Sleep is an essential part of your life and is critical for your health. Good sleep helps repair the body and can make you function better throughout the day.
What is the right amount of sleep?
It is recommended that adults get at least 7 hours of sleep per night. Although, some adults don’t get the recommended amount of sleep that is needed. This could pose a problem, because lack of an appropriate amount of sleep over a long period of time could lead to health issues.
What happens if you don’t get enough sleep?
Adults that don’t get their recommended amount of sleep could end up with various health problems. Some of these health problems include:
- High blood pressure
- If you have a normal sleep pattern, your blood pressure may go down, but a sleep issue means your blood pressure could stay higher for a longer period of time. This high blood pressure could lead to the risks of heart disease and stroke.
- Type 2 diabetes
- Some studies state that if you get enough sleep you could improve your blood sugar control.
- Obesity
- If you do not get enough sleep, you could gain weight, because it may affect an area of the brain that controls hunger.
What other conditions cause sleep issues?
- Sleep apnea
- Sleep apnea is when you have issues breathing during sleep, which affects your oxygen flow.
- Insomnia
- Insomnia is when you can’t fall asleep, you sleep too much, or do both.
What do you need to do to get better sleep?
- Keep a consistent sleep schedule.
- During the day, make sure to get some exercise throughout the day, but not close to bedtime.
- Before you go to bed, try not to eat or drink.
- When you are sleeping, make sure to sleep in a bedroom that’s quiet, dark and cool.
Just as with any health concern, it’s always best to consult with your healthcare professional to get the proper medical care.
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