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Sleep Disorders Can Lead to Long-term Health Troubles
You know that you feel better when you awake from a full, restful night's sleep.
But do you realize that sleep problems, in addition to being a drain on your
quality of life, can pose serious health threats?Blood pressure usually falls during sleep, but interrupted sleep can adversely affect this normal decline, leading to high blood pressure, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Sleep disorders are linked to a greater risk of heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeat and heart failure.
Insufficient sleep also impairs the body's ability to use insulin, which can lead to diabetes. In addition, it can affect the amount of a hormone linked to obesity, increasing the chance for weight gain.
Finally, daytime drowsiness increases the risk for accidents at work and on the road.
If you're not getting adequate sleep, you're not alone. About 70 million – or more than one in five Americans – suffer from sleep disorders.* If you or your loved ones suspect you may have a sleep disorder, talk with your health care professional. (A bed partner may be more aware of a problem than you are!) Most sleep disorders can be managed effectively once they are diagnosed.
A sleep study at the Sleep Disorders Center at St. Helena Hospital can help uncover a sleep disorder.
* Source: Cleveland Clinic, http://my.clevelandclinic.org.
Trouble Getting Enough Zzzzzzs?
Talk to your doctor and ask for a referral to the Sleep Disorders Center at St. Helena Hospital. For more information and appointments, please call 707-963-6578. Download a free brochure from www.sthelenahospital.org.