Sleep Facts – Dallas, TX
Did You Know?
Star Sleep & Wellness is more than a sleep disorder center. We are a group of sleep specialists who want to be your information resource for restful, consistent sleep. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the following facts about sleeping.
Daytime Sleepiness
- Sleepiness during the daytime is a common problem. It generally goes unrecognized until tragedy strikes.
- Texas highways are more dangerous because of sleepiness. In 1992, it was estimated that 35,000 motor vehicle accidents occurred due to drowsy Texas drivers. Falling asleep while driving alone at night increases the risk of a fatal crash fivefold. The National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research reported in 1993 that sleepiness during the day costs the nation over 15 billion dollars in direct expenses and nearly 70 billion dollars in lost productivity.
- The assessment of daytime sleepiness requires a physician to have a high index of suspicion. Patients may call it “tiredness” or “fatigue.” Others may not speak of their problems for fear of being labeled as “lazy.” If national surveys hold true, it would be estimated that 6% of patients in a typical medical practice would have moderate to severe daytime sleepiness.
- To assist physicians in their recognition of daytime sleepiness, Dr. Murray Johns of Melbourne, Australia, designed and validated the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). It asks a patient to rate the chance of dozing during various daytime activities. The ESS is easy to complete and score with the cut-off points listed at the bottom of this page.
* Other Sleep Apnea Screening Tools:
- Snore Score
- Berlin Questionnaire
- STOP-BANG
How Alcohol Has Profound Effects Upon Sleep.
During the first half of an 8-hour sleep period, alcohol…
- Hastens sleep onset
- Reduces the amount of REM sleep
During the latter half of the sleep period after the elimination of alcohol…
- REM sleep is increased
- Wakefulness or light sleep is increased
After 3 or 4 nights of repeated alcohol consumption, tolerance develops. Upon discontinuation of nightly alcohol use, REM is increased (REM Rebound).
Recent studies of sleep deprivation demonstrate that:
- 3 drinks of alcohol become the functional equivalent of 6 drinks after 5 nights of partial sleep deprivation
- Extending sleep to 10 hours per night reduces the effect of a moderate dose of alcohol
The specific action of alcohol is probably related to the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call or fill out our form online.
Resources:
- Johns MW. A new method for measuring daytime sleepiness: The Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Sleep 1991; 14(6):540-5.
- Williams H, Salamy A 1972. Alcohol and sleep. In Kissin B, Begleiter H. Eds. The biology of alcoholism, Vol2, pp 435-83. New York: Plenum.
- Roth T, Roehrs T, MerlottiL 1990. Ethanol and daytime sleepiness. Alcohol drugs Driving 6:357-62.