Eating Disorders

52, No.

27 Visit Penn's website National Sleep Awareness Week Dr.

Ilene Rosen and Dr.

Richard Schwab, with Penn’s Division of Sleep Medicine, spend their days examining and explaining to patients what may be causing their lack of sleep.

Since this is National Sleep Awareness Week, these sleep physicians are offering up some little known facts.

Fact #1: Getting up during the night to urinate may be a sign of sleep apnea.

Explanation: When you stop breathing because of closure of the passageway between the back of the throat and the windpipe, the brain works very hard to keep your oxygen levels up.

It sends signals to your respiratory muscles, especially your diaphragm, to work harder.

This increased work of the muscles of the chest cause pressure changes in the chest, which are felt by the heart muscle.

The stress on the heart muscle causes the muscle cells to secrete a substance, which fools the kidneys into making urine!

(Rosen) Fact #2: Decreased interest in sex or impotence can be a sign of sleep apnea.

Explanation: Patients with sleep apnea often complain of decreased libido and lose their interest in sex.

Some of this is related to sleep deprivation that results from sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea can also cause impotence.

Treatment of sleep apnea can improve libido and may help impotence.

(Schwab) Fact #3: Alcohol is a terrible sleep aide.

Explanation: Although alcohol will cause sleepiness and may help ...

Read more...