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LiveWell | Summer 2014 Daytime exhaustion may be a sign of a sleep disorder, and for sufferers, getting quality night-time rest can be quite a riddle. Fortunately, sleep experts are good at unraveling the mystery. Solving "Sleep disorders can have a major effect on a person's life — job performance, car accidents, even possibly playing a role in childhood obesity," says Gilbert Ruiz, MD, RPh, FACS, board-certified otolaryngologist and sleep medicine physician with CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System. "We spend a third of our lives asleep, so having good, quality rest is critical." Perhaps a spouse complains about loud snoring. Sometimes, difficulty breathing disrupts a person's sleep. Often, daytime drowsiness — especially when driving — is a signal to see a sleep specialist. WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A SLEEP STUDY Physicians and sleep technicians at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa's three Sleep Centers — Children's Hospital of San Antonio, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels, and CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – Westover Hills — conduct one-on- one consultations and overnight evaluations. During these evaluations, sleep technologists make patients comfortable in private rooms and then record their body functions from another room while they sleep. "By monitoring a patient's entire sleep cycle, we can evaluate multiple factors that will help pinpoint the reason for sleep problems," says Charles Lano, MD, board- certified otolaryngologist and sleep medicine physician with CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels. "We can evaluate variations in brain waves, eye movement, heart rate and rhythm, leg movement, oxygen levels, and respiratory rate." SLEEP APNEA : THE COMMON CAUSE According to Dr. Lano and Dr. Ruiz, sleep apnea is the leading cause of sleepless nights. A disorder that causes breathing to stop and start during sleep, the condition is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, loud and frequent snoring, and trouble breathing during the night. The condition is easy to treat through simple lifestyle changes, the use of breathing aids, and in extreme cases, surgery. Dr. Ruiz notes the treatment of sleep apnea may also improve coexisting conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. "Sleep apnea can cause hormonal imbalance, weight gain, and a vicious cycle of health problems," Dr. Ruiz says. "Seeking and receiving proper treatment can make all the difference in the world." Take control of your sleep issues today. For more information, scan this QR code or visit christussantarosa.org/sleepcenter and fill out the web form. CHRISTUS Santa Rosa's three Sleep Centers feature hotel-style accommodations. the Sleep Conundrum LiveWell | Summer 2014 1. Say no to napping. It may disturb your natural sleep cycle. 2. Stay away from stimulants. Alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and nicotine can inhibit your body's ability to rest. 3. Get moving during the day. Moderate exercise during the day may help you rest when bedtime rolls around. If you work out in the evening, stick with calming activities. 4. Eat early. Give your body a few hours to digest food before bed. 5. Relax with routine. Get in the habit of doing restful activities before bed. Take a bath, read a book, or meditate. Steps to Healthy Sleep Hygiene The National Sleep Foundation offers these habits to help you drift off to a good night's rest. 11