PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) manifests itself in many ways.

The symptoms of PTSD aren't limited to distressing memories and emotional trauma.

In fact, a large body of research has shown that veterans suffering from PTSD are at increased risk for a host of sleep disorders. 

The complex relationship between anxiety, breathing problems, hyperarousal, and intrusive memories makes it difficult to isolate the factors causing these sleep disorders and can complicate treatment. But a couple things are clear; veterans experience sleep disorders at a very high rate, and it is very important for these disorders be treated in addition to targeting the PTSD itself. 

I wanted to start this week with a real warm and fuzzy post about how grateful we are for our sleep technologists. We call them night techs. Each October, the American Association of Sleep Technologists celebrates Sleep Tech Week to recognize the technologists who play a vital role in sleep centers across the country.

Who performs overnight sleep studies?

That's right... our Registered Polysomnographic Technologists... our sleep techs (or RPSGTs for short). These are the ladies and gents that perform sleep studies, for the young and old, sick and tired, seven nights a week almost 365 days a year. The tech who attaches all of the electrodes and tucks you in for a good night's sleep at the sleep center.  

Our sleep techs work tirelessly making sure that our patients are comfortable, informed, and properly cared for during their overnight sleep studies. It's a tough job. Many patients undergoing sleep studies are nervous, anxious, tired and not interested in spending the night in an unfamiliar place with an unfamiliar technician. But it's an important job! After completing a sleep study and receiving treatment for a sleep disorder, many patients report that their lives are greatly improved. 

So that got me thinking: who's taking care of the sleep techs? I have several questions:

• What are the effects of working the Graveyard Shift (ie: working overnight)? Does it cause sleep disorders?
• Can anyone work overnight, or are some people more suited to night work than others?
• Do gravediggers really dig graves at night? (this question seems appropriate as we approach Halloween)

Here's what I found:

The California Sleep Society will hold its 9th annual educational symposium September 30 to October 1, 2016 in Anaheim, CA.  

As corporate members of this organization, we will be attending the symposium next week to learn about the latest advances in patient care and technology related to sleep medicine.

We will meet with key opinion leaders in the field of sleep medicine, sleep specialists from across the state of California, polysomnography technicians, CPAP equipment manufacturers like ResMed and Respironics and companies developing novel solutions to treat sleep disorders, like the Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation Device.

Here's more information about the history of sleep medicine in California and the vision and mission of the California Sleep Society.

Sleep disorders, such as snoring and apnea, are more than just a nuisance - they can be related to many health risks. This is why effective and timely treatment is vital. Constant Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) still remains the most successful treatment for sleep apnea. While patients often complain about its inconvenience, it helps them breathe through the night and get the rest they need. 

The good news is that with the year 2016 fast approaching, the technology of sleep aid does not stand still either. Our hope is that technological advances will help eliminate the discomfort of using CPAP masks, while keeping the benefits of the therapy.

Today we would like to highlight some of the revolutionary sleep aid gadgets to be released in the near future. As always, it is important to consult a doctor before starting or switching to a new treatment. With physician's approval, these inventions could significantly improve the lives of people with sleep disorders. 

Silent Partner – tackling snoring from a new angle.

Snoring can be caused by a range of factors, from temporary, such as a sinus infection or alcohol consumption, to more serious issue such as sleep apnea.

Always remember to consult your doctor about your sleep issues. If you are certain that your snoring bears no futher health risks other than what your sleepy and angry partner could do to you in your sleep, Silent Partner is the solution for you.

Image from http://www.silent-partner.co

It is the time of the year when kids don their best spooky apparel and go out for some mischief and sweets.

With all this excitement, it could be hard for your kids to keep their sleep.

We have previously posted on two sleeping problems that can be prevented with the right approach:

NIGHTMARES, which can be caused by something as minor as a stimulating bedtime snack to the more serious sleep disorders, such as restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea. Read the article to find out more about the causes and ways of addressing nightmares.

SLEEP PARALYSIS - a condition in which a person is mentally conscious but physically unable to move. This can be accompanied by the spooky feeling that there is someone else in the room - sure to raise some hairs on your little one! Read on to find out ways to help prevent sleep paralysis.

So how do you keep your kids from having sleep problems around Halloween? Here are some important tips.

Whether you typically drink at night before bed or are hoping to fall asleep faster in the sleep center, you should consider this information if you're wondering whether you should have a drink before your sleep study.

Does a glass of wine (or beer) before bed help you sleep better at night?

Just because a drink before bed can make it easier for you to fall asleep doesn’t mean that it actually helps you sleep well.

Drinking alcohol can reduce the effectiveness and alter the results of your sleep study.

Have you ever noticed someone who snores worse after a couple of drinks before bed? Why does this happen?

A study published in Obesity Research & Clinical Practice tracked the diet and exercise habits of 36,400 American adults from 1971 to 2008 and found that even if they exercised the same amount and ate the same number of calories,  the BMI of a person in 2006 was 2.3 points higher than someone of the same age in 1988. What gives?

Sleep deprivation--a consistent shortage of sleep--is a serious problem in the United States. A Gallup poll taken in 2013¹ found that 40% of Americans get less than seven hours of sleep per night. That means that two in five Americans is not getting the recommended amount of sleep. 

Sleeping pills like the prescription medications Restoril, Ambien, and Desyrel have a wide variety of side effects, but one of the most common effects is drowsiness. That makes sense, given that these pills are meant to sedate you in order to give you a full night's rest. However, according to a recent study it seems that this drowsiness is more than a simple inconvenience; it doubles users' risk of car crashes for the first year of use.

Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep, or to stay asleep for an appropriate amount of time. It's a real condition, and it affects nearly half of Americans at some point or another¹. While taking sleeping pills might seem like the simple solution for fighting insomnia, there might be an easier, more permanent way to tackle this sleep disorder that doesn't involve the drowsiness or chemicals of medication.