Q. Does night sweating have anything to do with Sleep Apnea?

A. Sleep hyperhidrosis is abundant sweating that occurs during sleep. Signs include excessive sweating during sleep and it may or may occur during the daytime. Night sweats can occur for a brief period of time or be a life long issue. It also can occur at any age but commonly starts at early adulthood. A sleep study can be used to document and notate excessive sweating during sleep in a controlled environment. Mild to Moderate cases can be treated by treating the underlying causes which may include illness diabetes Hyperthyroidism Epilepsy Strokes Migraines Head injury pregnancy and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. 66% of patients with OSA experience excessive sweating Speak with your family doctor and begin to rule out some of the underlining causes

Q. I keep waking up numerous of times gasping for air and if feels as my heart is gonna "pop" out of my chest and I also wake up with severe headaches, I just found out I have high blood pressure. could that be a factor? if so what should I do? Can you refer me to a sleep specialist or are you a sleep specialist. And do ya'll really have friendly staff?

A. If there is a pause in breathing during sleep such as an apneic event, (Sleep Apnea) it will cause your heart to push to overdrive because it has to make up for the 02 you are not breathing in, in addition lack of Oxygenation from this process can cause morning headaches. High blood pressure is the damage that results over time from the strain on your heart. As a facility we can lead you in the right direction in finding a sleep specialist. We work with all board certified specialist in the area and can definitely find one that suites your needs. About our staff, friendly? You bet we are!

Q. What can I do to help myself fall asleep and stay asleep? I have had this problem for years and I am now seeing the negatives effects of this ...diabetes and high blood pressure.

A. At night: Establish a regular bedtime routine and a regular sleep-wake schedule. Get up at the same time every day of the week, no matter how much you've slept the night before, and go to bed at the same time. Your time in bed should be the same as the amount of time you can actually sleep during the night. Don’t eat or drink too much before bedtime. Create an environment that is quiet, dark, cool and comfortable. During the day: Consume less or no caffeine, particularly late in the day. Avoid alcohol and nicotine, especially close to bedtime. Do not exercise within three hours before bedtime. Avoid naps, particularly in the late afternoon .Establish a regular bedtime and get up at the same time every day. A sleep study may be considered.

Q. Does your firm perform the Pillar Technique for Sleep Apnea patients?

A. Unfortunately we do not. We are strictly a diagnostic testing facility and test for sleep disorders, including Sleep Apnea. The Pillar Palatal Implant System is an outpatient surgical procedure. As far as I know no one in this area performs this. I do know of some ENT physicians that perform an uvulopharygopalatoplasty which will tighten the uvula, pallet and pharynx any may alleviate some of the snoring. Please contact us for more information or if we can be of assistance.

Q. I have recently noticed that I have been sleeping a lot lately. Getting off work at 5:30pm and sleeping until the next day awaking at 7:45am. What could possible be wrong with me? thanks.

A. Dear reader, Sleeping so much may be related to multiple medical problems and a careful taken history and physical examination will be of much importance. Metabolic dysfunctions such as hypothyroidism or other hormone imbalances are primary in the list, but metabolic problems due to renal or hepatic problems need to be investigated as well. Also, Persons with depressive conditions have a tendency to excessively sleep . Drugs or medications may be responsible for such conditions. We encourage you to have a thorough medical and metabolic status evaluation; no question there is something wrong affecting your normal circadian rhythm of sleep. A sleep study may be considered. Good luck. EHG MD

Q. This is a serious question. Does untreated sleep apnea in men cause sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction? lack of sex drive ? And if diagnosed and treated will the prolonged use of a prescribed CPAP machine improve this condition if it was not otherwise health related ? He had his testosterone levels checked and many other tests done and they all came back normal. Just wondering if this could be what was causing it.

A. It’s true. Men who sleep better have better sex. For the longest time we knew that Obstructive Sleep Apnea and sleep disorders were related to High Blood Pressure, Diabetes and Heart Conditions. Now add Erectile Dysfunction(ED) to the inventory. In REM, men frequently experience erections. It’s part of being healthy. Lack of REM and good sleep means fewer erections in REM. Some also say it has to do with age and Cerebral Hypoxia (Lack of oxygen to the brain). ED drugs may worsen Sleep Apnea symptoms including respiratory and oxygen desaturations so be careful. Treatment of Sleep Apnea with CPAP machine improved ED. Patients had more energy and were more active. Studies also showed that ED improved 1/3 of patients that were treated with CPAP

Q. I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, symptoms were, oxygen deprived disturbances in sleep pattern. Now I sleep with a CPAP and I still sleep less than 5 hours a night and I am still tired all day. and I am gaining weight on a regular basis. Could there be something else ?

A. There are about 80 known sleep disorders. Here are a few questions. How long have you been on your CPAP machine? It may be time for a re-titration, a sleep study to test if your settings are still at adequate levels. How many hours a night are you using your machine? Have you or your doctor ever discussed the possibility of other sleep disorders? A good night’s rest should be 7.5-8.5 hrs of quality sleep. You should be rechecking you CPAP pressures every 1 ½ to 2 yrs. If you are still having daytime sleepiness it could be an indication that your Sleep Apnea is not under control or you may have another sleep disorder. First thing first talk to your doctor or come in for more education. We are always here to help. ss

Q. I snore really bad. Sometimes I actually wake myself up. A friend told me that snoring is a form of insomnia. Is that true?

A. Snoring is an indication that you may have a sleep disorder but not necessarily insomnia. Talk to your family doctor about your snoring. No snore is a good snore. When you sleep, the muscles in the back of the roof of your mouth (soft palate), tongue, and throat relax. If they relax enough, they narrow or completely block your airway. As you breathe, your soft palate and uvula vibrate and knock against the back of your throat. This causes the sounds you hear during snoring. The narrower the airway is, the more the tissue vibrates, and the louder the snoring is. Over time it puts strain on the Right side of the heart due to improper oxygenation and could lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart conditions, stroke and even death. ss

Q. I'm 50 and a little (just a little) overweight but my problems is that I have a problem falling to sleep. If I'm up past midnight then it takes my body about 2 1/2 hours to go to sleep. I get up at 6 am but I'm not really tired. That's about 3 1/2 to 4 hours sleep 5 nights a week. Could this be killing me and I don't know it?

A. "I am 50 and a little overweight”, with problems in falling asleep: This person claims to be sleeping less than 4 hrs but waking up without much fatigue so obviously he/she has very likely a very deep and nutritional sleep. However, sooner or later his/her body will complain with metabolic disturbances, problems with blood sugar etc. Sleeping only 3 1/2 hrs per night is not healthy at all. This person is likely suffering of Psycho-physiological insomnia and needs to look into the possibility of anxiety or depressive problems; at this age, hormone related problems such premenopausal problems, hypothyroidism etc may need further attention. A sleep study may be considered.

Good luck EHG M.D.

Q. Hello, I have a 5 year old daughter who has some trouble sleeping. My wife seems to think that it is what some call "night terrors." She (my daughter) starts arguing sometimes yelling after about 3 hrs of sleep. It seems now that it is starting to escalate to a sleep walking condition. My questions are "Are these indeed "night terrors?", and What can be done to prevent this? I am very worried that this interrupted sleep is affecting her behavior. Thank you, Hector

A. Nightmares and night terrors in children are usually not caused by mental or physical illness. Often nightmares happen after a stressful physical or emotional event. In the first 6 months after the event, a child might have nightmares while he or she gets used to what happened in the event. If nightmares keep happening and disturb your child's sleep, they can affect your child's ability to function during the day. Talk with your doctor about whether treatment will help your child. in the mean time, do not restrain her or hold her. This may make it even worse. Let her get through the screaming episode until she calms into peaceful sleep. Just be sure to remove any dangers from her path and watch her closely to keep her safe. ss

Q. I am a 27 year old female, I don't have much trouble falling asleep however, I have a lot of trouble remaining asleep and get up at least 4-6 times a night to check the time or because my mind is still thinking almost as if I were awake. I wake up feeling exhausted, tired, and with little energy. My doctor said they are all signs of depression but I feel it's my sleep because I am the least bit depressed? Does this sound like a sleep disorder?

A. This 27 yrs old female, reporting in not having difficulties in falling sleep but problems in remaining with good nutritional subsequent sleep has a definite insomnia problem and is been called Advanced sleep-phase syndrome, usually related with circadian rhythm disorder; need to avoid any caffeine containing beverages or others medications with late effects. Depressive state is indeed one the problems that may cause this type of insomnia; may tried light therapy in the evening to delay the sleep onset. Check for metabolic dysfunctions. Good luck EHG M.D.

Q. Does how long you sleep affect your growth?

A. Lack of sleep reduces the amount of human growth hormone. Growth hormone usually occurs in bursts is said to be released during slow wave or delta sleep. It is also released in response to stress, anesthesia, exercise and surgery and can also be suppressed ex: long term emotional deprivation in children. It is recommended that adults get 7.5-8.5 hours of quality sleep and young adults should get 8.5-9.5. Boys can add inches up to the age of 21 and young ladies up until late teens. Lack of quality makes your body crave energy and in result glucose is released into the blood stream which slows your metabolism and can lead to weight gain. To obtain adequate height and maintain your weight please get a sufficient amount sleep. ss

Q. When I sleep at night , not all the time but when I sleep I feel my self shaking like if its coming from my head only. and I see white flashes. I fall asleep after that but it scares me.

A. Consider asking your doctor about seizures. Is there any family history of seizures? Talk to you doctor about Video Seizure Monitoring or Ambulatory Seizure Monitoring to see if that may be an option.

Q. I have this problem when I am asleep. I think ok I know I sleep with my mouth open, but when I feel that it is opened, I try to close my mouth and it hurts. My mouth and lips are dried and I think my jaw locks up . This only happens when I am sleeping. What is going on?

A. The person reporting pain in her jaws and dryness of her mouth during nignt,is most likely suffering of TMJ syndrome; this is basically a type of arthritis involving the TMJ region which get inflame and stiff with permanent opening; dehydration of oral mucosa is due to exposure to air with mouth open. An evaluation by an Odontologist is advised. EHG MD

Q. Is a dark room better for sleep? The lights outside my window are lighting up my bedroom. Should I get something to cut out the light?

A. In order for our natural brain pacemaker to function well during the night and make a normal amount of Melatonin to induce sleep, we need darkness; light will impair this normal physiologic process. Persons may sleep with light but usually is not a rewarding nutritional sleep. EHG MD

Q. Do you have experience with Fibromyalgia?

A. Some people with Fibromyalgia have a sleep disorder called Alpha EEG Anomaly. It affects you in your deep sleep and can prevent you from getting a good night’s rest. Your brain will begin acting like it is awake and can leave you feeling tired and exhausted when you wake. Also about 80% of people who suffer from Fibromyalgia also suffer from Sleep Apnea. People with Sleep Apnea wake themselves hundreds of times a night preventing restorative sleep and can leave fibromyalgia sufferers feeling fatigued and more susceptible to pain. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD) also causes muscle pain in the face, neck, shoulders, and back, and can lead to teeth grinding 75% of people with fibromyalgia also have TMJD.

Q. I have a 23 month. old boy and when he sleeps he stops breathing for like ten seconds and then breathes again.. Since he has been a toddler he does have asthma. Could the asthma cause that on him or could it be that he has a sleeping disorder cause it does run in my family just one family person. I have told the dr about but they just say its ok but I know that when u sleep u don't just stop breathing for a couple of seconds or can u.

A. My first suggestion is get a second opinion. What happens to your body when you hold your breath for 10 seconds? Children with sleep apnea can stop breathing several times or more an hour. The lack of good sleep, or perhaps the lack of enough oxygen during sleep, is suspected to increase risk for daytime learning problems, poor school performance, daytime sleepiness and hyperactivity. If you don’t fix the problem now, look out! As a new mom myself, I would rather have one night of testing on my child no know for sure and put my mind at ease. A sleep study would definitely need to be your next step. If you need help with taking the right tools to your physician, come on in and we will help you get started. ss

Q. My son is currently 8 years old and has Night Terrors (NTs). He started having them when he was 18 months old. He only has them when he is extremely tired, stressed and/or over stimulated. Would a sleep study help shed any light on this problem? If so, is there a treatment for this sleep disorder?

A. Sleep labs across the United States have shown through sleep studies, that Night Terrors happen due to increased brain activity. Unlike a nightmare, children usually don't recall having a night terror. No treatment is usually necessary for routine night terrors. Since they are often triggered in children who are overtired, sticking to a good bedtime routine and making sure your child is getting enough rest can help to prevent them. For children who get frequent night terrors, it might help to wake your child up before the time that he usually has a night terror. This is thought to interrupt or alter the sleep cycle and prevent night terrors from occurring (it also works for sleepwalking). Try using Sleep tips for children on our web page.

Q. How often should you be retested for sleep apnea?

A. If you have already been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, you should have what is called a re-titration study every one to two years just to make sure you are still at the right pressure setting with your CPAP or BIPAP machine.

Q. "I'm 53 yrs, 6'3", 185 lbs. I have no problem getting to sleep. I have trouble staying awake evenings in front of the TV. A good nights sleep is 6 hours but I never feel rested. After using the bathroom during the night I usually don't get back to sleep. Stress reduces my sleep considerably. Sleeping pills do not extend my sleep beyond 6 hours. I have had these sleep issues for years now and have considered it part of aging. Things I've read lately say I still need ~ 8 hours sleep? True?"

A. You seem to have poor sleep quality but a more detailed history is needed. You might be suffering of Circadian Rhythm Sleep disorder. Is there any significant snoring to suspect Obstructive Sleep Apnea? When going to bathroom, be sure to do it with dim light not a bright light affecting the Circadian Rhythm. Taking naps during the day time? May considered in using Melatonin but a consultation with an sleep disorders specialist is recommended. For some persons 6 hrs of sleep is enough if there is good quality sleep. Good luck. EHG MD CBN

Q. My son is 19 years old & can not sleep well at night. I think he has Insomnia. He was restless as an infant & child but now as an adult he is having a very hard time getting to that restful sleep stage. Is this something Sleep & Seizure Centers can help with?

A. This is definitely something to look into. First of all, if your son is 19, he needs 8-10 hours of sleep. On our web page we have 11 rules for better sleep and sleep tips. Start with those. Also another question to ask is does he have his tonsils? Have you ever considered a sleep study to rule out any sleep disorders? If yes, talk to your family doctor and decide if a sleep study is right for him.

Q. Do you have to be referred?

A. A few things can be classified as a referral. Yes, you do need a doctor's prescription to have a sleep or seizure study done. You also might want to check with your insurance to see if a referral or authorization is required by your insurance. Most HMO's required that. If your not sure what you need you can also come in to our office first and we will give you the tools to lead you in the right direction.

Q. How much sleep do I really need per day if I'm 24? And does not getting enough sleep make you age faster? Also, I can never get a comfortable position to sleep.

A. Adults need 8 hours of sleep per night. Not enough sleep causes many things to happen in your body fatigue could cause you to age faster. People with sleep apnea tend to toss and turn a lot during sleep causing them to be very uncomfortable.

Q. How do I know I have Sleep Apnea or any other Sleep Disorder?

A. Statics show that if you snore and have high blood pressure, diabetes or cardiovascular problems you have a 75% chance of having sleep apnea If you have family history of any of these three and snore you have a 45% chance.

Other signs and symptoms include: Holding your breath while a sleep. Often grumpy and irritable. Lack of energy or daytime fatigue Forgetfulness Morning headaches. Wake gasping for a breath. Overweight. Feel sleepy and struggle to remain alert during the day. Frequently wake with a dry mouth. depression

Physical characteristics of sleep apnea include: Short neck and broad shoulders Large neck size (>17’’on men; 16’’ in women) *remember Sleep apnea does not discriminate. It affects children, men, women