Helping Mr. Sandman
A good night’s sleep is important for good health. Unfortunately, an estimated 70 million Americans have a hard time falling or staying asleep. They suffer from a wide variety of sleep disorders – everything from snoring and sleep apnea to insomnia and restless leg syndrome. Lack of sleep contributes to chronic tiredness, weight gain, depression and other health problems. For example, about 25 percent of adults are habitual snorers, a sign of a serious disorder called sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea stop breathing for 10 to 15 seconds or longer, sometimes hundreds of times during the night. As a result, the brain and the rest of the body are not getting enough oxygen. Left untreated, sleep apnea can result in multiple health problems, including high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, diabetes and depression.