Not Getting Enough Sleep Part 2

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - In the US, some 70-million people never get enough sleep.

The deprivation can cause serious health issues and at the hand of something many can't control.

We know not to drink caffeine before bed if we want to fall asleep. There are several things we can do to help ourselves sleep well, but sometimes nothing works.

One third of Americans suffers from one of 85 classified sleep disorders and have no idea.

"I wasn't in the sleep lab but a couple hours sleeping, when they came in and put the CPAP machine on me," said Susan Robbins.

Robbins suffers from sleep apnea and got help from the Battle Creek Health System's Sleep Disorder Center.

"That is probably the most deadliest of all the sleep disorders," said Dr. Satya Chaparala.

About 20 million Americans have sleep apnea. While sleeping they stop breathing 10, 20, 30 seconds, sometimes up to 100-times per hour, then gasp for air as if it were their last.

This lowers oxygen in the blood which affects so much more.

"Probably 40-to-50 percent of the population has some sort of sleep disorder," said Dr. Chaparala.

Some of those 85 disorders are rare like sexomnia - having sex while asleep. "Yes it is real. You can perform a lot of complex tasks while you're sleeping," said Chaparala.

Sleepers can do things like eating, driving and more innocently, sleep walking.

"You are still sleeping, the walking around disturbs everybody else's sleep, not the patient," said Chaparala.

Other common disorders include narcolepsy, a sudden attack of sleep you can't control. Teeth clinching, night terrors and restless leg syndrome.

"Where your legs have strange tingly sensations when you're trying to sleep at night, making it hard to fall asleep. Strange, bizarre sensations," said Richard Craig with the Battle Creek Health System Sleep Center.

Each disorder has its own unique symptoms, but all of them seem to have one or more of the same red flags.

Here are of the things to watch for: Feeling irritable or sleepy during the day, Falling asleep while driving, having a tough time focusing at work, school or home, often finding it a challenge to do our jobs, being told by others you often look tired or sleepy, not being able to go another hour without a nap or insomnia, having a hard time falling and staying asleep. All are indicators of an underlying problem. If you're experiencing any of those you may want to talk to your doctor about a sleep study.

"If you're struggling with that sleepiness, there's something going on," said Craig.

That's what Susan did, "because we all want to live full productive healthy lives and it can make a world of difference."

There are many sleep centers in West Michigan. Do your homework and talk to your doctor for the best steps for you.