SWEETS CAN BE SCARY FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T SLEEP

At this time of the year, when it’s much easier and even more cost effective to purchase a 5 pound bag versus the usual 12 ounce bag of assorted chocolates, practicing one’s self restraint becomes difficult when faced with the free and massive distribution and consumption of candy on Halloween. And, boy, do Americans love candy.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, sales for candy items throughout the year are more than $13 billion (yes, that’s with a “b”) for chocolate-related confections and another $7.6 billion for non-chocolate. While that seems like a whole lot of money to pay just for candy, it’s nothing compared to the quantity we actually consume. In 2006 alone, the same study reports that Americans per capita ate 26 pounds of candy, with most of that believed to be around Halloween. That news alone is enough to make anyone sick in the stomach.

Warning, Dead Ahead

Of course, there are many more negative side effects than indigestion to worry about after a sugar binge. From cavities to weight gain, too many sweets can definitely land you in the doctor’s office, much too many times. However, tooth decay and unwanted weight gain are the least of your problems given that you can at least heed their warning signs before these problems careen out of control. But what if these treats are aggravating a type of health problem that neither moderation nor self-restraint can resolve? What if you were speeding down a busy highway in pitch darkness with no headlights? Sooner or later, you’d crash and burn. Unfortunately, this is what’s happening to many who have sleep apnea.

Some Scary Statistics

According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, more than 12 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. It’s a common sleep disorder where the person experiences brief interruptions of their breathing while they’re asleep, with breathing actually stopping for as long as 10 seconds or more. Of the three types of apnea-obstructive, central and mixed-the obstructive is the most commonly diagnosed. The problem, however, is that sleep apnea is not diagnosed nearly enough. Of the many million that suffer with this problem, only 20% are getting treated. One most likely reason is that sleep apnea isn’t something you can see and feel like weight gain or a toothache. Most of the time, sleep apnea sufferers find out they have this problem only AFTER they’ve been diagnosed
with many of the other more visible health ailments commonly associated with sleep
apnea—like heart disease, depression, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

Sweets Can Be Deadlier Than Sleep Apnea

Health professionals often cite sweets and other highly caloric foods as the leading culprit for the obesity epidemic in this country. Similarly, many more studies cite obesity as a common trait for those with sleep apnea. The simplest explanation behind this is the fact that excess weight can cause the soft palate to become thickened and more likely to collapse while sleeping, and to cause airway blockages which result in apneas (”loss of breath”). Some researchers also note that those with sleep apnea have a higher
risk for developing metabolic syndrome, and may even have an increased likelihood of glucose intolerance. Both metabolic syndrome and glucose intolerance commonly occur in people who are obese, have diabetes mellitus, and otherwise have higher than normal triglyceride levels. Sleep apnea and obesity are like chain-linked vandals, wreaking havoc around the neighborhood with threats of disease and demise resulting from an overabundance of sugar in our diets. Obesity especially is often cited as THE reason for
abstaining from sweets. However, not much is said of the other much scarier consequence of eating too much sugar and over-processed foods. There are many more skeletons in this closet than many people realize nor care to admit, but it’s a threat worth facing up to especially if you have a penchant for sweets.

Unearthing Skeletons

Dr. Weston Price, a dentist and world traveler, spent time decades ago observing   primitive and secluded cultures. What he found out was alarming. As expected, the people he studied lived off the land. They ate a wholesome natural diet that didn’t include the massive amounts of sugar, high fructose corn syrup and processed foods that fill modern store shelves and restaurant menus. What he didn’t expect to see
however, were the stark contrasts between their jaw structures and overall dental health to those of individuals who adopted a typical Western diet. Within just one to two generations, these people had begun to have severe dental caries and tooth misalignment. More surprisingly, their jaw structure had also changed, forming a higher v-shaped arch as opposed to the nice semicircular arch you’d find in individuals with much healthier diets. The interesting note here is that the people who continued to eat off the land during those next generations continued to have great dental health and straight teeth. There was no crowding, and their jaws remained wide, with broad arches near the palatal areas. Furthermore, when he examined thousands of skulls from ancient burial grounds, he found little evidence of tooth decay, and there were was no crowding, while arches remained wide. Although the evidence is not definitive by any means, there is a strong suggestion that poor nutrition may not only cause cavities, obesity, and sleep apnea, it may be one of the reasons behind the rising incidence of sleep problems including obstructive sleep apnea in this country over the last few years.

Theories to Think About

While the line has been drawn between what you eat, this Halloween, and what you pass on, keep in mind that it all comes down to choices. Passing on the candy corn may do more than prevent the excess pounds you gain as a result. Eating well can generally lead you to a better night’s sleep not to mention a wide range of health benefits too numerous to mention. We may not know for sure why all of these are related, but at this point, the relationships have to be more than coincidence. They are haunting reminders of our limited knowledge of the known as well as the unknown.

West Side ENT