Behind the Myths—Dreaming of Sleep (Your Health Magazine)

Understanding myths about sleep can help you get the rest you need

At some point in your life, you've probably had problems falling asleep, staying asleep or getting enough sleep. Should you have a glass of wine before going to bed? Nap during the day? Get that snoring problem treated? We uncover the myths and facts.

Myth: Snoring is a common problem but is rarely cause for concern.

Fact: For occasional snorers, this may be true. But if you snore loudly every night, it may be a symptom of sleep apnea, says Dr. Larry Pawluk, a sleep medicine specialist and clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Alberta. Sleep apnea can be very serious. It can cause excessive daytime sleepiness and can increase your chances of having high blood pressure and even a heart attack or a stroke. If you suspect you have this condition, seek referral to a sleep centre.

Myth: Your body can adjust to as little as two to three hours of sleep a night.

Fact: Although people today try to survive on less sleep, as Dr. Pawluk explains, "you can't borrow from the sleep bank without incurring a sleep debt." While there's variability in how much sleep you need, if you deprive yourself, it will eventually catch up to you. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to health problems such as obesity and high blood pressure, negative mood and decreased productivity.

Myth: Having alcohol before bed will help you sleep better.

Fact: That may be true for the first part of the night, says Dr. Pawluk. "If you have a drink before bed, the alcohol will increase the amount of slow wave sleep or deep sleep occurring in about the first third of the night," he explains. However, the remainder of the night will likely be characterized by vivid dreams and more interrupted sleep.

Myth: Counting sheep is an effective way to help you fall asleep.

Fact: Any sort of behavioural strategy that helps you become less focused on sleep may help a person with insomnia, says Dr. Pawluk. The problem is that counting sheep may not be that effective in helping someone to relax. People can use a variety of methods to help them wind down for sleep: relaxation exercises, stretching, reading or visual imagery techniques such as imagining a tranquil scene.

Myth: Never wake a sleepwalker.

Fact: Some people assume that waking a sleepwalker will cause that person some sort of irreparable psychological damage, but generally it's felt that you can gently wake the person and lead him back to bed. The real danger is to the person awakening the sleepwalker, says Dr. Pawluk. Because the sleepwalker may become confused and feel threatened by the person who is trying to awaken him, the sleepwalker may lash out physically.

Myth: If a person is tired during the day time, they're not sleeping enough at night.

Fact: For people who have sleep disorders such as narcolepsy or sleep apnea, it may not matter how much sleep they get. In sleep apnea, people experience micro-arousals throughout the night that interfere with their sleep, explains Dr. Pawluk. In narcolepsy, an area of brain that is responsible for wakefulness isn't functioning properly. "People will tend to minimize their symptoms and assume that nothing can be done to treat their sleepiness, but that's not the case," he says.

- Kim Tannas

Your Health Magazine - Sept/Oct. 2006 Issue

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Reviewed by Alberta clinical experts. Brought to you by HealthLink Alberta. Copyright.
This material is designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction and/or treatment. For more health advice call Capital Health Link at 780-408-LINK (5465) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In Alberta, call Toll-free: 1-866-408-LINK (5465)