February 28, 2003
America: A Sleep Deprived Nation
By: Akshay Mahadevia, M.D., F.C.C.P.
If you are having trouble staying awake while reading this article, you may have an undiagnosed sleep problem.
"Our society is sleep-deprived," says Akshay Mahadevia, M.D., F.C.C.P., medical director of the Illini neurodiagnostic center. "Forty percent of Americans have difficulty sleeping at one time or another."
People who feel exhausted during the day may suffer from sleep apnea, a disorder that's received broad attention over the past several years. This form of interrupted sleep affects 1 in 10 adults and is becoming more and more recognized in children. During sleep apnea, the person stops breathing several times during the night and prevents them from getting high-quality sleep. It can have harmful consequences.
Six to eight hours of quality sleep is an essential part of daily life. "We lead very busy lives," Dr. Mahadevia says. "We work, are involved in our children's activities, and are on the go so much we even eat in our cars." Sleep is a time for our bodies to rest and rejuvenate. A lack of sleep or interrupted sleep can cause us to be less alert during the day and prone to accidents while at work or driving.
Sleep apnea can have grave health consequences as well. Elevated blood pressure is found in 35 to 50 percent of people with sleep apnea. Chronic high blood pressure increases the risk of stroke and heart failure. The cardiovascular effects of sleep apnea results in sudden death while sleeping for 2,000 to 3,000 people a year.
A common symptom of sleep apnea is snoring. Sixty percent of men and 40 percent of women over age 50 snore. However, significant snoring signals a problem. "Most people are unaware they have a problem until it disturbs their spouse," related Dr. Mahadevia. "Snoring that can be heard in the next room can be a concern and should be discussed."
If you think you have sleep apnea, call your family physician. He or she may refer you to a sleep specialist, who will interview you. If the sleep disorder is affecting the quality of your life or is a threat to your health, you may be invited to our sleep lab.
There, you'll enter a comfortable, home-like setting where you will be connected to monitors before drifting off to sleep. Staff will record and measure everything from your breathing to your brain waves. A pulmonologist and board certified sleep specialist diagnose your condition while you doze.
Sleep specialists can suggest treatment options that make a difference. One popular treatment is the CPAP or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine. The CPAP is designed to blow just the right amount of air into the nasal passage, keeping the airways open while you sleep.
"During the last two decades we've made significant progress in understanding and recognizing sleep disorders and treatment options," says Dr. Mahadevia. "It is important to recognize and treat the problem early."
For more information, call the Illini Neurodiagnostic Center at 309-792-6380, the Genesis Sleep Disorders Center at 563-421-1523 or the DeWitt Sleep Center at 563-659-4200 or visit our web site at www.genesishealth.com.
