Iowa Sleep Blog

What Is Sleep Talking?

Monday, March 21, 2016
From a few incoherent words, to complete conversations, sleep talking, also technically known as somnliloquy, is a sleep disorder that involves unconscious talking while asleep. While many people assume sleep talking involves saying real words, many times it can be a mixture of noises that don’t sound anything like words. Anyone can experience an episode of sleep talking,…

Sleep Awareness Week 2016

Monday, March 14, 2016
Last week was National Sleep Awareness Sleep Week, and the National Sleep Foundation has some tips for better sleep that we think are pretty great. We’ve included them below and added our thoughts. 1. Start making time for the sleep your mind and body needs – Sleep does so many important things for our body, so it’s important to make sure you are getting the recommended…

Don’t Lose Sleep to Daylight Saving Time

Monday, March 07, 2016
For many, the beginning of daylight saving time marks the beginning of spring, and the unfortunate loss of one hour from the day. Daylight saving time was first enacted in Europe in 1916, in hopes to cut down energy use in the spring and summer, when it stays light out for longer into the evening. Here are a few easy tips to make the “spring forward” time adjustment – happening at 2…

How Sleeping Well Can Improve Your Heart Health

Monday, February 22, 2016
While it might not seem obvious, keeping your heart healthy and sleeping the recommended amount each night go hand-in-hand. Besides the regular wellness benefits of a good night’s rest, sleep also helps strengthen your immune system, fights inflammation and keeps your heart and blood working smoothly. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women – more than…

Want to Lose Weight? Sleep More.

Monday, January 04, 2016
Who knew, right? If your New Year’s resolution is get back into shape and maybe lose a few of those extra pounds in the process, the simple act of sleeping more can help aid in your weight loss and fitness journey. Sleep does more than just energize you for the day – it also does a multitude of other things, like: Allows muscles to repair themselves – When you sleep, the…

Why You Should Turn Off Electronics Before Bed

Monday, December 28, 2015
From young children to students to adults, our days are busy, stressful and, quite frankly, tiring! The need (or requirement) to be accessible and plugged in 24/7 is taking a toll on our sleeping habits, making it harder to fall or stay asleep. Many electronics, like TVs, tablets, computers and phones emit a blue light that disrupts our body’s natural sleep cycle, keeping us awake…

At-home Snoring Remedies

Monday, December 14, 2015
In the U.S., 45 percent of adults experience some sort of snoring each night. But the person who is snoring is not always the only one affected by the snoring. This means that far more than 45 percent of U.S. adults could actually be impacted by snoring. Snoring occurs when a sleeper experiences a blocked or narrow airway passage, which causes the soft palate and uvula at…

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Sleeper in Your Life

Monday, December 07, 2015
Still looking for the perfect gift for someone on your list? The best gift you can give a loved one is quality sleep at night, as 70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders. Use this holiday season to encourage better sleep hygiene with some fun and unique gifts. Here are a few recommendations from the sleep doctors at Iowa Sleep: Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy harnesses the power of…

Common Things that Aggravate Obstructive Sleep Apnea without You Realizing It

Monday, November 30, 2015
It doesn’t matter if you’ve suffered from obstructive sleep apnea for years or a couple weeks, there are many things, large and small that can affect OSA. In fact, there are more than 22 million Americans who suffer from sleep apnea each night. But, did you know that some of these sneaky but common things could also be aggravating your OSA? Check out Iowa Sleep’s list below: Foods –…

Sleep and Studying: Finding the Formula for Success

Monday, November 09, 2015
The upcoming holidays mean final exams are on the way for Iowa high school and college students, which typically means students are staying up late studying or even pulling all-nighters. Students are already known to have poor sleep habits, so adding the stress of exams makes sleep even harder to come by. According to a study done by the Journal of Adolescent Health, more than 70…