HERSHEY, Pa. — Few things are more frustrating than trying — and failing — to get a restful night’s sleep. March is Sleep Apnea Awareness Month, a good time to remember that sleep problems aren’t always caused by stress or busy schedules — sometimes they start in the body. Whether you struggle to fall asleep or wake up tired, chronic exhaustion shouldn’t go untreated. The good news? There are plenty of ways to help you get better sleep.
Matthew Floyd, a sleep medicine physician at Penn State Health Sleep Research and Treatment Center, said people should talk to a doctor if sleep issues are affecting their daytime life or family. Often, a bed partner is the first to notice the signs — unusual breathing or loud snoring during the night.
“If your sleep is negatively affecting your day-to-day functioning, you should come in and get evaluated,” Floyd said. ”Patients who have significant daytime sleepiness tend to have worse health outcomes.”…