One of the biggest and most effective tools we humans have to fight health conditions is the power of human connection. Which is why “AWARENESS” campaigns are so important. They rally us together, sharing education and creating that ripple effect of positivity and empowerment.
Understanding how lack of sleep affects your health can allow you to make healthier choices and decisions regarding your daily habits and your decisions on how you live.
The CDC has in the past declared Sleep Disorders as a National Health concern and they have made it their mission to work to raise sleep awareness and share the impact of sleep health with the public. Did you know that an estimated 70 million Americans suffer from some sort of sleep problem?
These problems can range from:
- Sleep related breathing disorders
- Insomnia
- Hypersomnia
- Circadian rhythm disorders
- Parasomnias
- Sleep related movement disorders
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Narcolepsy
- Sleep Apnea
- Anxiety
… and the list goes on.
It is estimated that 30 million adults over the age of 18 have Obstructive Sleep Apnea. It is also estimated that there is a $411 billion (yes, billion) dollar economic loss due to insufficient sleep annually. This number includes work accidents, traffic accidents, loss of concentration, illness due to lack of sleep, and other health issue.
With sleep disorders affecting so many of us in almost every aspect of daily life, we need to take advantage of the amazing amount of research out there to learn more about how we can improve our own health by improving our knowledge and seeking treatment when necessary. Please take a look at the following websites to help you understand your sleeping patterns, get healthier, and find professional help if you have a sleep disorder:
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine
- American Sleep Association
- CDC: Sleep and Sleep Disorders
- National Sleep Foundation
- National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration
- AAA Foundation
Make sure you subscribe to stay up-to-date with our blogs during #SleepAwarenessWeek. We’ll have a new one out every day!