Home sleep apnea testing is a safe alternative to the traditional in-lab sleep study performed at a sleep center or hospital sleep lab. “What if I can’t fall asleep during my sleep study?” is the most common concern patients have about sleep testing at-home or in-lab. Here’s how to avoid the two sleep study mistakes that can prevent you from falling asleep during your sleep study, potentially saving you money in repeat sleep test fees that are often not covered by your health insurance.
There is significant research on the relationship between poor sleep and compromised immunity. Sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea can fragment the sleep architecture, leaving a person feeling tired and fatigued during the day as well as leaving the person vulnerable to infections, viruses, and bacteria. There are also environmental and behavioral factors that can worsen your sleep, increasing your risk for illness.
Doctors have known for a long time that sleep deprivation suppresses the body's immuno-response, increasing your susceptibility to infection and reducing your body's ability to fight off diseases. A focus on uninterrupted restorative sleep can improve your body's immune system and strengthen your response to colds and flu viruses, improving recovery and overall wellness.
The various impacts of traffic congestion are well-known, but what are often ignored are the side-effects to your wellness and overall quality of life. Austin’s severe traffic congestion taxes your health by increasing insomnia and reducing total restorative sleep time. Learn how traffic congestion destroys your health and sleep and the “Four Essential Steps” to immediately do when you arrive home!
Smart phones are the new Boogeyman in the bedroom and for good reason: Americans love staring at their smart phones. Adults spend a staggering 11+ hours daily staring at screens, with nearly 5 of those hours spent watching television. 88% of Americans use a smart phone while also watching television despite “strong, consistent evidence of an association between bedtime access to or use of devices and reduced sleep quantity and quality, as well as increased daytime sleepiness.”
The most effective way to reduce automobile fatalities caused by sleep deprivation are to mandate screening of all CMV operators for obstructive sleep apnea, enact verifiable sleep testing protocols for these screenings, and enforce nationwide compliance for all commercial drivers’ license medical examiners.
This article is an opinion essay by a SleepSomatics clinician. The views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of SleepSomatics.
