Dr. Sourav Sarkar gave us his expert advice with sleep medicine.
Dr. Sourav Sarkar is a Certified Sleep Specialist from Academy of Pulmonary, critical care and Sleep Medicine, Delhi.
Sleep medicine is a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Sleep disorders are conditions that affect the ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get enough restorative sleep.
Sleep medicine includes the use of medications, lifestyle changes, and therapies to help manage sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy. Sleep specialists may also use diagnostic tests such as sleep studies to evaluate a patient's sleep patterns and identify any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to their sleep problems.
Diagnostic tests for Sleep Disorders include:
1. Over night Oximetry.
2. Polysomnography.
3. Titration with CPAP.
4. Multiple Sleep Latency Testing.
5. Actigraphy.
6. Labworks related to Deficiencies of Magnesium, Melatonin B12 and Hemoglobin.
There are a variety of medications that may be used to treat sleep disorders, including hypnotics, sedatives, and antidepressants. However, medication is not always the first line of treatment. Dr. Sourav Sarkar recommended behavioral changes such as improving sleep hygiene or using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) before turning to medication.
If you are experiencing difficulty sleeping or have concerns about your sleep patterns, speaking with a healthcare professional is important. Consult with a specialist like Dr. Sourav Sarkar, who can evaluate your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment options.
Dr. Sourav Sarkar also recommends that anyone going through difficulty in sleeping should approach this holistically first.
A holistic approach to sleep medicine takes into account the whole person, including their physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as their lifestyle and environment. Instead of simply addressing the symptoms of sleep disorders with medication, a holistic approach aims to identify and address the underlying causes of sleep problems.
Some examples of holistic approaches to sleep medicine include:
Improving Sleep Hygiene: This involves making changes to your daily routine and environment to promote healthy sleep habits. For example, establishing a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, and creating a relaxing sleep environment.
Mindfulness and Meditation: Practices such as mindfulness meditation and deep breathing exercises can help calm the mind and promote relaxation, which can improve sleep quality.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of talk therapy that can help identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that may be contributing to sleep problems.
Nutrition: A healthy diet can promote overall health and wellness, including healthy sleep patterns. Avoiding heavy meals close to bedtime and consuming foods high in tryptophan, such as turkey and milk, may promote sleepiness. Consuming foods high in magnesium dark leafy greens, seeds, beans, fish, whole grains, nuts, dark chocolate, yogurt, avocados, bananas are also suggested.
Exercise: Regular physical activity can promote better sleep quality and help reduce stress and anxiety.
A holistic approach to sleep medicine recognizes that sleep is an essential component of overall health and wellness. By addressing the root causes of sleep problems and promoting healthy habits and lifestyle choices, patients can achieve better sleep quality and improve their overall health and wellbeing.