'Small screens' prevent kids from sleeping: study

MIAMI -- Children who have access to tablets or smartphones in their bedrooms get less sleep than children who do not have the devices with them at night, a US study said Monday.

The findings in the January 5 edition of the journal Pediatrics show that having a so-called "small screen" within reach was slightly worse than a television set when it came to sleep deprivation in a group of 2,000 middle school kids.

Overall, those with access to smartphones and tablets got nearly 21 fewer minutes of sleep per night than children whose rooms were free of such technology, and they were more likely to say they felt sleep-deprived.

Those with a TV in the bedroom got 18 minutes fewer of slumber than kids without televisions in their rooms.

"Presence of a small screen, but not a TV, in the sleep environment, and screen time were associated with perceived insufficient rest or sleep," said the study led by Jennifer Falbe of the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health.

"These findings caution against unrestricted screen access in children's bedrooms."

Participants in the study included 2,048 fourth- and seventh-graders enrolled in the Massachusetts Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration Study from 2012 to 2013.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why too much sleepiness is a dangerous symptom

MANILA -- Do you feel sleepy all throughout the day? You might think it's just because of lack of sleep, but it can also be red flag for something more serious.

In an interview on dzMM's "Magandang Gabi Dok," Dr. Mike Sarte, a sleep medicine specialist, explained the symptoms and causes of sleep apnea, and how it can cause death.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing. Although it does not cause immediate death, it can trigger serious health problems.

Symptoms

Sarte said that the symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, witnessed apnea, and daytime sleepiness. He added that all these symptoms are experienced by a person before he or she can be diagnosed with sleep apnea.

He explained that snoring is normal, but habitual snoring is not.

"Ito yung kapag madalas na humihilik, yung tuwing matutulog, naghihilik. Tapos sobrang lakas humilik, na kahit isarado mo na ang pinto, pakinig mo pa rin."

"Yung witnessed apnea, iyun yung nakikita ng ibang tao, pwedeng iyung bed partner mo, na bigla na lang tumitigil ang paghinga mo. Iyung humihilik ka, tapos biglang titigil, tapos hihilik ulit," Sarte added.

Daytime sleepiness is when a person feels sleepy or falls asleep any time within the day.

"May mga tao na biglang nakakatulog. Ang tawag dun, microsleep. Delikado yun kasi sa US, isa ito sa causes ng motor vehicle accidents, yung falling asleep while driving."

Sarte added that people who are diagnosed with sleep apnea shouldn't be allowed to drive.

What happens when we sleep?
Sarte explained that people normally go through different cycles of sleep, known as the non-REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and REM sleep.

Non-REM sleep is the transition from being awake to being asleep. REM is when people go on a deep sleep, when they start dreaming.

People with sleep apnea do not reach both cycles.

"Kung may sleep apnea, hindi ka umaabot sa REM or non-REM stage. Tumunog lang ang cellphone mo, magigising ka kaagad. Hindi talaga nakakatulog," Sarte said.

He added that what's important for people is the quality of sleep, as the duration differs from person to person.

"Una, yung quality. Pangalawa, yung duration, pero depende yun sa tao. At least 5 to 8 hours, pero may mga taong okay na sila sa 5 hours of sleep."

Causes
Sarte said that sleep apnea can be caused either by genetics, or by excess weight.

People who experience soft tissue collapse in their nose and throats may suffer from sleep apnea, as their airways may be obstructed.

Having large tonsils can also obstruct airways.

"Karamihan sa mga humihilik, nakabukas ang bibig kasi naba-block ang ilong. We are preferential nasal breathers."

Sarte added that some children have excess tissues in their throat and nose, which make sound when they breathe.

Men who are overweight are also more prone to sleep apnea, as the excess weight in the body puts more pressure on the area around the nose and throat.

"Kapag humihinto sa paghinga, bumababa ang oxygen level at nagkakaproblema ang puso. It also causes arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)."

What makes sleep apnea deadly?

Although sleep apnea as it is does not cause sudden death, it can be deadly as it causes complications like hypertension, Type II diabetes, congestive heart failure and stroke.

Sarte said that losing weight can help a lot in preventing sleep apnea.

He also advised against eating heavy dinner, drinking too much alcohol, and smoking a lot before sleeping.

Those who suffer from sleep apnea because of genetic causes can undergo surgery to remove excess tissues that block the airways.

He added that sleeping on one's side can help clear the airways and can prevent snoring.

One can also use a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, which is attached to a mask worn over the mouth and nose that pushes air through the nose and airways.

This machine facilitates continuous sleep, and prevents pauses in breathing.

Sarte said that this machine is locally available, and can be bought for about P40,000 to P45,000.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

What causes 'bangungot'?

MANILA -- Does sleeping on a full stomach cause "bangungot"?

Yes, said cardiologist Dr. Willie Ong, who explained that "bangungot" is not similar to having bad dreams or nightmares nor is it caused by a "batibat," a fat woman demon found in Ilocano folklore who supposedly puts her weight on an individual while sleeping until he or she dies of suffocation.

"Merong tinatawag medically bangungot syndrome, ang tawag natin dito acute pancreatitis. Palagay natin isang tao madami siyang kinaing pagkain tapos natulog agad. Dahil sa dami ng kinain, nahihirapan yung pancreas na tunawin yung pagkain, namamaga yung pancreas at merong namamatay dahil dito," Ong said.

But for sleep specialist Dr. Rolando Dela Eva, bangungot can also be called the sudden unexplained death syndrome.

Dela Eva said the sudden unexplained death syndrome is usually experienced by southeast Asian males aged between late 20s and early 40s.

"Ang bangungot ay kadalasan nangyayari sa mga southeast Asian males, mga Filipinos. Merong impact ang culture at of course, kasama na rin yung pagkain," he explained.

Meanwhile, clinical psychologist Dr. Estrella Magno said bangungot, which she described as having nightmares, is caused by an individual's personal problems.

"Every part of the panaginip is about the dreamer. May problema siya na di niya inaasikaso. Nagkakapatong-patong na yan hanggang sa dreams mo lalabas na yan," Magno said.

With differing opinions on what truly causes bangungot, the three experts also offered different advice as to how to help someone suffering from bangungot.

Ong said a person experiencing struggle and a sudden spike in heart beat during sleep should immediately be awakened to prevent further complications.

Magno, meanwhile, said the individual should just confront his or her problems. "Kasi yang bangungot na yan, kung halimbawa malaman mo kung anong ugat ng problema mo, mareresolba yan."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com