Latest news with #CanadianSleepSociety
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
If you're feeling summertime sadness, gloomy weather won't help
Winter and its effects on some people's mood are far behind us, but the same effects can occur in summer, despite the sunshine. With seasonal affective disorder, a depressive episode can coincide with change to a new season — any season. Simon Sherry, a clinical psychologist and a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Dalhousie University, has warned about the side-effects of summer. The change in season, which means a change in our exposure to sunlight, can cause insomnia, reduced appetite and weight loss. This is a mirror of the effects winter weather can have. "There are underlying changes that can happen in our brain," Sherry said. "Our body runs on a circadian rhythm, which is an internal 24-hour clock. And if that cycle, which has a lot to do with sleeping and waking, can get disrupted, then mood problems follow." He points to the daylight savings one-hour time change, which can affect mood. WATCH | How to tell if you're feeling summertime sadness: Michael Mak, a psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, said the time when we're taking in sunlight changes by season, which causes the disruption. Taking in sunlight later in the day can make it tougher for people to sleep, which in turn affects mood. "What we want is less light exposure close to bedtime, more light when we wake up in the morning," said Mak, who is also the clinical vice-president of the Canadian Sleep Society. He said 10 to 15 per cent of Canadians can experience a mild form of seasonal affective disorder, and three to five per cent can have a "terribly disabling" degree of symptoms. Mak also said the weather can affect people in similar ways. Consistent rain, which New Brunswick saw over consecutive weekends this spring, can cause symptoms. New Brunswick hasn't seen a precipitation-free weekend since spring started. The capital, Fredericton, saw its first weekend of sun on June 14 and 15. "Having that on a consistent basis means that people are going to be exposed to less natural sunlight and bright light, which stabilizes our internal body clock, makes our sleep better and makes our mood better," said Mak. He said "more rainy days on average" means mood and sleep just get worse. "It just means that you're not able to enjoy the things you usually like. You don't have the opportunity to go out and exercise, which we know is good for mood and good for sleep." For people affected by the season, Mak suggests trying to exercise indoors and consider sunlight exposure therapy. LISTEN | Simons Sherry explains how to spot seasonal affective disorder: An easy exercise is turning on all the lights in your house. There are also special lights that are designed to treat seasonal affective disorder which are available in retail stores. Exposing yourself to light early in the morning can also help with seasonal affective disorder and depression. Sherry said to also consider cognitive behavioural therapy to help change behaviour.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sleep apnea underdiagnosed and on the rise, sleep specialists say
And at 27 years old, Mal Parrott was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It's a medical condition that causes breathing to stop during sleep, and a recurring collapse of the upper airway that causes a drop in oxygen and the brain to wake up. It was a shocking diagnosis, Parrott told CBC News. Their father had sleep apnea, but it wasn't really discussed. And it's often associated with older people. Parrott wasn't seeking a sleep apnea diagnosis at the time. They asked their doctor about getting tested for ADHD. To their surprise, the doctor suggested a sleep test, as well. "I've been told by many, many people that I'm a very loud snorer," Parrott said. "I mentioned it to my fiance and she said, 'Oh yeah, there have been several moments while we are asleep, I will wake up, You are not breathing in your sleep.'" Armin Rahmani, a sleep medicine specialist with the Canadian Sleep Society, said about 25 per cent of the people in Canada have some severity of sleep apnea. Michael Mak, a psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, said approximately 93 per cent of people who are at a high risk of sleep apnea have not been tested. Parrott went to the Breathe Well clinic in St. John's to get an at-home sleep test. A week later, they had a diagnosis. Sleep apnea is measured through the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), which counts the number of times a person stops breathing during an hour. Anything over 30 is considered severe. Parrott's AHI came in at 36. Specialists indicate sleep apnea is on the rise across the country, and among all age groups. Mak and Rahmani both told CBC News that rising rates of obesity are contributing to the increasing diagnosis of sleep apnea. Mak said eastern Canada has higher rates of obesity, specifically Newfoundland and Labrador. "If that's the case, then you're going to see a greater proportion of people having sleep apnea in your area," he said. But that's not the case for everyone who is obese, according to Wanda Dollard, a respiratory therapist at the Breathe Well Clinic in St. John's for the last three decades. "A lot of times it has to do with the shape of your jaw. If you have a small airway, it could mean that you're a higher risk of apnea," she said. "It could be hereditary. So … if your parents have sleep apnea, not that there's a genetic link, but people inherit the same structure of airway." Parrott's symptoms fall in line with what Rahmani describes as typical: snoring, interrupted breathing, chronic daytime sleepiness, never feeling refreshed, difficulty concentrating, dry mouth, headaches and brain fog. Sometimes, he said, people can wake up gasping for breath and choking. But, the effects of undiagnosed sleep apnea aren't limited to lethargy and day-to-day cognitive difficulty. "In the long-term, what we see is that people with untreated sleep apnea have a greater risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, sleepiness, fatigue during the daytime, problems with memory and concentration and depression," Mak said. "So it affects a lot of, you know, what we have to use on a daily basis and our general health." Parrott's day-to-day life — what they considered normal — was along those lines. "There would be times where I would just, like, fall asleep wherever I could," they said. "Like, if there was a couch, I was sleeping. If there was somewhere that I could sit, I was sleeping. I have come close to falling asleep at my desk at work sometimes." Parrott said the brain fog was thick and their attention span was decreased. "They said that CPAP therapy would be probably the best option for me," Parrott said. CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. It's a machine with a tube attached to a mask that a person wears while they sleep. The machine pushes pressurized air through the mask and keeps airways open. For people with mild sleep apnea, a specialized mouth guard can open the airway. There's also a surgery that can help in some cases. But in adults, CPAP therapy is considered the gold standard. "That keeps the air going into your lungs and, you know, reduces those risks of those cardiovascular issues," Mak said. CPAP machines aren't the clunky, loud machines of the early 2000s. They're small, portable, and relatively quiet. Mak said a lot of people have preconceived notions about wearing the mask and using the machine. "You're doing so in the privacy of your own home. You're doing it in your own bed," he said. "You're not broadcasting this to everybody and it comes with a tremendous improvement to your quality of life." But CPAP therapy does come with a hefty price tag. While some insurance companies cover a partial cost of a CPAP machine, without insurance, one could cost anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000. Parrott said wearing a mask to sleep was a challenge at first. "I didn't know how to process it right away until literally I had the CPAP, like, plugged in next to my bed and I was like, well, guess this is my life now," they said. But they describe the treatment as life-changing. "A lot of people in my life often say, like, I'm a new person, essentially, after getting CPAP therapy," Parrott said. "It felt like I actually woke up for the first time. Like, I actually had some sleep and then I woke up." For years, Parrott said they were surviving on extremes. It was either three hours of sleep or 10 hours of sleep. But they never felt refreshed. And a month later, Parrott was also diagnosed with ADHD, their original inquiry at the doctor. "It was a fun little two-for-one special," they said with a laugh. As for using a CPAP machine, they said "it's not something to lose sleep over." Download our to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our . Click .
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sleep apnea underdiagnosed and on the rise, sleep specialists say
And at 27 years old, Mal Parrott was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It's a medical condition that causes breathing to stop during sleep, and a recurring collapse of the upper airway that causes a drop in oxygen and the brain to wake up. It was a shocking diagnosis, Parrott told CBC News. Their father had sleep apnea, but it wasn't really discussed. And it's often associated with older people. Parrott wasn't seeking a sleep apnea diagnosis at the time. They asked their doctor about getting tested for ADHD. To their surprise, the doctor suggested a sleep test, as well. "I've been told by many, many people that I'm a very loud snorer," Parrott said. "I mentioned it to my fiance and she said, 'Oh yeah, there have been several moments while we are asleep, I will wake up, You are not breathing in your sleep.'" Armin Rahmani, a sleep medicine specialist with the Canadian Sleep Society, said about 25 per cent of the people in Canada have some severity of sleep apnea. Michael Mak, a psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, said approximately 93 per cent of people who are at a high risk of sleep apnea have not been tested. Parrott went to the Breathe Well clinic in St. John's to get an at-home sleep test. A week later, they had a diagnosis. Sleep apnea is measured through the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), which counts the number of times a person stops breathing during an hour. Anything over 30 is considered severe. Parrott's AHI came in at 36. Specialists indicate sleep apnea is on the rise across the country, and among all age groups. Mak and Rahmani both told CBC News that rising rates of obesity are contributing to the increasing diagnosis of sleep apnea. Mak said eastern Canada has higher rates of obesity, specifically Newfoundland and Labrador. "If that's the case, then you're going to see a greater proportion of people having sleep apnea in your area," he said. But that's not the case for everyone who is obese, according to Wanda Dollard, a respiratory therapist at the Breathe Well Clinic in St. John's for the last three decades. "A lot of times it has to do with the shape of your jaw. If you have a small airway, it could mean that you're a higher risk of apnea," she said. "It could be hereditary. So … if your parents have sleep apnea, not that there's a genetic link, but people inherit the same structure of airway." Parrott's symptoms fall in line with what Rahmani describes as typical: snoring, interrupted breathing, chronic daytime sleepiness, never feeling refreshed, difficulty concentrating, dry mouth, headaches and brain fog. Sometimes, he said, people can wake up gasping for breath and choking. But, the effects of undiagnosed sleep apnea aren't limited to lethargy and day-to-day cognitive difficulty. "In the long-term, what we see is that people with untreated sleep apnea have a greater risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, sleepiness, fatigue during the daytime, problems with memory and concentration and depression," Mak said. "So it affects a lot of, you know, what we have to use on a daily basis and our general health." Parrott's day-to-day life — what they considered normal — was along those lines. "There would be times where I would just, like, fall asleep wherever I could," they said. "Like, if there was a couch, I was sleeping. If there was somewhere that I could sit, I was sleeping. I have come close to falling asleep at my desk at work sometimes." Parrott said the brain fog was thick and their attention span was decreased. "They said that CPAP therapy would be probably the best option for me," Parrott said. CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. It's a machine with a tube attached to a mask that a person wears while they sleep. The machine pushes pressurized air through the mask and keeps airways open. For people with mild sleep apnea, a specialized mouth guard can open the airway. There's also a surgery that can help in some cases. But in adults, CPAP therapy is considered the gold standard. "That keeps the air going into your lungs and, you know, reduces those risks of those cardiovascular issues," Mak said. CPAP machines aren't the clunky, loud machines of the early 2000s. They're small, portable, and relatively quiet. Mak said a lot of people have preconceived notions about wearing the mask and using the machine. "You're doing so in the privacy of your own home. You're doing it in your own bed," he said. "You're not broadcasting this to everybody and it comes with a tremendous improvement to your quality of life." But CPAP therapy does come with a hefty price tag. While some insurance companies cover a partial cost of a CPAP machine, without insurance, one could cost anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000. Parrott said wearing a mask to sleep was a challenge at first. "I didn't know how to process it right away until literally I had the CPAP, like, plugged in next to my bed and I was like, well, guess this is my life now," they said. But they describe the treatment as life-changing. "A lot of people in my life often say, like, I'm a new person, essentially, after getting CPAP therapy," Parrott said. "It felt like I actually woke up for the first time. Like, I actually had some sleep and then I woke up." For years, Parrott said they were surviving on extremes. It was either three hours of sleep or 10 hours of sleep. But they never felt refreshed. And a month later, Parrott was also diagnosed with ADHD, their original inquiry at the doctor. "It was a fun little two-for-one special," they said with a laugh. As for using a CPAP machine, they said "it's not something to lose sleep over." Download our to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our . Click .
Globe and Mail
31-05-2025
- General
- Globe and Mail
A sleep expert explains why you need lighter, breathable blankets this summer
As temperatures climb, most people naturally adjust their routines: more patio time, fewer layers, an uptick in ice cream consumption. But overlooking one key change at bedtime could sabotage your slumber during the warmer months. As hot nights lead to restless sleep, too many of us keep using our winter-weight bedding. A seasonal swap to lighter, breathable blankets isn't just about aesthetics (though breezy linens and nautical stripes can transform a bedroom into something more beach-y and fun). Experts say it could also be one of the simplest ways to deepen your sleep from June to September. 'Changing blankets seasonally can help improve sleep quality by keeping your body at a comfortable temperature,' says Armin Rahmani, a psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist. 'Since your thermal needs vary depending on the season, using the same blanket year-round may not provide the best sleep environment.' Struggling with insomnia? 'Sleep hygiene' rules could be making it worse Overheating at night is more than just uncomfortable. 'It can reduce the amount of deep sleep you get, which is critical for feeling rested,' explains Rahmani, who also sits on the board of the Canadian Sleep Society, an advocacy group whose goal is to improve sleep for all Canadians. 'Even mild discomfort from feeling too warm can lead to more fragmented sleep and lighter sleep stages.' Losing sleep over your blanket might sound ironic, even silly, but the consequences can be serious. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research links chronic sleep deprivation to a multitude of issues, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension and poor mental health. And Canadians aren't exactly getting enough shuteye as it is. According to a 2023 survey by Narrative Research, just 16 per cent of us report sleeping well all seven nights of the week. Blankets are not the only cause. Tariffs, politics and a slumping economy are among the many stressors likely keeping us tossing and turning. But it's still worth asking: What should you be snuggling up with when it's more than 25 degrees at midnight? To get clues, Rahmani points to a recent systematic review published in the Journal of Sleep Research. 'The findings highlight that the relationship between bedding materials and sleep is complex,' he says. 'No single blanket type is ideal for everyone. But generally, lighter, breathable materials may benefit those who tend to overheat or sleep in warmer environments.' Insulative materials such as wool and down, he notes, are generally better for chillier seasons. Sogol Asghari, president of Canada's Institute of Textile Science, agrees. 'The most suitable blankets for summer are made from breathable, moisture-wicking and lightweight materials,' she says. 'Fabrics with loose weaves promote airflow and help regulate body temperature during sleep.' Both experts suggest natural fibres such as linen, cotton and bamboo. 'Studies show linen can improve sleep quality under warm conditions, especially in young adults,' Rahmani says. 'For cotton, which can be relatively affordable, look for lightweight, percale-weave cotton for a cooler feel. Bamboo-based fabrics are antimicrobial and naturally cool to the touch.' There can also be environmental pluses, depending on the fabrics. 'From a sustainability perspective, organic cotton and bamboo are appealing options for ecoconscious consumers – when responsibly sourced,' Asghari adds. Look for seals of approval from organizations such as OEKO-TEX, which screens for products detrimental to human health, or the Forest Stewardship Council, which notes the companies that responsibly grow products like bamboo. As for what to avoid? 'Polyester and other synthetic materials may trap heat and sweat, which can disrupt sleep, especially for hot sleepers,' Rahmani says. In short, aim for anything comfortable. If you're waking up tangled in sweaty sheets or peeling polyester off your legs at dawn, your blanket might be unfit for the season. Summer sleep should feel like bliss, not bedlam. A good summer blanket begins with a natural and lightweight fabric.
CBC
02-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
A billion-dollar sleep economy promises to help you snooze better. Should you buy in?
Tyler Rankin has gone to great lengths in his quest for better sleep. Tired of tossing and turning for years, he's tried nearly every sleep gadget and remedy on the market — spending close to $1,000 in the process. "I've tried noise machines, weighted blankets, melatonin, magnesium, sleep teas, sleep tape, sleep hypnotism, sleep masks, nose cones," Rankin, 28, who lives in Etobicoke, Ont., told Cost of Living. "Pretty much everything under the sun, I've tried it." Many Canadians are searching for ways to get a better sleep. According to a survey of 4,037 Canadian adults published last year, one in six Canadians suffers from insomnia. As people spend more on sleep-related products, the global sleep aids market has grown in value. In 2023, the market had an estimated value of $104 billion annually, according to recent data collected by Statista, and is projected to reach $188 billion by 2032. And according to experts, a good night's sleep is also key to the economy. Michael Mak, clinical vice-president of the Canadian Sleep Society, says poor sleep not only incurs costs for individuals who shell out cash in their search for better sleep. Insomnia symptoms in Canada cost the Canadian economy $1.9 billion, caused by health-care costs and lost productivity, according to a 2022 study published in the journal Sleep Health. "[It] includes direct costs like how much the government pays doctors to see people with insomnia [and] how much patients are paying for sleeping pills and therapy to help their sleep," he said. Indirect costs, says Mak, include reduced productivity if an employee is suffering from insomnia and unable to perform at their best, or by not being able to go to work at all. What are people buying? People are dishing out dough on an assortment of sleep enhancers, from hundreds or even thousands of dollars on fluffy pillows and mattresses, or products like essential oil sprays to bask in a spritz of calm before bed. "Canadians are more interested about how to prevent themselves from being sick and to be as healthy as possible," said Mak. "[They] realize that sleep is an important pillar of good health alongside exercise and diet." WATCH | Sleep aid industry boom in Canada: A look into the booming industry of sleep aids 6 years ago Duration 2:25 But it's not just products that people are buying. Services aimed at improving sleep are becoming increasingly popular, prompting entire industries to adapt their offerings for the sleep-deprived. According to Laura Ell, a consultant for the United Nations Tourism Organization, the travel industry is jumping on the burgeoning sleep tourism trend. Gone are jam-packed itineraries with travellers jetting off in search of better sleep, whether that's choosing to visit a relaxing destination like an island surrounded by soothing ocean waves or staying the night in a hotel retrofitted for sleep, says Ell. Ell experienced a sleep-focused holiday during a stay at a hotel in South Korea. She was able to choose from a "whole menu" of pillows, duvets and mattresses with different levels of firmness, softness and texture. "Years ago, it would be maybe the granola, crunchy, kinda hippie yoga retreat places … but now, people are really appreciating the importance of taking care of themselves," she said. What's the cost to businesses? Businesses, too, are trying to tackle the sleep-deprivation problem head on. Greg Stirrett, president and CEO of Rebel Sleep Institute, says his sleep clinic works with primary-care physicians and specialists to diagnose and treat referred patients. But Stirrett says they've also expanded their service to a new area: working directly with companies to identify and treat their employees' sleep problems. "There's an increased awareness about the risks associated with untreated sleep disorders and fatigue in the workplace … [which] I think is largely unaddressed," he said. "Happier and healthier individuals are more productive at work. They make fewer errors, they work better with their colleagues, as well as there are far fewer incidents of injury." Filling a need and demand Tim Silk, an associate professor at the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia, says companies producing sleep aids and services are responding to what they see as gaps in the market. "But are we being sold snake oil or are these things actually effective?" said Silk. "Mattresses and pillows … while they might actually be somewhat effective, they're Band-Aids if you have sleep apnea, right?" Mak says as awareness of sleep health becomes more common, people should be careful to not be "misled into sleep treatments and products that don't actually help from a scientific point of view." In the end, Rankin says his reprieve from sleeplessness didn't come from the gadgets he amassed, but from improving his sleep hygiene — adjusting his habits, like not looking at screens before bed, to help him fall and stay asleep. "Don't fall into the traps of consumer goods at the very start.... It's amazing there are tools out there to help people, but getting rid of distractions is the most important thing," he said.
