs designed to help a patient breathe easily by increasing air pressure in the throat so that the airway does not collapse while sleeping. Yoder and Downs report that results are nearly immediate and successful. “I feel awake and alert, more rested, and can concentrate while driving again,” Yoder said. “The machine is easy to use, functions quietly and it is portable so you can take it with you anytime you travel,” Downs said.
Downs and Yoder continue to be under a doctor’s care for monitoring of their apnea and CPAP use. “I so pleased with the success I’ve had and I’m still a work-in-progress. I encourage anyone having difficulty sleeping to get tested,” recommends Downs. “I feel better and have a lot more energy.”
Medical experts agree that the U.S. population needs a greater appreciation of sleep for maintaining overall health. Health educators rank getting adequate sleep as equally important as good nutrition, exercise and other aspects of a healthy lifestyle. Even if you don’t have a sleep disorder, it may be time to make getting those ZZZs a priority for good health.
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