Good Night's Sleep Is Important

To be well-rested is a feat easier said than done for approximately 40 million adults who suffer from chronic sleep disorders and an additional 30 million troubled by intermittent sleep-related conditions. As we prepare to "spring forward" to Daylight Savings Time on March 9, experts at the Sleep Disorders Center at Northwestern Memorial urge people to examine their current sleep habits and remember the importance of a good night's sleep.

The national incidence of sleep deprivation is largely due to undiagnosed sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and narcolepsy, many of which can be treated, however often go undiagnosed.

"Sleep problems are widespread and on the rise, yet many people dismiss the issue and don't realize the consequences that can result" said Phyllis Zee, MD, director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Northwestern Memorial. "Continuous quality sleep is essential, as sleep loss over an extended period of time has been linked to serious health issues including obesity, depression, heart attack and stroke," adds Zee.

Sleep deprivation can also lead to poor performance at work and impaired driving.