Sleep Health

Rapid eye movement sleep (or REM sleep) is a stage of sleep when your brain converts short-term memories into the long-term bank. It is the fourth stage of sleep in our sleep cycle, and is most likely occurring when you have life-like dreams where your heart rate increases, your breathing quickens and your eyelids flutter.

Do you find it difficult to fall asleep at night or suffer from daytime tiredness due poor sleep? Here are some common reasons you may want to consider to help you sleep better:

Snoring is common, affecting about 57% of adult men and 40% of adult women. Although you may not think of it as a problem, snoring is often linked to health problems - such as obstructive sleep apnea - and could also be disrupting the quality of sleep of your partner. Here are 10 ways you can reduce your snoring:

A poor night’s sleep can easily spiral into an unproductive day. Here are 8 steps sleep experts recommend that can help you bounce back to efficiency.

Sleep is an essential part of success in the classroom - but the question of how much sleep kids need is a struggle for many parents.

Did you know that around 1.8 million Australians have diabetes? Each year, more than 100,000 Australians develop a form of diabetes – with type 2 diabetes accounting for 85%. This is of particular concern due to its association with a sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Have you ever found yourself getting sick after an all-nighter, or after burning the candle at both ends for too long? There’s a good reason – research shows that a lack of sleep weakens your immune system, making you more susceptible to getting sick. In fact, research even shows sleep deprivation can make vaccinations less effective, as your antibody response can be reduced by 50%.

Age significantly affects your sleep needs. Your sleep cycles, stress levels, exercise levels and diet change throughout the years, which all impact your sleep. While sleep habits differ for everyone, sleep experts have specific recommendations for each age group.

Urgent Product Defect Correction on Specific Philips Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiLevel PAP) devices, and Mechanical Ventilators

Getting to sleep can be a major struggle if you have a sleep disorder, suffer from stress or anxiety or have a busy schedule. You may have heard time and time again that you need to get 7-9 hours of sleep per night, but are still looking for help.

Poor sleep is a widespread problem, but statistics show that some racial and socioeconomic groups are suffering more than others.

Sleep is essential for our health, however many of us leave our sleep problems untreated leading to physical and mental health problems. According to the Centre for Disease Control, 34.1% of children, 74.6% of high school students, and 32.5% of adults fail to get sufficient sleep on a regular basis.

Sleep plays a very important role for our brain health and biological repair. Unfortunately, the quality of our sleep tends to decline as we get older which can accelerate the aging process.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a medical device used to treat sleep apnea by preventing the upper airways from collapsing. Although this device is highly effective, patients may encounter problems which can cause discomfort. Here are some common complications our CPAP Consultants see and how they address them:

Feeling more tired than normal now that winter has hit? You’re not alone. With less sunlight during the day, our bodies produce more melatonin and less serotonin, making us sleepier. However, you may also find you are sleeping worse during winter – here are 3 tips to help improve your sleep during winter.

Philips Respironics has announced that it is initiating a voluntary recall notification for Continuous and Non-Continuous Ventilators (certain CPAP, BiLevel PAP and Ventilator Devices, including DreamStation machines and System One machines). Philips Respironics takes patient safety very seriously, and is currently engaging with Australian regulatory bodies to rectify the issues. You can view the list of impacted machines, and FAQs here: www.philips.com/SRC-update.

Throughout the pandemic, neurologists have observed an increase in sleep disturbances, including night terrors and night-time panic attacks. If you’ve ever seen someone suddenly wake up screaming, pale, looking like they’ve seen a ghost, you may have just seen them experience a night terror.

A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry has found that going to sleep an hour earlier could lower your risk for major depression by 23%. The study included 840,000 people, including their genetic data, prescription records and medical history. They found that provided the amount of sleep stays the same, sleeping an hour earlier lowered your risk of depression by 23%, and sleeping two hours earlier lower your risk by around 40%.

Do you feel guilty when taking an afternoon snooze? Don’t. Research shows napping can benefit our cognitive function – Here’s how.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines are used to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – a common sleep disorder linked to a range of health problems. Patients with OSA have a higher risk of developing heart problems, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and strokes. Thankfully, research has shown that CPAP treatment helps lower these risks by preventing apneas during sleep.

The traditional 9-5 work day has shifted for many people. Now, it’s common for people to work night shifts or ‘graveyard shifts’ from 11pm – 7am, which drastically increases the likelihood of crashes.

If you suffer from daytime tiredness and always feel unrefreshed, you may have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – a sleep condition which disturbs your breathing during sleep.

Sleep is a basic human necessity, despite how often we push it to the side. Study after study has shown that our sleep is intrinsically linked to our overall health – here’s 5 ways your sleep habits could be affecting your health.

A new report in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine has revealed the astounding impact of sleep disorders on the U.S. Health care system. Sleep problems cost the system close to $95 billion a year, and increase health care costs by 60%. Researcher Dr. Neil Bhattacharyya says, “Our estimates are likely low, considering we know there are a large number of patients not yet diagnosed with a disorder like sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome and insomnia.”

For adults suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), how consistently you use your CPAP machine could have a significant effect on your weight, not just your sleep. Researchers have found that patients who used CPAP for 5 hours or less per night had an increased BMI compared to patients who used CPAP for more than 5 hours per night. You can view more details of the study here: https://bit.ly/33romtE

Some people fall asleep instantly where as others will toss and turn for hours. The time it takes you to fall asleep is called “sleep latency.” But is there an optimal sleep latency?

Sleeping can be a real struggle as you age, especially for those over 60 who suffer from a sleep disorder such as insomnia or sleep apnea.

New research suggests there may be a link between a DNA marker for longevity and excessive daytime sleepiness – a condition that affects about 20% of the population.

Many people find it difficult to stay asleep during the night. You might brush it off, but studies show that frequent disruptions to sleep can seriously affect your health – particularly in women.

Studies have shown that your sleeping position may have an impact on your health, especially those with pre-existing heart conditions.

Taking care of your sleep apnea also means you are taking care of your brain. Sleep apnea is a chronic sleep disorder that involves repetitive pauses in your breathing during sleep. These pauses in your breathing reduce the oxygen flow to your brain, leading to a range of health problems.

According to the American College of Greece, approximately half of the male population have sleep apnea as opposed to one in five women.

It is well known that sleep apnea can leave you feeling tired and grouchy due to a lack of sleep, but a recent study shows that you may also come across as a cranky employee.

Many chronic conditions are linked to each other, which means having one increases your risk for developing another. About 85% of people ages 60 or older have at least one chronic disease, and 60% have at least two.

If you wake up during the night due to shortness of breath, your body might be telling you something about your heart.

Snoring is common amongst many children, however new research has shown that it may be associated with structural changes in the brain causing behavioural and learning problems.

Did you know that driving while tired is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol?

Does your mind wander and procrastinate in the late hours of the night? You may have bedtime procrastination, which significantly affects the quality of your sleep and long term health.

Insomnia is commonly seen in those with schizophrenia. Now, a new study has shown that insomnia is closely associated with more suicidal thoughts, anxiety and depression in these patients.

Many people snore for different reasons, so it is important to separate the myths and facts to better understand your health. Here are 5 facts you should know about snoring.

Do you feel constantly tired all the time no matter how much rest you get? You might have chronic fatigue syndrome – a condition characterised by excessive tiredness for at least 6 months that can’t be explained by an underlying medical condition.

During the last 14 years, there has been a dramatic increase in insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea amongst active-duty military members. From 2005-2019, insomnia increased 45-fold, and sleep apnoea increased over 30-fold.

Sleep studies diagnose sleep disorders such as insomnia or sleep apnea. They are one of the best ways to identify any issues with your sleep.

Falling asleep can be especially difficult for insomniacs and those with physical irritation, such as restless leg syndrome. Although many will try their best to ignore it, restless leg syndrome (RLS) should be taken seriously as experts say it may be a red flag for heart disease.

With so many new wearable technologies, it is easy to get access to your day-to-day health statistics – and now, fitness trackers are starting to measure your blood oxygen saturation, or SpO2, which could help detect sleep apnoea.

You’ve made the decision to start working on your sleep – so what now? For those looking for ways to improve their sleeping habits, start with the 10 Commandments of Sleep Hygiene. These simple steps can help you fall asleep faster, for longer, and more deeply.

It’s sleep awareness week! We all know we need sleep – but we rarely get enough of it. 7-8 hours of sleep is recommended for most adults, but many Australians are functioning on much less. For some, operating on 5-6 hours per night might even be a point of pride. But getting enough sleep is a necessity when it comes to our health. Here are just 10 things that 8 hours of sleep does for you.

You’ve made the decision to start working on your sleep – so what now? For those looking for ways to improve their sleeping habits, start with the 10 Commandments of Sleep Hygiene. These simple steps can help you fall asleep faster, for longer, and more deeply.

Sleep is crucial for our brains to function well. Without good sleep, we are much more at risk of making poor choices. But this goes far deeper than choosing the wrong route to work, or picking an unhealthy meal. Researchers now have evidence to show that sleep deprivation may put us at greater risk of addiction and drug abuse.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) affects more than just your sleep. A new study from the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease has shown a link between severe untreated OSA and dementia. Researchers found that untreated OSA patients had higher levels of beta-amyloid protein – the protein which builds up in brain arteries and increases the risk of dementia.

Our eyes are hard at work every day. With so much of our lives now centered on screens, our eyes are working double time. This excess screen time can lead to dry eyes, double vision, headaches, concentration issues and even sleep problems. One of the best ways to reduce eye strain is with an eye mask. Here are some of the benefits.

We know we need it – but we rarely get it. 7-8 hours of sleep is recommended for most adults, but many Australians are functioning on much less. For some, operating on 5-6 hours per night might even be a point of pride. But getting enough sleep is a necessity when it comes to our health. Here are just 10 things that 8 hours of sleep does for you.

Upwards of 83% of patients who start CPAP therapy are non-compliant over the long term. Starting CPAP therapy is crucial – but it is just as important to make sure you keep using CPAP consistently to achieve your best health outcome.

Sunburnt, sweaty and…sleep deprived? Heatwaves can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Our bodies need to cool down as we go to sleep, making it harder to get deep sleep during these hot summer months. So here are some tips to help you stay cool and well rested this summer.

Our sleep and routines has suffered during the pandemic. Increased anxiety, lockdowns and having to work from home has ruined many sleep schedules. But having a consistent sleep schedule is the key to getting longer, better sleep. So how can you reset your sleep schedule after so much disruption?

There are so many important reasons for treating sleep apnoea – your heart health, mental health, productivity, safety and more! But did you know that scientists have shown CPAP therapy can also make you look younger and more attractive?

Sleep apnoea is more than just a snoring problem – and it can have much deeper consequences than tiredness. Did you know that diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnoea have been strongly linked?

Are you experiencing a problem that warrants a visit to a Sleep Specialist? Here are 15 reasons you may want to speak to a Sleep Physician.

Snoring, restless legs, blanket stealing and bed hogging is robbing precious hours of sleep from many Australian couples. Your romantic partner may be your favourite person to spend the day with, but still make for a terrible bedfellow. That’s why almost 1 in 5 Australian couples sleep in separate beds.

A new study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine has shown that even a small increase in physical activity can lower the risk of developing sleep apnea.

More than being grumpy, sleep deprivation can have serious impacts on your mental health. New research from the University of York has shown that sleep-deprived individuals struggle to suppress negative and unwanted thoughts.

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in Australia. So how can you make sure you’re looking after your heart health? Sleep!

The foods we eat before bed can have a big impact on our sleep. So, if you are struggling to get a good night’s sleep, try cutting out these foods a few hours before hitting the hay.

How do you know whether you are experiencing a bad night’s sleep, or a more serious problem of insomnia? Here are 5 symptoms to look out for.

Many Australians are sleep-deprived. But does skimping on sleep have any real, long-term effects? YES. Consistently missing sleep can put you at a much higher risk for a whole host of conditions. Here are just a few.

Getting a good night’s sleep is all most of us want at the end of a tiring day. But many Australians struggle to get the sleep they need because of a persistent urge to move their legs. Here are 5 key signs of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

A new study has shown that using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment can lower the risk of heart disease in people with prediabetes.

Weighted blankets - many swear by them as the secret to beating insomnia. But how are these blankets supposed to work?

Getting a peaceful sleep can be difficult with the sound of heavy breathing or snoring next to you – but what is actually causing it?