Catching zzzzzzs

Sleep. Some don't get enough. Some get too much. Some struggle through the nightly ritual.

"It's estimated that 30 percent of the adult population has some type of sleep disorder, predominately sleep apnea," Dr. Robert Gallaher of Kinston Pulmonary Associates said.

Getting an adequate amount of sleep can be just as vital to overall health as eating well and staying in shape. According to the National Sleep Foundation only about 32 percent of Americans who report sleep problems discuss them with their doctors.

"We used to think that sleep was just another phase of day and night," Gallaher said. "What we've found is that sleep is very important for the body to have a chance to repair and restore some of its damaged tissues.

"It's also important for growth as well as adequate cognition, intellect and thinking processes."

The growing number of people with sleep problems is expanding the field of polysomnography - the medical field dedicated to the study of sleep disorders.

The NSF reports that since 2001 the number of people reporting sleep problems has risen by 13 percent.

"There are over 100 identifiable sleep disorders," said Karen Rowe, vice president of the North Carolina Association of Sleep technologists and program head of Lenoir Community College's polysomnography program.

LCC began its program in the fall of 2007 and will graduate its first class this month. The two-year Associate of Applied Science degree program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. CAAHEP is the largest programmatic accreditor in the country.

"North Carolina is the leader in the country for polysomnography programs," Rowe said. "There are four standalone programs and two with add-ons that are all CAAHEP-approved."

Paying attention to sleep apnea

An estimated 18 million Americans suffer from the most common sleep disorder, sleep apnea, according to Sleep Services of America. Snoring - which many view as a nuisance - is the primary symptom of the disease.

Those with sleep apnea stop breathing for 10 to 60 seconds at a time during sleep. This lack of oxygen can cause heart attacks and strokes.

"Sleep apnea is a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes," Gallaher said. "That is one of the reasons why, if you look at the time of day when people have heart attacks or stroke, you'll see that the predominance of them occur between 3 and 7 a.m., because that's when most people sleep."

Individuals who are overweight are more likely to experience sleep apnea. Smoking and drinking alcohol both induce and worsen the disease.

"The treatment of choice for sleep apnea is weight reduction and elimination of any risk factors," Gallaher said. "But that can't be done immediately so the most common therapeutic intervention is CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure)."

CPAP is administered through a mask that covers the nose.

Fiscal nightmares

While some are battling sleep disorders such sleep apnea, others are simply not sleeping. A recent poll by the NSF indicated that one-third of Americans are losing sleep of the state of the economy and various other personal financial concerns.

The poll shows that since 2001, those who reported sleeping fewer than six hours a night increased from 13 to 20 percent and those who sleep eight hours dropped from 38 percent to 28 percent.

Information Resources Inc. reports that over-the-counter sales of sleep aids such as Advil PM and Tylenol PM were up during the last year, with Tylenol PM sales rising nearly 6 percent since March 2008. Both drugs combine a pain reliever with an antihistamine, which causes drowsiness.

"Most of the over-the-counter sleep aids actually disrupt sleep architecture more than they help," Gallaher said. (They) actually just make people sleep and really don't help them get into a normal sleep pattern; it's usually lower levels of sleep architecture."

Driving drowsy

Those suffering from lack of sleep could be jeopardizing the health of others by hitting the roadways.

"One thing that brought so much support for polysomnography has been traffic accidents," Rowe said.

During the past year, an estimated 110 million drivers have driven while drowsy, according to a poll by the NSF. About 28 percent of drivers polled reported nodding off or falling asleep while operating a motor vehicle.

"There have been studies that prove driving sleepy is actually more dangerous than driving drunk," Rowe said.

Seeking help

Those battling sleep disorders can visit a sleep lab to determine the root of the problem. Sleep technologists monitor patients during the non-invasive, pain-free procedure.

Technologists measures of a number of things including, but not limited to, nasal and oral airflow, esophageal pressure, pulse oximetry and respiratory effort.

The increasing number of patients suffering from sleep disorders has amplified the need for registered polysomnographic technologists.

"There is a huge need, not just locally or in the state, there is a nationwide need of RPTs," Rowe said. "Sleep disorders are a growing public concern."

Sarah Campbell can be reached at (252) 559-1076 or scampbell@freedomenc.com. Check out Sarah's blog at scampbell.encblogs.com.

Sleep well

10 steps to getting a better night's sleep

1. Maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule including weekends.

2. Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine, such as soaking in a hot bath or hot tub and then reading a book or listening to soothing music.

3. Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool.

4. Sleep on a comfortable mattress and with comfortable pillows.

5. Use your bedroom only for sleep.

6. Finish eating at least two to three hours before your regular bedtime.

7. Exercise regularly. It is best to complete your workout at least a few hours before bedtime.

8. Avoid caffeine (e.g. coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate) close to bedtime. It can keep you awake.

9. Avoid nicotine (e.g. cigarettes, tobacco products). Used close to bedtime, it can lead to poor sleep.

10. Avoid alcohol close to bedtime.

 If you have sleep problems...

Use a sleep diary and talk to your doctor.

Source: National Sleep Foundation