Did you know that about 65 percent of Americans–people just like you–don’t get enough sleep? In fact, they not only feel and act tired, but they also experience adverse health effects that worsen over time. Here’s more about those health impacts and why a healthy sleep pattern is so important.
More Than Just Getting ZZZZs
A restful night’s sleep involves more than closing your eyes and shutting out the world. Good quality sleep is necessary for learning and making memories and maintaining metabolic function, libido, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and other important bodily functions. You can even struggle to lose weight if you don’t get enough deep, restful sleep on a regular basis.
In general, adults need about eight hours of quality sleep. Teens, school-aged kids, toddlers, and babies need anywhere from 10 to 14 more hours of sleep, as their brains and bodies develop and grow dramatically.
The Adverse Health Effects of Insufficient Sleep
The effects of insufficient sleep are additive. An occasional episode of tossing and turning or a late night out can do no appreciable harm. However, consistently burning the candle at both ends, as the old adage goes, throws your body, mind, and spirit off track.
In the short term, lack of sleep makes you tired, cranky, and less likely to take part fully in work and recreation. Relationships with family and friends change as sleep-deprived individuals tend to withdraw. Plus, job performance suffers as mental and visual acuity change; frankly, this affects your ability to operate machinery and a car safely, too.
Chronic sleep deprivation makes you more susceptible to chronic health conditions, such as:
- Obesity
- Poor libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Immune system dysfunction
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Chronic fatigue
- Poor memory and concentration
What You Can Do to Improve Quality Sleep
For many people, good sleep hygiene is as simple as going to bed at the same time every night and resting in a darkened room. Other people should limit screen time, food before bed, and substances such as alcohol and tobacco.
Other individuals, however, may show signs of sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, or restless leg syndrome. These sleep disorders can be dangerous in terms of quality of life, longevity, and more.
So, these people can benefit from seeing a physician for sleep management. At Melio REM Sleep Clinic, the first step of sleep management is an initial sleep evaluation with Dr. Ezenwa, who specializes in sleep disorders. If a sleep study is indicated, he will oversee the study and monitor vital signs, brain activity, wakefulness, and periods of beneficial REM sleep. The findings tell Dr. Ezenwa what interventions would improve your quality of sleep.
Treating Insufficient Sleep in Reno Sparks, Nevada
At Melio REM Sleep Clinic, our professional team understands the complexities of sleep patterns and sleep deprivation. Dr. Innocent Ezenwa is board-certified in internal medicine and sleep medicine, so he has the expertise to uncover the reasons for your lack of sleep and will recommend ways to treat it. Treatment plans can include oral devices, a CPAP machine, medications, lifestyle modifications, and more. Your care will be fine-tuned to meet your health needs and personal preferences.
Call us today at (775) 557-4900 to arrange an in-person consultation with Dr. Ezenwa. We also offer telehealth visits!
