Carol Ash, M.D.
Director of Sleep Medicine
Meridian Health, Riverview Medical Center
Sleeping Beauty had it right, as studies show lack of sleep can have an effect on our appearance in many ways.
Lack of sleep can stress many organ systems including skin, which is the largest organ in the human body. Sleep is important for maintaining the structure and integrity of collagen, which is your skin's main component and important for protection and elasticity. Collagen formation can be affected by changes in the immune response.
Studies show sleep plays a role in restoring the immune system. Changes in immune response can injure blood vessels vital to the health of your skin.
Sleep deprivation causes oxidative stress, which is a known cause of accelerated aging. Sleep deprivation can cause breaks in the protective function of the skin barrier and mucous membranes. The end result is accelerated aging of your skin and wrinkles.
Your skin can also be affected by sleeping positions. The supine position is believed to be best, as it offset the effects of gravity. Positions that put continuous pressure on thinner facial skin can compromise blood flow and pull on delicate facial tissue aging your skin.
The best sleep position is on your back, as it also provides the best positioning for spine alignment and minimizing muscle aches and pains.
Side sleeping would be best for those with nasal congestion and allergies, or even simple snoring. The side position will help to keep your airway open and your sleep will be more restful.
Most people never think about the detergent in their sleepwear, but any material that touches your skin can cause harm. Ionic detergents are particularly harsh and are widely found in many body-care products and household detergents.
The most common ionic detergents are sodium lauryl sulfate, (SLS). The good news is there are several “green detergents” on the market that are SLS free.
Eye masks can be an essential for healthy sleep. For some, even a small amount of light can block the melatonin response and cause sleep onset difficulty.
Facial creams and lotions are a great way to add moisture. Those formulas with antioxidants and anti-wrinkle agents such as retinol have been shown to boost the overnight repair function of sleep. Once again, avoid detergents, shampoos and other cleansers with SLS.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Join us as we answer the question, "Are you getting a good nights sleep?"
Everyone could use a better night's sleep, which is why Meridian Health is offering a special lecture series designed to pass along important information about sleep disorders and offer key tips for getting a healthier night's rest.
Join us on any of the following dates for "Are You Getting a Good Night's Sleep."
Attendance is FREE, but registration is required and available by calling 1-800-560-9990.
July 31, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Arbour Terrace of Middletown
1800 Hwy 35 South
Middletown, NJ 07748
August 5, 2 to 3 p.m.
Ocean Medical Center - Meridian Nursing & Rehab
425 Jack Martin Boulevard
Brick, NJ 08724
August 6, 2 to 3 p.m.
Jersey Shore University Medical Center
1945 Route 33
Neptune, NJ 07753
Join us on any of the following dates for "Are You Getting a Good Night's Sleep."
Attendance is FREE, but registration is required and available by calling 1-800-560-9990.
July 31, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Arbour Terrace of Middletown
1800 Hwy 35 South
Middletown, NJ 07748
August 5, 2 to 3 p.m.
Ocean Medical Center - Meridian Nursing & Rehab
425 Jack Martin Boulevard
Brick, NJ 08724
August 6, 2 to 3 p.m.
Jersey Shore University Medical Center
1945 Route 33
Neptune, NJ 07753
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Sleep Tips to Reduce SIDS Risk
Carol Ash, M.D.
Director of Sleep Medicine
Meridian Health, Riverview Medical Center
Since the start of the “Back to Sleep” campaign, there has been a reduction in SIDS deaths by 50%.
SIDS however still remains the leading cause of death among infants.
With the success of the “Back to Sleep” campaign, other risks have become important factors, with bed sharing causing 38% of deaths and sleeping in adult beds alone causing another 45%.
Bed sharing with a parent who is a smoker or who uses drugs and alcohol has been known to increase the risk of SIDS.
For exhausted moms keeping the baby in the same bed to make breast feeding easier seems like a simple solution.
Research shows that there can be a fivefold increase in the risk of SIDS associated with bed-sharing in breast fed babies who were under three months old, had non-smoking parents and when the mother had not used drugs or alcohol. Adult bedding and mattresses are softer and can cause suffocation of an infant.
So while the “back to sleep campaign has proved to be a success, it is still important to make sure all new moms understand the multiple risk and take steps to keep their baby safe.
Tips to reduce SIDS risk:
•Always put your baby to sleep on their backs
•Invest in a comfortable bed side rocker to breast feed babies at night
•Never put your baby to bed in your bed or a sofa. Infant mattresses are firmer
•Avoid alcohol 3 hours prior to bedtime
•For the sake of your baby, don't smoke or take drugs
Director of Sleep Medicine
Meridian Health, Riverview Medical Center
Since the start of the “Back to Sleep” campaign, there has been a reduction in SIDS deaths by 50%.
SIDS however still remains the leading cause of death among infants.
With the success of the “Back to Sleep” campaign, other risks have become important factors, with bed sharing causing 38% of deaths and sleeping in adult beds alone causing another 45%.
Bed sharing with a parent who is a smoker or who uses drugs and alcohol has been known to increase the risk of SIDS.
For exhausted moms keeping the baby in the same bed to make breast feeding easier seems like a simple solution.
Research shows that there can be a fivefold increase in the risk of SIDS associated with bed-sharing in breast fed babies who were under three months old, had non-smoking parents and when the mother had not used drugs or alcohol. Adult bedding and mattresses are softer and can cause suffocation of an infant.
So while the “back to sleep campaign has proved to be a success, it is still important to make sure all new moms understand the multiple risk and take steps to keep their baby safe.
Tips to reduce SIDS risk:
•Always put your baby to sleep on their backs
•Invest in a comfortable bed side rocker to breast feed babies at night
•Never put your baby to bed in your bed or a sofa. Infant mattresses are firmer
•Avoid alcohol 3 hours prior to bedtime
•For the sake of your baby, don't smoke or take drugs
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