Maintaining adequate sleep habits satisfies one of the essential elements of optimal health. Researchers have conducted numerous studies that delineate the importance of sleep hygiene in adults and children. Although all the benefits of sleep have not been proven, the research really shows that lack of chronic sleep can lead to many medical problems, including high blood pressure, weight gain and high cholesterol.
Most adults in the United States who are diagnosed with high blood pressure have essentially hypertension, or high blood pressure with an undefined cause. If you have a breathing disorder related to sleep, such as obstructive sleep apnea or habitual snoring, you also have a higher risk of hypertension. More than 75% of people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea have not been diagnosed. If you feel you have these problems, seek the attention of a medical intern or a family doctor.
An inadequate sleep is linked to a greater likelihood of developing obesity in childhood. The average American sleeps less than seven hours per night. Your sleep needs change over the years. According to the National Institutes of Health, teens need to sleep at least nine hours, while with eight it is enough for the greater
You will not lose weight by maintaining proper sleep habits, but lack of sleep increases stress hormones that can cause you to overfeed yourself, which can lead to you gaining weight. Lack of sleep increases a hormone called ghrelin, which is known to stimulate appetite. Lack of sleep also decreases the levels of leptin, a hormone that makes you feel full.
Some studies indicate that if the number of hours slept is too low, less than 6 hours, or too high, more than 9 hours, you may be linked to high cholesterol levels. To achieve better control of your cholesterol levels, concentrate on your sleep habits as well as those of your diet, physical activity and your family history of high cholesterol.