Comfort Sleep

What Are the Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that causes a diminishment or complete cessation of breathing for short periods during sleep. You may cease breathing as many as hundreds of times every night. The most commonly encountered form of sleep apnea, OSA can have both short-term and long-term consequences for your health.

Excessive Daytime Tiredness
Though many people experience moments of tiredness during the day, those with obstructive sleep apnea exhibit hypersomnia, or excessive daytime sleepiness. You may be prone to falling asleep at your desk, in meetings, while watching TV or reading, or even behind the wheel while sitting at a red light.

Disruptive or Loud Snoring
Snoring is often an indicator of obstructive sleep apnea. The snores may be extremely loud and interrupted by periods of snorting or gasping to catch your breath. Snoring may wake your sleeping partner or even yourself, interrupting a peaceful night’s sleep for you both.

Morning Dry Mouth and Headaches
Sleep apnea often causes morning symptoms such as a dry mouth or headache upon waking. Although these symptoms may fade during the day, they are likely to occur on a regular basis each morning. Constantly waking up with excessive thirst or a pounding headache is a likely indicator of a sleep disorder such as OSA.

Cognitive Difficulties 
Those with obstructive sleep apnea often find it difficult to concentrate on tasks for long periods of time. You may find it difficult to think clearly, learn new information, or even remember important information such as names, dates, lists, or schedules. It may also become more difficult to keep your emotions in check, causing you to become easily angered, exasperated, or depressed.

If you suspect you may be experiencing symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, contact Comfort Sleep for testing and diagnosis of your condition. We specialize in the treatment of sleep apnea with CPAP technology to alleviate the symptoms and long-term health effects of OSA. You can learn more about our sleep lab by calling (732) 649-6616 or by visiting us on the Web.

A New Solution to Treat Snoring and More

Snoring and sleep apnea rob your body and mind of the sleep they need for normal, healthy function. You may even wake your partner or the rest of your family, contributing to poor sleep quality for the people you love.

Dr. John Bixby, a specialist in the field of dental sleep medicine at Comfort Sleep, offers a nighttime retainer for comfortable and non-invasive treatment of sleep apnea and snoring. This retainer can eliminate the need for CPAP therapy or other treatment. You can learn more about this solution for better sleep by watching this video.

Comfort Sleep is Monmouth County’s leader in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. You can find out how we can help you and your family regain a peaceful night’s sleep by calling (732) 649-6616 to schedule your appointment. You can find out more about snoring, sleep apnea, and other sleep disorders by visiting our informative website.

Learn about the Stages of Sleep and More with These Links

A lack of healthy sleep can take a toll on your mental and physical well-being. It can be difficult to pinpoint the cause of your sleep issues without the help of a sleep specialist. To learn more about the importance of sleep and why seeking treatment is so important, visit these helpful Web resources.

• What happens when you don’t get REM sleep? You can learn the answer by visiting HowStuffWorks.com.
• You can learn about the five stages of sleep, including REM, and how they contribute to getting a healthy night’s sleep, by visiting SleepDex.org.
• Insomnia is a sleep disorder that may have both immediate and long-term effects. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute provides more information about this condition and its outlook at its official website.
• Delayed sleep phase syndrome affects your body’s circadian rhythm, which regulates waking and sleeping. You can find out more about circadian rhythms and how they work on the website of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.
• “Night owls” who may suffer from delayed sleep phase syndrome have been found to report more insomnia-related symptoms than those who are able to fall asleep earlier. You can check out this finding on ScienceDaily.com.

You can find the help you need to improve your sleep quality and your life at Comfort Sleep of New Jersey. We provide state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to provide you with an accurate and timely diagnosis, as well as the resources you need to find the best treatment for your needs. Call us today at (732) 649-6616 or browse through the information on our website to learn more about sleep disorders and the difference the right treatment can make.

The Vital Role REM Sleep Plays in Your Sleep Cycle

Rapid Eye Movement sleep, known as REM sleep, is one of the five stages that comprise a healthy sleep cycle. During this stage of sleep, your brain’s activity increases and you experience dreams. Effectively reaching and maintaining REM sleep during each sleep cycle is a necessary part of achieving restful sleep for daytime alertness.

REM Sleep Solidifies Your Daily Experiences
REM sleep is a vital part of your cognitive health. During REM sleep, the brain becomes active even while the body rests and produces dreams. Although dreams may seem whimsical or nonsensical, they are actually your brain’s way of reviewing and cataloging the information it has taken in throughout the day. Often your mind connects current events with those of your past to establish reference points for understanding and remembering them. Your daily experiences are sorted, processed, and stored during brain activity that plays an important role in solidifying and improving your memory.

REM Sleep Renews Your Mind and Body
Your body must undergo a full sleep cycle in order for you to wake up feeling completely refreshed. A complete sleep cycle consists of five stages, the last of which is REM sleep. Without having reached or completed the REM sleep stage, you are more likely to wake up feeling mentally and physically fatigued. In addition, the brain appears to turn off certain neurotransmitters during REM sleep. Researchers believe that during this stage of sleep, the brain may replenish its supply of these chemicals and reset its receptors to re-establish healthy functioning during the day.

Do you feel fatigued during the day or have difficulty concentrating on tasks or remembering important information? Call Comfort Sleep at (732) 649-6616 to see a sleep specialist today. We can help you determine if there are factors troubling your sleep and provide treatment to ensure you get a restful and healthy night’s sleep. You can learn more about the sleep cycle and common sleep disorders by visiting our website.

Learn More about the Nature of Sleep and the Steps You Can Take to Soothe Your Sleep Woes

A lack of healthy sleep can take a severe toll on your mental and physical well-being. It can be difficult to pinpoint the cause of your sleep issues without the help of a sleep specialist. To learn more about the importance of sleep and why seeking treatment is so important, visit these helpful Web resources. You can find the help you need to improve your sleep quality and your life at Comfort Sleep of New Jersey. Call us today at (732) 649-6616.

• Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders can cause regular, persistent headaches. You can learn more about sleep disorders and headache with this information sheet provided by the American Headache Society.
• The symptoms of sleep apnea differ between adults and children. BabyCenter.com provides more information about sleep apnea in toddlers to help you recognize if your child may have a sleep problem.
• CPAP therapy has been found to significantly improve both quality of life and behavior in children with sleep apnea. You can read more about this finding when you click on the link and read this article on WebMD.com.
• If you and your doctor suspect you suffer from a sleep disorder, you may undergo a polysomnogram, or sleep study. To find out what happens during a sleep study, you can click on this page from PubMed Health.
• Would you like to learn more about REM sleep? Visit CNN Health’s The Chart blog and read through this article about why humans experience REM.