Respiratory function is significantly altered by sleepPts with normal awake breathing can develop significant respiratory compromise in sleepAfter sleep onset, central motor neuron output fallsReduced upper airway dilator muscle function narrows the upper airwayReduced inspiratory muscle activity causes shallower breathing vs awake state Complicating factors: Obesity, Enlarged neck circumference, Upper airway obstruction (enlarged tonsils, adenoids,… Continue reading
Author Archives → Waiz Wasey, MD
Double Board Certified Sleep Doctor | Top Doc AZ '25, '26 | Sleepfluencer - IG dr.snoozz | Alumni: SIU, Mayo Clinic
Non-Pharmacological Tx of Insomnia
Psych and behavioral tx are 1st line and gold standard AASM RecommendationsStandard tx: stimulus control, relaxation training, CBT-ISome support: sleep restriction, multicomponent tx without cognitive tx, paradoxical intention, biofeedbackNot recommended as stand-alone: sleep hygiene, imagery training, cognitive tx Stimulus Control: Effective monotherapy based on classical conditioningIn good sleepers, the bed/bedroom acts as a cue for… Continue reading
Scientists Discover How Deep Sleep Builds Muscle, Burns Fat, and Boosts the Brain
Growth hormone is one of the body’s main repair signals. It helps build muscle and bone, mobilizes stored fat for fuel, and supports tissue recovery. Doctors have known for decades that most of it is released at night while you sleep. What nobody could explain was how the brain switches that release on and off…. Continue reading
How to Stop Snoring: What the Research Actually Supports
About 150 million people in the United States snore without having sleep apnea. That estimate comes from a 2024 randomized trial in JAMA Otolaryngology, and the same researchers pointed out something surprising. Very few studies have tested treatments for plain snoring, even though it affects so many people and their bed partners. That means a… Continue reading
White Noise vs. Brown Noise vs. Red Noise: What the Science Says About Sleep Sounds
Brown noise and red noise are the same sound. That surprises most people. The bigger surprise is what recent research shows about colored noise and sleep: it can help in a noisy room, but it is not a free upgrade for everyone, and louder is not better. This article explains how these sounds differ, what… Continue reading
In adults using sound to help sleep, does continuous brown noise compared with white noise improve sleep onset, sleep continuity, sleep architecture, or perceived sleep quality?
Clinical Answer: No evidence shows brown noise is better than white noise for sleep. No published trial compares them head to head, and brown noise has not been studied directly. Evidence for any continuous broadband noise as a sleep aid is very low quality, and newer PSG data suggest broadband noise may reduce REM sleep…. Continue reading
Does White Noise Help Sleep? Why Sleep Doctors Recommend It
Some swear by their bedroom fan. Others have tried every sleep sound app and still wake at 3 a.m. when a car door slams. Here is the short answer. White noise can help you sleep, mostly when noise is the thing waking you up. It is a tool for a noisy bedroom, not a cure… Continue reading
Consequences of Insomnia
Short Term ConsequencesFatigue and tirednessUnpleasant body sx, e.g. heavy eyesHypersensitivity to noise and lightMood disturbance: irritability, increased emotional reactivityNegative personal interactions with children, partnersReduced self-esteem, optimism and confidencePoor quality of lifePts often feel alone and misunderstoodCognitive disturbance: reduced attention, concentration and performance Long Term Consequences: Psychological HealthInsomnia is a risk factor for developing psych dz2x… Continue reading
What Is a Short Sleeper? Do They Really Not Feel Tired?
Some people sleep 4 to 6 hours a night, wake up without an alarm, and feel great. No afternoon slump. No weekend lie-in. No triple espresso to get through the day. They are called natural short sleepers. They are real, but they are rare. Most people who sleep 5 or 6 hours and say they… Continue reading
How Many Hours of Sleep Do You Really Need? A Sleep Doctor’s Guide by Age
“How much sleep do I actually need?” is one of the most common questions I hear in clinic. Most people expect a single number. The honest answer is that it depends on your age, and the target moves a lot from infancy to adulthood. Here is the short version. Most adults need at least 7… Continue reading