| |
 |
|
|
 |

With more than two out of three getting less sleep than their bodies
need, millions of Americans are suffering from a serious loss of sleep.
Sleep deprivation can cause a whole litany of physical and mental
problems. It can cause difficulty with cognitive ability, alertness,
irritability, concentration and other psychological factors that affect
our quality of life. And increase the risk of accidents.
|
Too little sleep can also affect thyroid function, insulin sensitivity
and glucose metabolism -- all potential health risks.
In the last 50 years, Americans have reduced their average sleep time
by 20% -- and added a month to their average annual work-commute time
over the past 25 years.
Research shows that we need different amounts of sleep throughout
our life span. Infants require 11 to 12 hours per night while children
and adults need 8 or 9 hours a night. Adolescent teens should get
at least 7 1/2 hours of sleep per night -- and the risk for their
sleeping less is substantially greater than for other age groups when
it comes to learning, mood, attitude and attention factors.
Teens generally do not get enough sleep -- and may be paying a higher
price for it than they know. Parents need to be especially aware of
this problem.
Growing older also takes its toll on sleep -- not because the elderly
need less -- but because sleep and health problems are much more common
among the elderly. But strategies can be learned to maximize a person's
ability to fall asleep -- and get more sleep as a result.
Individuals need to realize whether or not they are sleeping well.
Some psychological distractions could be the culprit, but if there
are physical reasons, a doctor may be able to help determine what
they are and how to treat them.
An adjustable bed may help many different ailments -- from lower back
pain to gastric acid reflux -- by allowing elevated sleeping positions
for comfort and relief. The massage feature on some adjustable
beds can also help in alleviating some physical problems -- like
back aches, stress tension and muscular fatigue.
How many hours an individual sleeps is not nearly as important as
how good you feel -- and how well you perform the next day.
Studies recently have shown that a 15 to 20 minute nap during the
day can improve alertness, sharpen memory and reduce symptoms of fatigue
for many people. There is a drug that can increase alertness for people
who suffer from daytime sleepiness. But in the end -- drugs and napping
are not substitutes for a good full night's sleep.
|
|
back to top of page
|
|
 |