Sleep and health – Is getting enough shut-eye each night really important for your health? Read about the importance of sleep in this first of a two part series by Keystone Internal Medicine. (This article first appeared in the August 2014 edition of the Public Opinion Newspaper. Click here to read it at www.publicopiniononline.com.)
What is sleep for?
Sleep is very important, and we spend about one-third of our lives sleeping. However, its exact purpose is poorly understood. There are several theories regarding the ultimate purpose of sleep, including energy conservation, revitalization, and clearing of toxins. We do know our bodies conserve energy when we sleep, and our temperature and caloric needs drop.
Lack of sleep
Often, we learn the benefits of sleep by what happens when we experience sleep deprivation. Insufficient sleep can result in poor concentration, sleepiness, poor work or school performance, decreased immune system function, and decreased cognitive function and memory. There are even significant health problems associated with lack of sleep.
Side Effects
Studies show there is an increased incidence of heart attacks and strokes in people who get less than 5 hours of sleep on average. Sleep deprivation also decreases your immune system’s ability to fight infection. Although researchers don’t know the exact reason, several studies have shown that sleep restriction leads to higher incidence of obesity and related diseases such as diabetes.
Sleep Need
Sleep need can vary from individual to individual. Research suggests most adults require an average of 8 hours of sleep nightly. However, many people claim to only need 4 to 6 hours of sleep. Ultimately, each individual needs enough sleep to prevent sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation occurs when an individual’s sleep does not support adequate alertness, performance, and health.
Deficit
Sleep deprivation can occur because of not enough sleep or inadequate sleep due to multiple awakenings. You create a sleep deficit that adds up if you consistently don’t get enough sleep. Allowing yourself to sleep in until you feel rested and alert can help alleviate this deficit. Depending on the deficit, sleeping in on weekends may or may not be enough to catch up.
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