As you pour your third cup of coffee, your eyelids are as heavy as ever. You shuffle back to your computer, yawn, and continue to type away. Although your vision is unusually blurry and your brain is abnormally foggy, you chalk it up to just a normal part of being an adult living in a pandemic.
While restless nights are common occasionally, routine drowsiness from a poor night’s rest could be an indicator of a more serious concern. In fact, an estimated 50 to 70 million people have a sleeping disorder that negatively impacts their bodies. If you think you may be suffering from an undiagnosed condition, like sleep apnea in Stephens City, then read on!
How Many Hours of Sleep Do You Actually Need?
While sticking to a routine nighttime regimen is important, it is crucial to remember that spending eight hours in bed does not mean you are meeting your daily rest needs. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the hours of sleep you need varies based on your age. Below are the recommended hours based on your age bracket:
- Infants: 12-15 hours
- Toddlers & Preschool children (1-5): 10-13 hours
- Elementary-age children (6-13): 9-11 hours
- Teens: 8-10 hours
- Adults (18-64): 7-9 hours
- Mature adults (65+): 7-8 hours.
3 Ways Interrupted Sleep Effects Your Body
Whether it is insomnia, racing thoughts, or sleep apnea, interrupted sleep can harm your body in more ways than one. While initially drowsiness may seem like more of an inconvenience than a serious side effect, it is important to prioritize the rejuvenation that your body needs to avoid:
- Lack of alertness – From serious car accidents to significant work mistakes, sleep deprivation has led to some disastrous situations. In fact, recent studies have found that even cutting 60 minutes off your sleep can negatively impact your ability to stay alert.
- Mood swings – From incessant tossing and turning to untreated sleep disorders, a poor night’s rest can lead to an unbalanced mood the following day.
- Poor memory – According to research conducted by the University of California, Berkeley, poor quality sleep can result in significant memory loss and the inability to process information correctly.
Finding a Fix
If a lack of quality sleep is chipping away at your life, then it is time to talk to a professional. Since the most common sleeping disorder is obstructive sleep apnea, it can be helpful to start with your dentist. Once you have received a diagnosis, they can provide you with a customized oral appliance to open your airways and improve your quality of sleep.
If you chronically snore, frequently wake up with a dry mouth, or consistently feel tired throughout the day, then it may be a result of an untreated sleeping disorder. Fortunately, a sleep dentist can help you get the treatment you need so you can get the eight hours of sleep you require!
About the Author
Since earning his doctorate from the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University, Dr. Thomas Gromling has spent the last 40 years serving his community in Stephens City. Today, he continues to perfect his skills through continuing education courses and has completed advanced training in obstructive sleep apnea treatment! If you would like to speak with him about improving your quality of rest, visit his website or give him a call at 540-869-4377.