Beer and Sleep

I know that everyone says not to drink any alcohol before you go to bed. So I decided to try out some different things with the good ole brew. I have found after many nights of research (of course I am doing this for my fellow CPAPers) that if I drink one or two beers my AHI goes up by 5 to 8 points. If I drink 3 to 5 my AHI only goes up only 2 to 5 events per hour. Now if I were to get toasty, my AHI is flying. I am just unsure why the low with the right amount of beer. The other factor to this is how fast I drink them. I usually turn them out at 3 beers in two hours while watching TV. We just won't talk about the 6 pack in an hour last Weekend.

Conclusions:

Little beer: Not worth the raise in AHI
Moderate Amounts: If I am going to drink, here is the place to get to and stop
Lots "O" beer: Definitely should have stopped at the previous measurement
Hammered: Besides the inevitable hang over, this just down right hurts the next day

Disclaimer: This is by no means scientific and not a recommendation or guide for anyone else. I am just curious if others have had the same or different results.

I will have to try that experiment!

I just tell my wife I am doing research.

This is an ongoing project

Busa, I loved that humorous post!

Curious if you happen to get nasally congested or stuffy while awake when you drink beer. We all think of alcohol affecting the central nervous system and neuromuscular control. But beer has the potential to put the autoimmune system in overdrive for some people as well. And that can amount to inflammation in the airway. You might have to do some Jack Daniel experiments, or better yet, "biochemically friendly" potato vodka experiments as well---in the name of science, of course!

Also, if you're not using APAP you might want to consider getting one to cope with AH variability in general.

Although I was not going to bring into account anything other than beer I have found that vodka is sleeps worst nightmare and the sliding scale does not apply. Although a very nice tequila like patron or portfidio has a sliding scale that is available as a guide. This scale is much different than a beer or wine scale or anything that remains under the 5% alcohol mark. (Please note that non "100% agave" tequila will in fact cause very negative results that rival Vodka and Rip Van Winkle).......

I will say that this must be speculation though.... right?

If that was normal vodka, distilled from wheat grain, then it ain't a proper autoimmune experiment. In the name of science take a peek-a-boo at the very specific vodka type mentioned two posts above that awaits your methodology.

"Alcohol leads to a more rapid induction of sleep. It also increases non-REM sleep and reduces REM sleep during the first portion of the night. However, alcohol is metabolized rapidly and blood concentrations are negligible by the middle of the night for most individuals who have a few drinks prior to bedtime, often resulting in withdrawal symptoms thereafter. These may include shallow sleep and multiple awakenings, REM rebound associated with nightmares or vivid dreams, sweating, and general activation.[2,3] Therefore, although alcohol may be effective in sleep induction, it impairs sleep during the second half of the night and can lead to a reduction in overall sleep time. As a result, it can also be associated with daytime somnolence. It is of interest that alcohol's negative effects on sleep are even observed when it is ingested in the late afternoon."--Karl Doghramji, MD; Professor of Psychiatry, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Director, Sleep Disorders Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

http://www.google.com/search?source=ig& ... chitecture

Then again, what does Dr. Karl know? Let's find out for ourselves.

My question is, once I have the five beers, two shots of jack, and two shots of ruskie rotgut all lined up, what order do I drink them in? Rats, what's the rhyme, again? I think it's: "CPAP after liqueur makes you sleep quicker; APAP with beer, sleep without fear." Something like that.

My question is, once I have the five beers, two shots of jack, and two shots of ruskie rotgut all lined up, what order do I drink them in?

Biokinetic efficiency should account for the progression of motor control loss, Jeff. Therefore always start from the farthest drink---that drink demanding greatest motor control---and work your way in. As motor control diminishes you will be left with the nearest drinks---those requiring the least motor control.

Or you could just take a happy random approach, like a mad dog in a meat house. In that case best to pick up a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20 wine as well.

Seriously, I'm glad you pointed out that alcohol also devastates sleep architecture... This gives aficionados the excuse to start much earlier in the day.

J/K

Where I grew up, there were only two kinds of liqueur available, (1) "courtin' liqueur" and (2) "fightin' liqueur." Both were made from corn and came from way back in the "holler."

I'll try to end my three-martini lunch early today, though. Oops, look at the time. Gotta go!

jnk wrote:......what order do I drink them in? Rats, what's the rhyme, again?

"Whiskey to beer never fear, but beer to whiskey is pretty risky."

But......after you consume all the rest of that stuff.....you're on your own.

Den

Guest wrote: that if I drink one or two beers my AHI goes up by 5 to 8 points.

Busa, I want specifics for the sake of research. Does your AI and HI change proportionally? I have a hunch for some the HI will change more. Awaiting your further study results.

Well, I'll drink to that! Cheers!
I'm a good Irish woman, do enjoy my brewskies!
Heck, I've given up cigarettes, fried foods, caffiene, became
a vegetarian, but I will NOT give up my Miller Lite. LOL

feeling_better wrote:

Guest wrote: that if I drink one or two beers my AHI goes up by 5 to 8 points.

Busa, I want specifics for the sake of research. Does your AI and HI change proportionally? I have a hunch for some the HI will change more. Awaiting your further study results.

You are correct, from previous studies, I have found that the HI goes up more than the AI, I will recheck the data and perform all tests yet again to double check for accuracy

yorkiemum01 wrote:Well, I'll drink to that! Cheers!
I'm a good Irish woman, do enjoy my brewskies!
Heck, I've given up cigarettes, fried foods, caffiene, became
a vegetarian, but I will NOT give up my Miller Lite. LOL

OH MY..... You are an Irish woman and you drink Miller Light?????? Odd, just odd.

SWS,

In the name of science, just outa curiosity . . .

Luksusowa? Chopin? Blue Ice? All of the above? Other?

OK, I do confess to Guiness as my drink of choice, but
finances cause me to compromise, LOL.
Another fabulous beer is Carlsberg.