Sleep and Your Health
Providers at The Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona understand sleep disorders can be associated with, cause, or exacerbate a number of mental, emotional, and physical issues in those of all ages. These comorbidities can include type 2 diabetes, heart attacks, stroke, hypertension, depression, as well as anxiety. Good sleep health is important for everyone, and particularly those with concurrent chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s, ADD/ADHD, cancer, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, and many other diseases.
Stay current on trends in sleep medicine by reading articles related to sleep and your health. Please visit our blog for the latest information and book an appointment at one of our offices if you suffer from a sleep-related condition.
Understand how Sleep Impacts Your Overall Health
Sleep-Related Health Problems
Heart Problems
Sleep is a state of relaxation that has benefits beyond letting our brain rest—it also allows our cardiovascular system to take a break. While we sleep our blood pressure decreases, and this is beneficial in that it decreases our risk of heart disease and stroke. A study by CHEST called “Sleep and Hypertension” delves deeper into this relationship. What is clear is that there is a positive relationship between sleep and your health.
During normal sleep, your blood pressure goes down. Those who have sleep problems also have blood pressure stays higher for a longer period of time. High blood pressure is one of the leading risks for heart disease and stroke. About 75 million Americans—1 in 3 adults—have high blood pressure.
Cardiovascular Heart Health and Sleep Disorders
When it comes to sleep disorders, it’s important to get to the “heart” of the matter. That’s why every consultation at The Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona is with
Kids, OSA, and Blood Pressure
It is well known that there is a myriad of co-morbidities associated with sleep apnea, and this is true for both adults and children. The Insomnia and Sleep Institute of
American Heart Association on OSA and Cardiovascular Disease
The American Heart Association recently reported on the link between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cardiovascular disease, stating that “Although OSA increases the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, this
Obesity
Obesity is linked to numerous co-morbidities, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Numerous studies have found that obese patients are at a higher risk of suffering from OSA, with just a handful of patients best treated with a strict diet and weight reduction alone. The vast majority of those diagnosed with OSA will also require CPAP therapy. Those who fail with CPAP might be able to explore options such as the Inspire implant. There is also a link between insomnia and the disorder’s allowing for more waking hours to eat, which leads to obesity, which leads to related co-morbidities. This is a vicious cycle that can often be managed and/or treated.
CPAP Mask Sales on the Rise
According to Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, a New Zealand maker of CPAP masks, demand and sales for these accessories have been on the rise. This is no surprise to us
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Insomnia
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS, is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that uses a shifting magnetic field to create an electric current at particular parts of the brain via electromagnetic
The Obesity-Poor Sleep Link
Obesity in the United States has been steadily increasing since the 1980s, with the disease now affecting around 12 percent of the adult population on a global scale. The Insomnia
Brain Health
Neurological disorders affect more than just memory. Often, patients in later stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementias stop following the regular circadian sleep-wake cycle. This can lead to being awake all night and sleeping all day (or, worse, not sleeping much at all). Part of this problem stems from the disease itself, while another factor that disrupts this cycle is the medications often prescribed to treat these diseases.
Sleep Apnea and Cognitive Functions
Sleep apnea affects every facet of your life, including key cognitive functions according to a recent study. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the most common conditions treated at
What NOT to Eat for Better Sleep
What you eat for dinner matters in many ways—including the quality (or lack thereof) of your sleep. The Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona prioritizes conservative measures whenever possible when
Brain Damage and Sleep Apnea
Left unmanaged, sleep apnea can cause a host of problems—including brain damage. But could it be reversible? Of course, it is essential to get sleep apnea under control as soon
Compounding Health Issues Related to Sleep Disorders
Numerous studies have linked lack of sleep with more intense cravings of unhealthy food. This lack of sleep may stem from necessity (intensive workload), personal choice (choosing to stay up too late), or from a sleep disorder (such as insomnia). The body will usually crave more food as these extra hours awake require energy, but unfortunately, these cravings are usually high glycemic options or foods high in saturated fats (leading to obesity). Such foods are known to increase risk of hypertension, diabetes, and other diseases.
How many people suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated episodes of breathing cessation during sleep, typically caused by the relaxation of throat muscles, leading to temporary airway blockages.
How Effective is CBT-I for Treating Insomnia?
Insomnia is a common problem that affects 10-20%[1] of people worldwide at any given time (though the total proportion of the world that has ever suffered from insomnia is much
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) Treatments Compared
Disclaimer: What follows is not meant as clinical advice. The appropriate treatment depends on the individual, and we recommend you contact us to set up an appointment with a board-certified
Anxiety, Depression, Alcohol, and Addiction
Changes in sleep patterns can be caused by a variety of reasons such as anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse or addiction. In fact, lack of sleep or oversleeping is such a common symptom of depression that it is included in the PHQ-9 screening questionnaire. Anxiety can lead to insomnia as patients get trapped in a cycle of thinking about their worries (which then prevents them from sleeping). Alcohol abuse and addiction can cause changes in the sleep cycle so that the body fails to enter the necessary REM cycle.
Study Review: Of Mice and Melatonin
Supplements like melatonin can be an effective tool in treating or managing some sleep disorders. The Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona is an outcome-driven facility where every consultation is
Research Reveals Connection Between Insomnia and Mental Health
Insomnia is one of the most common complaints addressed at The Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona, the Face of Sleep Medicine in the Phoenix area. Here, we set the
Long-term use of Sleep Aids
Pharmaceutical companies are offering new solutions to the most common problems, and this includes sleep disturbances such as insomnia and narcolepsy. However, many of the medications prescribed to treat insomnia are meant to only be used for a short amount of time in order to allow other practices to help. Many sleep aid medications can cause dependency when used for long periods of time. This is why is it imperative to work alongside a sleep specialist when addressing your sleep disorder.
Sleep Specialists Say Long-Term Medications are Unhelpful in Treating Insomnia
Those who see their primary care doctor about insomnia may not get a referral to a sleep specialist—and are often treated with medication. No referral is needed to schedule your
The Connection Between Anxiety and Poor Sleep
Are you anxious because you’re not getting quality sleep—or are you not getting good sleep because of anxiety? It could be both, and at The Insomnia and Sleep Institute of
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that causes sugar to build up in your blood, a condition that can damage your blood vessels. Some studies show that getting enough good sleep may help improve blood sugar control.
Sometimes sleep really can be the best medicine. Proper sleep (7-8 hours of quality sleep per night for most adults) will not cure type 2 diabetes, but it could delay it for months of years. Patients who have diabetes as well as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can see blood sugar spikes at night because of a failure in the body’s regulation. Lack of oxygen makes the body think that it needs more energy, so it signals the liver to release stored energy in the form of glucose, which spikes blood sugar levels. This means that addressing the sleep disturbance could help in controlling the patient’s diabetes.
Cancer and Sleep
Receiving a diagnosis of cancer is life-altering as it is, but did you know that your sleep health can also suffer because of this disease? It is not only the inherent post-diagnosis worry that causes worsened sleep, but some chemotherapy treatments can cause sleep disturbances as side effects. Additionally, for some patients, changes in sleep patterns stem from cancer affecting the brain (as a primary tumor or a metastasis). Finally, there is pain caused by some cancers which can cause or exacerbate insomnia or poor sleep.
