Sleep is the best medicine I can give my patients. An apple a day pales to the healing power of a good nights sleep. Despite the importance, sleep disorders go undiagnosed and untreated by health professionals every single day. This poses a significant threat to every aspect of good health. Drawing on the belief that many minds are better than one, Ive decided to start this blog. Its not our fault we dont know RLS from RBD. Sleep and the disorders that interrupt it were not taught in medical training.
I hope to dispel myths about sleep. Madison Avenue is busy planning marketing strategies for the 1/3 of our life we are supposed to be in bed and sleep. Word on the street is that Starbucks will cross the threshold to treat insomnia with something rumored to be dubbed Nappucino. Combine a grande with the Select Comfort Sleep Number Bed and youve got yourself 8 hours of sweet dreams. Patients need to hear from us, as well as Madison Avenue. This is our forum. Lets put the world to bed!
Why Sleep Matters
- Sleep debt impairs mental and physical skills more than being legally drunk
- Sleep loss has direct impact on weight gain and developing diabetes
- Cardiac disease gets worse when underlying sleep problems are not treated
- 46% of women in America are reporting trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep (Sleep in America Poll 2007)
Changing Your Mind About the Power of Sleep
In the adolescent thinking of the American public, we see ourselves as bullet proof and consider sleep a waster of time. “I only slept 4 hours last night,” is nothing to brag about. As a health professional, my sleep needs are the same as those I serve. No more crowing about “getting by,” there is no substitute for 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.
Join me by adding your sleep war stories, tips and feedback.
“It’s not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what’s required.”
-Winston Churchill