Sleeping disorders often go untreated
Sleeping disorders often go untreated

By Vallery Brown Comments 0
Published: August 3, 2008

One of the most important keys to overall health is quality sleep, but millions of people in the U.S. have a sleep disorder and many don't know it.

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How to get better sleep

According to

Dr. Jonathan R.L. Schwartz, medical director of Integris Sleep Disorders Center of Oklahoma, many people don't get enough shut-eye. Though every person is different, most adults require an average 8.2 hours each night.

Dr. Kris Sekar, medical director of the pediatric sleep lab at OU Health Sciences Center advises a minimum of 8 hours a night for children.

Exercising good sleep hygiene such as only using the bedroom only for sleep and intimacy, cutting back on caffeine, and developing regular sleep patterns can result in better, recuperative sleep.

According to Dr. Jonathan R.L. Schwartz, medical director of Integris Sleep Disorders Center of Oklahoma, there are more than 80 sleep disorders.

"Patients often tell their doctors that they are tired, run down, less energetic,” Schwartz said. "They are frequently given antidepressants and are not asked about the quality or quantity of their sleep.”

Many medical doctors receive little training on sleep disorders, Schwartz said, often resulting in the symptoms of the illnesses being treated instead of a disorder being recognized.

Disturbed sleep can be linked to an increased risk of accidents, lost productivity, fatigue, irritability, reduced concentration and memory, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, depression, stroke and even death.

The most common sleep disorders seen by Schwartz are obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy and other disorders that cause excessive sleepiness during the day. Many can be treated either with medical devices, medications, or other therapies.

Even children are susceptible to sleep problems according to Dr. Kris Sekar, medical director of the pediatric sleep lab at OU Health Sciences Center.

"Young children can't talk to you and tell you what the problem is,” Sekar said.

He advises that parents be aware of loud snoring, sleeping with an open mouth, unexplained irritability, inattentiveness and academic problems. They are often tell-tale signs of sleep problems in children.

"If you sleep better, you feel better,” said Schwartz. "Quality sleep is important to health. Your life depends on it.”