A healthy sleep is very important for a healthy, productive and more active life during the day. However, the presence of sleep disorders also affects daily life and it is known that insomnia can lead to complications and cause other diseases. For example, if we need to mention these diseases that may occur in the long term, they can be listed as hypertension, depression, obesity and heart attack.
What is Sleep?
Sleep is a big and important part of life for the body to rest mentally and physically. Sleep is not only limited to the night, it is a way of life that we may not think much about as a result or cause at all hours of the day. Sleep can be defined as "a process in which the nervous system, which is tired and worn out during the day, is repaired, the information acquired during the day is extracted and stored, open to external stimuli and functional for the development of the individual". Although science and technology have progressed rapidly in explaining sleep, there are still unexplained questions and secrets. An average of 8-9 hours of sleep per day is sufficient for an adult. However, a baby's daily sleep requirement is approximately 13-16 hours.
In this regard, the complaints we frequently encounter about sleep and the questions frequently asked to our physicians can be listed as follows:
"I can't sleep at all"
"I sleep too much. Can't I sleep less?"
"I keep waking up at night... Why?"
"I sleep even when I'm sitting"
"No matter how much I sleep, I can't rest"
"My wife snores and I can't sleep"
"I wake up bouncing"
"I have very bad dreams and nightmares"
"My brother is delirious when he sleeps or walks"
What are the Benefits of Sleep?
Sleep is as important for our health as eating and drinking. Especially toxic wastes accumulated in the nervous system cause sleep. Sleep allows these toxic substances to be removed from the body and rest. Sleep is a need to relieve physical and mental fatigue, rest and re-energize us. Heart rate decreases during sleep. Blood pressure drops. Respiration rate decreases. Body temperature drops. The work of internal organs decreases. The nervous system and sensory organs are at rest. Fatigue reduces the body's resistance.
We have all experienced a sleep-related problem at some point in our lives, for a long or short period of time. If the problem is solved within a few days, we can get through that period without seeking professional help.
How much sleep should we get?
Normal sleep time is the time when a person feels good and is alert when they wake up. The need for sleep varies from person to person. It is known that the duration of sleep varies from person to person and even according to the age period and this period is between 4 hours and 11 hours.
What Happens If We Do Not Sleep?
The effects of insomnia on the body can be listed as follows:
- White blood cell count decreases. The body's resistance to diseases decreases.
- Resistance to psychiatric diseases decreases,
- Muscle strength weakens,
- Blood sugar balance is disturbed,
- The rhythm of breathing is disturbed,
- Body temperature drops,
- Visual and speech disorders begin,
- Forgetfulness occurs,
- Stress hormones are released. Irritability and intolerance.
Sleep disturbance
What is Sleep Disorder?
Sleep disturbance can be defined as the disruption of normal sleep patterns due to the presence of certain diseases or external factors. The quality and duration of sleep are important for a healthy sleep. Due to sleep disorders, individuals may experience problems such as inability to wake up rested in the morning and fatigue and inattention during the day because they cannot get enough sleep. While various medical and physical factors cause insomnia, some environmental factors can also affect sleep.
What Causes Sleep Disorders?
There are many factors that can cause sleep disorders. In people with sleep disorders, this may be due to genetic factors, as a result of other diseases, due to certain habits or due to unknown factors. For this reason, it is necessary to consult a physician in order to know the exact cause of the sleep disorder in the person, and a diagnosis and treatment process should be carried out immediately afterwards.
Sleep Disorder Treatment
After consulting a specialist physician in the field of sleep disorder treatment, the person may be referred to a sleep clinic by the physician to diagnose the underlying cause of insomnia. Sleep clinics/laboratories will be especially effective in solving sleep problems caused by sleep apnea, narcolepsy and cardiac disorders. During one or two nights in a sleep clinic, the heart, brain and breathing patterns are observed. Then, thanks to the findings obtained as a result of the observations, the actual cause of insomnia can be told by a sleep specialist. Once the actual cause of insomnia has been identified, the specialist will advise the person on how to sleep better.
For information about the Sleep Laboratory: / sleep-laboratuvari
Insomnia
What is Insomnia?
Insomnia, defined as the inability to fall asleep or to maintain sleep throughout the night, waking up earlier than usual and being tired throughout the day, is often a symptom of other underlying problems. Many people with insomnia fall asleep in inappropriate situations and at inappropriate times. (for example, behind the wheel). If this happens, the cause of insomnia is sleep apnea.
What are the Symptoms of Insomnia?
- Daytime sleepiness
- Fatigue
- Snoring and/or breathlessness while sleeping
- Headache in the morning
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Lack of concentration and attention
- Memory problems
- Inability to sleep at night
- Sleep disturbance (waking up too early, waking up in the middle of the night)
- Make mistakes often
- Anxiety
What Causes Insomnia?
- Stress
- Caused by another underlying disease
- Caffeine and alcohol consumption
- Physical and emotional problems
- Medicines Used
- Lifestyle
- Environmental factors (noise, light, temperature)
- Post-travel jetlag
- Psychological problems (depression, chronic stress)
- Thyroid diseases
Sleep Apnea
What is Sleep Apnea?
It is a condition in which breathing stops during sleep and suffocation occurs for a few seconds. At this time, the oxygen level in the blood drops and the brain wakes up. The brain wakes the person to signal that the respiratory function has stopped. People with sleep apnea may wake up several times during sleep in the middle of the night. The next day, the person cannot remember that they woke up at night and their sleep was interrupted, and this can cause a state of fatigue and weakness that the person cannot make sense of.
What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
To list the symptoms of sleep apnea, respiratory arrest during sleep can be explained as the main symptom of this disease. However, to list other possible symptoms of sleep apnea:
- Headache
- Irritability
- Weakness and fatigue
- Lack of attention and concentration
- Heart rhythm disturbance
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Snoring
- High blood pressure
- Memory problems
What is Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that needs to be treated. The treatment of sleep apnea will vary depending on the type of apnea, the depth of the apnea and the shape of the airways in the person. An air machine (continuous positive airway pressure) mask is attached to the patient and pressurized air is supplied to the patient. The air is supplied to the patient throughout the night, preventing the airways from closing during sleep. With this method, the patient's airways do not close during sleep and the patient's sleep is not interrupted, resulting in an increase in sleep quality.
Individuals with sleep apnea should be meticulous in their lifestyles in order to have a quality sleep; it will be beneficial to prevent snoring and reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. Patients are advised to reduce smoking, alcohol and caffeine consumption. It may also be recommended to control excess weight, exercise regularly, and consume lighter and easily digestible meals instead of heavy meals before going to sleep.
In some people, a brace to keep the lower jaw forward may be useful for mild or moderate sleep apnea and snoring.
Narcolepsy
What is Narcolepsy?
Symptoms of narcolepsy are excessive tendency to sleep during the day and short-term sleep attacks. Dreaming and dream-like hallucinations during these naps are warning signs of narcolepsy.
What are the Symptoms of Narcolepsy?
Loss of muscle control (cataplexy) that occurs with feelings such as laughter or anger and the inability to move after waking up, called sleep paralysis.
How is narcolepsy treated?
Mostly short naps are relaxing. Your doctor may also give you stimulants to make you more alert during the day. Some newer, less powerful and less habit-forming drugs than other stimulants have been found to be highly effective in keeping you awake. Antidepressants can help treat cataplexy, or the feeling of paralysis upon waking.
Restless Leg Syndrome
What is Restless Leg Syndrome?
It is defined as discomfort, restlessness and the need to move the legs during sleep or rest (sitting or lying down). Numbness, tingling and sometimes an undefined sensation occurs. It occurs or worsens in sedentary situations such as sitting or lying down. It improves partially or completely with movements such as walking and stretching.
What are the symptoms of restless leg syndrome?
Symptoms of restless leg syndrome can be listed as follows in general:
- Feeling of restlessness in the legs and feet
- Constant need to move the feet due to restlessness
- Increased pain and discomfort at night
- Involuntary twitching of the legs
- Short-term reduction of pain and discomfort by moving the leg
How is Restless Leg Syndrome Treated?
Restless legs syndrome is a treatable condition. Cutting caffeine intake, a hot bath before bedtime or relaxation exercises may help. Hot or cold packs that can be applied to the leg can provide relief. There are also some effective medicines, but these can have serious side effects. A doctor should be consulted for sleep problems if
- If bathing, cutting caffeine intake, exercising, etc. do not help
- If sleep problems are believed to be caused by depression or heart disease
- Excessive snoring or breathlessness while sleeping
- Falling asleep while doing normal activities such as talking or driving a car
- Feeling tired all the time when waking up
- If medications are thought to cause sleep disorders
What is Circadian Rhythm Disorder?
The use of bright light therapy to treat both delayed sleep phase syndrome (difficulty falling asleep at night and waking up during the day) and early sleep phase syndrome (sleeping too early and waking up too early in the morning) is becoming more common. Researchers are examining the usefulness of this form of therapy in treating sleep problems related to jet-lag (the body's inability to adjust to the time difference during long flights) or shift changes. Melatonin is also used to treat circadian rhythm disorders. However, studies have shown that bright light therapy is more beneficial.
Snoring
What Causes Snoring?
Snoring can occur due to many health problems. Although it is also a result of lifestyle habits, snoring is mostly caused by the structure of the nose, mouth and throat. Snoring can also occur due to fatigue during the day. Prolonged snoring, snoring that continues for long periods of time and snoring that continues intermittently are conditions that may be dangerous for health that should be investigated. To list the causes of snoring:
- Problems in the nose, throat and jaw structure
- Swelling of the soft palate due to the small tongue or swelling of the soft palate
- Due to swollen tonsils
- Colds or allergies
- Alcohol, cigarette consumption
- Excess weight
- Taking sleeping pills
- Pregnancy
- How to sleep
- Fatigue
- Cardiovascular diseases
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia/not getting enough sleep
How to Stop Snoring?
The methods that can be applied to stop snoring can be stated as follows:
- Lying on your side
- Seeking help from a specialist if you have allergies or nasal congestion
- Avoiding caffeine and alcohol
- Avoiding sleeping pills and sedatives
- Treatment of another underlying disease that may cause snoring
- Getting rid of excess weight
What is Snoring Treatment?
Snoring treatment will vary depending on the underlying cause of snoring. If lifestyle-related snoring causes (such as alcohol, smoking) are prevented by the person, snoring will also improve. However, if there are medical reasons underlying snoring, snoring can be prevented by diagnosis and intervention by a specialist physician.
Things to do for a good sleep
Adhere to a regular sleep schedule. Wake up at the same time in the morning, even on weekends and holidays.
Avoid short naps during the day.
Avoid stressful activities and heavy workouts two hours before bedtime. Regular exercise should be done early in the day.
Trying relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga and meditation some time before bedtime can be effective.
The bedroom should be dark and quiet, neither too hot nor too cold. Earplugs and eye masks should be used if necessary.
If a person cannot sleep, they should leave the bedroom, go to another room and read a book or do something quiet and relaxing.
Avoid anything containing caffeine or theine, such as coffee, tea, snacks or diet pills.
Pregnancy and sleep
Women who suffer from insomnia during pregnancy can find relief by taking short naps in the afternoon, drinking hot milk or taking a hot bath before going to bed. Exercise can also help. Expectant mothers can sleep better by turning on their side and supporting their head, abdomen and knees with a pillow.
Nightmares and nightmares
If your child has nightmares, the best medicine is to comfort them. If these nightmares or nightmares recur frequently, you should consult a doctor about this problem.
Age
Research has shown that older people who exercise regularly and are active sleep better than others. Older people who do not sleep well at night can make up for it with afternoon naps. However, it is important to remember that excessive napping can disrupt nighttime sleep. Sufficient sunlight during the day, especially in the morning, can be beneficial.
Lifestyle
Having a good sleep pattern, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and nicotine, and not eating heavy meals at night before going to bed are all beneficial factors for better sleep. Regular exercise is also beneficial for sleep, but workouts should be finished no later than 2 hours before bedtime.
Medicines
Medicines that must be taken every day can disrupt sleep patterns. If this happens, a consultation with a doctor will be effective. Changes in the dosage of medication supplements or a direct change in medication may be a solution.
Depression and Anxiety
If sleep deprivation is due to depression or anxiety for more than a few days, treatment should be discussed with a specialist.
Heart and Lung Problems
If one is breathless when lying in bed or wakes up at night with difficulty breathing, one should be examined by a doctor immediately. There may be a problem with the heart or lungs.
Facilities in our hospital related to sleep:
Sleep Laboratory
Sleep Laboratory: Although the definitive diagnosis of sleep disorders can be made in specially equipped sleep laboratories, the complaints of people who complain of poor sleep cannot be confirmed in the laboratory or pathology can be revealed by examinations when there is no obvious complaint.
In sleep laboratories, polysomnography and EEG (electroencephalography), eye movements (EOG=electrooculography), jaw EMG (electromyography), respiratory records (Airflow, chest and abdominal muscle movements, oximetry), ECG (electrocardiography), leg EMG records are provided and sleep studies are performed by revealing the sleep stages.
The patient is put into normal sleep in this laboratory and examined by making the above-mentioned records. These records are also evaluated after the patient wakes up.
NPISTANBUL Hospital Sleep Laboratory
It consists of two sleep rooms, a phototherapy room, a sleep deprivation room and a central digital examination system.
Sleep laboratories are an activity that requires a joint disciplinary approach of neurology, ENT, chest and psychiatry specialists. A psychiatric approach is often required in the treatment. Laboratory responsibility is carried out with this awareness.
