For many years I have been having very poor quality sleep at night, which resulted to me being tired during the day, until when a visiting doctor friend told me that I suffer from sleep Apnea. As much as I try to sleep, I never seem to sleep as is required of 6 to 7 seven hours for an adult because my condition.

Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which a person can have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while sleeping. Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes. They often occur 5 to 30 times or more than an hour.

Typically, normal breathing then starts again, sometimes with a loud snort or choking sound. Sleep apnea usually is a chronic (ongoing) condition that disrupts your sleep 3 or more nights each week. You often move out of deep sleep and into light sleep when your breathing pauses or becomes shallow.

This results in poor sleep quality that makes you tired during the day. As much as I know that my condition does not allow me to sleep properly, I sometimes try very hard to sleep early so that at least I can cover for the lost sleep in between the night, sometimes I manage, but most of the time I don’t.

I read some journals on the internet that sleep contributes a lot to our overall health and well-being. In fact, when people get less than 6 or 7 hours of sleep each night, their risk for developing diseases begins to increase. Unless one has unavoidable condition like mine, it is advised to get enough sleep. The following are the benefits of good night sleep;

Sleep Keeps Your Heart Healthy

Heart attacks and strokes are more common during the early morning hours. This fact may be explained by the way sleep interacts with the blood vessels. Lack of sleep has been associated with worsening of blood pressure and cholesterol, all risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Your heart will be healthier if you get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night.

Sleep May Prevent Cancer

People working the late shift have a higher risk for breast and colon cancer. Researchers believe this link is caused by differing levels of melatonin in people who are exposed to light at night.

Light exposure reduces the level of melatonin, a hormone that both makes us sleepy and is thought to protect against cancer. Melatonin appears to suppress the growth of tumors. Be sure that your bedroom is dark to help your body produce the melatonin it needs.

Sleep Reduces Stress

When your body has sleeping deficient, it goes into a state of stress. The body’s functions are put on high alert which causes an increase in blood pressure and a production of stress hormones. Higher blood pressure increases your risk for heart attacks and strokes.

The stress hormones also, unfortunately, make it harder for you to sleep. Learn relaxation techniques to counter the effects of stress. There are also stress reduction techniques for sleep.

Sleep Reduces Inflammation

The increase in stress hormones raises the level of inflammation in your body, also creating more risk for heart-related conditions, as well as cancer and diabetes. Inflammation is thought to one of the causes of the deterioration of your body as you age.

Sleep Makes You More Alert

Of course, a good night’s sleep makes you feel energized and alert the next day. Being engaged and active not only feels great, it increases your chances for another good night’s sleep.

When you wake up feeling refreshed, use that energy to get out into the daylight, do active things, and be engaged in your world. You’ll sleep better the next night and increase your daily energy level.

Sleep Bolsters Your Memory

Researchers do not fully understand why we sleep and dream, but a process called memory consolidation occurs during sleep. While your body may be resting, your brain is busy processing your day, making connections between events, sensory input, feelings and memories.

Your dreams and deep sleep are an important time for your brain to make memories and links. Getting more quality sleep will help you remember and process things better.

Sleep is a time for your body to repair damage caused by stress, ultraviolet rays and other harmful exposures

 Your cells produce more protein while you are sleeping. These protein molecules form the building blocks for cells, allowing them to repair damage. To lead a normal and healthy life make sure you try to get enough sleep.

Ends