Poor Sleep and Sleep Deprivation Have Serious Consequences

March 2, 2012 - PRLog -- BOCA RATON, Florida—It’s a basic necessity of life, as important to our health and well-being as air, food and water. When we sleep well, we wake up feeling refreshed, alert and ready to face daily challenges. When we don't, every part of our lives can suffer. Our jobs, relationships, productivity, health and safety (and that of those around us) are all put at risk. And lack of sleep due to sleep loss or sleep disorders is taking a serious toll.

Dr. David Brodner, Medical Director of SleepWorks Sleep Laboratories in Boca Raton, Florida explains, “As we get older, sleep can be disrupted due to pain or discomfort, the need to go to the bathroom, medical problems, medications, and sleep disorders as well as poor or irregular sleep schedules. Establishing a regular sleep and wake schedule and achieving continuous sleep helps you sleep in accordance with your internal biological clock and experience all of the sleep stages necessary to reap the restorative, energizing and revitalizing benefits of sleep.”

According to a poll by the National Sleep Foundation, over 80% of American adults believe that not getting enough sleep leads to poor performance at work, risk for injury and poor health, and difficulty getting along with others. Often, people become irritable due to lack of sleep, resulting in serious consequences. Studies show that lack of sleep leads to problems completing a task, concentrating, making decisions and unsafe actions.

Recent research suggests that sleep deprivation impacts on aging and diabetes. Insufficient sleep may also make it difficult to exercise and can reduce the benefit of hormones released during sleep. Just as compelling are the serious consequences of sleep deprivation that lead to approximately 100,000 sleep-related vehicle crashes each year and result in 1,500 deaths.

Dr. Brodner offers these “Tips for Good Sleep”  
* Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate) and nicotine (cigarettes, tobacco products) close to bedtime.
* Avoid alcohol as it can lead to disrupted sleep.
* Exercise regularly, but complete your workout at least 3 hours before bedtime.
* Establish a regular relaxing, not alerting, bedtime routine (e.g. taking a bath or relaxing in a hot tub).
* Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet and preferably cool and comfortable.