Sleep Source

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 […]

The Big C. The word that you never want to hear as a diagnosis for you or a loved one. CANCER! Scarier still is the mounting evidence linking sleeping disorders and cancer, specifically obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is already known to increase the risk for high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke. Sleep apnea is […]

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 […]

Ever crammed for a test in college which resulted in staying up all night? Or did your next door neighbor have a Halloween Party with loud partygoers awakening you in the middle of the night? Or have you recently worked a double-shift that left you clocking out with the sun rising? Or does your significant […]

You wish it was not true. But yes, you admit putting on a couple of extra pounds—or 30—over the last several years. Add to the mix only getting, on average, five hours of sleep per night, and you can’t seem to refrain from smoking when the stress of the day gets to you. And no, […]

Sleep apnea is the phenomenon whereby you stop breathing during sleep for 10 seconds at a time or longer.  The severity of this disease can be classified as mild, moderate or severe, depending upon the number of times per hour you experience these episodes during the course of the night. But did you know that […]

Does the following scenario sound familiar? Your loving spouse elbows you in the middle of the night and not because you have stolen all of the blanket covers. No, you have been woken from what you assumed was sound sleep because of the sound that has been emitting from your head…loud and obnoxious snoring. If […]

When you were knee-high to a grasshopper, your nightly dreams revolved around playing catch with your dad, or perhaps dressing up all of your Barbie dolls in the latest trendy outfits. Granted today you are older, your subconscious is no longer interested in these types of activities, and hence your dreams invariably matured. However, dreams […]

It seems simple enough: We breathe in and we breathe out. Our lungs inflate and take oxygen in, and deflate and let out carbon dioxide. A no brainer or so it would seem unless your breathing becomes hampered while trying to rest at night. If you have been diagnosed, you might not necessarily appreciate all […]

Being tired can affect your entire day. It can affect your performance at work, your mood at home, sex life, memory, and your health. There is a big price to pay for your lack of sleep. Here are 5 major issues surrounding sleepiness. CAR ACCIDENTS Sleep deprivation causes car accidents. It is so dangerous; in […]

CPAP is the most commonly prescribed treatment for sleep apnea. The CPAP is not a cure, rather a lifelong treatment designed to prevent the body from going extended periods of time without oxygen. There are surgical options that can alleviate all of the symptoms of sleep apnea all together. Most of the invasive surgery options […]

Do you feel tired, groggy or consistently exhausted throughout the day? You may be experiencing a condition called excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). EDS is a major sign of sleep deprivation and could be occurring as the result of a far more serious issue such as obstructive sleep apnea. EDS and sleep deprivation are only two […]

1.) Moodiness & Irritability – If you find yourself overly moody or irritable you may be excessively sleepy or sleep deprived. Our mood is the first visible factor affected by a lack of sleep. Research consistently shows that people that do not get a proper amount of sleep are less productive, more irritable, easily annoyed, […]

Going to sleep at night is your brain’s time to recharge and prepare for tomorrow’s daily activities. Without this essential recovery period, you are putting yourself at risk to the dangerous side effects of lack of sleep. The 7 scary side effects of lack of sleep should be able to warn you of the potential […]

Your grandmother might have said, “A lady never snores” but the truth is they do and often times this could be a sign of a serious health condition called sleep apnea. A new study, found that obstructive sleep apnea in women puts them at a higher risk of brain damage than men. Dr. Paul Macey, […]

Recently, Sleep Apnea Treatment Centers of America (SATCOA) posted an article discussing the dangers of sleep apnea affecting commercial drivers, and the proposed implementation of mandatory sleep apnea testing in order to receive, or renew, a commercial license. In order to gain a proper perspective on the issue, SATCOA conducted an interview with former commercial truck driver […]