Research has found that the lack of sleep is harmful to the body.  Women and children seem to have greater risk factors for depression and hypertension than men, but nevertheless across the board lack of sleep can cause a decline in health.

One of the biggest reasons that a good eight hours of sleep is necessary is to give the body time to rest and recover from activities of the day.  It gives the body a chance to repair damaged cells, release new cells, and filter out old or dead cells.  Our bodies actually do this in a continuous process; sleep just allows it to occur without daily interruptions like running a marathon, consuming a large meal or worrying about a final exam.

There are several signs that indicate we are not having good sleep.  They include feeling irritable or sleepy the next day, having difficulty staying awake when sitting still, falling asleep while driving, difficulty paying attention or concentrating, performing below potential, looking tired, lack of memory, emotional outbursts, daily napping, and feeling like you need caffeine to keep yourself going.

If you have any of these feeling on a regular basis, you should consult your doctor.  After getting a thorough history your doctor may refer you to a sleep study center for a polysomnogram; commonly known as a sleep study, in order to get a proper diagnosis.  It is important to understand the symptoms and causes of the most common forms of sleep problems – insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and narcolepsy.   Once having completed the study your doctor will be better equipped to help you get a good night’s sleep.