Sleep Disturbia!

Help! I’m suffering from Sleep Disturbia!

According to the National Sleep Foundation, 75% of American Adults have slumber “problems”. Amongst that group, nearly all of them are not getting the doctor’s recommended 7-8 hours of sound sleep per night (www.sleepfoundation.org). As we all know, sleep is one important contributor to our overall health. Some of the most important biological and psychological functions are controlled or enhanced by getting adequate amounts of sleep.

To name a few, sleep is vitally important to proper digestion, hormonal balance, immunity, memory building and storage, and performance of physical tasks. Imagine chugging 3 beers before riding a bicycle into a busy intersection? It would feel eerily similar if you tried to perform the same physical task after being sleep deprived for several hours.

The most common causes of sleep disturbances in healthy people are depression, stimulant drug use, such as caffeine or nicotine, and disruptive lifestyles, such as going to bed late or taking naps during the day. Other causes include medical conditions or medications used to treat specific conditions. Be sure to read the list of potential side effects whenever you are taking a medication to see if sleep disruptions are a common occurrence.

If disrupted sleep is interfering with your daily life, you should consult your doctor or a sleep specialist. Together, you may be able to identify the problem(s) and come up with a treatment plan that can get you (and your circadian rhythm) back on a normal cycle.

Here's to you getting your well-deserved 8 hours! Sleep wicked, friends! - A