1
SNORING AND GASPING
Sleep that’s interrupted by snoring
and gasping for breath means there may
be obstructions in your airway. If your pil-
low partner says you do this, don’t blow it
off, because aside from making you feel
worn-out the next day, apnea can lead to
heart disease or diabetes.
2
RESTLESS, TINGLY LEGS
Now also known as RLS/Willis-
Ekbom disease, this uncontrollable urge
to move the legs (or a creeping, tingling
or burning sensation) is frequently
caused by a neurotransmitter defect. Your
doctor may suggest dopamine regulators,
iron and/or sleep meds.
DOZING DISORDERS
See your doctor if you suffer from these nasty nighttime symptomsNap pods may be all the
rage in Japan, but experts
say that to be sharp, it’s best
to do all your sleeping in
one nightly stretch. There’s
not a lot of evidence that
napping increases alertness,
and it can interfere with
your bedtime, says Mark Wu,
M.D., Ph.D., associate profes-
sor of neurology at Johns
Hopkins School of Medicine.
If you work the night shift or
party too late, periodic short
naps are fine, but to avoid
the wake-up groggies, doze
in the afternoon (not in the
morning or evening) for just
10 to 20 minutes, a review in
Sleep Medicine advises.TO NAP
OR NOT
TO NAP?ONE MORE REASON TO CATCH SOME ’
People who sleep seven to eight hours most nights are less likely to feel anxious, say prelimi-
nary results from the new Your Total Wellness Index Survey conducted by the Good House-
keeping Wellness Lab. Set aside time to relax, meditate or exercise — all can help ease anxiety.
Take part in our survey at goodhousekeeping.com/wellness-index.OCTOBER 2019 GH 71
Health s ecial re ort
3
TEETH GRINDING
Gnashing, grinding or clenching
teeth, sometimes brought on by stress,
leads to headaches and jaw problems
as well as damage to your pearly
whites. A mouth guard or Botox injected
into the jaw can protect you, and
biofeedback or antianxiety meds may
stop the urge.4
RANDOMLY
FALLING ASLEEP
In this uncommon condition, a “sleep
attack” can happen at any time, causing
you to conk out even while exercising
or
—
dangerously
—
driving, Sufferers
also suffer sudden muscle weakness.