89. Conquering the Sleep Struggle with Roger Seheult, MD

In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein interviews Dr. Roger Seheult about the importance of sleep for people with chronic illness, chronic pain, and joint hypermobility.  Dr Seheult, a quadruple board-certified physician with expertise in sleep medicine, discusses various topics related to sleep, including the circadian rhythm, the impact of light on sleep, the effect of blue light on sleep, ideal bedtime, the impact of electronics on sleep, the role of melatonin, and the timing of eating and its effect on sleep.  Other topics include challenges of working from home, sleep schedules and chronic illness, shifting sleep patterns, sleep apnea and its relationship with chronic illness, sleep medications, sleep watches and monitoring devices, sleep positions and joint instability, and the importance of sleep education in medical training. Dr. Seheult provides valuable insights and recommendations for improving sleep quality and managing sleep-related issues.
YOUR host, as always, is Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD.
Takeaways:
Sleep is crucial for people with chronic illness, chronic pain, and joint hypermobility.Understanding the circadian rhythm is important for optimizing sleep.Light, especially blue light, can significantly impact sleep quality.The suprachiasmatic nucleus plays a key role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle.Morning light exposure is important for setting the body's internal clock.The timing of eating can affect sleep quality.Establishing a consistent sleep schedule and avoiding late-night eating can improve sleep quality.Shifting sleep patterns can be challenging, especially for individuals with chronic illness.Sleep apnea is common in individuals with chronic illness and connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes.Home sleep studies can be effective in detecting sleep apnea, but in-lab studies may be necessary for individuals at higher risk of central apnea.Sleep medications should be used cautiously due to potential side effects and dependency issues.Sleep watches and monitoring devices can provide valuable insights into sleep patterns and quality.Proper sleep positions, pillows, and mattresses can help alleviate joint instability and pain during sleep.Education on sleep disorders and their relationship with chronic illness should be improved in medical training.Patient advocacy and sharing information through podcasts can help raise awareness and improve access to sleep education.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction of Dr. Roger Seheult03:22 Understanding the Circadian Rhythm07:02 Impact of Light on Sleep09:20 The Suprachiasmatic Nucleus and its Role in Sleep09:49 The Importance of Light for People with Chronic Illness13:35 The Effect of Blue Light on Sleep15:28 Ideal Bedtime for Optimal Sleep17:25 The Impact of Electronics on Sleep19:26 The Role of Melatonin in Sleep20:05 The Importance of Morning Light23:29 The Timing of Eating and its Effect on Sleep24:00 Challenges of Working from Home and Small Meals25:20 Sleep Schedule and Chronic Illness28:57 Falling Asleep While Watching TV31:49 Sleep Apnea and Chronic Illness39:05 Sleep Apnea and Temporomandibular Dysfunction44:09 EDS and Central Sleep Apnea44:30 Elevating the Head of the Bed45:23 Alignment Problems and Breathing47:37 Sleep Medications and Side Effects1:00:15 Supplements for Sleep1:02:01 Sleep Watches and Monitoring Devices1:03:01 Sleep Positions and Joint Instability1:04:46 Paresthesias and Numbness in Sleep1:05:11 Pillow Recommendations for Cervical Instability1:07:35 Waking Up in Pain1:09:58 Sympathetic Nervous System Activation1:12:23 Safety of Melatonin1:14:4