The Link Between Sleep and Wellness
Sleep, or should we say “good sleep,” improves health, productivity, wellness, quality of life, and safety on roads and in the workplace. It stands to reason then that poor sleep can have opposite effects. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, poor sleep health is a common problem; a whopping 25 percent of U.S. adults report insufficient sleep or rest at least 15 out of every 30 days.
Why Is Sleep Health Important?
Sleep, like nutrition and physical activity, is a critical determinant of health and well-being. It is a basic requirement for infant, child, and adolescent health and development. Sleep loss and untreated sleep disorders influence basic patterns of behavior that negatively affect not only our own health but the way we interact with family and friends. Fatigue and sleepiness can reduce productivity and increase the chance for mishaps such as motor vehicle or industrial accidents. The obvious medical fact is that we were genetically designed to spend one third of our entire life in a horizontal, restful and restorative sleep. It’s what makes the other two thirds of our lives possible and possibly wonderful. We truly sleep to live, and the better we do the former the better we do the latter.
Adequate sleep is necessary to:
Fight off infection
Support the metabolism of sugar to prevent diabetes
Perform well in school
Work effectively and safely
Sleep timing and duration affect a number of endocrine, metabolic, and neurological functions that are critical to the maintenance of individual health. If left untreated, sleep disorders and chronic short sleep are associated with an increased risk of:
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Obesity
Diabetes
All-cause mortality
Sleep health is a particular concern for individuals with chronic disabilities and disorders such as arthritis, kidney disease, pain, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. Among older adults, the cognitive and medical consequences of untreated sleep disorders decrease health-related quality of life, contribute to functional limitations and loss of independence, and are associated with an increased risk of death from any cause.
Treatment
Sleep and wellness are irrevocably interlinked. And while we all know we should be getting a good night’s sleep, oftentimes we simply can’t without professional help. The Sleep Clinic offers solutions to these common and debilitating sleep related problems. The good news is that sleep apnea (and most other sleep disorders) is treatable and with correct diagnosis and treatment, and the success rates are very high. Moreover, once a patient’s apnea is cured and restful sleep is restored, the body is now ready and capable of more physical activity, which in turn leads to better health. The Sleep Clinic offers those afflicted with Sleep Apnea a cure and an opportunity to experience healthy living. Contact The Sleep Clinic today to arrange a consultation.