Beyond Snoring

How to Sleep Better: Conquering Sleeping Problems in Adults

Sleeping problems for adults go beyond snoring. Could you have a sleep disorder even if you’re not snoring? Absolutely! Sleeping disorders range from general sleep deprivation, to restless leg syndrome and insomnia. Learn more about sleeping disorder causes and symptoms, how to sleep better, and why you're up all night (even if no one near you is snoring!).

Tips for Better Sleep Overall

Sleep is important for maintaining a healthy life. In this section, we’ll also share tips for better sleep in general – even if you don’t suffer from a sleep disorder. Whether it’s changing your work-life balance, examining what you eat, or taking a closer look at your sleeping environment, we want to help you understand how to sleep better and lead a full and productive life.


Articles on Beyond Snoring

Poorly Funded Commutes Create Stress, Disrupt Sleep

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Beyond Snoring, Snoring 101

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In spite of throwing millions of dollars at potentially pointless projects, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy has been reluctant to spend any money on the extremely popular Metro-North commuter line, according to a statement from State Senator Kevin Kelly. Recently, the governor announced a $10 million improvement effort for the line, but for the 60,000 commuters who spend hours each day getting from Connecticut to New York, this figure is not nearly high enough. In fact, it equates to a mere $166 per rider.

Long Grueling Commutes Affect Quality of Life

In a letter to the Darien Times, Elliot Royce, a frustrated commuter, explains how he quit his New York City job in exchange for a lower paying one in Darien, simply so that he would not have to commute on the dilapidated system. He explains that the long and relatively unsafe commute was keeping him away from his family in the evenings, and that arriving home so late prevented him from attending any local events. For Royce and thousands of other commuters, the extra strain caused by a long commute bleeds into the rest of their existence, and it negatively affects the overall quality of life.

Sleep Patterns Vulnerable to Stress

According to research from the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, the long commute is especially hard on middle aged men whose sleep patterns are particularly vulnerable to stress. The stress from the commute can easily lead to insomnia, a common sleep disorder. The Franklin Institute reports that sleep disorders like insomnia are about more than just tossing and turning in the middle of the night. Sleep disorders are actually linked to serious problems like the following:

  • Depression
  • Memory loss
  • Increased risk of stroke
  • Schizophrenia

When paired with snoring, the stress caused by the North-Metro commute can really wreak havoc on a person’s emotional and physical life. The commute takes many workers so long that they have no time to exercise either before or after work. This, of course, leads to fat buildup and loss of muscle tone, two things that are linked to sleep apnea, a serious and potentially fatal condition related to snoring.

Families are Suffering

Sadly, the effects of a long, unfunded, and dangerous commute aren’t just felt by the commuter–they are felt by the entire family. For example, children who wait up past their bedtime to see their commuting parents also lose sleep, and whether they snore or not, lack of sleep in children is related to behavioral difficulties and emotional problems. Improving the North-Metro line will improve the quality of life of commuters, their children, and the community at large.

 

The 10 Most Common Sleep Disorders

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Beyond Snoring

According to the National Commission on Sleep Disorder Research, it’s estimated that as many as 40 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders and an additional 20 to 30 million experience occasional sleep disruptions. There are several types of sleep disorders, and the causes and treatments vary for each one. Here’s a look at the 10 most common sleep disorders:

Insomnia

Insomnia is perhaps the most common sleep disorder, which simply consists of difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. There are many sub categories of insomnia, such as primary – where health conditions aren’t associated with it – or secondary insomnia – where health conditions are responsible for it. Insomnia can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic).

Restless Legs

Restless Leg Syndrome, or RLS, occurs in 2 to 5 percent of adults. It’s characterized by itching, aching and burning of the legs while falling asleep, creating discomfort.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea occurs when one’s upper airways are obstructed during the night, causing a temporary lapse in breathing. About 4 percent of men and 2 percent of all women suffer from sleep apnea, which can have dire health consequences.

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Narcolepsy

Although rare, narcolepsy is arguably the most dangerous sleep disorder. It occurs when someone experiences extreme sleepiness during the daytime hours, causing them to fall asleep without warning.

Sleep Walking

Sleep walking occurs mostly in children and consists of episodes of literally walking while still sleeping. It typically occurs within the first three hours of sleep and most episodes last 10 minutes or less.

Nocturia

Most common in older populations, this disorder is characterized by the sudden awakening during the night due to a sudden urge to urinate.

Sleep Talking

Also known as somniloquy, sleep talking is, well, when a person talks during their sleep. It’s a common disorder that’s typically not a medical concern. Sleep talking episodes usually last 30 seconds or less.

Bruxism

Bruxism is when one grinds their teeth as they sleep.

Circadian Rhythm Issues

Jet lag, shift work and pregnancy can all cause circadian rhythm issues, which are disruptions to a person’s internal body clock that regulate their daily cycle of activity.

REM Sleep Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, or RBD, occurs when normal activity that should be occurring during REM sleep is absent, thereby causing a person to act out – sometimes in violent fashion – his or her dreams.

Learn more about the effects of sleep deprivation and sleep disorders in our Snoring articles section!

The Importance Of Sleep And How To Sleep Better

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Beyond Snoring, Snoring 101

Sleep is important for a person to maintain good health. And as essential as sleep is for a person’s well being millions of people do not get sufficient sleep. Further, most people do not get their sleep related issues diagnosed or treated.

How Much Sleep Do I Need?

The average healthy adult needs 8 hours of sleep per day. However, some people require as little as six hours of sleep per day and others require as many as ten hours of sleep per day to function at peak level.