A new study discusses how improving your sleep can increase your energy and help promote weight loss.
Those with problems sleeping often are stuck in a vicious cycle that can sabotage their weight-loss efforts. Many who find themselves tired all the time actually are suffering from a sleep disorder, including the most common issue — obstructive sleep apnea.
Dr. James Cygan, medical director for the Aspirus Regional Sleep Disorders Center, reviews results of polysomnograms, sleep studies from patients at Aspirus facilities in Wausau, Medford and Rhinelander and from Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids.
“The biggest issue is people with apnea are chronically sleep deprived, and they might eat more to get that energy. Then, apnea is worse, and patients don’t feel like exercise, with no energy,” Cygan said.
Apnea causes the throat to collapse during sleep, blocking proper air flow. Patients might snore loudly and hold their breath for long pauses. The throat muscles are supposed to contract involuntarily. Genetics and poor diet might both play a part, Cygan said.
“I would recommend that anyone that’s been known to stop breathing during their sleep go in and see somebody,” said Joe Rohling, respiratory therapy services manager at Ministry Saint Clare’s. Since November 2011, all in-patients and pre-surgical patients are screened for sleep disorders at the Weston hospital.
Rohling said staff members have seen sleep disorders starting at younger ages, especially with heavier children.
He pointed to studies in the last decade that link more health concerns, including a higher incidence of strokes, congestive heart failure and diabetes, to sleep apnea.
“It might be driving their current health condition,” Rohling said.
And screenings are aimed at catching problems early. Nursing staff will ask patients whether they are fatigued during the day, whether they snore loudly enough that others could hear outside a closed room and whether they or a sleep partner know they stop breathing overnight.
“Research has shown that up to 40 percent of all patients admitted to the hospital could have undiagnosed sleep apnea,” Rohling said.
He said the majority of the newly screened Ministry patients who are advised to get medical advice are getting diagnosed with sleep disorders and seeking treatment.
The screening process identified 44 people attending a summer festival called Weston Fest as at risk for sleep apnea as well, he said.
In minor cases, just changing your position and sleeping on your side could alleviate sleep apnea symptoms. But, Cygan said, for mild to moderate sleep apnea, an oral appliance that helps a patient keep his mouth closed during sleep will give more space in the back of the throat.
Those with severe apnea typically are prescribed a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, or CPAP. Cygan said 80 percent of his Sleep Disorders Center patients require the CPAP to limit sleep apnea and between 15 percent and 20 percent are helped with an oral appliance.
The next option — “pretty aggressive” surgery — breaks the jaw and physically reconstructs it, he said. However, it might not guarantee permanent relief from sleep apnea, Cygan said.
It might be human nature to avoid a fix for a problem that a patient simply is used to dealing with, but Cygan points out studies have demonstrated people who are sleep deprived have similar reaction times to people who are intoxicated.
Sleep deprivation contributes to lack of energy at the workplace and at home, poor judgment, slower reflexes, poor memory and daytime sleepiness — none of which do anything to spur motivation to exercise and eat healthfully.
Getting treatment for a sleep disorder just might be the start of a new energetic you.
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