Sugar Land Diet Doctor and Gym

The link between sleep and health, and bad sleep and disease, is becoming clearer. Sleep is as important to our health and well-being as air, food and water. Yet, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at least 40 million Americans each year suffer from chronic, long-term sleep disorders, and an additional 20 million experience occasional sleeping problems.

The amount of sleep the average person gets each night has declined from 8 hours in the 1950s to 7 hours in the last few years. Many people get even less. While the amount of sleep has declined, high blood pressure levels have increased. Given that blood pressure and heart rate are normally at their lowest levels during sleep, those who sleep less tend to have higher blood pressure. This parallel might shed light on other research results connecting lack of sleep to an increased risk of heart attack, diabetes, weight gain and other problems.

These disorders and the resulting sleep deprivation interfere with work, driving and social activities. They also account for an estimated $16 billion in medical costs each year, while the indirect costs due to lost productivity and other factors are probably much greater. Doctors have described more than 70 sleep disorders, most of which can be managed effectively once they are correctly diagnosed."

If you have noticed major changes in your sleep patterns, such as trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep or if a partner or family member calls your loud snoring or the fact that you stop breathing in the night to you attention, you could have sleep apnea or another serious sleep problem. Sleep apnea patients actually stop breathing for several seconds which can lead to their waking up hundreds of time per night gasping for air.  It is most common in men and overweight people. Untreated it has been linked to high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Essentially, people who sleep well, live longer.

If you think you may have a sleep problem, you should immediately contact Dr. Pucillo or your health provider. Dr. Pucillo and his staff will thoroughly examine you to determine if any of your symptoms need to be pursued. If so, you will be sent to an accredited sleep center for a sleep study. For further information, call Cindy Juarez on: (281) 340-9325.or email at: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .