Your circadian rhythm affects your sleep patterns and sleep affects you in a big way. It affects you physically, mentally, and emotionally. If you don’t sleep well, you’re sluggish and moody the next day. If you do sleep well, you are energetic and happy. In his last blog, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart touched on your biological clock and circadian rhythm. In today’s blog he delves deeper into both, explaining their role in sleep.
Your Sleep Body Clock
Have you ever noticed that you get sleepy at certain times of the day, while at other times you get what many people call a “second wind?” Most people experience different levels of alertness and tiredness, or lack of energy throughout the day. This is due to your biological body clock. Our internal clocks tell us when we should be sleepy and when we should be awake. Today, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, discusses your internal circadian rhythm.
Sleep States: Part 2 – REM Sleep
Sleep studies began with the invention of the electroencephalograph (EEG). The EEG records electrical impulses from your brain, which is active even during sleep. During the 1950s, Eugene Aserinsky discovered REM sleep using the electroencephalograph. Since then studies have shown that sleep consists of stages. These stages can be determined according to the different brain wave patterns your brains produce during sleep. Today, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, continues his two-part series on sleep states with a discussion of REM sleep.
Sleep States: Part 1 – Non-REM Sleep
Sleep is a period of rejuvenation for the human body. Your body needs sleep to restore its energy levels. Sleep affects all aspects of your life including how you look, feel, cope with stress, your moods, how you get along with others, how you solve problems, and even how well you recover from illness. Both the quantity and quality of your sleep is important. Today, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, begins a two-part series on sleep states.
Sleep Studies Part 3: Maintenance Of Wakefulness Test
Sleep studies aren’t only performed at night. The Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) is given during the day to determine what is causing a person’s daytime sleepiness. The MWT is also often required for certain safety-related jobs that require long hours of wakefulness.
Read on to learn more from your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, as he continues with the final installment of a three part series on sleep studies.
Sleep Studies Part 2: Multiple Sleep Latency Test
Perhaps you know somebody who has participated in a sleep study. Sleep studies have become very common due to the fact that an estimated 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and as many as 80 percent of cases go undiagnosed. Today your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart continues with part two of a three part series on sleep studies.
Sleep Studies Part 1: Polysomnograms
Perhaps you know somebody who has participated in a sleep study. Sleep studies have become very common due to the fact that an estimated 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and as many as 80 percent of cases go undiagnosed. Today your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart begins a three part series on sleep studies.
Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)
Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)
You may have heard of sleep apnea but have you heard of upper airway resistance syndrome, or UARS? The reason not many people have heard of UARS is because it is not as noticeable as sleep apnea. For instance, people who experience sleep apnea often snore loudly, excessively, choke and gasp, and often wake themselves from sleep. UARS can occur with little noise. If someone is not making noise while they sleep, there is no problem right? Wrong. In today’s blog, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, discusses upper airway resistance syndrome, or UARS.
What Is Snoring?
Snoring happens while you’re asleep. That’s why people usually don’t know they snore. What is snoring? Snoring is the sound that is made while you breathe in air during sleep. It happens when your airway is partially blocked by your soft palate or other soft tissue in the back of your throat. As the air flows past the soft tissue it causes it to vibrate resulting in the noise we call snoring. Take your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart’s true or false quiz below to see how much you know about snoring.
True or False?
- T or F: Only people middle-aged and above snore.
- T or F: Pregnant women don’t snore because it would disturb the fetus.
- T or F: Zero percent of children snore.
- T or F: Everyone who snores suffers from sleep apnea.
- T or F: Men snore more than women after the age of 70.
- T or F: Drinking alcohol, smoking, or taking drugs or relaxants before bed prevents snoring.
- T or F: More adult men snore than adult women.
- T or F: Being overweight can contribute to snoring.
- T or F: Snoring is hereditary.
Answers:
- False: Anyone can snore no matter the age.
- False: Pregnancy increases a woman’s chance of snoring.
- False: The amount of children who snore is estimated to be 10 to 12 percent.
- False: Snoring does not guarantee a person has sleep apnea. Although snoring and sleep apnea have similar causes, a serious symptom of sleep apnea is the temporary suspension of breathing (an apneic event). Not all people who snore experience apneic events.
- False: Regardless of the sex, people are more likely to snore as they age. However, once men become 70 or older they are less likely to snore.
- False: The use of tobacco, drugs, alcohol, or relaxants contributes to snoring.
- True: While 40 percent of men snore, only 24 percent of women do.
- True: Overweight people tend to have more fatty tissue in the back of their throats which relaxes during sleep and results in snoring.
- True: Research indicates that snoring can run in families.
About Dr. Stewart
James R. Stewart, Jr, DDS, PC and our compassionate staff proudly serve patients of all ages from Livonia, Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and all surrounding communities. If you think you or a loved one is dealing with a sleep disorder, call our office today at (734) 425-4400, to schedule an appointment. At Dental sleep Medicine of Michigan, we are committed to forming trusting relationships with our patients so we can work together to achieve sound treatment and a future full of restful nights.
What You Should Know About Sleep Apnea
It may not be common knowledge, but did you know your dentist can treat sleep apnea? Sleep apnea may not seem associated with dentistry but it is often caused by an oral health condition. Sleep apnea has several symptoms and side effects that can affect your quality of life. In today’s blog your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart is going to address important facts that you should know about sleep apnea.
