No one will argue that sleep is a necessity. The question for most people
is how much sleep is essential to not only function during the day, but
to achieve optimum performance levels.
With so many individuals juggling jobs, family responsibilities and much
more, something has to give—often that something is sleep. Research
shows, however, that sacrificing sleep may not be the way to go, as most
people need about eight hours of good quality sleep each night to rest
the body and refresh the mind.
According to
Lawrence W. Kneisly, M.D., ABSM, medical director of the
Torrance Memorial Sleep Disorders Center, there are individuals who have real problems with sleep, including the
inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, snoring and other breathing disorders
while sleeping that can cause daytime drowsiness.
“Untreated, these problems can have a devastating effect on a person’s
quality of life,” Kneisley says. “This makes it difficult—physically
and mentally—to deal with normal everyday challenges. In fact, some
illnesses, such as high blood pressure and even heart attacks, can be
linked to certain sleep disorders.”
Primary care physicians usually refer patients to a sleep disorders center
after performing appropriate routine tests. Often, a polysomnogram (PSG)
is indicates. The PSG takes place overnight, closely monitoring breathing,
oxygen, heart rate, brain waves, eye and body movements, and body position.
Ask your doctor if you might benefit from a sleep study if you are experiencing
any of the following symptoms:
- Frequent difficulty falling asleep in bed at night
- Frequent awakening during sleep
- Heavy snoring
- Partner say you stop breathing during sleep
- Dozing off while driving
- Often waking with a headache
- Sleepiness during the day
- Difficulty concentrating at work/school
- Produce sweating at night
- Leg cramps or drawing feeling legs
- Restless legs that interfere with falling asleep
For more information about sleep disorders or studies call
Torrance Memorial Sleep Disorders Center at
310-517-4617.