Aspirus | Aspire | Winter 2019

10 aspire Winter 2019 Regularly getting a good night’s rest can: Rise and shine HELP KEEP YOUR BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS STABLE. OBESITY. RISK FOR Lower your Improve your MIND and memory. WANTTORESTEASY?WECANHELP For more information, or to schedule a sleep study at an Aspirus location near you, go online to aspirus.org/sleep or call 800.817.2363 . THERE’S A LOT going on in your body while you sleep. Hormones are being released. Cells are being repaired. Organs are being replenished with the oxygen they need to function properly. It’s no wonder—how well you sleep at night can have a big effect on your health and on how you feel and perform throughout the day. This is especially true as we get older, according to Debra Uhlenbrauck, respiratory therapy manager at Aspirus Iron River Hospital & Clinics. “Lack of adequate sleep not only leaves you feeling groggy, but over time it can cause serious health problems, such as high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes,” she said. “Your body needs time to rejuvenate itself in order to function at its best.” Try some good sleep habits for better rest. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these tips: w w Be consistent. Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, including on the weekends. w w Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, relaxing and at a comfortable temperature. w w Remove electronic devices, such as TVs, computers and smartphones, from the bedroom. w w Avoid large meals, caffeine and alcohol before bedtime. w w Get some exercise. Being physically active during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night. Whenasnoremeanssomethingmore There are warning signs to look out for if you are concerned about your sleep habits. While loud snoring is usually harmless, it can potentially be serious. It can warn of a condition called obstructive sleep apnea, in which breathing temporarily stops several times a night. People with sleep apnea may wake up choking or gasping for air. Fortunately, treatment—including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy—can help. Uhlenbrauck said it’s important to talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your sleep habits because sleep disorders can be difficult to self- diagnose. A sleep study, either in-home or at a sleep center, can determine a definite diagnosis and prevent a condition from causing an even more serious problem. Debra Uhlenbrauck The power of sleep