The Critical Importance of Sleep

Most adults need 7 – 8 hours of sleep each night to be function and feel their best. Unfortunately, it is all too common for individuals not to get the sleep they require. For some people, they consciously choose to forgo rest. Others are suffering from a disorder that may affect both the quality and quantity of their sleep. Individuals in both categories should understand the importance of sleep in Melbourne and what they can do to start getting the shuteye they need for optimum health.

Just How Important Is Sleep?

Sleep is more than a period of time during which you are unaware of your surroundings. It has distinct phases, including:

• Non-REM 1 (N1). This is a transitional phase during which you first start to drift off.
• Non-REM 2 (N2) Your breathing and heartrate slow down.
• Non-REM 3 (N3). You brain produces delta waves, and your body works to repair itself.
• REM sleep (R). This is when your brain is most active during sleep. REM sleep is believed to have benefits for learning, memory, and mood.

What Happens if the Sleep Cycle Gets Disrupted?

It takes about 90 minutes for a healthy sleeper to go through all four stages of sleep. However, there are a number of factors that can disrupt the sleep cycle. For example, caffeine consumption can decrease the amount of time spent in deep sleep, as can certain medications. Additionally, sleep disorders can wreak havoc on the sleep cycle. Individuals with sleep apnea in Melbourne may spend most of their sleep in the first two phases because disruptions in their breathing prevent them from getting to the deeper part of the sleep cycle.

Just how serious are the consequences of not spending enough time in the latter phases of sleep? Well, N3 sleep is important for proper immune system functioning, so a lack of it can contribute to illness. Insufficient REM sleep has been associated with an increased risk of migraines and impaired cognitive function. On a long-term basis, poor-quality sleep can contribute to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other serious health conditions.

What You Can Do

If you believe that you are not getting enough high-quality rest, you may benefit if you speak with a medical professional about your problem. They may offer practical suggestions to help you sleep, and it is likely they will recommend that you undergo a sleep test. A sleep test can detect the presence of sleep apnea and other disorders. After you have been diagnosed, you can begin to explore treatment options.

Inadequate sleep — as well as poor-quality sleep — can have serious consequences. Every effort you make to get enough rest will be well worth it.

Meet the Sleep Expert

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is a dentist who has completed extensive training in how to treat sleep apnea. He has helped countless patients throughout South Florida find better rest through oral appliance therapy. If you believe you are suffering from a sleep disorder, he can help you arrange for testing. To learn more about Dr. Mogell and his services, contact his Melbourne location at 321-313-5350 or get in touch with any of his other conveniently located offices.