Better Sleep in 2013

Good sleep was elusive sometimes last year, as I spent many nights with colleagues in sleep labs monitoring patient’s sleep and conducting clinical studies.

My interest in sleep apnea spurs more curiosities about sleep. During the 2012 Sleep Society Meeting, there were still fascinating findings presented about fundamental roles of sleep. For example, lack of sleep greatly reduces our ability to synthesize learning from the day, an important trait from evolution of not forgetting animals almost killed us.

For many people, sleep apnea is the main obstacle from getting a good night sleep. It is the most common sleep disorders that affects 1 in 20 people. The easiest way to find out if you have sleep apnea is to ask if anyone witnessed frequent stops of breathing during your sleep. There are several questionnaires can be found on the internet (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Berlin Questionnaire, and STOP-Bang) that evaluate symptoms of daytime sleepiness and risk factors associated with sleep apnea. Overweight and high blood pressure have strong connection with sleep apnea. There are many sleep labs available for diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea. If a lab-based sleep study is too burdensome, the technologies for home sleep test are very good today, and are becoming a part of standard care.

There are also new development in treatment of sleep apnea in addition to CPAP, the standard care in the last 20 years. Dental devices for mild to moderate sleep apnea are gaining acceptance. These devices are less intrusive than CPAP, and are easier to use and maintain. Another efficient therapy that can be effective for some patients is positional therapy, which keep patients from sleeping on their back, the most vulnerable body position for occurrence of sleep apnea. This category includes devices from elaborate tennis ball approach (Rematee) to digital health solution (NightBalance). The Inspire Device and several other implanted neurostimulators in development target moderate to severe sleep apnea. We hope to report results from the ongoing safety and efficacy clinical trial in 2013.

So there will be better sleep in 2013 after wrapping the clinical study and done with watching others to sleep. The other aspects for better sleep, in the spirit of new year resolution, is to keep better sleep hygiene. I have a few for myself and more for my wife, who claims to be a night owl (I have found no scientific evidence for the genetic basis of an evening person)

New Year Resolution for Better Sleep in 2013:

1. Go to bed before 11, and
2. Keep TV, tablet and phone silent between 10 and 7

Unfortunately, the resolution is already broken for the year before it was written. They are still good rules to live by. Did you hear me?