Sleep: the body’s snooze button for better health

Today it is possible to ensure optimal sleep with home sleep testing and remote assistance for any factors that may hinder it.

World Sleep Day 2023: From childhood to adulthood, we tend to underestimate and ignore the power of sleep for our overall health and well-being. Sleep plays a vital role in maintaining our physical and mental health and preventing the onset of chronic diseases, both directly and indirectly. Nevertheless, it will come as an eye-opener that the prevalence of insomnia in India is around 9.8%. The reasons range from obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia to the most recent disorder of doom scrolling (the habit of absent-mindedly scrolling through devices). Sleep deprivation can lead to chronic diseases and can be detrimental to overall health in the long run. Hence, Dr. Vishal Sehgal, Chairman of Portea Medical, shares four key sleep benefits for better health.

• Lower risk of weight gain: According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, the prevalence of obesity in India has doubled over the past decade, with nearly 135 million Indians classified as overweight or obese. Lack of adequate sleep has been linked to increased levels of ghrelin, the hunger hormone, salt retention and markers of inflammation. Another reason is that when a person is sleep-deprived, they are often fatigued and therefore less likely to stay active and move during the day. Thus, people who sleep less than 7 hours a day may have a higher body mass index (BMI) and be prone to rapid weight gain.
• Prevent or fight cancer: The circadian rhythm regulates the sleep-wake cycle, which is controlled by the body’s internal clock. Chronic sleep deprivation or circadian rhythm disruption can interfere with the body’s ability to repair damaged DNA, leading to an increased risk of cancer. In addition, problems in the sleep cycle may increase the risk of developing cancer through several mechanisms, including the suppression of the immune system, increased inflammation and decreased melatonin production. Therefore, healthy sleeping habits can reduce the risk of cancer and maintain optimal health.
• Heart Health: Good quality sleep helps maintain glucose metabolism and reduces insulin sensitivity. Conversely, when a person does not sleep well, combined with other lifestyle issues, it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Over time, diabetes can increase the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. Shorter sleep time is also associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis, which leads to clogging of arteries and obstruction of blood flow to the heart.
• Preservation, recovery and repair: During sleep, the body releases neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are crucial for regulating mood, behavior and cognitive function. Sleep also plays a vital role in the immune system, with research showing that sleep can boost the production of immune cells and antibodies that fight infection and disease.

Finally

Today it is possible to ensure optimal sleep with home sleep testing and remote assistance for any factors that may hinder it. In addition, home care organizations enable people to access treatment for sleep disorders, ensuring that intervention is delivered at the right time. Your sleep patterns can play a huge role in determining your overall health and well-being. In addition to many repairs that take place in the body and brain, sleep also ensures that we always stay on top of our mental health. It is without a doubt the most vital biological process and a natural remedy for everything related to our physical and psychological health.