You’ve seen them just about everywhere. Ads claiming that “these three tips will help you tackle your to-do list.” Books near airport walkways that promise to “declutter your home and mind.” These messages permeate our every day in just about all aspects: do these things and live better. The reason for this isn’t so hard to figure out. In 2017, the self-help industry was worth about $10 billion in the US alone. In a world that has become so inundated with inputs buzzing from our cell phones and computer screens, it can feel almost impossible to get ahead.
According to a new study published in the journal ACTA Diabetologica , becoming a better you might be easier than you thought. Even as easy as simply getting some better sleep.
Poor Sleep Linked to Lower Cognitive Functioning
In this study, researchers led by Dr. Sirimon Reutrakul explored the relationship between cognitive function in patients with abnormal glucose tolerance, which is indicative of prediabetes, as well as those diagnosed with diabetes. Looking at the results of a total of 162 participants with the average age of 54.8, researches tracked sleep duration and efficiency using an actigraph device that measures motion. Cognitive function was assessed using a questionnaire known as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.
The results of the study concluded that better sleep efficiency was associated with better cognitive function scores for participants with diabetes and prediabetes. These results are in line with several other studies which concluded that better sleep positively impacts short-term memory, and coordination.
Are You Getting the Best Sleep You Can?
Sleep is one the most important biological tools for our body, yet many of us try to avoid it as much as possible. Add this to the cognitive effects of screen time, which can lower quality of sleep, and it can become more difficult to get good shut eye. But what if you’ve tried all the tricks in the book? Maybe you’ve cut screen time an hour before bed, gone without coffee after 2, or experimented with melatonin and still can’t seem to feel rested. If you wake up feeling groggy after a solid 8 hours, experience frequent headaches, and have been accused of snoring, you could have sleep apnea.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that disrupts the body’s natural breathing cycle during sleep. If sleep apnea is pronounced enough, this could lower the body’s blood-oxygen levels, and significantly increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, and death. If you’ve been accused of snoring frequently or waking up and gasping for breath, these are common signs of sleep apnea. Also included under symptoms, is the feeling of tiredness after sufficient sleep. If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, you should seek treatment immediately.
The most common treatment for sleep apnea is the use of a CPAP machine, which pumps air into your throat to keep your airways open during sleep. If you’ve already been diagnosed, and prefer not to use a CPAP machine, we can help. We offer an alternative to CPAP. With a simple oral appliance, you can reposition your jaw to hold your airway open.
If you are tired of snoring or sleep apnea and want to get a good night’s rest, please call 940-322-2252 or contact us today for an appointment with a sleep dentist at StarImage Dentistry in Wichita Falls, TX.
