By Rommel Tan
Health Practitioner
Quality Care Group of Companies
Quality Sleep Care
In these day and age, we take pride on our work. We work at least 8 hours, some worked as common as two jobs a day, expending the greatest amount of energy that we can muster every day of our life. Knowing full well how we work, we are also expected to get the most effective and quality sleep we can get to get the energy that we spent during the day… so we invest as well on sleep. We invest getting the most comfortable mattress we could find on sale (Memory foam, Gel, Latex, Water or air Mattresses) spending thousands in our quest. But do we ever think that it is enough?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) considered a common cause of sleep deprivation is often overlooked and undiagnosed. Although snoring doesn’t mean that you have OSA, Sleep apnea is always accompanied with snoring or even worst, cessation of regular breathing ending up with increased frequency of waking up in the middle of the night gasping for air leading to interruptions of an excellent sleep. With sleep deprivation already lurking in an individual, the body always takes its toll. It has been implicated in a lot of acute damages like car crash, and work accidents to a chronic more devastating effect.
National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recently released the key indicators of a good quality sleep. It includes sleep at least 85 percent total time in bed, falling asleep in 30 minutes or less, waking up no more than once per night, and being awake for 20 minutes or less after initially falling asleep
Studies confirmed a good quality sleep improves learning, problem-solving skills, creativeness, focus and concentrations and the opposite frequently causes anxiety, poor concentration, loss of focus, and depression. Through a study in 2013 in mice, researchers found that waste removal systems in the brain are more active during sleep which allow time to clear away toxic products that they theorized would otherwise cause problems which could lead to Alzheimer’s disease. It is confirmed that the things that we learned during the day are also strengthened and reinforced when we sleep.
Most of our organs rejuvenate and replenish during sleep. Intestines quiet down and the liver tries to build and synthesize during this times. The heart although will not stop beating also reduces its rate to regain its energy lost when you are awake. With a good night sleep your Blood Pressure can drop 5 to 7 points and the heart as well relaxes. There is a balance and control of hormone production and consumption. There is a lower production of adrenaline during sleep. Growth hormones are easily present and greatly contributes to growth of muscle and repair of the damages the body receive during those waking hours. When we lack sleep, hunger –regulating hormones leptin and ghrelin get unrestrained which can in turn lead to weight gain and with sleep deprivation there is a greater release of insulin, which leads to an increased in fat storage and a higher risk in Type 2 Diabetes.
Sleep Deprivation can substantially lower an individual’s overall quality of life. While the occasional poor night’s sleep is not a serious problem in itself, persistence of sleep deprivation can be. There is no substitute for restorative sleep. A certain amount of care should be taken to prevent the persistence of sleep deprivation in all individuals of all ages. We are not here in this world because we exist, we are here because we need to accomplish the goals that are set in front of us and these are clear reason why we need that good quality sleep. Quality Sleep Care can help you achieve those goals. We are located at 6570 28 Ave NW Edmonton T6L 6N3. Call us at 780-757-1490 for details!
