Snoring Men Transform Into Sleeping Beauties After Surgery

Millions of men who suffer from sleep apnea may sacrifice a good night's sleep because they don't know where to get treatment, don't realize relief is available, or are too embarrassed to get help. However, comfort may be as close as their local plastic surgeon's office. Plastic surgeons at the forefront of identifying and treating sleep apnea will discuss the latest surgical advances today at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons (ASMS) Plastic Surgery 2007 conference in Baltimore.
"Men over the age of 40 are the most common sufferers of sleep apnea due to their heavier build and shorter necks; however, women, children and overweight people are not immune," said Stephen Schendel, MD, ASPS Member Surgeon and lecture presenter. "Many men are extremely embarrassed to get help for sleep apnea even though it can lead to serious health issues."
Sleep apnea is a temporary inability to breathe during sleep, which can occur dozens; sometimes hundreds of times per night. Although someone may not be aware they have the condition, it can significantly disrupt their quality of sleep. According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep apnea is as common as adult diabetes and affects more than 12 million Americans.
"Left untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and other heart disease, memory problems, mood swings, impotency and headaches," said Andrew Wexler, MD, ASMS president. "The condition can also lead to serious work injuries and car accidents because sufferers are drowsy and fall asleep."
Sleep apnea can occur when soft tissues of the nose and mouth relax -- which may restrict air flow. Plastic surgeons open the airway by removing excess tissue in the nose. The tongue is also shortened and pulled forward preventing it from slipping into the throat while sleeping. The disorder is also seen in patients with less pronounced facial features, such as a small chin, because they often have smaller airways. Plastic surgeons move the upper and lower jaws forward, creating a larger airway for these patients. Being overweight can also restrict the airway; however, the best treatment for these patients is weight loss.
Non-surgical options may not be as effective or as long-term as surgery. The most common non-surgical treatment is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, which some equate to sleeping with a scuba mask on, can often fall off during the night and forces the user to sleep on his back. Radiotherapy is another option that has moderate success; however, it may be only appropriate for people with minor conditions and requires multiple treatments.
"Treating sleep apnea is one of the less talked about ways plastic surgeons are helping to restore health and proper function to patients," said Richard D'Amico, MD, ASPS president. "After all, quality sleep is an integral part of how we function properly."

Exhausted Americans Challenged To Sleep

Just one more hour of sleep each day can help extend your life by reducing mortality causing illnesses including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, respiratory disorders and high blood pressure, according to new research(i). So, instead of packing more activities into your day, the sleep experts at Select Comfort, the nation’s leading bed retailer and maker of the Sleep Number bed, challenge Americans to adopt better sleep habits by signing a pledge on www.beds.com to sleep one more hour each day beginning June 20, the first day of summer and the %26quot;longest%26quot; day of the year. All those who pledge are entered to win a free Sleep Number bed and sent valuable sleep and lifestyle tips to help them achieve deeper, restorative sleep to improve physical and mental health and performance, which might extend their life and increase their bedtime comfort.
%26quot;The Sleep-in Challenge is meant to help people start thinking about a better sleep routine. Just as people pay more attention to their diet and exercise, yard work and social lives during the summer, sleep is an often overlooked necessity with significant long-term health effects on a person’s life,%26quot; said Select Comfort Sleep Expert, Pete Bils.
Other experts agree. The National Sleep Foundation reports almost half the U.S. population is not getting enough sleep. For people regularly getting fewer than seven hours of sleep, gaining just one more hour per day of sleep can show significant results.
Potential consequences for people who sleep fewer than seven hours per night (short-sleepers):
– Children and adults have a 60 to 80 percent increase in obesity
– Mid-life adults are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease
– Mortality rates increase in men and women
– People suffer a cognitive deficit, impairing their motor functions, affecting their reaction time and work productivity
Additional benefits of seven to eight hours of sleep per night:
– One more hour of sleep could lower the average adult body weight by 2.2 to 6.6 pounds
– Primary beauty benefits are a more youthful look, finer quality skin and smoother complexion, according to Shalini Vadhera, internationally recognized celebrity makeup artist, and Sleep Number Quality of Life Advisory Board member
– Comfort levels are increased, which results in decreased feelings of pain

Americans Need More Sleep

Most of Americans sleep less than recommended by experts.
The Center for Disease Control surveyed 19589 adults in the states of Delaware, Hawaii, New York and Rhode Island. They were questioned about how many days within the past month they slept less than needed. The survey found that 70% of questioned adults lack daily sleep. 10% reported lack of sleep for every single day of the past month. 38% reported lack of sleep for 7 days of the past month.
13.3% of questioned younger adults aged from 18 to 34 reported lack of sleep, compared to 7.3% adults of age of 55 and older. Surveyed adults from Hawaii appeared to have less sleepless nights, compared to the rest of surveyed people. However, the survey didn't ask how many hours a day adults sleep.
CDC also examined data during the period from 1985 to 2006 about how many hours adults lack in sleep. Data showed that Americans lacking sleep increased during this period from 1985's 20% to 2006's 30%. These adults were having an average of 6 hours or even less daily sleep.
The survey showed no difference in sleep graphic between genders and different racial groups. All of them suffer from sleep disorders equally. However, those who have retired or are not able to work because of health conditions have better sleeping habits. Most of them reported to sleep normally every night.
National Sleep Foundation recommends from 7 to 9 hours of daily sleep for adults, from 8.5 to 9.5 hours for those aged from 11 to 17, and from 9 to 11 hours for those aged from 5 to 12.
Experts worn that sleep disorders may lead to 'obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, cardiovascular disease, depression, cigarette smoking, excessive drinking.'
Experts urge everyone to sleep the recommended hours daily, because sleep is an important factor affecting health. Everyone must consider healthy sleeping as an important part of healthy lifestyle.