That’s right, sleep is a health issue and it is a very important health issue. We need more sleep than we think and probably get less than we admit.
So how much is enough? Experts tend to agree that adults should be sleeping 7.5 to 8.0 hours per night. This means going to bed at 10:00-10:30 if you need to get up at 6AM. More importantly, we are talking “Sleep”, not hours in bed.
If you’re restless and it takes you thirty minutes to fall asleep and you awaken many times throughout the night, you are not getting enough rest. There are many possible reasons for this lack of sleep. The most common are:
- Emotional stress-we keep thinking about problems, financial issues, children, etc.
- Diet-we just finished two liters of high test highly caffeinated cola before going to bed;
- Sleep Apnea-a physical condition that continually awakens us (and we may not even realize it) throughout the night, thus robbing us of our much needed sleep;
We often see patients who complain of lack of sleep and request a sleeping pill prescription. There are many such drugs; most of them result in swatting the proverbial fly with a sledge hammer. They can leave you feeling drugged in the morning, unable to function or drive safely, and can be addictive.
There are several safer and simpler sleep aids that one should try before considering prescription drugs. These include:
- Melatonin-Organic supplement found in health food stores
- Celestial Tea-Sleepy Time with Valerian-most supermarkets
- Valerian-organic supplement found in health food stores
All of these can be found at your health food store or super market. They work in most cases, thus eliminating the need for drugs.
If you are suffering from Sleep Apnea, the answer is a bit more complicated. You must first be tested to determine if that’s the case, and if so you need to be treated accordingly.
It might come as a big surprise… the most common successful treatments for lack of sleep is weight loss, exercise and diet. Funny how those three therapies just keep popping up.
Let us help you address your sleep issues.
About First Care – Primary Care and Urgent Care in Naples
Founded in 2012, our veteran-owned clinic is both patient-centered and knowledge-driven. For individuals who have non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses, our urgent care center is a convenient and affordable alternative to overcrowded and expensive hospital emergency rooms. Additionally, because we also serve as a primary care provider, we believe in creating a meaningful, long-term relationship with each patient based upon open communication, shared understanding, and mutual respect. We are proud to provide the following services to the community:
If you have any questions, please feel free to Contact Us or “Walk In” at our Walk-in Clinic in Naples.