Sleep Clinic

A restful night's sleep is not a luxury – it's an absolute necessity for good health. Inadequate sleep causes a variety of problems, from the obvious symptoms such as daytime drowsiness, to hidden risks such as increased chances of developing heart disease. Causes of poor sleep vary widely, including snoring, sleep apnea (interrupted breathing), restless leg syndrome, or even poor habits regarding your sleep routine, such as eating late at night, or watching TV in bed.

The need for sleep varies throughout the lifecycle. Most people realize that infants and children need significantly more sleep than adults. Teenagers, on the other hand, may not need as much sleep as children, but their sleep cycle may shift, causing them to feel wakeful late at night, while wanting to "sleep in" rather than bounding out of bed in the morning to prepare for school.

Most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each day. The elderly may spend less time in deep sleep, and find they are easily awakened, however they often offset this by taking naps during the day. Average total sleep time for those over 65 actually increases.

If you are not getting seven to eight hours of good quality sleep, you may be at risk for developing serious health conditions, including:

• Depression
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Hypertension
• Overweight
• Stroke
• Substance abuse

Additionally, you may have an increased risk of motor vehicle and workplace accidents.

There's no reason to struggle to stay focused at work, or avoid participating in recreational activities because of drowsiness. You can get a good night's sleep. The Sleep Clinic at Georgetown Community Hospital can help determine the cause of your sleep problems, and provide the appropriate treatment. Our sleep lab is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.