Science-Backed Reasons Why Improving The Quality Of Sleep Should Be Your 2020 Goal

Sleep is an integral and critical part of a health-oriented lifestyle. And not only for homo sapiens! Although the scientists aren’t entirely sure if every creature of the animal kingdom sleeps, they believe that most do.

Even though it is difficult to give a definitive answer to the question, “Why do we sleep?”, scientists have developed several theories that together may help explain why we spend a third of our lives sleeping. Understanding these theories can help deepen our appreciation of the function of sleep in our lives. If you’re interested in learning more about why we need to sleep at all, click here.

8 Scientific Reasons For Getting Quality Sleep Every Night:

  1. Good energy level is one of the obvious sleep benefits. Each time you allow yourself to get adequate rest, you are more likely to get up refreshed and take on whatever the day brings.

  2. It is known beyond doubt that good quality sleep improves cognitive functions such as the ability to focus, memory, logical thinking, creativity or decision-making.

  3. Maintaining a healthy weight will be easier when you sleep soundly. If you don’t, you may experience food cravings which may then lead to weight gain. Getting fewer than seven hours of sleep per night will disrupt hormonal balances, which results in higher stress levels, increased fat storage, and poorer appetite control.

  4. Sleep better, worry less! When you sleep well and wake up rested, you are unlikely to experience mood swings, negative thoughts and irritability.

  5. Beauty sleep isn’t just a figure of speech. Sleep-deprived men and women look less healthy, less approachable, sadder and less attractive in general. Read more about how sleep deprivation affects appearance.

  6. Guard against illnesses! A well-rested body is an immune body.

  7. Quality sleep decreases risk of chronic conditions and promotes longevity!

  8. Good sleepers make better drivers. Have you heard about drowsy driving? The National Sleep Foundation promotes sleep education awareness in order to prevent risks associated with drivers getting behind the steering wheel while fatigued.

On the other hand, low quality sleep over an extended period of time may contribute to serious health consequences. Physical conditions include obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, just to name a few. Mental conditions, such as depression and anxiety can result from poor sleep quantity, too.

How To Tell If You Need To Upgrade Your Sleep

You may be wondering why you suffer from the conditions mentioned above, if you believe that you receive enough sleep every night.

Well, the truth is, it is both quantity and quality that matters, and sleep apnea may be the culprit. You may not even realize that you suffer from this very common medical disorder, characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. These episodes usually last 10 seconds or more and can occur repeatedly throughout the night. People with sleep apnea will partially awaken as they struggle to breathe but, in the morning, they will not be aware of the disturbances in their sleep.

Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, even children. Risk factors for sleep apnea increase if:

  • You are male

  • You are post menopausal

  • You are overweight

  • You are over 40 years old

  • You have a large neck size (17 inches or greater in men and 16 inches or greater in women)

  • You have large tonsils, a large tongue, and/or a small jaw bone

  • You have a family history of sleep apnea

  • You suffer from allergies or sinus problems which then lead to nasal obstruction

Since it is nearly impossible to self-diagnose and treat, you will need a sleep specialist to help.

Should You Or Should You Not Visit A Sleep Clinic?

Conditions such as sleep apnea and insomnia can be difficult to pinpoint while you’re awake, so doctors use sleep studies to monitor patients sleep overnight. Most patients only require a home sleep test, which costs less and is more convenient, to diagnose sleep apnea. If your sleep doctor thinks there is a clinical reason to proceed with a more extensive study, he/she will refer you to a sleep laboratory. A sleep laboratory is a medical lab where patients are monitored overnight or during the day to observe how they sleep. Each room is equipped with appropriate medical monitoring apparatus and manned by medical staff trained in sleep medicine. Based on the data provided by your sleep study, the supervising physician (sleep doctor) will diagnose whether or not you have a sleep disorder.

If you’re considering a sleep evaluation but are turned off by travel distance, crowded and long waiting rooms, unexpected out of pocket costs, then contact our online sleep doctor who provides sleep telemedicine services for patients in Georgia and South Carolina.

Why Choose Sleep Telemedicine Services Over A Sleep Clinic?

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Sleep telemedicine allows you to receive video consultation, diagnosis and follow up care from the comfort of your home. You will be able to talk to our sleep and respiratory expert online, without having to worry about the continuous travel and related cost burden.

Our online sleep clinic allows people living in remote areas access to sleep and pulmonary telemedicine treatments, for conditions such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, bronchitis, COPD or asthma, at a fraction of a regular sleep clinic price tag.

Most importantly, our sleep expert Dr. Avinesh Bhar at sliiip.com will take as much time as needed to listen to you, understand your condition, build mutual trust and suggest the most effective course of treatment.

Dr. Bhar believes that the only way to practice sleep telemedicine is to provide patients with responsible care, where ethics, transparency and best value for money are key values.

Our promise to you is that the care you need will be delivered.

Visit sliiip.com to find out more about sleep telemedicine services or contact us directly at 478-238-3552. We will be happy to assist you!

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.