Sleep 101: A Crash Course for A Better Night’s Sleep

There’s nothing like a good night of sleep. Your body has a chance to rest and heal and prepare you for a new day. But for many, sleep is a fight rather than relaxation—and the lack of sleep severely interferes with daily life. An estimated 50 to 70 million adults in the United States experience sleep or wakeful related disturbances.  Insufficient sleep contributes to automobile accidents, work place injuries, difficulty performing daily tasks and is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a public health problem.

Pedram Navab, DO, a board certified sleep medicine specialist with the Institute of Clinical Orthopedics and Neurosciences at Desert Regional Medical Center, will give a seminar on the treatment of common sleep disorders, including insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea.  The seminar will take place at the 4^th Annual Caliente Springs Resort Health Fair on Saturday, January 7. He also will offer tips for getting a good night’s sleep.

Insomnia

According to Dr. Navab, insomnia is more than just not being able to go to sleep. It includes difficulty staying asleep and waking up earlier than you intended. While many people turn to sleeping pills when dealing with chronic insomnia, Dr. Navab will discuss other solutions that help insomnia without medication. He will share information on positive behavior therapy, which encompasses good sleep hygiene and cognitive therapy to help retrain the brain to think about sleep differently. Dr. Navab will also discuss treatments like sleep restriction. “Initially you sleep less in order to sleep better. It’s a concept that is paradoxical, but it does works,” he said.

More than 18 million Americans Have Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep related conditions, affecting more than 18 million Americans and likely many more as this is an under reported and under diagnosed condition. People with sleep apnea literally stop breathing for a short period of time while sleeping, which affects their oxygen intake and their overall health. Dr. Navab explains: “It’s when the airway partially or fully collapses and people are not able to get the full amount of oxygen, so the quality of their sleep is diminished. You might sleep nine hours in duration, but you are waking up and not getting restorative sleep.” He also noted that sleep apnea gets worse with age as muscles become more lax and laxity affects breathing. At the seminar, Dr. Navab will discuss the symptoms, side effects of untreated sleep apnea, and treatment options. 

Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless Legs Syndrome is the irresistible urge to move the legs and usually occurs at night. It becomes worse with stress and is alleviated with movement. What causes it?  Disease or damage to the nerves and nutritional deficiencies such as low iron contribute to restless legs. 

If getting a good night’s sleep is at the top of your list, sign up now to attend this informative seminar. If you are experiencing any sleep issues, this is a great opportunity to learn more and get your questions answered. Dr. Navab’s presentation is at 12:30 p.m. The health fair is held from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Caliente Springs Resort is located at 70200 Dillon Road in Desert Hot Springs. To register for the Sleep 101 seminar, please call (800) 491-4990 or click here.

Dr. Pedram Navab is an independent contractor and is not an employee, agent or representative of Desert Regional Medical Center. He is solely responsible for the provision of his medical services to his patients.