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Sleep isn't just "time out" out from daily life. It is an active state important for renewing our mental and physical health each day. More than 100 million Americans of all ages, however, regularly fail to get a good night sleep.
At least 84 disorders of sleeping and waking lead to a lowered quality of life and reduced personal health. They endanger public safety by contributing to traffic and industrial accidents. These disorders can lead to problems falling asleep and staying asleep, difficulties staying awake or staying with a regular sleep/wake cycle, sleepwalking, bedwetting, nightmares, and other problems that interfere with sleep. Some sleep disorders can be life threatening. If you'd like to know more about getting quality sleep, read the following Sleep Hygiene Tips.
Take a minute to learn more about individual sleep disorders by clicking on any of the following links:
For more extensive information on sleep and sleep related disorders you may go to SleepEducation.com, an education site from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
GENERAL INFORMATION ON SLEEPING DISORDERS
PUBLIC POLICY ON SLEEP DISORDERS:
Approximately 40 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders and another 20 to 30 million suffer intermittent sleep-related problems. Evidence tells us that America’s sleep debt is on the rise. Yet, numerous studies have concluded that the general public, policy makers and primary care physicians lack basic sleep knowledge. More importantly, the vast majority of Americans with sleep disorders remain undiagnosed and untreated and research is severely lacking. As a result, the toll on human health, productivity and safety is enormous.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL SLEEP FOUNDATION:
Due to these reasons, the National Sleep Foundation is committed to an advocacy program with the Legislative and Executive branches of the federal government. Our mission is to promote public understanding of sleep and sleep disorders and support education, research and advocacy to improve public health and safety. One essential way to achieve our mission is to advocate for federal research and educational initiatives to ensure that all Americans have access to the health care and knowledge they need to lead healthy, productive lives. Within these broad goals, we dedicate ourselves to a government advocacy program that addresses the following legislative and regulatory issues. We hope that you will join us in this endeavor.
Should you have any questions about NSF government affairs programs, please call us at (202) 347-3471 or visit our website at www.sleepfoundation.org.
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Whether your partner's snoring is merely an annoyance or a source of mounting friction in your relationship, it may also indicate a serious health problem that frequently goes undiagnosed. For about 10 in every 100 people, often overweight, middle-aged men, extremely loud, habitual snoring is the first sign of a potentially life-threatening disorder called obstructive sleep apnea.
People with this condition don't breathe properly during sleep; therefore they don't take in enough oxygen, and they sleep poorly. Sleep apnea may lead to extreme daytime sleepiness, causing problems such as forgetfulness, irritability, depression and lack of concentration. People with sleep apnea also may fall asleep at inappropriate times; sleep apnea sufferers are two to five times more likely to have car accidents than those who don't suffer from this disorder. The condition can also trigger serious medical problems including high blood pressure, heart failure, heart attack and stroke. Numerous studies have demonstrated the link between obstructive sleep apnea and various heart problems, and one study's results, published last year in an American Heart Association journal, showed that 80 percent of people with sleep apnea experience a significant decline in blood flow to their brain, which increases the risk of stroke.
printed with permission from, MCVH For Your Health
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For more information about sleep disorders, contact your healthcare professional.
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