5 Medical Reasons Why Sleep is Important?
June 11, 2019 | Abigail Mckay

5 Medical Reasons Why Sleep is Important?

 

 

Many are aware that adequate sleep is a necessity, but most do not understand the “why” behind sufficient sleep. Eight hours of sleep is considered the ideal number of hours to hinder the occurrence of co-morbidities. In addition to exercise and healthy eating, a good nights sleep rounds out the dynamic trio to promote whole body wellness. So, what are the health consequences of not reaching that “magic number”? Let’s discuss them below.

 Find the most common causes and symptoms of fatigue

1. Immune System Function 

•  Immunity is one of the most desirable benefits to an overall healthy lifestyle.  The immune system can thrive when there is a balance between a healthy diet and sufficient sleep. 

•  Sleep helps to decrease inflammation and allows the body to rest, which will help boost the immune system.

•  Many doctors say that rest and sleep are the two best things a patient can do when they become ill. Through these two components, the body can fight off the infection quicker because it is well rested, which allows the body to function optimally.

 

2. Obesity

•  The topic of weight seems to be a driving force towards change for the majority of the population today. So, what if I told you that the recommended eight hours of sleep each night decreases your risk of weight gain?

•  It is true! Eight hours of sleep every night provides your body with the hormones needed to control appetite and energy metabolism.  When your sleep is disrupted, so is the release of these hormones. 

 

3. Mood Disorders

•  It is not a scientific revelation that lack of sleep can lead to irritability the following day. 

•  Adding to this, depression and anxiety are more prevalent in those getting less than six hours of sleep each night for extended periods.

 

4. Hypertension and Heart Disease

•  During the sleep cycles, the body heals and repairs the blood vessels throughout the body. Lack of sleep interrupts that healing process and can cause a continuation of inflammation without proper healing.

•  Also, sleep naturally lowers your blood pressure and heart rate. Without sufficient sleep, your heart rate and blood pressure remain elevated, which can cause long-term effects.

 

5. Mental Performance

•  Lack of sleep has led to impairment in driving capabilities in addition to difficulty accomplishing tasks at work. 

•  Car accidents and workplace errors are more prevalent due to mental fatigue related to sleep loss.

 

Tonight, is the ideal night to start a new habit of getting eight hours of sleep. If you have interruptions in your sleep pattern due to young children or other distractions, try taking a nap to recoup some of that lost sleep. If naps are not an option due to work conditions, try to go to sleep an hour or two earlier.  Turn off the TV, put down your cellphone, reduce caffeine intake, and try to minimize stimulation two hours before bedtime.  Also, avoid excessive alcohol intake because, while having a sedative effect just after use, it actually has an arousal effect hours after consumption due to the alcohol breakdown process. Sleep is an essential component to whole body wellness, and it is undoubtedly not something that should be averted. 

 

Speak with a doctor today at Shifa4U if you are experiencing fatigue despite adequate sleep, as this may indicate an underlying medical condition, order fatigue lab test from top labs of Pakistan at home. 

 

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Abigail Mckay

Abigail has been a nurse for five years, and throughout her time as a nurse, she has worked in multiple medical-surgical units as well as spent time in the infusion therapy clinic and endoscopy lab. She is passionate about preventative medicine through patient education regarding nutrition and exercise. Due to her passion, Abigail has gone on to earn two certifications including a certification in medical-surgical nursing (CMSRN) and a certification in holistic nursing (HNB-BC), in hopes of being able to better serve her patients. Abigail earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA and now bettering patient education in the healthcare system through partnering with American TelePhysicians.