Not sleeping also puts you at risk for symptoms similar to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Sleeping seven to nine hours a night is essential for good health, according to sleep experts. Not only does not getting enough sleep make you tired and cranky all day, it also has other unwanted side effects, such as a reduction in creativity and precision, an increase in stress, tremors, aches, and lapses or losses. of the memory.
It also puts you at risk for symptoms similar to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as a fast heart rate and an increased risk of heart disease or stroke.
It can even wreak havoc on your immune system, according to Dr. Amit Narula, medical director of the Center for Sleep Disorders at Carroll Hospital in Westminster, Maryland.
"Getting an infection is easier, and getting rid of an infection may be more difficult or take longer," Narula warned in a hospital news release.
Waking up briefly during the night is normal, he said. But when you wake up for long periods of time over the course of eight hours, this is considered interrupted sleep.
When your sleep is interrupted, you have to start from scratch and go through the necessary four phases of sleep. And that can prevent you from getting the deep sleep you need.
LifeBridge Health, a Maryland-based health care provider associated with Carroll Hospital, offers these tips for better sleep:
Avoid alcohol, nicotine, food, and drinks near bedtime. Keep a sleep diary so you can talk to your doctor about your sleep habits and patterns.
Keep the room dark and cool . Use the room only for sex and sleeping. Go to bed at the same time every night. Keep screens, such as TVs, smartphones, and tablets out of the room. Make sure your bed is comfortable.
Keep pets out of the room . Avoid clothing that is tight or restricts movement. Have a to-do list, to avoid obsessing over the next day.
If you have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, talk to your doctor. Most sleep problems can be treated.
Sleep physicians can diagnose or rule out problems such as sleep apnea, periodic limb movement disorder, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, and insomnia.