The study of sleep and sleep disorders is a medical field still in its infancy, yet some physicians say such research could hold the key to many human ailments.

Pictured are Dr. Robert Mezey (left) and Dr. James Krainson.

"Sleep disorders are getting more interest, more publicity, more recognition," said Dr. James Krainson. "It's not a new study, it's been around for some time. But, it's now getting more attention."

Krainson is partners with Dr. Robert Mezey in a pulmonary medicine practice at 9380 SW 150 St., a practice that includes a sleep disorder clinic to study the medical problems stemming from the inability to get a good night's rest.

"Yes, the study of sleep is still a field in its infancy," Dr. Mezey said. "It's amazing how many people have suffered for years and years and a sleep disorder was never even suspected."

Krainson and Mezey, partners for 19 years, have been studying sleep disorders for 10 years and opened their sleep disorder lab five years ago. Patients go to sleep in the lab connected to a computer, enabling doctors to monitor their blood pressure, pulse, breathing patterns and brain waves to see what stage of sleep they're in.

"The most common disorder that we see as pulmonologists is called sleep apnea," said Dr. Krainson. "That probably affects 15 to 20 percent of men over 40 and about 7 percent of women over that age. Sleep apnea actually stops you from breathing at night by shutting off your air ways and usually occurs with heavier people or people who have large tonsils."

People who have sleep apnea are believed to have increased risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure and death from automobile accidents.

"When these people fall asleep, their throat muscles relax and everything collapses inward so that the airway closes and they stop breathing." Dr. Mezey explained. "The oxygen level in the blood stream goes down and they have problems with decreased oxygen availability to all their tissues and vital organs. The brain realizes this and has to make a decision to allow the body to remain asleep or wake up. Therefore, the brain undergoes constant arousals during the night and these people don't get the smooth cycle of sleep they need."

Mezey said research indicates that 50,000 accidents are caused in the United States each year by people who are sleep deprived.

"People who have sleep disorders suffer from severe fatigue during the day," he said. "So, it affects their ability to function on their job. It also affects personal relationships, the ability to concentrate and increases the risk of accidents."

At the same time, people who are sleep deprived tend to consume more carbohydrates in order to stay alert and combat drowsiness. As a result, they become overweight.

Mezey cautions that there are different types of sleep disorders and that a person's problem with getting enough sleep may be simply insomnia, or a problem with their sleep hygiene -- not disciplining the way they sleep.

He said people should go to sleep at the same time every night, should not have alcoholic beverages or a heavy meal before retiring, should not leave a light on, nor the television and should not take their problems to bed with them.

"It's amazing what problems people can tolerate," he said. "And then, after we discover their problem, they are really very grateful."

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