There are many myths about sleep. Lets take a step back and bring 3 important facts about sleep health to your attention.
1. Snoring can be a major health hazard
Though harmless for most people, snoring can be lethal. If your partner snores loudly and regularly pauses mid-snore, they may be sufferers of a sleep disorder called sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea often wake in the middle of the night gasping for breath. The inability to breath reduces blood oxygen levels, strains the heart and cardiovascular system, and increases the chance of a cardiovascular disease. Another characteristic of sleep apnea is drowsiness during the day. If you feel that you meet the criteria outlined above, please check with a physician corrective surgery, a mechanical device called a CPAP, or other forms of therapy may be warranted.
2. A lack of sleep can cause obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and depression
With the invention of urban living, sleep has become harder to come by. Its no surprise that subsequently our leading diseases have corresponded with a lack of sleep. From compressed schedules to light pollution, its harder than ever to get the full amount and full quality of sleep we need. Blood pressure is regulated by sleep, but interrupted sleep can lead to blood pressure elevation, causing hypertension and cardiovascular problems, the number one killer. Sleep deprivation will compromise insulin production, leading to diabetes. Overeating is another common side effect, the bodys natural response to a lack of energy from sleep.
3. Insomnia can cause many issues.
The inability to fall sleep isnt the only condition of insomnia. Many people forget that just as important as duration of sleep is sleep quality. The other three signs are: frequent waking, waking prematurely, and chronic fatigue despite an adequate amount of sleep. If insomnia symptoms occur more than a few times a week, please consult with your doctor.