January 28, 2012 

In past articles, I have explained the importance of a good night’s sleep and the problems associated with sleep disruption.  Many of my articles revolve around sleep apnea and its diagnosis and treatment.  A common cause of sleep deprivation in males is Nocturia (the frequency of awakening during the night to urinate).

Nocturia is usually associated with an enlarged prostate and treated with medication or surgery.  Despite adequate treatment, it can be a curse.  “The Case of Mistaken Identity” demonstrates how easy it is to forget the other causes of sleep disorders, including other causes of Nocturia.

Mr. “X” was seen recently for his yearly exam.  Mr. “X” suffers from Nocturia and chronic nasal congestion.  Mr. “X” has an enlarged prostate which obviously was causing his Nocturia, right?  Wrong!

During my interview with Mr. “X,” I quizzed him about his bedroom. Mattress, pillow, and other sleep habits.  Pillows and mattresses can become sources of allergens.  You sleep on them for years, breathing, drooling, sneezing, and coughing; in fact, nightly you are depositing organic materials that can breed an assortment of irritants aside from the accumulation of dust and other allergens.

How old is your pillow?  When was the last time you laundered your bed (please don’t)?  I discovered that Mr.”X’s” pillow was many years old.  After our discussion, Mr. “X” took his feather pillow to the cleaners and had it dry cleaned. 

Mr. “X” dropped off a letter in my office today.  The title was, “The Case of Mistaken Identity;” and, in it, he reported that he had assumed his problem stemmed from his enlarged prostate but is now sleeping 6 hours a night, only awakening once a night to urinate.  His nasal congestion is gone.  Mr. “X” is a happy camper. 

The surface you sleep on is important.  Make sure your bedding is clean.  Use hypoallergenic products when possible.  Replace foam pillows yearly.  Take feather pillows to the cleaners.  Remove dust catchers from the bedroom.  Make sure your mattress is the best you can afford.  You spend a great deal of your life in bed.  I can’t wait to get my new I Comfort mattress and pillows!