GMC sleep lab offers holiday help

Nothing says happy holidays like large meals, friends, family and late nights. But if you think big meals are the only enemy to the waistline this time of year, think again.

Little sleep is just as bad, experts say.

“If you aren’t getting enough sleep, which is typical during the holidays, and you’re overeating, you’re probably more apt to gain weight and have trouble breathing through the night,” said Danita Turner, manager of respiratory care, sleep and neurology at Gwinnett Medical Center. “It’s kind of like a self-perpetuating thing.”

There is, however, good news, said Turner.

Just in time for Christmas and New Year’s, Gwinnett Medical Center will open a new sleep lab next Tuesday at the Joan Glancy Rehabilitation Center in Duluth.

The Center for Sleep Disorders will be the second of its kind run by GMC. The other is at the medical center in Lawrenceville. Both treat such disorders as insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep apnea.

“This sleep center will have the same board certified specialists as our Lawrenceville site,” Turner said.

To avoid overeating and weight gain, the National Sleep Foundation and Gwinnett Medical Center offer these tips for the holidays:

> Get a good night’s rest. Sleeping seven-nine hours is recommended for most adults.

> Watch what you eat. Go for small portions but do not go hungry. And never “save up” your calories during the day by not eating; it will only backfire and cause you to eat more in the end.

> Exercise. Take brisk walks with your loved ones and enjoy their company in the holiday season. This will help burn calories and also will improve the quality of your sleep.

> Avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime. Coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate, for example, can keep you awake. Alcohol can lead to disrupted sleep later in the night.

Check your sleep schedule. Do you wake up feeling lethargic or wake up frequently during the night? If so, discuss your sleeping habits with your doctor or contact an accredited sleep disorder center.

For more information, visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/sleep or sleepfoundation.org or also call the GMC Center for Sleep Disorders at 678-312-3695.