Healthy Sleep 101: Fight Sleep Apnea for a Better Life

July 5, 2019

How can you live the healthiest, happiest, and most productive life possible? Exercise and a balanced diet are undeniably two pillars of such a life — but there is a third pillar: sleep. Your body and mind need adequate rest in order to thrive. In this blog post, we’ll discuss why getting enough healthy sleep is so important and how you can do so, even if you struggle with a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea.

What Sleep Does for You

Here are just a few reasons why sleep is so important:

  • Sleep and your physical health. Sleep helps you to fight off infections and maintain a healthy weight. It can also reduce your risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular illness and type 2 diabetes.
  • Sleep and your mental health. Sleep plays a role in regulating the hormones that control your mood and your ability to think clearly. Not getting enough sleep can lead to depression, irritability, and a decreased ability to make rational decisions.
  • Sleep and safety. When you are well-rested, your reflexes and mental awareness operate better. Therefore, you are less likely to be involved in an accident when you are driving or engaging in other activities that carry a risk of injury.

The Keys to Healthy Sleep

There are essentially three factors that determine whether your nightly shuteye is serving you as well as it should:

  • Quantity. The average adult needs roughly 8 hours of sleep each night to minimize their risk of health complications. Teenagers tend to need more than 8 hours of sleep, while seniors may require slightly less than 8 hours.
  • Quality. Even if you get 8 hours of sleep each night, you may not derive the greatest benefits from it if its quality is lacking. Alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, light pollution, and other factors can all prevent you from getting the high-quality rest you need. Obstructive sleep apnea can also be a major detriment to high-quality sleep.
  • Regularity. One good night of rest is beneficial, but you need to routinely get an adequate amount of high-quality sleep if you want to live your best life possible. Try to get yourself into the habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends.

Overcoming Obstacles to Healthy Sleep

If the quantity, quality, or regularity of your sleep leaves something to be desired, you may be able to make some simple adjustments on your own to resolve the issue. However, you might also need professional assistance, particularly if you suffer from sleep apnea. A qualified sleep doctor can help you diagnose your condition and design a treatment plan to stop sleep apnea from robbing you of the rest you need. In many cases, something as simple as a custom-made oral appliance is able to free individuals from sleep apnea and its symptoms.

Is your nightly shuteye benefiting your mind and body as much as it should? If not, take steps now to improve the quantity, quality, and/or regularity of your sleep.

Meet Dr. Mogell
Dr. Kenneth Mogell, a board-certified specialist in sleep medicine with over 10 years of experience treating sleep breathing disorders is the practice’s founder and primary practitioner. The practice has three South Florida locations: Melbourne, Vero Beach, and Boca Raton. To learn more about Florida Dental Sleep Disorders and Dr. Kenneth Mogell, contact our team at 844-294-7559. We accept Medicare, Tricare and most medical insurance!