Sleep Myths Debunked

We spend about one-third of our lives sleeping, or attempting to sleep. Along with a balanced diet and regular exercise, sleep is considered to be the third pillar of good health. While few would argue the importance of good nutrition and physical activity for optimal health, sleep has often been misunderstood, leading to neglect and misinformation. The emerging field of sleep medicine has put a new spotlight on the importance of sleep with new insights that are debunking some of the most common sleep myths. Here are three of the most common sleep myths and their serious health consequences.

Myth– Adults Only Need Five Hours of Sleep or Less

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the optimal amount of sleep needed for healthy adults is 7-9 hours per night. While “getting by” on little sleep is often worn as a badge of honor, there are serious health consequences associated with sleep deprivation. The journal Sleep Health reports that consistent insufficient sleep is associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes, including an increased risk of a heart attack, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and depression. Along with this myth is the associated misconception that our bodies “get used to” and adapt to less sleep. While the body may stabilize over the course of time, the effects of too little sleep mean the body is not functioning at its best, and more serious health issues may be in store down the road.

Myth– The Brain is Dormant During Sleep

Before the 1950s, people believed that both the body and the brain were dormant during sleep. Research conducted during this period led to the discovery of the two types of sleep: Non-REM and REM, each playing an important role in our overall health and well-being. During the four cycles of Non-REM sleep, heart rate and breathing slow, and body temperature drops, resulting in a deep sleep stage. It is during this time that physical restoration at the cellular level occurs. This is also a time when immunity is repaired. The REM phase of sleep is often considered to be the time when the mind is restored, with the removal of toxic waste. During the REM phase, brain activity levels go back up and reach a level similar to when we are awake. It is no surprise that the REM phase is when we have our most vivid dreams.

Myth– Snoring is Harmless

Up to 45% of the population occasionally snores, a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. While not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, most sleep apnea sufferers do snore. Sleep apnea is characterized by the repeated cessation of breathing during sleep. This pause in breathing can happen 20-30 times per hour and has been reported to occur even more frequently. When breathing suddenly stops and starts again, blood oxygen levels drop, and the hormone adrenaline is released. Sleep apnea results in poor quality, fragmented sleep resulting in daytime sleepiness, brain fog, and lapses in judgment. Because of the stress put on the cardiovascular system, the serious health consequences associated with sleep apnea include high blood pressure and a higher risk for heart attack and stroke. 

Sleep scientists continue to study the impact of sleep on our physical and mental health. This increase in sleep research helps debunk the multitude of pervasive sleep myths and puts the focus on sleep’s critical role in our overall health and well-being.

To learn more about how BetterNight can help you provide more effective and efficient care to your at-risk sleep apnea patients, contact us.