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Do you have a sleep-related problem or question?
Ask the Clinilabs experts on our Ask
a Question page.
Here are some of your most recent sleep-related
concerns:
Snoring
Dear Doctor,
My husband has been a loud snorer for the
past two years. His snoring is so loud that
I can’t sleep in the same room with
him. His snorts and grunts even disturb
our teenage children, who have now started
sleeping in the basement to get away from
the noise. We’ve tried the drugstore
products, but nothing has worked.
–J.K., Hendersonville,
NC
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Dear J.K.,
Snoring is a common problem. Reports indicate that
approximately 19% of adults snore (about 1 in 5
adults), and that men are more likely to report
snoring than women. Snoring is more common in overweight
individuals, so you might be able to associate your
husband’s snoring over the past two years
with weight gain. Snoring can be a benign health
problem that simply is an annoyance to others, or
it can be a warning sign of sleep apnea, a serious
health condition.
There are many good treatments for snoring, including
weight loss, positional treatments, and even some
surgical procedures. However, before pursuing treatment
your husband should talk to his doctor about the
problem. Proper diagnosis is essential to getting
the right treatment.
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Sleep Experiences
Dear Doctor,
I have suffered from depression on-and-off for
many years. When my mood is low, I notice that
my dreams are vivid and sometimes bothersome.
Does this have any significance?
–E.R., San Diego, CA
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Dear E. R.,
Sleep specialists and researchers have learned
that there are changes in rapid eye movement (REM)
sleep that occur in people who suffer from major
depression. REM sleep is the stage of sleep that
commonly is associated with dreaming. In those
with major depression, REM sleep occurs earlier
in the night than in healthy individuals, and
there may be signs that REM periods are “intense.”
Some researchers have noted that the dreams of
depressed people have “negative” content,
which improves as the depression gets better.
We do not know the significance of dreams in people
who are suffering from depression. However, you
may learn more about this topic by reading the
interesting work of professor Rosiland Cartwright.
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Insomnia
Dear Doctor,
I have trouble falling asleep for a few nights
every month. This problem is not related to any
other health condition, but seems to be related
to stress. Is it appropriate to take medication
for this kind of insomnia?
–M. W., Phoenix, AZ |
Dear M. W.,
You are not alone. Occasional insomnia is more common
than once thought. Approximately 36% - 56% of American
adults report occasional difficulty falling asleep
or staying asleep. Many people who experience these
transient difficulties report that stress is an
underlying cause. The use of medication to treat
insomnia is a decision that you must make with your
doctor. If you decide to use medication, you should
be aware that there are several effective and safe
products available for use.
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Do you have a sleep-related
problem or question? Ask the Clinilabs experts
on the Ask a Question
page.
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