Expert Warnings About the Dangers of Poor Sleep Hygiene

expert warnings about the dangers of poor sleep hygiene – sleep is so detrimental to our overall health, and people are not seeing the comorbidities related to poor quality sleep, or lack thereof. these health concerns are becoming more prominent and are highlighted in the recovery by resolving these secondary health issues at hand. just like the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe, proper sleep hygiene is vital to our overall health. sleep plays a crucial role in supporting various aspects of the body, including brain function, heart health, and the immune system. without enough sleep, your brain struggles to form and maintain the neural pathways essential for learning and memory creation. sleep deprivation reduces focus and slows reaction time. sleep supports numerous brain functions, particularly in helping neurons (nerve cells) communicate effectively. proper brain function is vital to brain health as it enables the brain to create new neural pathways, enhancing learning and memory. it also boosts focus, decision-making abilities, and creativity. so many patients are being referred to the sleep center for testing due to poor heart health related to lack of sleep, or a possible sleeping disorder such as sleep apnea. quality sleep is what aids the body’s natural repair processes and is essential for maintaining a healthy heart. during sleep, a person’s heart rate and blood pressure decrease, and breathing becomes steady and rhythmic. consistently getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night also aids in managing weight, stabilizing blood pressure, and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, all of which support heart health. overall, your body’s ability to fight off infection, and aid in recovery depends on quality sleep as this will help strengthen your immune system. sleep is vital for a robust immune system, as it promotes the production of key immune cells, like t-cells, and the release of proteins called cytokines, which combat infections and reduce inflammation. when well-rested, the body is better equipped to defend against illness, while sleep deprivation lowers the production of these protective cells, making the body more vulnerable to infections. meet dr. katrina platt, an internal medicine doctor, who graduated from the college of osteopathic medicine of the pacific at western university of health sciences in 2008. she is a doctor of osteopathic medicine (d.o.) which is a licensed physician who takes a holistic approach to patient care. this means a d.o. focuses on treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—instead of just addressing specific symptoms or illnesses. in internal medicine, d.o.s are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide range of conditions, emphasizing preventive care and the body’s natural ability to heal. with her practice in both the eastern and western worlds of medicine, her holistic views are carried on to providing the most optimized care for her patients. with that being said, she stresses the issue of how patients are increasingly showing signs related to poor sleep such as diabetes, high cortisol levels, high blood pressure, and increased weight gain, and/or management. with these just being a few of the comorbidities of poor sleep hygiene, it has been an exhausting cycle of revisiting issues that could be resolved if something as simple as good sleep was practiced regularly. another issue that is not stressed enough, is untreated sleeping disorders that can disrupt your sleep and cause secondary health issues if left untreated. sleep apnea is a prominent staple in today’s society as it has become more popular with ever-increasing body mass index. but it isn’t always weight-related and could be the anatomy of the airway, as the more narrow your throat is, the more susceptible you are. other issues may include but not be limited to, allergies, deviated septum, smoking and/or alcohol and drug use, hypothyroidism, head shape, and other medical conditions that may congest the upper airway. an estimated 39 million adults in the united states experience obstructive sleep apnea (osa), while globally, around 936 million adults are believed to have mild to severe forms of the condition. snoring is one of the most prevalent symptoms, occurring in up to 94% of individuals with sleep apnea. when left untreated, osa can contribute to serious health issues, including heart disease, kidney dysfunction, and metabolic disorders. prioritizing your sleep and addressing concerns that could interrupt it, is vital to optimizing any treatment plan. sleep is a biological necessity and detrimental to overall health and well-being. getting enough high-quality sleep is important for lowering the likelihood of accidents and injuries related to drowsiness and fatigue, such as those occurring in the workplace, on the road, and even on planes. dr. platt is also an aviation medical examiner (ame), a physician designated by the faa to conduct medical evaluations for aircrew members and air traffic controllers. ames play a vital role in the aviation safety system by confirming that all aircrew personnel meet the necessary medical standards to carry out their responsibilities effectively…including any sleeping disorders! truck drives, bus drives, and other jobs are now requiring certain screenings to protect the public from avoidable accidents and fatalities related to poor sleep. lack of sleep, or untreated sleeping disorders is no joke and should be a priority in longevity in any functioning society. if you or someone you know needs help improving their sleep, or is suspected to have a possible sleeping disorder, please reach out to your local doctor for help, or go to read more from our executive contributor, dr. tawnie. connect with dr tawnie.