Consistent lack of sleep could lead to early death
Adults 18-years-old to 60-years-old are supposed to get at least seven hours of sleep according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. However according to a study they release just a few weeks ago, over a third of Marylanders report they regularly don’t meet that mark. In fact, the study went on to say that Maryland is the third most sleep deprived state in the United States.
Linda Hurley is the director at the peninsula sleep waves diagnostic center, she tells 47 ABC that lack of sleep can bring a laundry list of troubles.
“If you’re driving, it’s as though you’re drinking and driving, your reaction time is worse, your judgment is worse, it can cause memory problems, because your memory consolidates when you’re sleeping, it can cause emotional disturbances,” Hurley said.
If you continuously lose sleep, Hurley said the problems get even worse.
“People that are chronically short of sleep die younger, across the board from all causes,” Hurley said.
Physician’s assistant, David Ford, says often times people don’t spend enough time listening to their body’s. He says your body will let you know if you’re not getting enough shuteye.
“I mean if it’s a fight to get through the day, if you have to have two big cups of strong coffee to even get through your day, you feel like you’re wearing out, you feel older than your stated age, that’s definitely something to bring up with your primary care and maybe get that evaluated,” Ford said.
If you notice that you are falling behind in your sleep, over sleeping isn’t the quick fix, as Hurley says that can cause your body to experience jet lag.
If you need help getting some extra shut eye, medical professionals suggest keeping the tablets and laptops out of the bedroom. They also recommend keeping your bedroom cool and dark, with the temperature set at no warmer than 68 degrees. Most importantly though, they recommend trying to get into a regular healthy sleep schedule that leads you to getting those seven hours. ?
