Winter feels . . . sleepy. But some seasonal quirks make it hard to sleep well: Less daylight, more carbs, furnace heat, couch time. And sleep deprivation is sneaky: It can lead to memory impairment, poor job performance, even car accidents.

For healthy, restful sleep in winter:

“Sinus headaches” are really nasal headaches. ENT specialist Gerard O’Halloran, MD explains.

People who feel pressure beneath their eyes – whether or not there’s pain in their eyes or forehead – often describe it as a “sinus headache.” 

But this pressure isn’t from the sinuses: It’s actually caused by crowding in the upper part of the nose. 

Each side of the nose has 3 or 4 structures called turbinates that function as radiators to heat air as it passes through the nose. Turbinates swell during colds, and in allergy season.

 Sleep changes as you age. The amount of ZZZs your body needs, your ability to fall (and stay) asleep, your body’s response to lack of sleep . . . it’s a shifting landscape.

But healthy sleep is important at every age. Sleep benefits your physical and mental health.

“Your metabolism is at its most efficient when you’re well-rested,” says Dr. Bryan Hoff, Medical Director of the Sleep Center at Northfield Hospital and board-certified in sleep medicine. “Your brain works better too, which helps you think, learn and work at your best. That’s important at every age.”

During winter, one fact seems counter-intuitive: Long nights aren’t always restful nights.

Some aspects of winter can actually keep you awake, causing sleepless nights and drowsy days. Sleep deprivation – the lack of restful sleep – affects how well you function when you’re awake. Sleep deprivation can lead to memory impairment, poor job performance, and motor vehicle accidents.

Good winter sleep habits can help you get a better night’s sleep when the sun dips low and temperatures even lower.

Is your child a restless sleeper? It might be apnea, and tonsils may be the culprit. ENT specialist Gerard O’Halloran, MD explains how tonsils and adenoids affect kids’ sleep.

Snoring through a long winter’s night? It might be sleep apnea.   ENT specialist Gerard O’Halloran, MD – board-certified in sleep medicine – explains how sleep apnea is diagnosed and treated.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common disorder with one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. It affects about 20 million adults in the U.S., and many don’t realize that they have it.

If someone in your house has a snoring problem, that could be a warning sign of sleep apnea. Dr. Gerard O'Halloran, ENT specialist, discusses this fairly common condition. “It’s good to address apnea early in the year, to have time to run through treatment options,” says ENT specialist Gerard O’Halloran, MD. Start now to keep the costs in the same calendar year.

By Bryan Hoff, MD

Getting enough sleep improves students’ academic and athletic performance, overall health, and quality of life.

For teens, getting enough sleep isn’t just a matter of how much . . . it’s when they sleep.

Waking up for school can be tough on kids and parents. Shifting from summer to a busy (early!) school routine makes it tempting to cut corners on sleep. But kids age 5 to 12 need 10-11 hours of sleep per night, and teenagers often fall short of the 8-10 hours of sleep they need each night.

And it’s more than mere hours that matters. “Healthy sleep” requires appropriate timing, daily regularity, good sleep quality, and the absence of sleep disorders, says the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Do you snore? Maybe. Does someone you love snore? You can answer that more easily.

The answer can affect your health in surprising ways.

Loud snoring is a classic symptom of sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is a big deal, and about half the people who have it . . . don’t know it.