Author Archives Phoebe Ochman

Let’s be honest with one another. When it comes to the avoidance of things we don’t particularly like to do, we come up with all kinds of excuses. It doesn’t matter if we have the knowledge and know full well that something is good for us. We stop and don’t go. Instead of exercising, we […]

Here’s a sobering and scary statistic. It is currently estimated that close to 6 million Americans have fibromyalgia. This condition is defined as chronic muscle, joint and tendon pain throughout a sufferer’s entire body. If overall body pain wasn’t bad enough, fibromyalgia also produces symptoms of fatigue, trigger points and many develop a sleep disorder.If […]

When you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, there is nothing worse than waking up with swollen and painful joints. Add to the mix: It takes you about 10 minutes to get up out of bed and moving. Unless of course, you have been battling with the blanket and tossing your head from side to side in […]

How would you answer the following questions: Are you what you eat? Are you thin or overweight because of the food choices that you make? Do you have energy to go out in order to tackle everything and anything? Or are you a lump on a log, and just sit in front of the boob […]

On any given night, due to a blockage, people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can stop breathing from a few seconds to minutes, and at a rate of 5 to over 30 times per hour. Unfortunately, many of these individuals go about their daily lives not even realizing that they have this condition. Currently, it […]

Do you constantly stare at your computer screen but your fingers don’t connect with the keyboard? Do you find yourself forgetting where you put your car keys, or walk into a room to retrieve an item you need but can’t recall what said item is or why you want it? Or have you safely arrived […]

These days there seems to be a Starbucks on almost every corner, and if not another type of coffee establishment. Then there is the astonishing increase in the number of energy drinks on the shelves starting with Red Bull. Why might that be? Well today’s society is fast-paced with the ever-changing technology and we need […]

It seems that every morning you wake up with a headache that tends to disappear after a couple of hours. Then you’ve noticed, or more accurately your significant other, that you wake up a number of times in the wee hours of the night gasping for air. And to top it all off, you think […]

Why, oh why do you keep having the same dream in which you are starring in a remake of Hitchcock’s “The Birds?” Birds are flying every which way. Attacking your head, arms, legs and even your eyes! You try swatting them away but you can’t move a muscle. Nothing works, and then you wake up […]

Avoidance is your middle name. Especially when it relates to your health. You hate going to the doctor. But you were given an ultimatum. Either go to the doctor or else your wife of 25 years would be making you sleep permanently on the couch. Reason? She couldn’t take your snoring any more so off […]

As awareness is on the rise, more and more people are learning about sleep apnea and the importance of being properly diagnosed and treated. Obstructive sleep apnea is the partial or full obstruction of a person’s airway, which prevents proper breathing. The sufferer can literally stop breathing a few seconds to minutes, and to make […]

When faced with illnesses that disrupt our lives, it is helpful to know that you aren’t alone. Especially when well-known public figures or celebrities also suffer from these self-same conditions and illnesses. It would be helpful to identify with an individual in the limelight going through what you are facing day in and day out. […]

Picture and think of Adrian Monk from the television show of the same name. This individual was the poster man for obsessive compulsive disorder, better known as OCD. On a daily basis, if not by the hour, Monk felt overwhelming anxiety when it came to germs and cleanliness, arranging items and furniture in a specific […]

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night or when the alarm clock goes off in the morning drenched in sweat? From pajamas to sheets to pillowcase, everything is wet through and through. Well, if this sounds familiar and you can relate, then you probably know that this is typical for anyone […]

If you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it is safe to assume that at some point in time, every muscle and joint in your body have ached and hurt. There have been days, weeks and months, where you just never seemed to get relief of your pain. As a result, the chronic pain has evolved […]

Joseph has had a rough day at work. From employee squabbles in the break room to delayed order shipments, he needed to put out fires at every step and turn. Joseph is looking forward to unwinding and de-stressing after dinner with a nice glass or two of brandy. But as he reaches for the bottle […]

There’s a very well-known adage saying that “you are what you eat.” If you eat lots of fruits and vegetables, make whole grains a stable of your diet and avoid saturated fats, nine times out of 10 you will be healthy and well. Your mood is upbeat. You have energy and the desire to exercise. […]

“Losing My Religion,” “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” and “The One I Love” are some of the iconic hits of the rock band, R.E.M. Of course, REM is not just about music and a band but vital to sleep. Rather, REM is an acronym for rapid […]

For the majority of people who suffer from sleep apnea, the cause is an obstruction of the airway. With obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), this blockage results in the stoppage of breathing from mere seconds to minutes. But what actually causes the blockage? Blockage can be due to the nasal airway, palate and the tongue. In […]

It’s pretty much common sense. If you want to get a good night of sleep, you know to avoid spicy Cajun Chicken, a double shot of espresso in your late afternoon coffee, and you forego a vodka tonic with dinner. But on the flip side, can you eat for better sleep? You bet. It is […]

Forty weeks is the milestone to reach for a full-term and healthy pregnancy. But unfortunately, sometimes Mother Nature has other ideas and the bundle of joy arrives earlier than expected. Depending on the week of birth, premature babies or preemies are at risk for a number of health concerns from respiratory trouble to jaundice to […]

Sleep can be a serious topic, especially, when you toss and turn all night and don’t wake up refreshed and raring to go in the morning. But sleep can be a happy topic too. Read on for some sleep fun facts. Perhaps you might discover something that you never knew. Sleep Fun Facts What is […]

Let’s face the known fact: Caffeine keeps you awake and your mind active. Our desire for the quick jolt we get from java keeps the lines long in front of our favorite barista. But if you routinely have trouble sleeping and have a disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), caffeine can do more harm […]

Today is the third day in a row that Douglas had trouble driving to work. He yawned constantly, rubbed his eyes and blinked a lot as he found it increasingly difficult to keep his big browns open for the commute. And yesterday was worse, as not only did he find himself drifting from lane to […]

Whether awareness was raised in movies, TV or from personal, first-hand experience, most of us are familiar with Lamaze or patterned breathing during labor of a child. But what about another breathing method, which is touted to help combat various medical conditions from lupus to chronic fatigue syndrome to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? What is […]

Let’s face the ugly truth: with today’s society, we like to eat. It would be okay if we chose foods that were healthy for us. But 9 times out of 10, we don’t. We opt for the bacon double cheeseburger with greasy fries/onion rings, coke and an ice cream sundae over a lunch bowl filled […]

The dark circles surrounding your eyes are troubling. And if you could just cash in the bags under your baby blues, you could retire. You have tried cover-up cream for the circles, and the latest eye lotion touted to not only remove wrinkles but deflate the bags under your eyes. Nothing is helping, so where […]

It seems as though every morning when you drive to work someone either cuts you off, or decides to forget that a green light really means go. Instead of moving, the car in front of you just idles while talking on their cell or else puts on make-up in the rearview mirror. You feel as […]

Think about it: How scary is the idea that you or a loved one stops breathing on numerous occasions throughout the night? Ceasing to breathe might cause you to feel as though you are suffocating. It would be totally understandably that you might feel anxious. So then the $64,000 question is: Can sleep apnea cause […]

It has been weeks since you were able to get a solid 8 hours of sleep. Your head hits the pillow and you are off to Slumber Land. The problem is not with you, but with your significant other. His snoring wakes you from sound sleep. Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter if you shake him awake […]

Too much ice cream can give you a stomachache (and pack on extra pounds). Too much alcohol can get you in all kinds of trouble. And yet too much exercise, while making you sore, is not as bad as the other examples. So where does sleep fit in? Is too much sleep bad for you? […]

Ah! Too be able to snore no more. That would be a wonderful thing. Then and only then, might you be allowed to return to your side of the marital bed, and not be camped out night after night on the couch in the family room. Is it possible? You heard some chatter while waiting […]

Last night you had a dream that there was an intruder in the house who slipped into your bedroom and tried to stab you to death. Well, it was more accurately a nightmare and probably prompted by catching up and watching the latest episode of “Criminal Minds” saved on your DVR player. You were able […]

As a nurse on the Labor and Delivery Unit, you have worked your whole career on the night shift. For the most part, you sleep soundly but on occasion your husband cannot sleep when you toss and turn in your battle with insomnia. And then to boot he has also reached over to wake you […]

At some point in time in our lives, we have all had a head cold with its accompanying nasal congestion. Sometimes the congestion can get so bad that snoring ensues. The majority of us take decongestants to help ease breathing, and others use nasal strips (picture a Band-Aid that is placed across your nose) to […]

Picture this scene: It’s spring break and the family is about to embark on a much-needed family vacation. For weeks, everyone has been excited with anticipation to sail away on a Disney Cruise ship. But on the morning you are scheduled to leave, your 8-year-old son wakes up with a frown on his face and […]

It wasn’t long ago that the majority of treatment for cardiovascular disease was very invasive open heart surgery. But with time and research, procedures for treating the heart, and most other diseases, have changed and adapted—all for the better. The key has been creating new techniques that are minimally invasive and less painful, with a […]

Mark  your calendar. All across the globe, people will be celebrating World Sleep Day on Friday, March 14, 2014. This annual event is dedicated to raising awareness about important issues and concerns related to sleep. So just where will you celebrate World Sleep Day? What is World Sleep Day All About? Occurring on the Friday […]

Rat-a-tat-tat! Like a jackhammer! Deafening roar like a rocket ship taking off into space! On any given night, your snoring can run the gamut of these sounds. What can you do to stop snoring?  You are willing to try anything so that you are not forced to sleep on the couch in the family room […]

The medical community is always looking at ways to help raise awareness about sleep apnea, which is defined as the cessation of breathing during sleep due to an obstruction. It is estimated that 80 percent of sleep apnea sufferers are actually not diagnosed and have not sought treatment. The concern comes from the fact that […]

There are many stories that have circulated for years that a certain popular sleep aid causes people to exhibit very unusual behavior, including making and eating a full meal or even scarfing down an entire chocolate cake. Unfortunately, you don’t have this excuse to explain away the extra pounds you have packed on in the […]

For years, you made do with a couple of hours a sleep a night. In addition, you snored like a banshee. The tipping point of seeking out a diagnosis and treatment for your sleep problem was when you fell asleep babysitting your infant grandchild. Nothing bad happened, but it could have. And thus, the very […]

Zombies, Frankenstein, Dracula…characters from horror movies and television that can cause young and old alike to have nightmares. But what if you woke up in the middle of the night to witness your loved one, walking around the bedroom with his or her hands outstretched like a zombie? Could it be a ready-made scary movie […]

When the ball dropped in Times Square, as the age-old tradition of ringing in 2014, it also commemorated the start of moving forward with your new year’s resolutions. You have lost weight watching what you eat. And you have consistently been heading out to the gym for weight training twice a week and walking on […]

Did you know that clownfish, dwarf angel, dottybacks, royal gramma and tangs are some of the most popular saltwater fish to populate an aquarium? The fish are colorful and beautiful to look at, but did you know that watching these fish in your aquarium can help lower stress and your blood pressure? Studies have demonstrated […]

Think about the difference in your day when you get a good night of sleep versus a night where you spend every hour tossing and turning. When you are well-rested you are a wonderful human being to be around and when not, well…you are lucky your family, friends and colleagues like you so much. It […]

Thousands of people worldwide battle insomnia on a daily basis. It is ever so frustrating to not be able to fall asleep in a timely fashion as well as stay asleep. Lack of quality sleep can affect you at work, your relationships, and health. What are your options? Do you have to choose between therapy […]

You crave sleep. Despite your valiant efforts, nothing seems to help or do the trick. The effects of insomnia are constantly chasing you down: You can’t fall asleep, you can’t stay asleep. What can you do? Your physician volunteered to write you a prescription for a small quantity of sleeping pills. But even for a […]

Ever get a charley horse in the middle of the night in your calf? It hurts! The pain can be excruciating and wake you up from sound sleep or even be bothersome at night while you are actually awake. Hence, these involuntary pains are collectively known as night leg cramps (or nocturnal leg cramps). Where […]

You finally admitted it. Yes, you snore, but not all of the time. On occasion, you wake up from sound sleep and realize it is increasingly difficult to catch your breath. This problem has been a concern and so you made an appointment with your physician who believes that you actually might suffer from respiratory […]

Fade in to the following scene: Julie is staring at the clock for the third night in a row at 2 a.m. Why? She doesn’t have any issues sleeping. However, the same cannot be said for Bob, her husband. Julie has repeatedly elbowed her loving spouse in the middle of the night and not because […]

Hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings are all symptoms that can occur in a woman’s rite of passage toward menopause. During this time in a woman’s life, sleep disturbances can also happen, which begs a question to be posed. Can menopause cause sleep apnea and other sleep disorders? In answering, one needs to understand […]

Rolled up in a ball as if you were still in your mother’s womb? Splayed out on your stomach while you reach for the stars? Or as still as a soldier with arms plastered to your side? Do any of these sleep positions sound like you? Believe it or not, you can tell a lot […]

At some point in time during your childhood, you learned about death. Whether a relative passed or a beloved family pet, you started to fear death. You actually even believed that when you went to sleep, come morning you might not wake up. Thankfully, as you got older the fear went away but now it […]

We all probably know someone who snores, which in turn, is the classic symptom of the most common type of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). With OSA, there is an anatomical reason for the breathing problem while a person sleeps. Not as easy to detect or as prevalent is a second form, or central […]

It has come to almost be viewed as a rite of passage. As children go back to school in the fall, we know it is also that time of year to think about and get our annual flu vaccine. For the most part, the flu season starts about that time but actually, according to the […]

Ocean blue eyes inherited from your maternal grandmother, check. Roman curve to your nose from your paternal grandfather and dimples from mom, check and check. Yes, most of your physical traits can be traced back in your family tree, but what about aspects that might not be apparent, such as gasping for air in the […]

As we mature and grow older, at some point in time in our lives, we have all felt the pangs of unrequited love and felt like our heart was breaking. Of course, love is not the only manner in which our heart can hurt. Eating bacon double cheeseburgers can ratchet cholesterol levels to the point […]

Doink, doink. The unmistakable sound effect that begins an episode of “Law and Order: SVU,” which is quickly followed by the following opening line: “In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known […]

There are warnings on cake mixes and other kitchen products about taking into account the altitude when baking any item in the oven. Food is not the only thing that can be affected by high altitude. Your health is another, especially breathing. Making the intellectual jump, a question begs to be asked: Is there a […]

Medical marijuana usage is definitely a controversial topic. Already legal in 20 states plus the District of Columbia as a medical treatment, recent headlines indicate that the Governor of New York will make the state total go to lucky twenty one. Only Colorado and Washington allow recreational marijuana usage in addition to true medical treatment. […]

Have you been told you have dragon breath? Or can your breath peel paint off a ceiling? Were you not even aware that your breath smelled like a barnyard? Halitosis or bad breath can cause much embarrassment in all types of social situations and adversely affect relationships. There are a number of reasons why bad […]

Most people during their school years were required to read one or more novels by Charles Dickens, probably nine times out of 10 it was “Great Expectations.” Very few of us have picked up and read “The Pickwick Papers.” If you read this somewhat obscure Dickens novel, you might have discovered a description of a […]

During the course of a night’s sleep, have you or a loved one woken up gasping for air? Does it happen often or just occasionally? Or perhaps, you might not even be aware that your breathing essentially stops? Would you like to know exactly what happens when you stop breathing in the middle of the […]

Back in the day, horror films depicted men morphing into werewolves with the rising of the full moon. Then there are also the jokes that depict all kinds of shenanigans and lunacy occurring when the phase of the moon is fully illuminated. Putting aside the creature feature films and the punchlines, the question still is: […]

Finally, you are in your last trimester of pregnancy with your due date looming on the horizon. It is getting increasingly hard to find a comfortable position to sleep. And adding to your sleep woes, your husband said that your snoring can knock the paint off the ceiling. Should you be concerned that your snoring […]

You confess. You have always been a procrastinator. Many a day and night would be spent at the last minute studying for any number of final exams. You often thought to yourself, “How great would it be if I could put my textbooks under my pillow and will the information into my brain by diffusion […]

Can an Unhealthy Diet be Affecting Your Sleep? Doughnuts, ice cream sundaes, and double bacon cheeseburgers with onion rings on the side are some of your favorite things to eat. Yes, you know it has helped contribute to the extra pounds around your middle but you still try to combat by taking your dog for […]

In this day and age, who doesn’t sleep with their cell phone close by on their nightstand? Almost a unanimous show of raised hands. We are ever plugged in, checking for new texts, emails, Facebook updates, or something exciting coming through on Twitter. As a result of our love for all techno gadgets, a new […]

Does your loved one snore but denies the fact that he or she does? Are you woken up on occasion by the sound of what you believe to be a vacuum cleaning your carpet but realize that it is your bed partner? And months down the line, after many sleepless nights, the sound has evolved […]

Can’t remember what life was like when our society was not connected to smartphones and most other technological gadgets? It seems that we are plugged in so much at times that we have lost the ability to unwind and de-stress at the end of the day. It will come as no surprise that experts say […]

Every time you brush your teeth and then look in the mirror for hidden food particles you get depressed. You can’t stand the way you smile because your bite is so far off. You think to yourself, “I wish my parents had the money to fix my teeth and bite when I was younger.” And […]

If you have ever heard someone gnashing or grinding their teeth, it might be akin to the sound that a nail would make on a blackboard. It could set off your last nerve or else send you off the deep end. Statistics for the incidence of teeth grinding are varied but it is estimated that […]

Exercise and Sleep Do you spend time at the CrossFit gym? Take Zumba® or BodyPump classes? Or perhaps run 3 miles per day? You exercise to stay healthy but whatever you do to break a sweat also seems to help you sleep better. In the National Sleep Foundation annual survey, 1,000 people were polled to […]

Counting sheep is not doing the trick. Soothing and meditative sounds could easily be heavy metal music for all the good they’re doing in trying to help you sleep. You are at your wit’s end and finally decide to make an appointment with your primary care physician to get something—anything—to help you sleep. After filling […]

It is slated to be the trip of a lifetime! Years of saving and planning for a whirlwind two weeks spent in Berlin and the surrounding countryside of Germany. You want nothing to stand in your way of enjoying each and every moment. For sure, you don’t want to put your head down on a […]

I scream, you scream, we all scream, for ice cream. Well at least it is a welcome aspect of the recovery process when one of the most prevalent surgeries is performed. Current statistics clock approximately 500,000 people undergoing this procedure every year. Inevitably, we all know someone who has or will have a tonsillectomy. For […]

Ah, Sleep apnea. Several years ago, your primary care physician ordered a sleep study after you reached the brick wall. You were sick of dealing with chronic fatigue, irritability, poor concentration and snoring that was deafening. The result that came back: a diagnosis of moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which you learned caused frequent episodes […]

It is a human trait. People come up with all kinds of excuses when it comes to why they don’t do the things that are good for them, such as exercising, eating healthy, and throwing out their cigarettes. Yes, despite the fact that the above practices will make you feel better and improve your overall […]

Jiggling your leg constantly throughout the day? Can’t sit still? While you were growing up, did your teachers and parents strongly encourage you to stop lest you develop St. Vitus Dance? All kidding aside, if you actually experienced an uncontrollable urge to move your legs when you put your head down on the pillow or […]

You recently learned that you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which basically means that you stop breathing a number of times during the night. The disease is caused by an obstruction in your airway and your doctor recommended continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. This treatment is touted to get you much-needed rest and oxygen […]

Question: What do fetuses, Koko (the gorilla), non-autistic children and your bestie all have in common? Answer: The overwhelming ability to involuntarily yawn. Growing up, we were all told that it was impolite to yawn without covering one’s mouth with our hands (unless we were in utero at 11 weeks when we started, as evidence […]

A good night of sleep has evaded you for the very last time. Finally, you took the first step in trying to get an answer and diagnosis for your sleep condition. You made an appointment with a physician who ordered the next stop on your journey toward discovery: a sleep study (or polysomnogram). But for […]

Tossing and turning? Up and watching the clock as the minutes click away from getting a good night of sleep? Lack of quality sleep can turn a normally happy-go-lucky, upbeat person into a crotchety grouch who everyone steers clear of throughout the day. Of course, on occasion, we have all been there before: stress, family […]

It has been almost a month since Daylight Savings went into effect. Of course, we fall back in the fall, and spring ahead in the spring. But does that extra hour of sleep, one way or the other, prove beneficial or harmful?  Fall Back Benefits Ah, who doesn’t enjoy the luxurious benefit of an extra […]

Known as the inventor of the lightning rod and bifocals, Benjamin Franklin is also revered for his famous and insightful quotes such as, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” So just how accurate are these words attributed to one of our country’s founding fathers? Is there a […]

It has been weeks since your co-worker Danny seemed to be his normal self. Gone are the days when he actively participated in brainstorming project sessions and if Danny does actually talk, he rambles on or doesn’t make sense. He is moody and easily irritated, and you know for a fact that he has constant […]

Remember back when you were a youngster, or when the kids were toddlers and naps were a daily occurrence? Naps for the young can be a godsend and help turn short-fused, crying kids into rejuvenated and restored little human beings. But as adults, can naps be similarly beneficial? The Positives of Napping Experts advise that […]

Watching your favorite team battle its arch rival caused so much anxiety that before you knew it you ate almost the entire gallon of Rocky Road ice cream. A big “no, no” on your diet but tomorrow is a new day and you can easily get back on track Monday morning. Now, what if you […]

Over the past couple of months, you’ve been staring at your wedding picture. You fondly recall the early days when you would hold hands walking down the sidewalk, snuggle under a hand-made afghan to watch a favorite movie, and dig into the leftover Chinese food in the middle of the night with one set of […]

Sleep hygiene is defined as the habit and/or  practice that allows you to sleep well on a regular basis. And of course, key to having sweet dreams. It’s not a myth. Regular and consistent sleep is important for overall health but what can you do to insure that this occurs? Good news. There are quite […]

You finally hit the proverbial brick wall. You can’t go another day feeling fatigued and gasping for air in the middle of the night. In sharing your symptoms with friends and co-workers as well as looking online for answers, you believe that you might have sleep apnea. Hence, you decide to seek out the assistance […]

Bamboo sheets, free-range eggs and reverse osmosis water: if you adhere to an environmentally friendly lifestyle practice, these three items are familiar. So what can you do if you have sleep apnea and would like to treat your condition naturally? The good news is that there are sleep apnea natural remedies but the bad news […]

You remember the PowerPoint slide with the colorful pie chart and the next thing you recall, the lecturer is asking the audience if they have any questions. Why? The topic was interesting and the lecturer was stimulating so neither caused you to nod off. But then again, this scenario happens, wherein you fall asleep in […]

For three straight nights, you’ve spent more time watching the clock instead of sleeping. Stress at work and home is overwhelming and you can’t seem to relax, turn off your mind or re-direct toward more soothing thoughts and images. Is there no solution other than to quit your job or leave home? Fear not. An […]

Whether you are a man or a woman, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can cause many a sleepless night and affect everyday activities during daylight hours. Depending on the severity of your sleep apnea and no matter your gender, breathing is interrupted throughout sleep to the tune of hundreds of instances. Each time a person has […]