By: Dr. Sandra Carpenter
Sleep is an essential process the body must transition through for physical and mental well-being. The brain and your body use sleep to complete the restorative functions necessary to lower your blood pressure, restore your energy, producing hormones that build muscle, repair cells and tissues, fight infection, control your appetite, and control your mood. When the body does not get a chance to complete these functions you are at risk for major health issues. Just a few of these issues include:
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Increased risk of heart attacks and stroke
• Increased risk for accidents-at home or at work
• Poor memory
• Substance abuse
Insomnia is the term we use to designate a sleeping issue. The symptoms of insomnia include trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, waking too early and not being able to fall back asleep, or waking and not feeling rested. Most adults require between seven and nine hours a night to feel well rested. There are many reasons why sleep is in short supply:
• Busy schedules
• Poor sleep environment- too much light, too hot, too cold
• Electronics-tablets and cell phones
• Medical conditions-osteoarthritis, back pain, heart disease, asthma, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse
• Stress about sleeping
Should you find yourself experiencing trouble with sleep see your physician, as improvement in your sleep can affect every aspect of your life. Sweet Dreams.