How new technology can help improve the quality of our nights
Sleep may look like a period of inactivity, but beneath the surface, our body is hard at work.
During deep sleep, about 80 percent of daily growth hormone is released, according to Dr. Dana Blalock, D.D.S., owner of Sleep Better South Carolina.
Additionally, the hormones which help regulate appetite, weight and fat metabolism rise; metabolic waste is cleared and the brain processes memories and helps consolidate learning.
“If you are trying to learn a new skill, deep sleep and REM sleep are very important,” says Dr. Blalock.
Interrupted breathing during sleep affects an estimated 30 million people in the U.S., according to the American Medical Association.
Sleep apnea and insomnia are the most common causes of sleep disruption, Blalock says. Snoring is a common signal for sleep apnea, although not everyone who snores has the condition — and vice versa.
So, how can we know whether we’re getting the quality sleep our bodies need? Technology is helping to offer new insights and making treatment options less cumbersome.
How Technology Supports Diagnosis and Treatment
Smartwatches and wearable devices use sensors and A.I.-powered algorithms to offer insightful patterns, but Dr. Blalock recommends discussing sleep disruptions with a qualified physician and asking about a home sleep test to properly diagnose sleep conditions.
Treatment options have also evolved, giving patients with sleep apnea more choices beyond traditional CPAP therapy.
“Oral appliances have gotten smaller and more technologically advanced,” Dr. Blalock says.
At Sleep Better SC, Blalock utilizes newer technology to provide a closer look at how treatment is working. The RPMO2 is an oral appliance with a built-in pulse oximeter and sleep-tracking technology. It measures real-time oxygen saturation, pulse rate, and hours of usage and sends the information to an app and physician portal, giving providers valuable insight into sleep and allowing them to track changes in oxygen levels over time.
Technology like the RPMO2 offers another way to make sleep care more personalized, measurable and convenient for patients looking beyond a one-size-fits-all approach. Easy steps to improve your sleep quality includes keeping a consistent sleep schedule, sleeping in a dark, cool room, limiting caffeine and alcohol, exercising regularly and creating a 30- to 60-minute wind-down routine with calming activities such as reading, gentle stretching or meditation.
Practical Ways to Improve Sleep Quality
Dr. Blalock also recommends limiting screen time for at least an hour before bed or using blue-light-blocking glasses or screen protectors.
Avoid sleeping on your back when possible, as this can contribute to airway collapse, mouth breathing and snoring. Weight loss can definitely help. When we gain weight, that weight also goes around our tongue, our neck and our airway.
The important point is that sleep is not downtime — it’s essential work that supports our overall health long after morning arrives. Because when we sleep better, we can function better when we’re awake.
