SLEEP Health
Today's frenzied pace barely offers enough time to stop and rest, let alone get a good night's sleep. But if a healthy 8 hours of shut-eye seems like a distant dream, you should know that quality sleep is just as important for good health as diet and exercise.
It also improves mood, thinking and overall well-being.
On the flip side, not enough quality sleep raises your risk for a host of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, obesity and dementia.
How Much Sleep is Enough
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the amount of sleep you need depends on your age.
In general, children and teens need more sleep than adults.
- Infants 4 months to 12 months should sleep 12 to 16 hours per 24 hours (including naps).
- Children 1 to 2 years of age should sleep 11 to 14 hours per 24 hours (including naps).
- Children 3 to 5 years of age should sleep 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours (including naps).
- Children 6 to 12 years of age should sleep 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours.
- Teenagers 13 to 18 years of age should sleep 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours.
- Adults should sleep 7 or more hours per night.
These are general recommendations. There is individual variability in sleep need.
Common Sleep Disorders
- Sleep apnea and snoring
- Insomnia
- Narcolepsy
- Sleep-related breathing disorders
- Restless leg syndrome
- Periodic limb movement disorders
Sleep Disorder Warning Signs
- Heavy snoring
- Fatigue throughout the day
- Difficulty concentrating
- Restless sleep
- Increased and/or disruptive snoring
- Short-term memory loss
You may need a sleep study if you are experiencing the following:
- You snore or stop breathing while sleeping.
- After sleeping for 8 hours, you still awake groggy or unrefreshed.
- You nod off during everyday activities like reading or driving.
- You’ve had trouble falling asleep (or staying asleep) for at least a month.
- You suffer from another chronic condition such as depression or chronic pain that keeps you awake.
For more information, call the Silver Cross Sleep Disorders Center at (815) 300-REST (7378).
