People spend one third of their lives sleeping! We simply cannot live without it. Memory, immune system function and daytime energy are all directly linked to sleep. It is estimated that up to 90,000,000 people in North America suffer from a sleep disorder. Are you one of them?

During normal sleep there is a general decrease in body temperature, blood pressure, breathing rate, and most of our other bodily functions. Conversely, the brain does not decrease in activity. Numerous studies have demonstrated that our brains are as active during sleep as they are during waking hours. In an eight-hour sleep cycle, normal adults alternate between two extremely different states: REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and non-REM sleep.

REM Sleep
Most dreaming takes place during REM sleep. REM sleep makes up about
20 – 25% of the sleep cycle in normal adults. REM sleep is characterized by:

• Eyelid fluttering
• Rapid eye movement
• Muscle paralysis
• Irregular breathing
• Decrease in body   temperature
• Changes in heart rate   and blood pressure

How much sleep do I need?
this is a common question asked by patients. Sleep needs vary from person to person, but most adults require between 7-8 hours of sleep to be properly rested. Infants need as many as 15 hours while the elderly can get by with as little as 5-7.

Why do I wake up feeling tired?

Most likely, because you have a sleep disorder. Something fragmented your sleep cycle and if it was not an outside irritant (children, pets etc..) then it could be a sleep disorder. One of the most common sleep disorders is obstructive sleep apnea.

Is snoring harmful?

Unless you consider the damage done to the relationship with your bed partner then no, snoring is not generally considered harmful on its own. It can actually be easily treated and eliminated by an experienced dentist at one of the SGS clinics. Snoring is, however, considered a strong risk factor for a disorder that is very harmful called obstructive sleep apnea.