Sleep to Save Your Life: The Complete Guide to Living Longer and Healthier Through Restorative Sleep [Hardcover]

Gerard T. Lombardo (Author), Henry Ehrlich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 20, 2005

We're supposed to spend one-third of our lives sleeping. But today a shortage of sleep—and of the right kind of sleep—is undermining our productivity, relationships, and health. Sleep problems can contribute to diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, depression, and diabetes, and they add stress to our already hectic lives. In Sleep to Save Your Life, noted sleep expert Gerard T. Lombardo, M.D., reveals the science behind these problems and what to do about them. As director of one of New York City's busiest sleep centers, Dr. Lombardo works with the sleep problems of executives, shift workers, women, children, and the elderly in "the city that never sleeps." He offers detailed strategies for getting the best treatment—and the best sleep—possible.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this thorough rundown of various sleep disorders and their cures and causes, Lombardo relies on anecdotes, research and his clinical experiences to describe the misconceptions about and effects of poor sleep habits and sleep disorders, though the sterile writing may be enough to cure some readers' mild insomnia. Lombardo, an associate professor of clinical medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell Medical Center, describes at length various sleep disorders, which now number over 70, and concludes many people plagued by poor sleep don't realize they may be suffering from breathing disorders, including snoring and sleep apnea-a suffocating breathing disorder linked to high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. He also details narcolepsy and movement disorders, such as Restless Legs Syndrome. Noting that "there is a new focus in sleep medicine to help both mind and body return to a natural rhythm of active by day and quiet by night," Lombardo claims a combination of new, non-addictive medication and therapy will rehabilitate insomniacs. The final chapters detail problems of specific demographics: children are increasingly sleep-deprived, women generally have "huge" sleep deficits, as do the elderly, though the causes are different. As the doctor says, "Like the tides, our bodies still operate on a schedule that doesn't easily change just because we want it to." Those missing some of their 40 winks will want to keep this on the nightstand.
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Review

“An invaluable resource.” (Paul Ehrlich, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, New York University School of Medicine; Coauthor, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Your Child's Asthma and Allergy )

“Dr. Lombardo explains intricate, arcane medical science with engaging, often witty, style.” (Mark Cullen, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine; Director, Yale Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program )

“. . .tells you how to make the most of your slumber.” (Detroit News )

“This latest book on the importance of sleep is a good read.” (The Baltimore Sun )

“Readable and entertaining.” (Library Journal )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (September 20, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060742534
• ISBN-13: 978-0060742539
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #590,747 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't let sleep problems threaten the quality of your waking life!!!, January 24, 2006

By 

Stephen Pletko "Uncle Stevie" (London, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Sleep to Save Your Life: The Complete Guide to Living Longer and Healthier Through Restorative Sleep (Hardcover)

+++++

Answer true or false to these ten statements:

(1) Sleep is frequently overlooked as a factor in the treatment of many serious conditions.
(2) There is little evidence to suggest that there is a link between obesity and sleep deprivation.
(3) Your waking life is spent preparing for sleep.
(4) Insomnia, in many cases, simply stems from poor preparation for sleep.
(5) Good sleepers go to bed early while bad sleepers go to bed late.
(6) For most of us, a nap during the day is a good idea.
(7) Excessive daytime sleepiness is essentially the same as insomnia.
(8) It's the ability to sleep, rather than the need for sleep, that seems to decrease with age.
(9) Chronic insomnia is a risk factor for psychiatric illness.
(10) The self-examination of snoring is best done while brushing your teeth; that is, look directly into the mirror, open your mouth, and stick out your tongue.

If you answered true to any of statements (2,5,6,7) or false to any of statements (1,3,4,8,9,10), then you may need the help of this book by Dr. Gerald Lombardo who directs a sleep center in Brooklyn, New York.

This is an easy-to-read, concise book about sleep disorders. In fact, the author says he wrote this book "because the problems associated with sleep disorders are very urgent."

All chapters are broken up into sections so you can access vital information quickly. Below I will either present what I consider are the main sections of a chapter or indicate the main focus of a particular chapter:

(1) Big Numbers ("The numbers of people with sleep problems of all kinds are alarming and very costly for society at large"); Day Doctors and Night Doctors (doctors are many times unaware that a patient's daytime problems are caused by his/her night problem); 24/7 (problems of the 24 hour, 7 day business environment); Sleep and weight; Sleep to save the lives of other people; Sleep to save your quality of life; Sleep deprivation-the next generation.
(2) Why do we sleep; Sleep needs at different stages of life; Memory (and sleep); Keys to your sleeping problems; The drive to sleep-part of our elementary humanity
(3) Getting ready to sleep; Sleep hygiene
(4) Normal and abnormal sleepiness; For the birds (Larks or day people versus Owls or night people)
(5) Snoring
(6) Sleep apnea (involves cessation of breathing due to the blockage of the windpipe during sleeping)
(7) Snoring and sleep apnea treatment
(8) Narcolepsy (results from a faulty switch between waking and sleep)
(9) Restless legs syndrome (the production of uncomfortable sensations in the legs during sleep)
(10) Insomnia (chronic sleeplessness)
(11) Parasomnia (refers to a behavior or condition that takes place around or alongside sleep that has nothing to do with the central purpose of sleep and in fact detracts from it)
(12) Children and sleep
(13) Women and sleep
(14) Seniors and sleep
(15) Shift workers and sleep

In the appendix (not labeled as such), there are examples of "sleep diaries." A sleep diary "is one of the best tools...for treating certain sleep problems at the least cost."

Throughout much of the book are tables, graphs, and illustrations. I found all of these very helpful.

Finally, there is a list of sleep resources in the back of the book. This consists of almost twenty helpful internet sites.

In conclusion, don't let sleep difficulties dominate your waking life. Take positive steps now to solve them by reading this book!!!

(first published 2005; acknowledgements; introduction; 15 chapters; main narrative 280 pages; sleep diaries; references; resources; index)

+++++

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read This To Save Your Life!, November 7, 2005

By 

Jackie Rosenthal - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sleep to Save Your Life: The Complete Guide to Living Longer and Healthier Through Restorative Sleep (Hardcover)

Sleep To Save Your Life has helped me and my children, long-time sufferers of various sleep problems. We feel much better in the daytime when we've had restful sleep at night.
Written in a smart and conversational tone, the book is completely scientific, accurate, and thorough while retaining its accessibility to all readers. If your health is not reason enough to read this book by a top sleep doctor, the amusing anecdotes and compelling examples will surely engage you.
Sleep to Save Your Life is a valuable resource for anyone who would like to get a good night's rest!

5.0 out of 5 stars good sleep equals good health, December 2, 2011

By 

shyamal - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Sleep to Save Your Life: The Complete Guide to Living Longer and Healthier Through Restorative Sleep (Paperback)

The most informative book I have read so far for general public about sleep and sleep disorders. Adequate good quality sleep is more important than with exercise and diet.