Here's To A Good Night's Sleep

Here’s to a good night’s Sleep
Is it me, or has anyone else noticed Sleep Centers popping up? It’s probably just me noticing since I drive to every doctor’s office in Harrisburg and surrounding areas. When did this become a thing? Going to a sleep center? Are we not sleeping correctly? It seems to be a public epidemic. Our harried lifestyles, trying to get in one last task, or perhaps not thinking that sleep is too important?

Habitual sleeplessness is classified as insomnia. Failure to get an entire night’s sleep on most nights over one month can be considered chronic insomnia. Chronic insomnia is often a symptom of a severe underlying medical disorder. At least 80% of depressed people experience insomnia. Insomnia cases can be attributed to other psychological disorders, such as anxiety, stress, or grief. Insomnia can also result from a wide variety of physical causes, including arthritis, asthma, breathing problems, hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism, indigestion, kidney or heart disease, muscle aches, Parkinson’s, or physical pain.

Anyone else notice all the Sleep Centers popping up all over? A Good Night's Sleep is sometimes hard to come by for some people.

 

Ladies, it’s not just beauty rest. We all know the importance of sleep; sleep helps our appearance, boosts circulation, and blood carries the nutrients, growth hormones, and oxygen we need to produce collagen, build new cells, and reverse the damage that ages skin and hair. Sleep also elevates the hormone melatonin, which shields against fine lines, discoloration, and even certain types of cancer.

A Good NIght's Sleep - here's some info Listed below are a few pointers for better Z’s:

♦ Shut down your iPhone
♥  Lay off the caffeine (choose herbal tea after 4 p.m.)
◊  Regulate your sleep habits (turn in at the same time every night)
♣  Ideal room temperature (neither too hot nor too cold)
♠  Some people swear by particular pillows or mattresses.

Sleep Centers
Quick question about snoring–does this happen as we age? Snoring seems to be a common problem. However, loud snoring can be a symptom of a severe sleep disorder called sleep apnea. People with this disorder stop breathing repeatedly during sleep (as many as a hundred times a night) due to complete or partial blockage of the airway by tissue in the nose or throat. The resulting low oxygen levels increase blood pressure and may cause the heart rate to slow or stop for a few seconds.

Self-Test for Sleep Apnea:

Do you snore frequently?

Are you exhausted during the day?

Do you fall asleep while watching TV or reading?

Have you been told you stop breathing while sleeping?

Have you fallen asleep while driving or riding a vehicle?

Do you have blood pressure?

Are you overweight?

Do you have a neck size greater than sixteen inches?

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Anywhere from 4 to 9 percent of middle-aged men experience Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), and 2 to 4 percent of middle-aged women experience the condition, according to the American College of Physicians. A more recent study revealed that women are more affected by sleep apnea than men and that women with OSA have more severe brain damage than men suffering from a similar condition.

OSA is an underdiagnosed risk factor for heart disease. Talk to your doctor if you or your husband experience at least one of the abovementioned symptoms. Improving the quality and quantity of your sleep can help reduce your heart disease risk.

Your medical provider may prescribe a Sleep Clinic or center visit to evaluate your sleep patterns for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

What’s your response to a good night’s sleep? Do you notice a change in your face when you don’t have enough sleep?