It’s not rocket science: a good night’s sleep makes you feel good, energetic, and productive, while a poor night’s sleep often makes you feel anxious, foggy, irritable, or even downright sick. And, in fact, it’s true that sleep is inextricably linked to a number of health factors. People who get enough sleep typically maintain and lose weight more easily, have better memory and cognition, and are more productive. They also reduce their risk of depression, heart disease, stroke and diabetes as compared to those who do not get enough sleep. Sleep is so important that the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes insufficient sleep as a ‘public health problem.’

It is well-researched and widely accepted that sleep is a major contributing factor to overall health and wellness. Yet, when compared to other factors like diet and exercise, it is an often overlooked or compromised priority that takes a backseat in the cadence of our daily lives. According to the the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third of American adults are not getting enough sleep on a regular basis. In Dallas, the 2017 American Fitness Index report showed that only 67 percent of Dallas area residents were getting the recommended minimum of seven or more hours of sleep per day — one of several factors contributing to Dallas ranking 38th of 50 on the index, which measures health and community fitness at the metropolitan level in the United States. (more…)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one-third of adults in the United States get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep each night. And that’s despite the fact that it’s well-researched and widely accepted that adequate sleep is a major contributor to our overall health and well-being, physically and mentally.

Clearly, there are various factors that contribute to one’s sleep habits and ability to get sufficient sleep, but two key factors over which we have (almost) complete control are our sleep environment and bedtime routine. Even just a few tweaks to our bedroom and/or lifestyle habits can have a significant impact on our sleep quality.

You’ve probably noticed that a good night’s sleep makes you feel good, while a poor night’s sleep can make you feel anxious, foggy, irritable, or even downright sick. And, in fact, it’s true that sleep is linked to a number of health factors.People who get enough sleep typically maintain and lose weight more easily, have better memory, cognition, and productivity, and reduce their risk of depression, heart disease, stroke and diabetes as compared to those who do not get enough sleep. Sleep is so important that the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes insufficient sleep as a ‘public health problem’. (more…)

Make Sleep a Priority in 2018

Join the 30-Day Sleep Challenge

Dates: January 13-February 11, 2018

Challenge is FREE & open to all Dallas-area adults

Register Here

2018 is upon us and many of us are thinking about ways to improve our health and well-being in the coming year. Health goals typically revolve around diet and exercise, which are indeed important, but even more foundational to our health is SLEEP. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1 in 3 American adults don’t get the recommended 7 or more hours per night of sleep.

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Sebastien’s story is very similar to many people’s who suffer from undiagnosed sleep apnea. He spent years dealing with persistent fatigue coupled with morning headaches and constant lethargy. His wife endured his nightly loud snoring, though she eventually had to resort to using earplugs to get a good night’s sleep.

Meet Ellwyn. He’s one of a number of people who suffered from the effects of sleep apnea for years without discovering a solution. He was always groggy, found it impossible to sleep restfully, and even caught himself falling asleep at the wheel. Ellwyn knew that his condition was negatively impacting his health, but he was frustrated by the ineffective treatments he had tried. Desperate, he came to Sleep Dallas to endeavor, one last time, to find an answer. 

If left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been known to cause cumulative health risks. Stroke, type 2 diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s and dementia have been associated with the condition when it’s left alone. A recent study, however, has found that even a few nights without a treatment device increases the metabolic stress that a person with sleep apnea endures.

When we think of sleep apnea, the sufferers that often come to mind are mature adults. And that certainly is the case, as it is now estimated that 26 percent of adults between the ages of 30 and 70 have sleep apnea, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. But there are two other age groups that can be affected by disordered breathing during sleep: young children and adolescents. While the cases are less frequent, untreated sleep apnea during childhood can have serious, far-reaching consequences that follow into adulthood. 

We’ve regularly discussed how getting enough sleep is a vital part of self-care and maintaining overall health, especially as we age. Deep sleep is a critical component to keeping our minds and bodies functioning efficiently — it reduces stress and helps protect against serious health problems like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure. But new research suggests that a lack of proper sleep may cause permanent damage to the brain.