Lifestyle Medicine For Physical Therapists - Part Two
Learn more what sleep can do for you
SLEEP FOR HEALTH
Chronic sleep problems can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and other medical problems.
A person could lose sleep because he or she is experiencing pain, taking certain medications, or undergoing hormonal changes (such as menopause).
Quality of sleep is considered good when a person can fall asleep relatively quickly (within 5 to 15 minutes), wake up easily, stay asleep almost continuously, and sleep long enough to feel refreshed the next day.
The following are some of the results of sleep deprivation:
- Daytime fatigue, low energy, physical and mental tiredness, and weariness
- Mood disturbances Impaired cognitive functioning Impaired memory and concentration
- Difficulty sustaining attention with tasks Slowed response times (good reaction times are critical for safe driving, safety at work, and preventing falls)
- Increased incidence of colds and viruses, and a weakened immune system Increased pain perception
- Increased risk of falls
- Decreased job performance
- Reduced quality of life and inability to enjoy social relationships
- A possible role in the current obesity epidemic
- Decreased safety on the road, leading to car crashes