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It is not a secret that our bodies regulate sleep, just like any of its other functions, such as breathing and eating. In general, we do not force ourselves to sleep, feel sleepy, or wake up after getting enough sleep. In other words, this function is part of our existence as humans. Some people can function well with little to no sleep (only within a given period) while others lose their vitality and energy once their sleeping pattern is disturbed or shortened. In order to understand the different aspects of sleep and its effects on our lives, I interviewed <Name>, a medical practitioner at <Name>.
There is a reason why we sleep. According to Dr. <Name>, when we feel sleepy, our bodies are actually activating a protective mechanism. This protective mechanism is triggered so that our bodies will be able to take a rest and recharge after using a significant amount of energy within the day.
Based on this explanation of why we sleep, I asked Dr. <Name> about what we need to know or be reminded about sleep. He said that “nowadays, a lot of people do not know the value of sleep, which is why more and more people suffer from the lack of it” (Last Name). He adds that one of the reasons why we forget the importance of sleep is because of the common misconceptions that we have about this important bodily function. I asked what the most common misconceptions about sleep are, and he cited two significant points. First, he said that most of us often think that a little less sleep at nights will not do us any harm. However, Dr. <Name> pointed that this is not true. In fact, this leads to what is known as “sleep debt.” Whenever we miss few hours or even less than an hour of sleep, we usually don’t feel like it affects the way our bodies function. Little did we know that we are actually accumulating a debt. Dr. <Name> states that “if the debt becomes too great for our bodies to handle, different problems start coming in.” He added that even if we don’t feel like we are affected by sleep debt, chances are our mood and ability to think becomes negatively impacted (Last Name). Second, Dr. <Name> said that we have a certain perception that as we grow older, our need for sleep becomes less and less. We normally use this justification to do more in a day and cut back on our sleep even if our bodies are giving us cue that we need more sleep. Although it is true that our ability to sleep changes as we age, this is not because we need it less. This condition may be due to the fact that older people become more sensitive to noise and light and other disturbances. In other words, getting a more peaceful sleep becomes more challenging with age, but it doesn’t mean that we will need it less (Last Name). The fact is that we just get less of it due to many reasons. Dr. <Name> states that if we value sleep, even if we grow old, we have to find ways to get enough of it.
As I think about these misconceptions, I asked Dr. <Name> about the symptoms of sleep debt, which he previously mentioned. He answered that some people develop sleep debt without knowing it, and it only affects their mental functions. However, sleep debt usually manifests itself into a feeling of excessive sleepiness. This is characterized by episodes of quick involuntary sleeps which happen even when a person is doing something. People with sleep debts find it hard to stay alert and be focused with their task. However, Dr. <Name> clarified that sleep debt isn’t the only possible cause of excessive sleepiness. When this condition continues to occur despite the effort to get enough sleep, then, other sleep problems may be the issue.
Moving on, I asked Dr. <Name> for some examples of sleep disorders. He cited insomnia, which is the inability to sleep, as one of the common sleep problems of many patients. He also added OSA or Obstructive Sleep Apnea. He explained that this disorder can be fatal because during sleep, the breathing pattern of a person with OSA is interrupted. Another life-threatening sleep disorder, according to Dr. <Name> is called narcolepsy. He explained that with narcolepsy, a person often feels sleepy or drowsy in the most inappropriate place and time. Sometimes, sleep attacks come with warnings but sometimes, it doesn’t. “A patient won’t be able to drive long distance because it is too risky, or he may not be able to enjoy a long movie cause he may probably just sleep along the way,” Dr. <Name> added.
After hearing about the misconceptions about sleep and the common problems that people face, I asked the specific things that make sleep important. Dr. <Name> said that getting adequate sleep benefits us in many ways. First, it does a lot of good things for our brain, such as making our way of thinking sharper and improving our memory skills. With this, our daytime performance also improves. Next, it helps improve our immune system. Dr. <Name> explains that with improved immune system, our bodies are able to fight infections and bacteria. Thus, we are able to stay healthier than those who lack sleep. In addition, sleeping makes a healthy heart, according to Dr. <Name>. He said that “when we hear about a person who died of heart attack or stroke, we normally associate it to their diet, but there are other factors that we don’t consider, and one of these factors sis sleep.” Due to the usual busyness of life, we neglect not just proper nutrition but also proper sleep. Another benefit of sleep is that it helps in maintaining healthy weight. Dr. <Name> explained that a lot of diseases, such as diabetes and other heart issues, are associated with being overweight, specifically with being obese. When we are sleep deprived, the balance of certain hormones that affect our appetite is affected or interrupted. This is why, said Dr. <Name>, people who lack sleep tend to eat more, and the problem is that they eat more of the unhealthy foods rather than the healthy ones.
If sleeping is quite important for everyone, both young and old, I asked Dr. <Name> why it seems like people often believe that it is more important for kids or children. He clarified that sleep is indeed extra important for kids, but it doesn’t make it less important for adults. This is because sleeping plays an important role in child development and growth. He stated that based on several studies, significant amount of growth hormones are released when children sleep.
As I’ve come to understand more about the importance of sleep and the effects it has in our lives, I asked Dr. <Name> about what can be done to improve a person’s sleep. “The first step to get a good sleeping pattern is commitment” Dr. <Name> said. “You have to know that it is important and that you need it,” he added. Next, he said that if there’s sleep debt involved, payment must be made by making small adjustments, such as adding few more hours of sleep within a week. The important thing, according to Dr. <Name>, is that not to start accumulating debt again. On the average, an adult needs 7-8 hours of sleep, and trying to get this much is another step to improve a person’s sleep experience. Sleeping and waking up at the same time, staying away from nighttime television, and sleeping in a dark room are some of the ways to improve one’s sleep experience and sleeping pattern.
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