What to Expect Froma Sleep Test Did You Study? When you suspect a sleeping disorder is preventing a restful night’s sleep, there’s really only one way to know: a sleep test. These noninvasive tests can be done in a laboratory or at home, and both options have their benefits. For example, results from a laboratory test can be more conclusive, but at-home sleep tests can be more comfortable. During either test, tracking devices may make it more difficult for you to fall asleep, but, in a laboratory setting, you are invited to keep the same sleep routine you would abide by at home. You can wear your own pajamas, bring pillows or blankets, or use a fan or book to lull yourself to sleep. The data collected once you fall asleep is vital to diagnosing sleep disorders. In fact, sleep testing can track a number of phenomena and answer many questions, such as the following. • What is your maximum and average heart rate? Your heart overworks itself when you struggle to breathe. It needs oxygen to do its job, but, when you cannot get enough air into your body, your heart jostles you awake. • Do you snore? Snoring is the most common sign of sleep apnea, and measuring the decibels of your snores and minutes spent snoring can tell your doctors a lot. • Did you stop breathing? Snoring is actually a sign of blockage in your airway, which could mean that at some point during the night, you stopped breathing. In addition, experts are monitoring your oxygen levels. • Do you have restless leg syndrome? You have little control over your body while you sleep, so a sleep test is the perfect time to monitor traits you didn’t even know you had! • What position do you sleep in? The positioning of your body can influence your breathing, along with muscle and joint pain.
SUMMER SWIMMING SAFETY 3 TIPS FOR SWIMMING IN OPEN WATER
There’s nothing like taking a dip in a nearby pond, lake, or even the ocean. For many, it’s a summertime tradition. However, swimming in open bodies of water brings certain safety risks, as these environments are not nearly as controlled as public, club, or backyard pools. Everyone should follow these tips to have a fun and safe time cooling off under the summer sun. NEVER SWIM ALONE. When you swim in virtually any body of water, having someone there to keep an eye on you can be a lifesaver: the more people, the better. Stick to bodies of water with a professional lifeguard on duty when possible, though that’s not always an option. When swimming in open bodies of water, have a “designated spotter” to keep an eye on the swimmers. This way, you’re prepared if anything bad happens. It’s also a great idea to keep flotation devices nearby, such as life jackets, life rings, foam boards, etc. KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO. Sometimes, it’s next to impossible to see what’s under the surface of the water. If you are unfamiliar with a body of water, don’t jump or dive in without knowing how deep it is. If you cannot confirm what is under the surface (and the spot is not a known diving location), don’t risk it. It may be okay to swim or wade, but jumping is out of the question. Along these same lines, be VERY careful around bodies of slow-moving or standing water. These can house dangerous microbes and other contaminants that can make you ill and potentially be deadly. WATCH FOR RIP CURRENTS. These can occur at any beach without warning. They pull swimmers away from shore and are strong enough that even excellent swimmers struggle to get through them. In fact, rip currents are behind nearly 80% of beach rescues. Keep an eye on the foam at the surface of the water. If it seems to suddenly pull away from the beach, there’s a good chance a rip current is lurking beneath. If you find yourself in a rip current, it’s crucial to remain calm and avoid expending energy swimming directly back to shore. Instead, try swimming parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current.
• Do you grind your teeth? This can be another symptom of sleep apnea and is harmful to your chompers.
• How long do you sleep? While monitoring your brain waves, experts determine how many minutes you actually spent sleeping. Even if you don’t notice waking up, your body feels the effects. A sleep test can be daunting, but its findings are important to ensuring you get the sleep you need each night. Learn more by visiting NorthernVirginiaDental.com or call 703-584-5996 to schedule a consultation.
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