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Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed Sleep Centers popping up all over?  It’s probably just me noticing, since I drive to every doctor’s office in Harrisburg and surrounding areas. When did this become a thing? Going to a sleep center? Are we not sleeping correctly?  It seems to be a public epidemic. Our harried lifestyles, trying to get in one last task, or perhaps not thinking that sleep is too important?

Habitual sleeplessness is classified as insomnia.  Failure to get an entire night’s sleep on most nights over a one-month period can be considered chronic insomnia. Chronic insomnia is often a symptom of a serious underlying medical disorder.  At least 80% of depressed people experience insomnia.  Insomnia cases can be attributed to other psychological disorders, such as anxiety, stress or grief.  Insomnia can also result from a wide variety of physical causes, including arthritis, asthma, breathing problems, hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism, indigestion, kidney or heart disease, muscle aches, Parkinson’s disease or physical pain.

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Wearing: Kate Spade Pink Jumbo Jewel Graduated Necklace, Magaschoni jacket, J.Crew Ponte Peplum top, J.Crew “Minnie” Pant, and Coach “Marselle” Leather Sandal

Ladies, it’s not just beauty rest. We all know the importance of sleep, we know sleep helps our appearance, boosts circulation and blood carries the nutrients, growth hormones and oxygen we need to produce collagen, build new cells and reverse damage that ages skin and hair.  Sleep also elevates the hormone melatonin, which shields against fine lines, discoloration and even certain types of cancer.

How-to-have-a-good-nights-sleep-eugenia-hargrove--age-of-grace-3Listed below are a few pointers for better Z’s:

Shut down your iPhone
Lay off the caffeine (choose herbal tea after 4 p.m.)
Regulate your sleep habits (turn in the same time every night)
Ideal room temperature (neither too hot nor too cold)
Some people swear by certain pillows or mattresses

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Quick question about snoring–does this happen as we age? Snoring seems to be a common problem.  But loud snoring can be a symptom of a serious sleep disorder called sleep apnea.  People with this disorder actually stop breathing repeatedly during sleep (as many as hundred times a night) due to complete or partial blockage of the airway by tissue in the nose or throat.  The resulting low levels of oxygen increase blood pressure and may cause heart rate to slow or stop for a few seconds.

Self-Test for Sleep Apnea:

Do you snore frequently?

Are you excessively tired during the day?

Do you fall asleep while watching TV or reading?

Have you been told you stop breathing while sleeping?

Have you fallen asleep while driving or riding a vehicle?

Do you have blood pressure?

Are you overweight?

Do you have a neck size greater than sixteen inches?

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Anywhere from 4 to 9 percent of middle aged men experience Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and 2 to 4 percent of middle aged women experience the condition according to the American College of Physicians. A more recent study revealed the women are more affected by sleep apnea than are men and that women with OSA have more severe brain damage than men suffering from a similar condition.

OSA is an under diagnosed risk factor for heart disease.  If you or your husband experience at least one of the symptoms listed above talk to your doctor.  Improving the quality and quantity of your sleep can help reduce your heart disease risk.

Your medical provider may write a prescription for you to be evaluated at a Sleep Clinic/Center where your sleep patterns will be examined for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Are you committed to 7-8 hours of sleep every night?  Do you notice a change in your face when you don’t have enough sleep?