There's a lot going on in your body while you sleep. Hormones
are being released. Cells are being repaired. Organs are being replenished
with the oxygen they need to function properly.
It’s no wonder—how well you sleep at night can have a big effect on
your health and on how you feel and perform throughout the day. This
is especially true as we get older, according to Debra Uhlenbrauck,
respiratory therapy manager at Aspirus Iron River Hospital & Clinics.
“Lack of adequate sleep not only leaves you feeling groggy, but over time
it can cause serious health problems, such as high blood pressure and an
increased risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes,” she said. “Your body
needs time to rejuvenate itself in order to function at
its best.”
According to the National Sleep Foundation,
adults should get seven to eight hours of sleep nightly.
Regularly getting a good night’s sleep can:
▸ Help keep your blood sugar levels stable.
▸ Improve your ability to learn and solve problems.
▸ Lower your risk for obesity.
▸ Enhance your creativity.
▸ Lower your risk of depression and anxiety.
▸ Improve your mind and memory.
▸ Make you more alert and heighten your decision-making skills.
There are warning signs to look out for if you are concerned about your
sleep habits. While loud snoring is usually harmless, it can potentially be
serious. It can warn of a condition called obstructive sleep apnea, in which
breathing temporarily stops several times a night. People with sleep apnea
may wake up choking or gasping for air. Fortunately, treatment—including
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy—can help.
Uhlenbrauck said it’s important to talk to your doctor if you have
concerns about your sleep habits because sleep disorders can be difficult
to self-diagnose. A sleep study, either in-home or at a sleep center, can
determine a definite diagnosis and prevent a condition from causing an
even more serious problem.
Sources: American Academy of Sleep Medicine; National Institutes of