High-Fat Diets Cause Daytime Sleepiness

In experimental studies that were previously done, it was shown that the intake of certain foods can affect a person's sleeping pattern, which included obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), but there was uncertainty regarding what the population level of affected adults was. 

The study

Research was done to look at whether there was an association between the intake of fatty foods and the development of sleep-related issues. Data, which included dietary and sleeping habits, was collected from over 1,800 men who were aged between 35 and 80 years old and this was conducted over a 1 year period.

This information was collected from questionnaires which were filled in by the participants. Some of these participants, who were not diagnosed with OSA, had overnight in-home polysomnography tests done, too.

The findings

The clinical significance

It would be suggested, from this study, that a high percentage of men who consumed a high-fat diet were more at risk of developing fatigue and sleepiness during the day as well as disturbed sleeping patterns at night.

These issues cause a person to have less energy and, in turn, result in them craving high-carbohydrate and high-fat containing foods which then results in more sleep related symptoms during the day and night. The patient is then stuck in a vicious cycle which needs to be broken.

Healthcare personnel should therefore emphasize to their patients that they should incorporate more healthier foods in their diet in order to cut down on the fat intake. This should result in patients feeling more energized which will lead to less daytime sleepiness and disturbed sleeping patterns at night. Advice on sleep hygiene should also be mentioned to patients and they should be encouraged to follow the suggestions in order to improve their sleeping patterns.

READ Sleep Apnea: Unable To Fall A Sleep

Sleep hygiene

The following are suggestions to help people who struggle with their sleeping patterns.

• Follow a sleep schedule - one should set specific times to go to sleep and get up in the morning every day, even on weekends and holidays. If one struggles to fall asleep 15 minutes after getting into bed, then they should perform relaxing activities until they feel tired. Stimulating activities such as watching T.V. or working on the computer should be avoided.
• Watch out for what's being consumed before going to bed - avoid going to bed on an empty or full stomach. Avoid foods, like cheese, before going to bed as the tyrosine it contains can cause one to sleep restlessly or even experience nightmares.
• Have a routine before going to sleep - performing the same activities before going to bed allows the body to get used to the habit of knowing when it's time to sleep. Take a warm bath or shower, have a warm milk drink (avoid stimulants such as alcohol or coffee) and listen to relaxing music, for example.
• Getting comfortable - the room should be quiet and dark and comfortable pillows and bedding should improve a person's ability to get to sleep.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA): Risk Factors, Symptoms, Complications

OSA is a sleep disorder which can be potentially harmful as it causes a person to repeatedly stop and restart breathing during sleep. There are many types of sleep apnoea, but OSA is the most common manifestation which occurs due to the muscles in the throat relaxing and blocking the airway.

Risk factors

Any person can develop this issue but there are factors which put people at a higher risk of developing OSA.

• Gender - men are 2 times more likely than women to develop OSA.
• A family history of first-degree relatives with sleep apnoea. 
• Narrowed airway - this could be an inherited trait or a person could be suffering from enlarged adenoids or tonsils.
• Excess weight - around 50% of people with OSA are overweight and these patients have an increased neck circumference which can obstruct the airways. It's important to take note that even thin people can develop OSA.
• Chronic nasal congestion - this issue makes a person 2 times more likely to develop OSA.
• Hypertension - OSA occurs commonly in patients with high blood pressure.
• Asthma - research has shown a link between this issue and OSA.
• Diabetes - OSA is more common in these patients.
• Smoking - increases the chance of developing OSA.

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Symptoms

The following can be experienced by patients struggling with OSA.

• Waking up choking or gasping for air.
• Loud snoring which disrupts the patient's sleep or that of other people.
• Increased daytime sleepiness which can result in falling asleep while working or even when driving. 

Complications

• Cardiovascular issues - OSA leads to decreased oxygen levels in the body and this can result in a patient's blood pressure being elevated which, in turn, increases the risk of developing heart diseases such as heart failure, strokes or heart attacks. Men who are diagnosed with OSA have an increased risk of developing heart failure whereas women with OSA don't. The risk for arrythmias is also increased with OSA.
• Daytime sleepiness and the resulting issues, which have been mentioned.
• Eye issues - OSA has been linked with the possible development of glaucoma. 
• Certain medications - drugs such as sedatives, narcotics and anaesthetic medications may worsen symptoms of OSA. 
• Post-surgical worsening of symptoms - occurs when a patient has been lying on their back for a prolonged period of time after surgery.
• Sleep deprivation - both the patient, their partners and/or children can be affected here as loud snoring can hamper all the mentioned individuals' sleeping patterns.

Management

Lifestyle changes can be incorporated to improve the symptoms of OSA. These can include the following:

• Losing weight.
• Regular physical exertion.
• If using alcohol, then consume less or even stop drinking.
• Stopping smoking.
• Rather sleep on the sides and not the back.
• If applicable, use allergy drugs or nasal decongestants for the short-term.

READ Differences between Sleep Apnea and Sleep Enuresis

There are certain therapies for patients with OSA and they include the following:

• Mouthpieces - these help to keep the throat open, thrust the jaw forward or place the tongue in a different position in order to minimize symptoms of mild to moderate OSA.
• CPAP - continuous positive airway pressure is delivered through a machine via a mask which fits tightly, but comfortably, over the the nose or nose and mouth.