Dr. Ash on Steve Harvey Show: Biggest Mistake Made by People Seeking Sound Sleep

What is the NUMBER ONE mistake made by people in their efforts to get a better night's sleep? On a recent visit to The Steve Harvey Show, Meridian Health Director of Sleep Medicine Dr. Carol Ash answers this question - and helps a woman who hasn't had a full night's rest in more than five years!

Don't "Ignore the Snore"

Ignoring Snoring?

Check out Dr. Carol Ash on "CBS This Morning" discussing sleep related health issues, and why simply "ignoring the snoring" could have serious consequences.

Don't Lose Sleep Over Congestion, Especially During Pregnancy

Getting adequate sleep during pregnancy is difficult enough; if an expectant mother can’t breathe through her nose, it will only make a trying situation worse.

Howard Landsman, D.O.
Ocean Medical Center
 

Congestion during pregnancy - often referred to as vasomotor rhinitis or rhinitis of pregnancy  - is caused by

hormonal changes which can cause swelling of mucous membranes and increased mucous.

While rhinitis of pregnancy is not dangerous in and of itself,  it can impact sleep, which is especially important to expectant mothers.

Congestion during pregnancy usually starts around the second month and can be exacerbated if the expectant mother has allergies or gets a cold.

When it comes to easing congestion and sleep more comfortably, always try conservative remedies first, which can include:

• Nasal saline
• Steam
• Humidifiers
• Elevating the head of your bed

If conventional methods prove ineffective, there are also category B prescription medications that can help, particularly if there are underlying allergies or the congestion is severe.

Learn more with these helpful resources:

• Common Discomforts During Pregnancy
• Understanding Newborn Reflexes and Behavior
  

Feeling Great Each Day Starts (and Ends) with a Healthy Night’s Sleep

 "It’s no secret though; rest and recovery are essential if you want to perform at YOUR best - and that starts and ends with getting enough sleep."

Read the latest blog post by soccer superstar, Momtourage blogger and K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital spokesperson, Christie Rampone!

Adjusting Your Internal Clock for Daylight Savings Time

As you prepare to "spring ahead" for daylight savings, it's important to adjust your internal clock accordingly.

Watch Dr. Carol Ash on the TODAY show discussing the impact of springing forward on everyday health:

When it comes to sleep, is there such thing as too much of a good thing?

When it comes to sleep, is it possible to have too much of a good thing?

According to recent research,  individuals who sleep an average of more than 10 hours per night are more prone to heart-related conditions such as diabetes, stroke and coronary heart disease.

What's the connection? According to studies, while these individuals may be sleeping longer, they're not necessarily sleeping better.

Learn more here.

Smartphone Superpower Comes at a Cost

Thanks to the blessings of 21st century technology, we can now talk to anyone, learn anything and transport anywhere in what feels like the blink of an eye.

Unfortunately, this realm of seemingly superhuman connectivity could be coming at a price, gradually grinding away at one of our most fundamental human needs.

This week, an article published in The Atlantic, "How Smart Phones Hurt Sleep," revealed some sobering statistics.

The piece cites a 2012 Time/Qualcomm poll conducted among 4,700 respondents in seven countries, including the U.S., in which participants were asked to gauge their level of agreement with the following assessment.

"I don't sleep as well as I used to because I am connected to technology all the time."

And the results? Nearly 25% of participants ages 18-24 strongly agree with the above statement, followed by nearly 15% ages 25-29, 10% ages 30-34 ...

And so it goes, gradually decreasing in percentage as participants' ages increase.

The conclusion? Those losing the most sleep are also the ones who need it the most.

"Electronic devices are designed to keep the brain engaged, making it more difficult to get to sleep at night," said Dr. Carol Ash in a Star Ledger/NJ.com article last year. "In addition, the light emitted from these devices limits the body’s release of melatonin, which helps us transition into our nighttime sleep cycle."

Read the complete Atlantic article, How Smartphones Hurt Sleep, to learn more.