Story Published:
Mar 11, 2010 at 7:23 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Mar 11, 2010 at 8:10 PM EDT
This week is National Sleep Awareness Week. We all know getting eight hours of sleep can be hard with our busy schedules, but it's even harder if you have sleep problems. The most common issue is sleep apnea and it can lead to serious health issues.
Dr. Donald Blair, Medical Director, Sleep Lab at Wing Memorial Hospital in Palmer, said, "Many people are told by their spouse they snore and stop breathing at night."
For some people getting enough sleep is impossible.
Dr. Blair said, "Your body, even if you've been in bed for 8 hours, has not had a full night of restful sleep and you'll want to sleep during the day."
If you feel like that, it could mean you suffer from sleep apnea.
Dr. Blair said, "Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome is the collapse of the muscles in the throat when you sleep. It interrupts your breathing and forces your body to wake up, hungry for oxygen."
And that is something no one wants. Doctors say not only is your body not getting oxygen, it's setting you up for serious health problems.
Dr. Blair said, "With more severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea there is a risk of hypertension, heart disease and possibly diabetes."
That's why people come to the Sleep Lab at Wing Memorial Hospital in Palmer. For one night, a patient will sleep in a bed while hooked up to about 30 different wires.
Zophia Leitgeb, Polysomnographer at Wing Memorial Hospital, said, "These wires would be connected to your head and face and they pick up the brain waves and let me know what stage of sleep you are in."
Also, let doctors know how to treat you.
If you do have sleep apnea there is help.
Leitgeb shows three different masks you put on while you sleep. She said, "These are nasal pillows, a nasal mask, and full face mask."
One of these masks hooked up to a machine, called CPAP: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, on the bed side table will help you get the zzz's you need.
Dr. Blair said, "It keeps enough pressure in your nose and mouth to prevent air ways from collapsing."
The masks take a little getting used to but patients say it's worth it.
Leitgeb said, "The next day you'll feel more energetic. You'll have energy. You won't be as tired and you won't be yawning."
And you'll decrease your chances of more serious issues.
Dr. Blair said, "With severe obstructive sleep apnea there is an increased mortality. People die faster."
But you won't die overnight. With sleep apnea you will not stop breathing all together during the night. It's over years of having sleep apnea that can lead to a higher risk of death.
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