Impact and Importance of Good Sleep

The vital role of good sleep cannot be undermined in the good health and well-being of our lives. Sound sleep at the right time protects our safety, physical and mental health and also the quality of life that we lead. That is because, during the sleeping phase, the body is continuously working to support the healthy functioning of the brain and maintain our physical fitness. These processes are interrupted due to irregular sleep.

The importance of sleep can be entailed as follows -

• Controls body temperature and metabolism
• Maintains the working of the body  immune system
• Helps in controlling the proper functioning of the brain and aids the memory restoration process
• Ensures proper circulation in the blood vessels for maintaining a healthy heart
• Stimulates tissue repair and growth(in children) as growth hormone is released during the sleeping phase
• Sustains the blood glucose levels and regulates the appetite

Impact of Good Sleep

• Maintains cardiac health by controlling the blood pressure and cholesterol levels which are the major risk factors for causing stroke and heart attacks.
• Helps in preventing cancer, particularly breast and colon cancer, by regulating the melatonin hormone levels which prevents tumour growth.
• Reduces stress which would otherwise cause hypertension. The production of stress hormones impairs the normal functioning of the organs and creates hurdles in falling asleep easily.
• Prevents deterioration due to aging by decreasing inflammation which is known to cause diabetes, heart problems and cancer.
• Increases mental alertness to keep you fully energized and active during the day. This constructive engagement helps in doing our routine tasks efficiently which in turn, induces better sleep cycle at night.
• Enhances the memory by assisting the brain in creating linkages between the memory, sensory inputs, feelings and events resulting in better mental processing abilities.
• Assists in losing weight by balancing the hormone levels of ghrelin and leptin which regulate appetite and control the metabolism for proper nutrient assimilation.
• Decreases the chances of depression by preventing deficiency of the serotonin hormone.
• Stimulates the body to repair itself due to the damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays, stress and other harmful substances. This is because the body produces proteins during sleep which are the cellular building blocks for repairing the damages caused.
• Taking a few short naps during the day boosts productivity and decreases stress levels. It is also beneficial in enhancing the moods, memory and cognitive functioning of the brain and is a refreshing alternative to caffeine consumption.

Common Sleeping Problems

• Insomnia - Here there is difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep or awakening at unusually early hours of the day. Treatment may include behavioural, psychological, medical approaches or a combination of these.
• Snoring – Loud and unpleasant sounds called snores are generated during sleep due to blocked airways. In mild cases, the cure for snoring can involve making simple lifestyle changes. Treatment for snoring in severe cases includes using nasal snoring solutions or oral appliances and treating chronic allergies. Surgery for snoring may be inevitable for correcting structural problems in the nose. Laser surgery for snoring using Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty is an effective treatment that tightens the throat tissues.
• Sleep Apnea - In this the breathing process is disrupted frequently during sleep. Symptoms of sleep apnea include very loud snoring, gasping for breath, insomnia and morning headaches. The effects of sleep apnea can cause serious consequences like high blood pressure, stroke, depression, heart attacks and worsening of hyperactivity. Sleep apnea treatment includes usage of airway pressure devices. Chronic cases need surgery for tissue removal, jaw repositioning, implantation or endoscopic sinus surgeries for improving sinus ventilation.

Poor sleep has several long-lasting detrimental effects on our health, unfortunately. So please consult the ENT Doctor immediately for any sleeping problem.