#DearSleepDoctorSeries: Learn all about the Causes, Symptoms & how to remedy Sleep Disorders

Dear Sleep Doctor,

My wife complains about my snoring and yet I never feel like I actually sleep at night because I always wake up tired.

Regards,

Alex W.

Dear Alex W,

The symptoms of snoring, fatigue and poor-quality night’s sleep could be a signal of a serious disorder called Sleep Apnea. A condition in which there are pauses in breathing while sleeping. It is a common and underdiagnosed disorder that puts one at risk for serious illnesses like high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and heart diseases. You need to see a sleep specialist for further evaluation.

Sincerely,

Sleep Doctor

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Dear Sleep Doctor,

It takes me like 2 hours to fall asleep at night and yet I wake up no less than 8 times during the night

Mrs R.

Dear Mrs R,

Depending on how long this has been going on for, you are likely suffering from Chronic Insomnia with problems initiating and maintaining sleep. This results in poor sleep quality. During sleep, our bodies secrete hormones that help to control appetite, regulate glucose and energy metabolism amongst other things. When the normal sleep cycle is disrupted repeatedly overnight these regulatory processes are affected and over time lead to weight gain, diabetes and their complications. You should see a sleep specialist for further evaluation.

Regards,

Sleep Doctor

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Dear Sleep Doctor,

I can’t sleep except I take sleeping pills. I am worried that I may be addicted to them.

Ade O.

Dear Ade O,

Routine or frequent use of sleeping pills and dependency on them can cause addiction. Identifying that this is a problem is the first step in addressing the potentially serious consequences of addiction. You need a sleep specialist evaluation to diagnose this and map out how it can be overcome.

Best,

Sleep Doctor

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Dear Sleep Doctor,

I am hypertensive and diabetic but I do not snore. Will I be needing a sleep evaluation?

Regards,

Chika O.

Dear Chika O,

Being hypertensive or diabetic are potential indicators of an underlying sleep disorder, making you a prime candidate for sleep evaluation. Since you have both conditions the need is more urgent whether you snore or not. Conditions like a previous history of stroke, heart attack, cardiac arrhythmias and obesity are predisposing and should prompt a sleep evaluation. Please discuss with your doctor and arrange to see a sleep specialist as soon as possible

Best,

Sleep Doctor

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Dear Sleep Doctor,

I am overweight and I wake up intermittently at night. Do I need to have a sleep study done?

Regards,

Deji M

Dear Deji M,

Yes, you are a candidate for sleep study. During normal sleep, regulatory hormones impacting appetite, glucose and energy metabolism are released at different stages of the sleep cycle.

Waking up frequently may be a sign of a sleep disorder. The resulting disruption of the sleep cycle will affect these processes and result in derangement. Evaluation by a trained sleep specialist will help in assessing your risk and how to mitigate the consequences. More so being male also puts you at risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Best,

Sleep Doctor

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The above conversations serve as a sample of e-mails I have received from people worried about the quality of their sleep.

The truth is, sleep is an active process and good sleep plays a major role in the body’s reparative processes. Sleep disorders occur when the appropriate length, depth and distribution of sleep does not occur. They can take a serious toll on your mental and physical health, potentially contributing to the development of chronic illnesses like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, memory problems and weight gain that can negatively impact your relationships, career and mood.

Do you or your loved one:

• Snore?
• Constantly feel sleepy or irritable during the day?
• Wake up several times during the night?
• Gasp, choke or stop breathing during your sleep?
• Have difficulty with your memory and with concentrating on tasks?
• Have low energy and fatigue?
• Have high blood pressure or diabetes?
• Have a neck size greater than 16 inches (female) or 17 inches (male)?
• Have night sweats?
• Suffer from sexual dysfunction?
• Experience frequent urination at night?

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms on a regular basis, you may be dealing with a sleep disorder. The more you answered “yes”, the more likely it is that you have a sleep disorder.

Even if you have struggled with sleep problems for so long that it seems normal, you can still learn to sleep better. You can start by tracking your symptoms and sleep patterns, and then making healthy changes to your daytime habits and bedtime routine. If self-help does not do the trick, you should be evaluated by a trained sleep specialist. Together, we can identify the underlying causes of your sleeping problem and find ways to improve your sleep and quality of life.

If you feel you are not getting enough quality sleep at night and desire help with this problem, please send an email to the Sleep Doctor at [email protected]. You can also call +234 810 800 4400 or +234 1 632 6425 and let us see if we can help.

Introducing Sleep Inc.

 

Sleep Inc. is located on 49 Bourdillon Road, Duplex B, Ikoyi, Lagos. The clinic is purpose-designed for the care of patients with respiratory and sleep disorders and is “configured with best-in-class diagnostic and therapeutic equipment to aid in the diagnosis and delivery of cutting edge therapy.

Meet the Doctors…

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