Today’s blog has to do with something that is elusive to many of us.  It is something so many of us desperately seek, yet no amount of money can buy.  What is the coveted prize that we just can’t get enough of?  The answer is sleep. It is estimated that 70 million Americans have a sleep problem.  Did you get enough last night?

 

NO SPRING CHICKEN

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m no spring chicken.  The more I talk to others, the more I hear that folks around my age are dealing with the same issue.  We can’t sleep!

At my age, one or two trips to the loo in the night is not uncommon.  As if that weren’t bad enough, it can be impossible to fall back to sleep.  I hate those nights when you wake up at 2:30 am then never go back down.  It makes for a long brutal day.

 

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?

For starters, sleep deprivation negatively affects mood, focus and attention, making it more difficult to receive and process information. It impedes our ability to access higher-level cognitive functions.  Sleep is vital to learning and memory.  The lack of sleep can be harmful to your health and safety.

A Harvard study published in 2007 shows that 24 hours of wakefulness has the same effect on driving as a blood alcohol level of .10.

 

WHO GETS IT?

Studies show that women are 2 times more likely to suffer from insomnia than men.  This is caused by hormone fluctuation due to menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.  Ladies, how lucky can we get?

Seniors, men, children and those who suffer from depression can also have a have a hard time either falling or staying asleep.

 

DANGER

I read a study that said sleeping fewer than 7 hours is linked to an increased risk of developing chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, stroke and cancer.  Who knew?

 

WHAT CAN I DO?

If you are one of the lucky ones who experience occasional or chronic insomnia, there are things that you can do.

Make sure your bedroom is at a comfortable temperature.  Avoid distracting light and noise and for goodness sake, put your screens down.  Don’t use your bedroom as an office.  Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule to help set your body’s internal clock.  Caffeine and nicotine are culprits that can interrupt sleep.  Alcohol can make you sleepy however, when the alcohol level in the blood starts to drop, you can awaken and stay that way!

 

THERE IS ALWAYS TOMORROW

If you are like me, not matter what I do or don’t do, there is no guarantee of a night of full uninterrupted sleep.  I figure if I don’t sleep well tonight, there is always tomorrow, right?

 

HDD

Occasionally, my blog has absolutely nothing to do with ultrasound.  Today is one of those days.  

May I remind you that if you are ever in need of diagnostic ultrasound, give us a call at 505-350-3397.