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Steven Y Park, MD
Steven Y Park, MD
Male, 42
New York - NY
Specialties: Sleep-breathing disorders
Interests: Running, Baking, origami
Male, 42
New York - NY
Specialties: Sleep-breathing disorders
Interests: Running, Baking, origami
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Do You Sleep Like A Rock?
Dec 20, 2008 06:40AM
- 12 comments
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Many patients tell me that they can sleep through anything, even a jackhammer. It usually takes a few minutes to convince them that this is not normal. Upon further questioning, they proudly announce that they can sleep for 12 or 14 hours. I had one young woman who told me all these things. Not too surprisingly, she has a very strong history of heart disease and heart attacks at an early age in her family.
Studies have shown that if your sleep duration is too short or too long, you'll have a higher likelihood of having heart disease or depression later in life. What this suggests is that if you don't sleep efficiently within a certain timeframe at night, you're less likely to be healthy.
In the above example patient, she has to sleep that long because she's not getting deep, efficient sleep. Not too surprisingly, her upper airway exam reveals severe narrowing of the space behind her tongue. This is also why she can't sleep on her back. Whenever she goes into deep sleep (when on her back), due to total muscle relaxation, she stops breathing partially and keeps waking up to light sleep, only to cycle back into deep sleep, starting the cycle all over again.
Can you sleep like a rock?
Studies have shown that if your sleep duration is too short or too long, you'll have a higher likelihood of having heart disease or depression later in life. What this suggests is that if you don't sleep efficiently within a certain timeframe at night, you're less likely to be healthy.
In the above example patient, she has to sleep that long because she's not getting deep, efficient sleep. Not too surprisingly, her upper airway exam reveals severe narrowing of the space behind her tongue. This is also why she can't sleep on her back. Whenever she goes into deep sleep (when on her back), due to total muscle relaxation, she stops breathing partially and keeps waking up to light sleep, only to cycle back into deep sleep, starting the cycle all over again.
Can you sleep like a rock?
I don't think I sleep like a rock. There are some things that I do sleep through (like an alarm clock) but it's only every now and then. Otherwise noises wake me but it takes a few seconds to a few minutes. The noises usually match up to something in my dream before I start to slowly wake up and realize it's music or people talking.
So I guess the only question I have is about people who sleep 12+ hours. Are these people saying that they -can- sleep that long or are they saying that they -do- sleep that long? I know there are some mornings I'd gladly stay in bed a little longer, even if I'm not sleeping! Especially now that it is cold.
So I guess the only question I have is about people who sleep 12+ hours. Are these people saying that they -can- sleep that long or are they saying that they -do- sleep that long? I know there are some mornings I'd gladly stay in bed a little longer, even if I'm not sleeping! Especially now that it is cold.
I have insomnia. I wake up frequently at nite. I also have Fahrs disease. Does anyone have a cure for waking up a lot? Paula
I was afflicted with waking up a lot at one time. I use wax earplugs, and it definitely helps because small stupid sounds don't disturb you. And you feel wrapped in a coccoon! You'd hear the alarm though, or if someone called you, or the phone. You could also try black-out curtains or a blind so early morning light doesn't get to you.
JoyRenee,
Some people DO sleep 12 hours, and others CAN sleep that long, if they wanted, to. The latter group will typically wake up after 8 hours groggy and unrefreshed.
Paula428,
Waking up frequently could be classic insomnia or sleep apnea. How often do you wake up, and when you do wake up, can you go back to sleep immediately? Do you just wake up spontaneously, or chocking or gasping for air?
Some people DO sleep 12 hours, and others CAN sleep that long, if they wanted, to. The latter group will typically wake up after 8 hours groggy and unrefreshed.
Paula428,
Waking up frequently could be classic insomnia or sleep apnea. How often do you wake up, and when you do wake up, can you go back to sleep immediately? Do you just wake up spontaneously, or chocking or gasping for air?
Also, I always needed 8 or 9 hours sleep to feel ok. Recently it's weird. Sometimes if I get 6 hours I feel tired, and sometimes feel REALLY GOOD! Sometimes if I get 8-9 I feel bad! Sometimes if I get no sleep at all I feel better in a strange way, and the next night sleep 10 hours and feel MARVELLOUS! Weird or what?
ginger899,
People generally know how many hours they need to feel well. If you wake up relatively refreshed after 8-9 hours and you are able to function well during the day, then you don't need to do anything else. Good sleep hygiene is important. You should have the same routine every night. Check out Dr. Jacob's insomnia forum on tips for good sleep hygiene.
People generally know how many hours they need to feel well. If you wake up relatively refreshed after 8-9 hours and you are able to function well during the day, then you don't need to do anything else. Good sleep hygiene is important. You should have the same routine every night. Check out Dr. Jacob's insomnia forum on tips for good sleep hygiene.
Thank you. I do have a very up-and-down sleep routine. And like I said, sometimes it doesn't seem to matter how many hours I've had, I either feel bad, or good, in spite of it. But I wonder if it could be to do with the QUALITY of sleep, rather than the QUANTITY? Like very good quality sleep, even for a short period is more beneficial? I always find that the more dreams I have (or rather remember) the better I feel the next day. Like I've stepped into a different dimension in life and then stepped back out again, and feel stronger for it, and more complete, and healthier.
ginger899,
Take a look at my articles on upper airway resistance syndrome and nasal breathing. I discuss common reasons why many people can't get good quality sleep these days.
Take a look at my articles on upper airway resistance syndrome and nasal breathing. I discuss common reasons why many people can't get good quality sleep these days.
Yes, i sleep like a rock. And wake up feeling tired, groggy and tense.
Though, I suspect my problem is related to my complete nasal congestion, which in turn I believe might have something to do with my severe reflux. I'm getting reflux surgery next month... in your experience, do these things often relate to one another?
Though, I suspect my problem is related to my complete nasal congestion, which in turn I believe might have something to do with my severe reflux. I'm getting reflux surgery next month... in your experience, do these things often relate to one another?
bardcan,
Your nasal congestion and reflex could be part of a bigger picture. If you have a chance, take a look at my articles on obstructive sleep apnea and nasal congestion. Your reflux surgery should help, and it may even help you sleep better. But if you have an underlying sleep-breathing problem, your problems may come back. There are many studies that strongly associate GERD with obstructive sleep apnea. Maybe you should consider talking to your doctor about undergoing a sleep study.
Your nasal congestion and reflex could be part of a bigger picture. If you have a chance, take a look at my articles on obstructive sleep apnea and nasal congestion. Your reflux surgery should help, and it may even help you sleep better. But if you have an underlying sleep-breathing problem, your problems may come back. There are many studies that strongly associate GERD with obstructive sleep apnea. Maybe you should consider talking to your doctor about undergoing a sleep study.
Thanks, I will do!
It seems to me that when I have been able to breathe through my nose that my body is able to regulate my breathing a lot better... I don't unconsciously hyperventilate and I feel much calmer. I wake up feeling so refreshed. It's been suggested to me that this might have something to do with the stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system... what are your thoughts on this in relation to OSA?
It seems to me that when I have been able to breathe through my nose that my body is able to regulate my breathing a lot better... I don't unconsciously hyperventilate and I feel much calmer. I wake up feeling so refreshed. It's been suggested to me that this might have something to do with the stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system... what are your thoughts on this in relation to OSA?
Sleep apnea cause an overstimulation of your sympathetic nervous system. This is the "fight-or-flight" half of your involuntary nervous system. In your nose, however, the parasympathetics dominate (or the sympathetic nervous system is lowered), so your nose tends to be stuffy or runny. Add to this your narrowed facial structures, and inflammation, and it's common to see nasal congestion. If you have a deviated nasal septum or flimsy nostrils, it's even worse.
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