Sweet dreams may be the key to better health
Sleep Awareness Week takes place from March 2nd to March 8th and functions to raise awareness about the importance of sleep. Sleep disturbances affect over 70 million Americans. And in addition to causing grouchiness, headaches, and difficulty concentrating, it can also be a catalyst for a number of chronic health problems.
Dr. Nina’s What You Need to Know: About How Getting a Good Night’s Sleep Can Be the Key to Good Health
Migraines
Poor sleep not only can cause a migraine but can also make them more frequent in people who suffer from them. Research has shown that sleep deprivation actually increases proteins that trigger pain in nerves. It’s no surprise then that when bad sleep habits are addressed, the frequency of migraines often decreases.
Weight gain
Not getting a good night’s sleep can cause even the most disciplined eater to have their food cravings skyrocket. One study showed that it can result in consuming up to 1000 extra calories in a day! On the other hand, sleeping well can increase your fat burning time zone which coincides with deep levels of sleep. Losing weight without breaking a sweat? I’m all for that!
Heart disease
Did you know that sleep deprivation is associated with ill-effects on your heart? In addition to increasing blood pressure, the release of stress hormones, and heart rate, it can increase the risk of heart failure. What better way to keep your heart healthy and ticking than to get your ZZZ’s?
Infection
Want to avoid catching a cold or the flu? Then hit the sack! While we are sleeping, our body utilizes energy to recharge and rejuvenate our immune system. If our immune system is not charged and ready, it increases our chances of getting sick. Studies have even shown that vaccines—which stimulate the immune system to create antibodies to fight off bacteria or virus—can be less effective when we are sleep deprived.
Pain
Talk about a Catch 22. Having pain prevents you from sleeping. But not sleeping can increase your sensitivity to pain. Sleep deprivation has been shown to increase proteins that trigger sensitivity of our nervous system and decrease proteins that “calm” it down. The best treatment for that pain may be to get a good night’s sleep.
Diabetes
Sleep loss can cause insulin resistance, a precursor for diabetes. Insulin’s job is to help the body use glucose for energy. When there is insulin resistance, cells fail to use the hormone efficiently. Good sleep can help keep your blood sugars where they need to be.
Cancer
Researchers have found a shocking link between a lack of sleep and several types of cancers, including prostate, breast, and colon cancer. This association is likely due to the fact that insomnia affects our immune system, which is important in fighting off abnormal growth, or cancer, in our body. All the more reason to get our ZZZ’s.
Dementia
Deep sleep cycles are necessary for preserving our memory. During these sleep stages, memory consolidation and sorting occurs, much like when you back up your hard drive on your computer. Additionally, insomnia has been associated with increased levels of Alzheimer’s biomarkers. One way to maintain our memory is to not forget to sleep!
Depression
Sleeping well and our mood are intimately connected. So much so, that curing insomnia in people with depression has been shown to double their chances for a full recovery.
Let’s add sleeping well to our list of “To Do’s” in our journey to live healthy lives. That’s easier said than done. And I, for one, speak from experience not just as a physician who puts patients to sleep, but also as someone who has suffered from insomnia. Stay tuned over the next several weeks for a more in depth look into What You Need To Know to get a good night’s sleep. Until then, sleep tight and sweet dreams.
This information is for educational purposes and should not be considered specific medical advice. Always consult with a qualified medical professional regarding your individual circumstances.
Dr. Nina Radcliff is dedicated to her profession, her patients and her community, at large. She is passionate about sharing wise preventive health measures. Contact her on Facebook or Twitter @drninaradcliff.
