sleeplessandtired.com

A couple of days ago, I was sitting in the barber’s chair “getting my ears lowered.” My grandfather always referred to a haircut that way, but you hardly hear that expression anymore. I actually like it, because you can’t accurately call one of my visits a haircut. My instructions are usually just “trim around the back and sides, but leave the top.” Not much hair to cut anymore! “Lowering the ears” is a much  more accurate  description. My grandfather had the same problem I have with hair: very little there.

My barber, who I’ll call Dan, for the sake of his anonymity, was telling me about his problem with sleep apnea. Dan said that he usually only slept three to four hours a night. How anyone can get by with only three to four is beyond my comprehension. Dan told me that quite some time ago he had been diagnosed with sleep apnea and he had been given all the CPAP paraphernalia. Unfortunately, he was only able to use it a very short time because he discovered that he was allergic to the material used in the mask. His face broke out with a serious rash everytime he used the CPAP machine. He was embarrassed to go out in public. Dan suffered with his sleep problem for some years after.

Dan found himself sleeping less and less each night.  He was constantly tired, had no energy, and felt too depressed to play golf, his favorite stress reliever. He had to see his doctor again. The doctor visit disclosed that Dan had recently had a minor heart attack. His doctor suggested that his minor heart attack may have been caused by Dan’s sleep apnea, and Dan’s refusal to wear his previously prescribed CPAP gear. Dan’s doctor told him that the gear available now is much improved. Dan would no longer have to wear a mask. The gear today uses a tube inserted into the nostril. The solution has been less successful than Dan had wished. The tube is easily dislodged from the nostril and it often causes nose bleeds.

Dan still tries to use it whenever he can push himself to do so. It does help him sleep a little better now, but the frequent nose bleeds have become a problem. The nose bleed thing is a problem I’ve been dealing with every winter. The dry heat of the furnace in the winter had been affecting me with the same problem. I have had a deviated septum since childhood. I keep telling myself that I’m too old to have that corrected now. Actually, my fear of the surgical procedure has held me back. I am a real coward when it comes to surgery!

Not less than a month ago one of my sons suggested a humidifier for our bedroom. He raved about how well it worked for him and his family. He suggested I get one for the bedroom and one for the family room. I followed his instructions. I bought two Honeywell ”warm mist” humidifiers. The container can easily be put under a bathroom sink faucet. I fill it twice a day; there are no filters to clean; and the cost is only $39.95 per unit. I am absolutely amazed at the difference. I sleep better. I breathe better. My skin is not dried out like it used to be. The nose bleeds are very rare now. I gave this prescription to Dan while he was lowering my ears.

Dan and I continued to discuss the sleep deprivation problem faced by all of us today. I told him about my recent article: “The Real Pandemic of the 21st Century.” We discussed the worries and the stresses plaguing society today: the bad economy, the jobless rate, the home mortgage crisis, the national debt, the declining educational system, the “New World Order,” and the fact that both parents have to work in order to survive today. The causes of sleep deprivation are too numerous and too complicated to remedy.

Dan then described how his family dealt with the stresses and pressures of the day when he was a child. Every night after dinner the entire family would move to the front porch. Everyone had his own chair since the porches then were much larger than they are today. Everyone had his turn to talk about “what went on” in his day. Each followed to offer assistance and possible solutions; or compliments and encouragement. The worries and stresses were “talked out.” The family bond was strengthened through the sharing of each others experiences. They built a missile defense system in each of their brains that could defeat any and all future attacks. Sleep was an easy follow-up to the healthy and prescriptive conversations.

What a great remedy! It’s time for the New Year’s Resolutions everyone! Dedicate  the time to do this every night. After a short time, you won’t have to be the volunteer to go first. The whole family will benefit from this simple, inexpensive prescription!

Thanks, Dan, for your contribution to our blog. The “ears are lowered” and I’m ready for the holiday get-togethers. I hope the humidifier helps you sleep better. Your remedy, however, was far more valuable than mine; and it didn’t cost a penny!

Happy New Year, and Sleep Better!

Copyright 2010. All rights reserved to Ronald Czarnecki.