Sleep Your Way to Better Health
The value of a good night’s sleep can’t be overstated. Unfortunately, one in three adults does not get enough sleep, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Abha Mishra is a board-certified neurologist, vascular neurologist, and sleep medicine specialist committed to helping her patients get better quality sleep.
Sleep is vital
Dr. Mishra says, “Good quality sleep can help improve your overall health, cognitive function, and improve mood. It also helps reduce the risks of heart disease and diabetes.”
Some of the most common sleep-related issues she sees include:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Snoring
- Falling asleep at inappropriate times
- Restless sleep
- Insomnia
- Frequently having to nap during the day
- Gasping for air during the night
- Waking up choking
- Daytime fatigue
Make the right changes
When asked what type of changes someone should make to improve their sleep quality, Dr. Mishra shares, “Aim for the same bedtime each night in a dark, quiet bedroom. Set a comfortable room temperature, remove electronic devices (TVs, computers, and smartphones) from the bedroom, avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime, and exercise.”
Some of the factors she sees that negatively impact sleep quality include irregular sleep schedules, drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, drugs, physical pain, stress, mental health issues, and certain foods.
A bad night of sleep every once in a while isn’t cause for concern, but if you find that you’re regularly suffering sleep-related issues, it may be time to see a sleep medicine specialist.
Consider a sleep study
According to the Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Sleep Medicine and Research, 80 to 90 percent of adults with clinically significant sleep-disordered breathing remain undiagnosed. A sleep study, also known as a polysomnogram, is a painless and non-invasive overnight assessment that monitors your sleep patterns, breathing, heart rate, brain waves, and more. The information gathered during a sleep study empowers physicians to create a tailored treatment plan to help patients get better sleep, which can have significant impacts on overall health.
“By helping diagnose sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea, periodic limb movements during sleep, restless legs, and narcolepsy, patients can experience better overall health,” adds Dr. Mishra. She continues, “Benefits of better sleep include a lower risk of diabetes and heart disease, reduced stress, improved concentration, higher cognitive function, and improved mood.” There are several sleep study locations available along the Coast, including the recently opened Sleep Center Stone County. Learn more by clicking the button below.