Present research shows that individuals that get 7 hours of sleep on a nightly basis have the best long-term survival rates. 50 to 70 million Americans experience chronic sleep disorders that lead to poor health. Sleep deprivation leads to irritability, cognitive impairment, memory loss, impaired immune system, risk of heart disease, risk of Type 2 diabetes, decreased release of growth hormone and an increase in heart rate variability.
Sleep has multiple functions:
- Fatigue reversal (recover and renewal).
- Biochemical refreshment of the body.
- Immune function (reset for protection).
- Memory consolidation (daytime learning needs sleep for memory encoding).
- Psychologic well being (lack of sleep leads to depression and mood disorders).
Night after night of improper sleep and breathing takes its toll on our quality of life and may include the following:
- Always being tired, no energy
- Feeling of depression
- Easily irritated
- Falling asleep at inappropriate times
- Difficulty concentrating
- Forgetfulness
- Wake up with headache
- Others are frustrated
- Decreased sex drive
- Increase in motor vehicle accidents
- Increase in work-related accidents
- Poor job performance
- Family discord