Category: Sleep disorders

Sleep, pregnancy and depression – is there an association?

Pregnancy can be a special time, alas it may also be a time when snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can commence or worsen. Water retention, hormonal changes and weight gain can all be factors.

For both the women and the bedpartner, just the disruption from snoring can seem to be enough, but there seems little doubt that the problem is real. In fact, according to the National Sleep Foundation’s 1998 Women and Sleep poll, 78% of women report more disturbed sleep during pregnancy than at other times.

Continue reading “In pregnancy can poor sleep increase depression?”

 Up to 15% of all strokes are caused by Atrial fibrillation (AF) increasing the risk of stroke by 4.8% (hypertension 3.4% and CAD 2.4% respectively). It is the most common type of arrhythmia, affecting approximately 350,000 Canadians.

Continue reading “Does Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) cause atrial fibrillation (Afib)?”

Pain is a personal experience and can’t be experienced by another. We all know what its like to be told to claiming pain, “its not that bad” or worse still, “no it doesn’t”.

It still amazes me that we as healthcare professionals still say this. Pain is definitely associated with poor sleep, but why?

Continue reading “Does obstructive Sleep Apnea cause Pain?”