As time ticks by and the impending stress of exams, (otherwise known at CADH as opportunities to show onea��s exceptional competencies!), make themselves part of the fabric of daily life at the school, imperative and important routines get interrupted or put on the a�?back burnera�?, in place of tireless fretting and stressing .A� The mainstay of our existence, a good quality nighta��s sleep, is usually the first to be replaced!A� Unfortunately, an all too common response to the simple question of a�?How are you today?a�? has become, a�?I am sooo tireda�?!A� Countless conversations begin and end with some reference to either how busy we are and/or how much sleep we may or may not be getting; usually, what we are not getting. We all know how important sleep is to our overall health-countless articles have been published on the subject and constant reminders of our sleep-deprived lives in conversation are certainly a�?memory-jogsa�? that remind us of the issue, yet we still keep running and often putting our sleep as the last priority.A� Ita��s time to think again.
Researchers have linked sleep issues to countless health problems both short and long term-chronic diseases to obesity and depression. According to a study published in the journalA�Sleep, 24 percent of Canadians age 15 and older experienced insomnia. Also, according to Helen Driver, assistant professor at Queena��s University, women are more likely to experience insomnia and complain about fatigue because they arena��t getting the seven to eight hours they need. Additionally, she sites numerous complications arising from inadequate sleep all with detrimental effects to our long-term health.
- For those whose sleep is less than it should be, the stress hormone, cortisola��s ability to regulate itself is affected and therefore, stays at high levels.A�A� This not only contributes to high blood pressure thereby A�increasing the risk of calcification of the arteries, but it is also linked to the development of insulin A�resistance, a precursor to obesity and diabetes.
- The sleep-deprived have issues maintaining a healthy weight.A� According to researchers at Stanford U, the instability of the hormones ghrelin and leptin increasesA� cravings for salt and fat making individuals more prone to obesity.
- Inadequate sleep is possibly linked to chronic illnesses like cancer and heart disease. As a�?repair timea�? is impacted by less sleep, so may be the bodya��s ability to repair cells.
- Since sleep is incredibly important for immune system function, people lacking sleep are less able to fight infection. Sleeping fewer than five hours incredibly increases the risk of death by 15 percent.
How did we get here you ask?A� A few reasons: A�Busy schedule-filled lives are a huge problem. Electricity and regulated , on-demand lighting has also had a significant impact on the bodya��s natural circadian rhythm of waking at sun-rise and sleeping at sundown. An even bigger issue is the advent of technology and electronic devices . All of the above are significant factors in the rise of health-related problems due to poor sleep habits.
Regardless of how you occupy your days-whether you are a student of dental hygiene or dental assisting, a mother, a shift-worker or you occupy any other demanding profession, pay attention!A� This information may be pivotal in creating positive change for your long-term health…and life!
