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Top Ten Books on Sleep and Sleep Apnea

 

By Admin

 

Problems associated with sleep and sleep disorders continue to receive a large amount of media attention, and in recent years has resulted in a surge of publications ranging from simple factsheets to exhaustive resources made available for working professionals in the field of sleep medicine. Never before has the issue of sleep, and sleep deprivation in particular, been linked so clearly to physical and mental health problems that can last a lifetime if left untreated, but the first step to proper treatment is proper understanding. In the interest of further educating the public about this highly important topic, we are providing a short list of chosen favorites among the growing list of sleep-related publications now available.  

 

The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your LIfe, One Night at a Time

By Arianna S. Huffington

Harmony Books, 2016 Hardcover, 392 pages E-book Available,

ISBN: 978-1101904022

 

While this book is more about sleep itself than any particular disorder, Huffington writes from the perspective of a sleep apnea sufferer, highlighting the issue of undiagnosed health issues in the bigger picture of long-term sleeplessness. Arianna Huffington has been a go-getter all her life. As the founder of the health startup Thrive Global, she became a member of Oprah Winfrey's SuperSoul 100 team of leaders, and after working her way up in the high-stress profession of online journalism, Arianna co-founded The Huffington Post Media Group, a popular news and commentary publisher that won several awards for quality research and writing. She continued with her workaholic habits for several years before finding out that she had more than the typical self-imposed insomnia of an entrepreneur; she had obstructive sleep apnea. When Arianna finally collapsed from exhaustion, she had to rethink her attitude about sleep and restlessness in general, and it became her crusade to challenge the rest of us to do the same. The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time is a comprehensive overview of the importance of sleep and the consequences of its neglect. The Revolution, in her words, is a chance to turn things around during the current “golden age of sleep,” a time when public interest is on the rise. Huffington’s idea of a sleep revolution is a moment in history when sweeping changes are made in public opinion, attitude, and behavior. This cultural rediscovery of sleep, as she describes it, affects all areas of life and can not only save us from our unhealthy habits, but can have lasting benefits for generations to come.  

Sleep Soundly Every Night, Feel Fantastic Every Day: A Doctor’s Guide to Solving Your Sleep Problems

By Robert S. Rosenberg, D.O., FCCP

Demos Medical Publishing, 2014 Trade Paperback, 268 pages E-book available, 

ISBN: 978-1-936303-72-4

 

Dr Robert S. Rosenberg, D.O., is the medical director of the Sleep Disorders Center in Arizona. HIs book, Sleep Soundly Every Night, Feel Fantastic Every Day, is his prescription for how to do just that—how to turn your sleep life around and reap the benefits. One of the selling points about this book is its organization Rosenberg outlines each disorder into its definition, symptoms, treatments, and other related issues to help the reader use the book as an easy-reference guide that includes patient accounts for an added touch of personal reflection. In the June 11, 2014 edition of Publisher’s Weekly, editors praised Dr. Rosenberg’s book for its detail, long list of disorders, and conversational tone. Calling it an “invaluable reference,” the review explains how Rosenberg begins with a self-test for identifying symptoms then directs readers to the sections of the book most useful to them, where each disorder includes its own resources for further reference. This outline gives the reader not just a book to read, but a source of information and guidance that can be referenced again and again.  

What You Should Know about Sleep Apnea: An Easy to Understand Guide

By Nicholas DiFilippo, D.O., FCCP

Createspace Independent Publishing, 2013 Paperback, 70 pages, 

ISBN: 978-1482025156

 

This publication is more of a pamphlet or short reference guide than a standard full-length book on the subject, but what it accomplishes in brief is a very practical guide that can be used to check up on daily, often subtle, changes that can occur in patient’s ongoing treatment experience. Dr. DiFilippo is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Diseases by the American Board of Internal Medicine and by the Subspecialty Board of Pulmonary Disease, so the details included in these few pages are useful and well-informed. Since sleep apnea affects “routine everyday activity,” What You Should Know About Sleep Apnea is meant to be part of that experience, providing basic information but also directing readers to further resources as needed. Highly affordable, portable, and informative, this book if useful on its own, but would also be great supplemental reading paired with a more comprehensive and detailed overview of the science of CPAP.  

Hacking Sleep Apnea — 6th Edition | 18 Strategies to Breathe & Sleep Easy Again

By Brady Nelson, RRT

Createspace Independent Publishing, 2018 Paperback, 116 Pages E-book available, 

ISBN: 978-1721955046

 

Another short book, this edition of Hacking Sleep Apnea made the list because of its focus on CPAP, as well as its informative structure. Marketed as a complete guide to battling sleep apnea, Hacking Sleep Apnea includes a bonus book, Hacking Sleep Apnea Comfort, with over 100 CPAP comfort hacks that aim to provide the best possible treatment conditions for anyone. While some of these hacks are common knowledge in sleep apnea communities, for example, choosing the right kind of pillow for your specific sleeping style, other hacks are less known, such as the use of proper positioning to avoid air reaching the stomach. Hacking Sleep Apnea is separated into 18 strategies for focused therapy, each characterizing a specific set of symptoms and related issues. Brady Nelson, RRT, the author of Hacking Sleep Apnea, explains that far too many sleep apnea patients end up using treatments ineffectively due to lack of information about their specific conditions. This book provides an understanding that includes many of the common idiosyncrasies that patients may develop, as well as the myths and misconceptions that can affect treatment in negative ways. What may reviewers have found is that Hacking Sleep Apnea reads much like a collection of information gleaned from a variety of sources, but with the added quality of a single, informed, and unbiased perspective.  

Sleep Apnea - The Phantom of the Night: Overcome Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Snoring, 3rd Edition

By T. Scott Johnson, William A. Broughton, and Jerry Halberstadt

New Technology Publishing, 2003 Paperback, 336 Pages,

ISBN: 978-1-882431-05-2

 

With Contributions by B. Gail Demko, DMD, and Forewords by Carl E. Hunt, M.D., William C. Dement M.D., and Colin Sullivan, M.D., Ph.D., FRACP While this book was published back in 2003, it still holds up today as a quintessential source for sleep apnea information. With contributions by Carl E. Hunt, M.D., the Director of the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research (NIH), and Dr. Colin Sullivan, the creator of the original Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, this thorough exploration of sleep apnea facts and research findings is ideal as a patient guidebook, and would make a great first book on the subject, especially for someone seeking out the basic story of sleep apnea, how it is diagnosed, and what treatments are available. In addition to the more detailed sections, the book includes a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions to offer readers quick and thorough access to the material. Advertised as the “Revised and Expanded Handbook on Sleep Apnea,” Sleep Apnea - Phantom of the Night includes the subtitle, “Win your hidden struggle to breathe, sleep and live.” What makes Sleep Apnea: the Phantom of the Night so successful after nearly two decades of publication is its continued relevance, both as a guide for patients and as a source of information for anyone interested in the subject of sleep apnea and the potential personal and social obstacles to successful treatment.  

Restless Nights: Understanding Snoring and Sleep Apnea

By Peretz Lavie

Yale University Press, 2003 Hardcover, 288 Pages E-book available,

ISBN: 978-0300085440

 

Another older publication, Restless Nights: Understanding Snoring and Sleep Apnea is considered a classic among patients, doctors, and specialists in the field of sleep medicine. Restless Nights gives clear explanations of how sleep apnea is related to weight gain, heart health, the cardiovascular system, mood, and energy. The book emphasizes the causes and risk factors of central and obstructive apneas, but also discusses the price of each awakening on the sleep health of the sufferer. Once chapter on “Sleeping Under Pressure” discusses the role of stress and periods of transition on those with sleep apnea syndromes Other chapters include a number of recommendations for seeking proper consultation, diagnosis, and treatments. While written more as a novel than a self-help guidebook, Restless Nights: Understanding Snoring and Apnea contains that same recommendations found in more recent publications with the handbook or guidebook format. Restless Nights, however, includes a detailed history of apnea and snoring, and other related issues, as well as a subjective analysis of the available treatments at the time of publication, many of which, like CPAP, remain the gold standard today.  

The Promise of Sleep: A Pioneer in Sleep Medicine Explores the Vital Connection Between Health, Happiness, and a Good Night's Sleep, 1st Edition

By William C. Dement, M.D., Ph.D. and Christopher Vaughan,

Dell Publishing, 2000 Trade Paperback, 512 Pages E-book available,

ISBN: 978-0440509011

 

William C. Dement, M.D., Ph.D., has been called the world’s leading authority on sleep and sleep disorders. In 1970 he founded the world’s first sleep disorders center at Stanford University, and in 2000, with the help of co-author Christopher Vaughan, he published The Promise of Sleep, a book that was advertised as the “prescription for a sleepsick society.” As a book written by one of the top researchers in the field of sleep medicine, The Promise of Sleep lives up to its name, articulating with clear prose how each sleep disorder is rooted in physiological changes in the brain, brought about by both internal and environmental factors we are only just beginning to understand. Dr. Dement adds his own personal story to his science, and includes step-by-step solutions for treating disorders. What’s surprising is that, being the oldest book on our list, it is perhaps the most scientifically sound. Dr. Dement gives a detailed overview of the sleeping body’s many processes, including the brain’s vital functions that are only performed during dee stages.of sleep. Being an earlier publication, The Promise of Sleep also has a uniquely historic point of view, written at a time when sleep science was just beginning to develop as a specialized, multi-disciplined area of research.  

Sleep, Interrupted

By Steven Y. Park, M.D.

Jodev Press, 2012 Paperback, 266 Pages E-book available,

ISBN: 978-0980236-73-6

 

Dr. Steven Park, author of The Forever Young Diet and Lifestyle, has some strong opinions about sleep disorders in general, and sleep apnea in particular. “Most sleep aids are making your sleep problems even worse” he explains. In Dr. Park’s opinion, even those who get slightly less than seven hours of sleep a night are doing as much damage as regular smoking. He points to sleeplessness and sleep apnea as a reason for chronic weight gain in spite of diets and/or exercise. Dr. Steven Park’s practice specializes in fatigue and energy problems, and his methods have been celebrated for complete patient turnarounds, giving people a renewed sense of energy and restfulness with the proper therapy, medications, and treatment. But it is not enough simply to heal or to prescribe the proper treatment. Dr. Steven’s goal is to empower people to achieve healthier and more productive lives on their own, without need for medicine. And as Dr. Park reminds us throughout his book, it all begins with a good night’s sleep.  

Deadly Sleep: Is Your Sleep Killing You?

By Mack D. Jones, M.D.

iUniverse, Inc., 2009 Trade Paperback, 192 Pages,

ISBN: 978-0-595-52870-7

 

After being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, Dr. Mack Jones wanted educate others about the disease, but he also wanted to narrate his own personal journey as patient. Beginning with the question of symptoms and how the disorder develops, the book focuses on the damage being done in the absence of treatment. Deadly Sleep: Is Your Sleep Killing You? Is an exploration of the negative consequences of sleep disorders, and how best to identify and treat the whole disease by starting at the source and eliminating the cause. Research on the health effects of sleep debt are included in detail, including recent connections to Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss, and issues of libido. Sleep Apnea contributes to a large number of potentially life-threatening diseases, and any treatment should do more than focus on one solution or therapy. Even CPAP, as Dr. Jones points out, should be used in tandem with an exercise regimen, dietary changes, improved sleep hygiene, and other countermeasures to treat the health of the individual, and not simply the mask the symptoms of the resulting disease or disorder. Using his Illness Narrative as an informative strategy, Dr. Jones appeals to the individual in his descriptions, focusing on the negative aspects of the disorder only to promote a change.of behavior among those who can still make a difference in their lives.  

Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams

By Matthew Walker, Ph.D.

Scribner, 2017 Trade Paperback, 368 Pages E-book available,

ISBN: 978-1501144-32-5

 

Described as an instant classic, this New York Times bestseller book is written by a pioneer of sleep science and its medical applications. As the Guardian’s September, 2017 Health and Science “Book of the Month,” Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams was summarized as an overview of a all-or-nothing panacea. “A neuroscientist has found a revolutionary way of being cleverer, more attractive, slimmer, happier, healthier, and of warding off cancer,” writes Mark O’Connell, the book’s reviewer. What he doesn’t mention is that all of those benefits and more are achieved, ideally, without effort. But as author Matthew Walker, Ph.D. points out, most of us have to first relearn how to sleep. As the director of UC Berkeley’s Center for Human Sleep Science, Dr. Walker worked for years on some of the top sleep research projects in the nation, and his words on the subject include his own observations over years of first-hand sleep-science experience. Unlike other sleep books on the market, Walker includes examples of sleep throughout the animal kingdom, stressing the role of sleep in the evolution of species, and paying particular attention to the role of dreams in mental physiology, creativity, and mental health. As O’Connell points out in the Guardian, Why We Sleep is in some ways a misnomer of a title, as it implies that we sleep for a simple or singular reason. As we learn from Dr. Walker’s words, the reasons for sleep are numerous, often complicated, and indispensable to our health and survival.  

 

Sources

Alibris - https://www.alibris.com/search/books/subject/Sleep-apnea-syndromes

Dreams - https://www.dreams.co.uk/sleep-matters-club/what-does-reading-before-bed-do-to-an-adults-brain/

Publisher’s Weekly - https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-936303-72-4

Sleep Apnea Book Club - http://www.sleepguide.com/group/sleepapneabookclub

Sleep Journal - https://academic.oup.com/sleep

The Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/sep/21/why-we-sleep-by-matthew-walker-review