Help for Couple’s this Valentine’s Day: Cupid’s Arrow or a Cure for Snoring?

Cure for Snoring?

Cupid could use some help from snoring treatment this Valentine’s Day. Snoring is a major cause of couple’s unhappiness according to the Etap Hotel Group of Europe, which recently conducted a poll of 4,000 couples. Of the three most aggravating factors that drive couples apart, noisiness is the most common complaint, together with hogging the bed covers and restlessness.

Results showed that snoring forces many of couples to sleep in separate rooms. According to the study, nearly a quarter of the couples studied feel resentment towards their partner as a result of lack of sleep, which causes arguments between almost half of couples. Those who do share a bed lose out on an average of 70 minutes sleep a night.

When a partner snores, according to the Etap study, in over a quarter of relationships the couple’s sex drive suffers and one in 20 people would consider leaving their partner because they snore.

When a partner snores, it causes the other person to lose much needed sleep. Even just mild sleep deprivation can cause serious health issues. As a study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has found, even five consecutive nights of four hours or less of sleep per night has the same negative affects on the brain and body than total sleep deprivation. Someone else’s snoring can take a real toll on your health.

If your spouse’s snoring keeps you up at night, you’re not alone. It is an issue that affects people from all walks of life, including the most famous celebrities. It has been reported that Tom Cruise, Sid Owen and Kevin Jonas sleep separate from their partners because of their snoring. Recently Helena Bonham Carter admitted that Tim Burton, her partner has a deviated septum that causes him to snore loudly. They have two adjacent houses in London, and Carter stated that his snoring is one of the reasons she enjoys having her own house.

If you’re in the New York Tri-State area, schedule an appointment at the Manhattan Snoring & Sleep Center, New York City’s top medical practice for snoring and sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment. The center’s medical/surgical snoring specialists offer the latest techniques to treat snoring and sleep apnea including minimally invasive treatment for deviated deptum, the Pillar Procedure, Balloonplasty™ and even provide the Home Sleep Test for patients for whom an overnight sleep lab is not an option.

Disclaimer:
 This article is intended for general information only is in no way intended to be a substitute for receiving direct medical advice from a medical professional, their diagnosis or treatment. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create a doctor-client relationship. If you have any questions regarding a medical condition, or if you suspect you may have a snoring disorder.

A Winter Sore Throat

If you’ve ever awoken with a dry scratchy throat, you’ve likely felt that twinge of anxiety that signals something is coming – and it’s probably going to lay you out for a couple of days. Sore throat is a symptom of many different things – from viral infections such as the flu or mono, to bacterial infections like strep throat, allergic reactions more.

However, it is common for those living in the northern climates to get sore throats during the winter due to just their surroundings. During the winter months, houses and offices are locked up tight, and the dry heat is constantly running. Outdoors isn’t much better, as there is no humidity in the air, with even the most humid summertime areas mimicking the arid dryness of a desert climate. 

Dry indoor air can make your throat feel rough and scratchy, especially when you first wake up in the morning. Nasal congestion, also common in the winter can cause people to sleep with their mouths open, further aggravating the dryness and causing sore throat. Chronic nasal congestion can cause you to breathe through your mouth or snore, aggravating the throat and causing it to become sore and tender.

Here are some ideas to help keep you from getting a sore throat due this winter:

Moisten the Air. Adding much needed humidity into the air may be enough to prevent sore throat caused by dryness. Running the humidifier or vaporizer near your bed at night is especially important to help keep congestion in the sinuses from drying out and clogging, allowing you to comfortably breathe through your nose.

Blow Your Nose. To keep the congestion out of your sinuses, it is important to blow frequently so that drainage doesn’t drip down your throat, or clog your nose causing you to breathe with your mouth open.
 
Sleep with Your Head Elevated. This will help your sinuses drain properly, and keep you breathing properly through your nose and not your mouth. 

Drink Plenty of Water. In the winter we run the risk of becoming dehydrated because many of the triggers we have to drink plenty of water are related to hot weather, but it is just as important to keep the body hydrated properly in the winter as it is in the summer.

Home Treatment
Since sore throat can be a symptom of a condition that needs to be treated medically, it is important that if it is severe or prolonged, it is diagnosed by a doctor. However there are treatments that you can do at home to ease your discomfort:

Gargle with Saltwater. It is a tried and true method of numbing a sore throat. Dissolve a few teaspoons of salt in a glass of warm water, gargle and your throat will feel better almost immediately.

Drink Tea with Honey and Lemon. This threesome has qualities to numb and soothe the throat.

Take Vitamin C and Zinc Lozenges. It will not just soothe the dryness and irritation, but may help you fight a cold that’s coming on if you notice symptoms.

Rest Your Voice. Cheering, yelling or singing will just aggravate your throat. Hold off on using your voice loudly until your feeling better.
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David Volpi, M.D., P.C., F.A.C.S. is the founder and co-director of Otolaryngology Associates, Manhattan’s comprehensive diagnostic and treatment practice for conditions of the ear, nose, throat (ENT) and related conditions of the head and neck. The practice specializes in treating patients with ENT diseases and disorders through using the latest treatments and technology. He is also founder of  The Manhattan Snoring and Sleep Center, the premier treatment center for snoring and sleep apnea in New York City. He and his medical staff at Otolaryngology Associates are board-certified surgeons and members of New York’s finest teaching hospitals.
 
This article is intended for general information only is in no way intended to be a substitute for receiving direct medical advice and care from a medical professional, their diagnosis or treatment. If you have any questions regarding a medical condition, or if you suspect you may be ill, contact your physician. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

Loud Snoring Predicts Metabolic Syndrome

Add “metabolic syndrome” to the growing list of health risks and symptoms caused by or linked to snoring. In a study just released in the December issue of the journal SLEEP, it was found that adults were two times more likely to develop metabolic syndrome if they snored loudly during sleep.

Metabolic syndrome is a group of combined risk factors that indicate a person may have an increased chance of developing coronary artery disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. The syndrome is becoming common in the United States and is related to obesity. Two of the most common risk factors associated with the syndrome are extra weight around the middle of the body (central obesity), and insulin resistance, in which the body cannot use insulin effectively.

Led by researcher, Wendy Troxel of the University of Philadelphia, the study followed 812 adults (ages 47-74; 36% African American; 67% female) in an "ongoing, community-based prospective." This was the first prospective study to link metabolic syndrome with snoring, as well as with the sleep disorders difficulty falling asleep (DFA), unrefreshing sleep and insomnia. Those studied were free of metabolic syndrome at the start, had completed a baseline sleep questionnaire, and participated in a metabolic syndrome evaluation three years after the baseline. A subset of 290 participants were measured for their apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) using a portable monitor.

The study examined the risk of developing factors of metabolic syndrome according to participant’s individual snoring and sleep symptoms and insomnia. Sleep complaints have been highly prevalent with cardiovascular disease (CVD), and interestingly, 14 percent of the participants developed metabolic syndrome while they were participating in the study.

The results of the study indicated that those who snored loudly were twice as likely to develop metabolic syndrome, and also predicted specific metabolic abnormalities such as hyperglycemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Even when adjusted for AHI or the number of metabolic abnormalities at baseline, loud snoring remained a significant predictor of metabolic syndrome, whereas difficulty falling asleep, unrefreshing sleep and insomnia had less significance. It is believed that evaluating sleep symptoms will help physicians identify patients at risk for developing metabolic syndrome.

To read more about the research results, visit SLEEP.

Sleep Deprivation – Your Spouse’s Snoring Takes a Toll on Your Health

On our blog here we often discuss the health consequences for a person who snores. We’ve talked in detail about the dangers of snoring, especially sleep apnea which can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, lung dysfunction and stroke. However what also needs to be brought to light are the health implications on the spouse whose sleep is interrupted by their snoring sleep partner.

A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has found that even five consecutive nights of four hours or less of sleep per night has the same negative affects on the brain and body than total sleep deprivation.

Unfortunately for those who share a bed – or even the next room with a chronic snorer, a simple change in lifestyle like making sure you go to bed early enough to get 7-8 hours of sleep need to totally restore the body’s brain and muscle function isn’t an option.

After 5 days with only 4 hours of sleep your body will show signs of exhaustion. Symptoms include:

• Lethargy, which make even the simplest tasks seem difficult
• Impaired coordination—very dangerous if you need to be behind the wheel or operating equipment
• Blurred of vision
• Wearing down of the immune system which will cause you to pick up colds and other illnesses that you would be able to fend off if you had a strong immune system
• Irritability
• Headaches
• Impairment of cognitive function, making it more difficult to make a decision, especially if quick-thinking is needed
• It can even increase the resistance of insulin in the body, which leads to a risk of diabetes

If you are sleep deprived because of your spouse’s snoring, then it is in both of your best interest to seek help from a snoring specialist. Many snorers are hesitant to seek treatment because they are concerned that the only treatment options are surgery or the CPAP mask which they are afraid may be uncomfortable. However many minimally invasive techniques are available today to help treat snoring and sleep apnea on an out-patient basis.

If you’re in the New York Tri-State area, schedule an appointment at the Manhattan Snoring & Sleep Center, New York City’s top medical practice for snoring and sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment. The center’s medical/surgical snoring specialists offer the latest techniques to treat snoring and sleep apnea including the Pillar Procedure, Balloonplasty™ and even provide the Home Sleep Test for patients for whom an overnight sleep lab is not an option.

Disclaimer:
This article is intended for general information only is in no way intended to be a substitute for receiving direct medical advice from a medical professional, their diagnosis or treatment. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create a doctor-client relationship. If you have any questions regarding a medical condition, or if you suspect you may have a snoring disorder.

Could Balloon Sinuplasty Help You Sleep Better?

Chronic sinusitis can be a terribly painful condition. In my practice, I have seen many patients come to me suffering from headaches caused by pressure in their eyes, nose, cheeks and forehead. Patients with a sinus infection cough frequently, have a continuous runny nose, difficulty breathing because of their congestion, and snore which interrupts their sleep patterns.

For many people who suffer from chronic sinusitis, their symptoms can last from three months to years, as opposed to acute sinusitis which lasts for a few days to three months. Over an extended period of time, antibiotics may not work, and in those cases, patients have additional options. Today, there is a relatively new procedure to treat blocked sinus passages called Balloon Sinuplasty™ — a less-intrusive form of surgery that can be performed in a doctor’s office on an out-patient basis.

The FDA cleared this technology and it is clinically proven to be safe and effective. The procedure includes and endoscopic catheter that uses a small, flexible balloon that is inserted into the sinus passageways, and inflated. Then it gently restructures and widens the walls of the passageways, which restores the normal ability for the sinuses to drain, while maintaining the integrity of the sinus lining.

Balloon Sinuplasty™ Technology is an endoscopic, catheter-based system for patients suffering from sinusitis. It uses a small, flexible, sinus balloon catheter to open up blocked sinus passageways, restoring normal sinus drainage. When the sinus balloon is inflated, it gently while maintaining the integrity of the sinus lining.

To determine if you have either acute or chronic sinusitis, and if that is the cause of your snoring, you should visit a doctor of otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat doctor) who will run a series of simple to complex tests.

Sinusitis is often caused by allergies or a physical abnormality such as a deviated septum, or malformed bone. A nose and throat exam will most likely be a starting point that will reveal potential blockages. This exam will help your doctor identify the possible abnormalities that may cause snoring. If your doctor needs a detailed image of your sinuses, he may perform a CT scan (Computerized Tomography Scan). This test provides a detailed cross-sectional image of the sinuses and can be used to help identify the severity of infection inside the sinus cavities. To determine if the cause of your sinusitis is from allergens, your doctor may refer you to an allergist for a detailed evaluation.

If you suffer from facial pain and pressure, recurring sinus infections and sinus headaches, Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology may be the answer to your chronic sinusitis. Contact your doctor today and schedule an examination, or if you’re in the New York City area, feel free to contact the Manhattan Snoring and Sleep Center for expert diagnosis.

Dr. Volpi is the founder of the Manhattan Snoring and Sleep Center, and has had a private ear, nose and throat practice in New York City for more than 20 years. He and his medical staff at Otolaryngology Associates are board-certified surgeons and members of New York’s finest teaching hospitals.
 
This article is intended for general information only is in no way intended to be a substitute for receiving direct medical advice from a medical professional, their diagnosis or treatment. If you have any questions regarding a medical condition, or if you suspect you may have a snoring disorder, contact your physician. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. 

Brain Damage from Snoring?

Brain Damage from Snoring?

Snoring from sleep apnea can have dangerous consequences. For years physicians have known that chronic snoring can cause daytime symptoms of fatigue that affect cognitive function and memory loss due to the interruption in sleep it causes. A new study out of Australia from the Institute for Breathing and Sleep at Melbourne’s Austin Health reveals not just an impact in function. Snoring while you sleep could be the cause of brain damage.

During the Australian study, brain scans of 60 people in their mid 40’s who were recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder, showed “a decreased amount of gray matter” compared to healthy sleepers. Sleep apnea is caused by the airways collapsing while asleep at night, pausing breathing and forcing sleep apnea sufferers from rousing from a deep sleep, sometimes “hundreds of times a night,” according to Dr. O’Donoghue of Austin Health. This pause results in the brain being deprived of oxygen as well as "surges in blood pressure".

Since the scans showed decreased amount of grey matter in the brain, it meant there was damage in certain areas. According to O’Donoghue, the damage was evident in two pockets of the brain, one that handles memory and the other known to allow smooth movement and changes in attention during complex tasks. Earlier studies have showed that this part of the brain is activated during a driving task, and therefore may explain why sleep apnea patients have an increased risk of car accidents.

"What specific part of sleep apnea might cause these changes we can’t say, but we can see the changes that have occurred…The take home message is if you complain of these sort of symptoms it is not a good idea to ignore it, you should seek help," Dr. O’Donoghue said.

This research was presented at the 22nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association Conference, in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea — A Risk Factor for Coronary Artery Disease

An on-going study taking place in Sweden has released preliminary findings that suggest that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be an even stronger risk factor for coronary artery disease than diabetes, obesity, hypertension and even smoking.

At the European Respiratory Society 2010 Annual Congress last week, Swedish pulmonoligist Yuksel Peker from the Skaraborg Hospital in Sweden presented his latest finding from the ongoing Randomized Intervention with CPAP in Coronary Artery Disease and Sleep Apnea (RICCADSA) trial.

Although the study is on-going, he acknowledged, he also stated “analyses of baseline demographics and comorbidity profiles continue to strongly support OSA as a risk factor for CAD.” The study was started in 2005 to analyze the impact of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on patients who had undergone revascularization for CAD and who also had OSA. ”Not only is the prevalence of OSA ‘surprisingly high,’” Dr. Peker said, but "these patients do not always show typical symptoms such as sleepiness.“

OSA was found in 64% of those with CAD. Comparitively, 58% had hypertension, and 28% were obese, making OSA much more common that was before thought of as more “conventional” risk factors. In addition, CAD patients with OSA were older than those without, were more obese, we mostly male, and had higher incidents of hypertension, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation.

Dr. Peker looked at both OSA syndrome (or "sleepy OSA," because of daytime sleepiness symptoms) and "nonsleepy OSA." He found that the CAD risk increase was present with both types of OSA.
The good news seems to be that those CAD patients that were studied with OSA had better compliance to the CPAP treatment. Dr. Peker indicated, “if we ask the CAD patients to use CPAP so far, they appear motivated enough to follow treatment.” At this point there is no proof that CPAP treatment actually reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease, however Dr. Peker suggested that it should be thought of as a “secondary cardiovascular prevention method.” The final results of the study are due out in 2012.

European Respiratory Society (ERS) 2010 Annual Congress: Abstract 5374. Presented September 22, 2010.