Our Blog | Bay Area Sleep Solutions & Pain Center

Losing weight is not always an easy task, but did you know that your sleep can help play a significant role in helping you achieve your weight loss goals? In today’s world, getting enough sleep can often be a challenge. However, research has shown that a lack of sleep can impact your body’s ability to shed excess weight. Fortunately, Dr. Goel has some tips on how to improve your sleep in order to further support your weight loss.

Why Sleep Is Important for Weight Loss

Sleep is essential for our bodies to function properly, and it plays a critical role in regulating hormones that control appetite, metabolism, and energy expenditure. When you don’t get proper sleep, your body produces more of the hunger hormone ghrelin and less of the hormone leptin, which signals to your brain when you’re full. This hormonal imbalance can make you feel hungrier than usual, leading to overeating that can make your sleep worse.

The Science Behind Your Sleep & Weight Loss

Research has shown that individuals who consistently get enough sleep tend to have a lower body mass index (BMI) and are less likely to be overweight. One study found that people who slept for five hours per night were 55% more likely to become overweight than those who slept for seven to eight hours. Another study found that sleep-deprived people had higher levels of ghrelin, the hunger hormone, and lower levels of leptin, the hormone that signals fullness, compared to those who were able to get enough sleep.

Sleep Apnea & Weight Gain

Dealing with sleep apnea can cause long-term problems such as weight gain. Research has shown that people with obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to be overweight or obese than those without the condition. This could be due to a number of factors, including the impact of sleep apnea on hormones that help regulate appetite and metabolism.

When you have sleep apnea, your body may produce less leptin, which can make it harder to maintain a healthy weight. Additionally, sleep apnea can lead to fatigue and daytime sleepiness, making it hard to stick to a healthy diet and exercise routine.

Tips for Getting Enough Sleep

• Have a Sleep Schedule: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on the weekends. This helps regulate your body’s internal clock.
• Create a Relaxing Sleep Environment: Make sure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet. Use blackout curtains or a sleep mask to block out any light.
• Avoid Caffeine & Alcohol: Having caffeine and alcohol can interfere with your sleep, so try to avoid consuming them. Instead, opt for a cup of decaffeinated tea.
• Limit Screen Time Before Bed: The blue light emitted by electronic devices can interfere with your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.
• Practice Relaxation Techniques: Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help calm your mind and body.

Improve Your Sleep & Your Weight Loss

Getting enough sleep is essential for your overall health and well-being, and it can play a significant role in helping you achieve your weight goals. By regulating hormones that control appetite, metabolism, and energy expenditure, sleep can help you maintain a healthy weight. So, if you’re struggling to lose weight, consider treating your sleep apnea.

Dr. Goel Gives the Truth About Sleep Apnea

Millions of people in the United States suffer from sleep apnea. Despite the condition being prevalent, there are still many assumptions and misconceptions that a good amount of people still believe. Fortunately, our Sacramento, CA sleep specialist, Dr. Pooja Goel, has extensive knowledge when it comes to diagnosing and treating sleep apnea. At Bay Area Sleep Solutions & Pain Center, we’re here to help dispel some of the common myths about the disorder.

Myth #1: Only Overweight People Struggle With Sleep Apnea

One of the most common assumptions about sleep apnea is that it only affects people who struggle with their weight. While it is true that being overweight can increase the chance of sleep apnea, it’s not the only risk factor. In fact, many people who have sleep apnea are not overweight.

Sleep apnea is caused when the muscles in the back of your throat and tongue relax too much during sleep, causing the airway to become blocked. This can happen for various reasons including genetics, neck circumference, and habits like drinking alcohol.

Myth #2: Sleep Apnea is Just Snoring

Another misconception about sleep apnea is that it’s just snoring. While snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea, the two are not the same, as the latter is a serious condition that can have significant health consequences if untreated. People with sleep apnea stop breathing during the night, sometimes for a minute or longer. This can cause a range of problems, including daytime fatigue, headaches, high blood pressure, and more.

Myth #3: Sleep Apnea Only Affects Older People

People of any age can be affected by sleep apnea, including children. However, it is more common in older people, particularly those over the age of 60. As we age, the muscles in our throat and tongue become weaker, making us more susceptible to sleep apnea. However, sleep apnea can occur in younger people as well, particularly if they have other risk factors such as obesity or a family history of the condition.

Myth #4: Sleep Apnea is Not Treatable

Some people believe that sleep apnea is not treatable and that they just have to live with it. This is not true, as there are a number of effective treatments for sleep apnea including lifestyle changes, CPAP, and oral appliance therapy. Making simple lifestyle changes such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol can help reduce your symptoms. These changes can be combined with treatments like oral appliance therapy for even greater relief. 

Myth #5: Sleep Apnea Is Not Serious

Perhaps the most dangerous assumption about sleep apnea is that it’s not a serious medical condition. In fact, sleep apnea can have significant health consequences if left untreated. In addition to health problems, sleep apnea has been linked to an increased risk of diabetes, depression, and even dementia. It can also have a negative impact on relationships, as the disturbances can deprive people close to you of the sleep they need to function.

Treat Your Sleep Apnea With Dr. Pooja Goel

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that affects millions of people in the United States. It’s important to understand the truth about this condition and its potential health consequences so you’re morre likely to seek treatment as soon as possible. Fortunately, Dr. Goel can give you the care you need at our Sacramento, CA office. Call us today at (408) 549-1602 or fill out our online contact form to start your journey to better sleep. We serve patients in Campbell, North San Jose, Fruitdale, and Robertsville, CA.

Safe Travels Even With Sleep Apnea

Are you about to embark on your dream vacation but your sleep apnea has you concerned? Don’t fret! With proper foresight and preparation, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy a peaceful trip without worrying about how your condition may impact your travels.

At Bay Area Sleep Solutions & Pain Center, Dr. Pooja Goel has the knowledge and expertise to help you figure out a treatment plan while you’re traveling. That way, you can achieve a good night’s sleep while staying at your dream destination.

Helpful Tips to Keep in Mind When Traveling

1. Be Sure to Pack Your Equipment

Don’t forget to pack your sleep apnea equipment with you while traveling. Whether it’s your CPAP machine or oral appliance, preparing ahead can go a long way in making sure that your equipment doesn’t get damaged or misplaced. It’s also a good idea to bring spare parts including a travel adapter or backup appliance just in case.

2. Check With Your Airlines

Different airlines have different rules with regard to bringing your sleep apnea equipment onboard as a carry-on. Be sure to call ahead of your flight to learn about their policies. If you rely on CPAP, some flights will allow you to use your machine while in the air. However, this depends on certain factors like whether or not you’re traveling internationally.

3. Stick to Your Treatment Plan

It can be tempting to let your sleep apnea treatment slip while enjoying yourself on vacation. However, it’s crucial to maintain your usual routine as much as possible to prevent any sleep disruptions and potential complications. The last thing you want is to struggle with getting quality sleep while your specialist might potentially be on the other side of the world.

4. Find Comfortable Accommodations

Look for hotels or resorts that offer comfortable beds and peaceful, well-ventilated rooms. Making sure that you’ll be able to unwind at night and get the most out of your sleep can allow you to feel more energized and motivated during the day. This will also minimize the impact sleep apnea can potentially have on your trip and lower your risk of complications.

5. Set Some Time Aside for Adequate Sleep

Give your body enough time to sleep each night, especially if you’re crossing time zones or experiencing jet lag. It can be tempting to try to stay out late at night and party until the morning, but you’ll end up not feeling your best afterward. Setting time aside to get plenty of sleep will do wonders for you during the day. Trust us, your mind and body will thank you.

6. Know How to Receive Medical Help

There’s a slight chance you may experience symptoms or complications related to your sleep apnea while traveling. If this ends up happening, seek medical help immediately. Keep a list of nearby hospitals and emergency contact numbers with you while on vacation. You never know when it will be necessary to see a medical professional, so all travelers should take this step.

Enjoy Your Trip Without the Burden of Sleep Apnea

You might think relaxing during your trip is impossible due to sleep apnea. However, with enough preparation, you can enjoy a relaxing getaway without the stress of your sleep condition bothering you. At Bay Area Sleep Solutions & Pain Center, Dr. Goel can help you create a plan of action for your trip.

Call our Sacramento, CA office today at (408) 549-1602 or fill out our convenient online contact form to schedule your appointment. We’ll help you keep your sleep apnea symptoms under control so that you can have some time to relax and unwind.

Sleep apnea is a disorder where the person unknowingly stops breathing several times during their night’s sleep. This results in insufficient oxygen delivery to the brain and the body. As a result, the person wakes up tired the next morning. If this is your case, then you might want to check with your Sleep Apnea dentist at the earliest.

This blog will give you an idea of what sleep apnea is, what are the causes and its symptoms.

Firstly, the three primary types of sleep apnea are as follows:

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea – This happens when the throat muscles relax.
2. Central Sleep Apnea – This occurs when the brain doesn’t send a signal to the body and the muscles that control breathing.
3. Complex Sleep Apnea – This is a condition when the person experiences both Central and Obstructive sleep apnea. If a person experiences a Complex Sleep Apnea, they should immediately see their sleep apnea doctor.

Indications

Obstructive sleep apnea and Central sleep apnea have more or less similar symptoms. This makes it difficult for an ordinary man to conclude on what the exact trouble is. Having dealt with a number of patients, it is easy for a sleep apnea dentist to find out the treatment you will need. Below is a list of symptoms that you have to be aware of if you suspect sleep apnea in you or your loved ones.

• Abnormally loud Snoring.
• Stopping to breathe during sleep and the other person reports it the next morning.
• Struggling to breathe in the middle of sleep.
• Waking up with the mouth dried.
• Over Sleepiness during the day.
• Trouble staying asleep during nights.
• Irritable nature.
• Difficulty in concentrating even when awake.

When should you get an appointment?

Snoring, in general, is a potential problem and needs attention. We also need to be cautious because not every person who has sleep apnea snores. It is essential for us to know and note down what other symptoms we are experiencing so it will be easy when speaking to our doctor.

Obstructive sleep apnea

The muscles in the back of the throat support the soft palate, the tongue, the side walls of the throat and the tongue and the Ulva. When these supporting muscles relax, the air passage closes or narrows down, as a result very less air is passed. When this happens very less oxygen is passed to the brain and the body.

The brain wakes the person up so he or she can get some air and open the passage. The awakening is so short that the person often does not remember it happening. This is often repetitive and can happen anywhere from 30 to 50 times or even more, resulting in improper sleep all through the night. At times, the person might snort, gasp or choke yet not realize it till the person next to them tells it in the morning.

Central Sleep Apnea

This is a less common form of sleep apnea. It occurs when the brain does not send signals to the muscles involved in breathing. This condition results in breathlessness (shortness of breath), difficulty in sleeping, or staying asleep through the night.

Risk Factors

Anyone can be affected by sleep apnea. Children are no exemption. The risk factors of sleep apnea are as below.

Obesity – Obese people are more vulnerable to sleep apnea than the other individuals. This is due to the fat deposits in the upper airway.

Neck circumference – Some people with thicker necks have narrow air passage. This eventually results in breathing difficulty.

Narrow air passage – Tonsils or adenoids can narrow down the air passage and make it difficult for you to breathe. This commonly happens in children.

Men – Compared to women, men are more prone to sleep apnea. Women tend to gain weight and become more obese after menopause. This eventually leads to sleep apnea.

Age – Age is one of the major risk factors as far as sleep apnea is concerned. Though people of all age groups are affected, elders are more likely to get it.

Family history – You could be unguarded in you have a family history of sleep apnea.

Smoking – People who smoke tend to get sleep apnea comparatively more than their non-smoking counterparts. The risk of fluid retention and swelling in the upper airway is more when you smoke.

Use of sedatives – Tranquilizers, sedatives, and alcohol are meant to relax the muscles. These must not be consumed if you suspect sleep apnea. However, it is good to avoid these muscle relaxing substances so you can be safe from these sleep issues.

Are you looking for a sleep apnea treatment anywhere around Santa Clara? Give us a call at (408) 549-1602 or you can just walk-in to our clinic located at 310 N. Suite 1, Winchester Blvd Santa Clara, CA 95050.