FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Sleep well, live better.
“We want to emphasize the power of healthy sleep,” said Dr. Lourdes DelRosso with UCSF Fresno and Inspire Medical Health.
Dr. DelRosso serves as the chair for World Sleep Day.
“When we sleep, we consolidate our memories,” said Dr. DelRosso. “We process a lot of emotions. Our body regulates our hormones and blood pressure.”
Health experts say more than 50 million people in the U.S. suffer from a sort of sleeping disorder. When we don’t get enough rest, it can affect both our physical and mental well-being.
Sleep insufficiency symptoms may look different in kids and adults.
“Recognize that insufficient sleep can represent hyperactivity or fussiness in children,” said Dr. DelRosso. “In adults, excessive sleepiness, poor concentration, or reduced speed for reaction.”
A 2020 National Health Interview Survey found 14.5% of adults said they had trouble falling asleep, while close to 18% said they had a hard time staying asleep.
Dr. DelRosso says our bodies have important functions when they’re at rest.
“For many years, we thought sleep was just a quiescent period where we went to rest and everything went down,” said Dr. DelRosso. “But lately, during the last decade, we have found out that the body has specific functions during sleep.”
That includes the production of specific hormones and the regulation of neural networks. For people who work unusual hours, Dr. DelRosso has this advice
“Treat your hours during the day as your night,” said Dr. DelRosso. “Protect your sleep. Do not plan on going to the bank or shopping, or all of those other things. But really protect your hours of sleep.”
If you continue to toss and turn at night or you notice a change in your bedtime routine, experts recommend seeing a sleep specialist.
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