Hello! I’m happy you stopped in to read this week’s blog. I’m feeling well rested today and ready to deliver a bit of insight that is informative and thought provoking. Today’s subject matter is born of a “Good Morning America” episode that I saw recently. It involves your sleeping habits and how it relates to your health.
RISE AND SHINE
May I see a show of hands when I ask how many of you feel like a hopeless insomniac? Yup, me too. Interrupted sleep makes it difficult to rise and shine. It can leave you with low energy and low productivity. A poor night’s sleep can affect your everyday life as well as your health. Sleep is not a luxury. It is critical to good health.
HOW MUCH?
Many can get by with 4 or 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep however, most adults need about 7 hours. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that not getting the recommended amount of sleep can lead to serious health problems.
CONDITIONS RELATED TO LACK OF SLEEP
The CDC article I acquired my information from today lists some health conditions related to lack of sleep.
- High blood pressure which is one of the leading risks for heart disease and stroke. About 1 in 3 adults have high blood pressure.
- Type 2 diabetes which causes sugar to build up in your blood which can damage your blood vessels. Studies suggest that sleep may help control blood sugar.
- Obesity may be connected to lack of sleep especially in children and adolescents you need more sleep than adults. Lack of sleep may affect a part of the brain that controls hunger.
HEART HEALTH
Heart health is a concern when sleep problems occur. Sleep apnea is a condition when your airway gets blocked during sleep causing you to stop breathing for short amounts of time. It affects how much oxygen your body gets while you sleep and can increases the risk for high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.
INSOMNIA
Some people just can’t seem to fall asleep and others just can’t stay asleep. It’s called insomnia. An endless night of insomnia can cause stress, lack of motivation as well as the risk for heart attack and stroke. The CDC has some suggestions about how to get a better night’s sleep. They suggest sticking to a regular sleep schedule, getting enough natural light and avoiding artificial light especially within a few hours of bedtime. Don’t eat or drink within a few hours of bedtime and keep your bedroom cool and dark.
HELP
Great suggestions however, if these actually worked, I don’t believe I’d be an insomniac. If you are plagued by lack of sleep, contact your healthcare provider to identify obstacles to quality sleep and possible other medical conditions.
HDD
If you and your medical provider determine diagnostic ultrasound is indicated to look at your heart, veins, arteries and other internal structures that lie beneath the surface of your skin, call us at 505-350-3397. Tonight, try to relax, breathe, count sheep and float off into a blissful night of healthy sleep.