The CGH Sleep Center is participating in the national campaign launched by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), “Sleep is Good Medicine” by reminding you about the importance of sleep. The campaign is designed to increase public awareness about sleep and its connection to health.
In 2021, the AASM issued a position statement that sleep is essential to health. In that statement, it reads, “Healthy sleep is important for cognitive functioning, mood, mental health, and cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and metabolic health…” They conclude that while significant resources have been invested to address health-related lifestyle factors such as nutrition, exercise, and smoking, programs focusing on sleep health have been rare. The “Sleep is Good Medicine” campaign is calling for a greater emphasis on sleep health in education, clinical practice, inpatient and long-term care, public health promotion, and the workplace.
The AASM recommends that the average adult should sleep 7 or more hours per night on a regular basis to promote optimal health. The National Sleep Foundation suggests for school-age children 9 -11 hours of sleep and 11-14 hours or more for toddlers and infants.
Healthy sleep allows the body to boost immunity, reduce stress, manage weight, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. This requires adequate sleep duration, appropriate timing, regularity, and the absence of sleep disorders.
Most sleep problems are not as severe as chronic insomnia or sleep apnea. Lifestyle changes like spending more time outdoors or avoiding caffeine late in the day can make a big difference. However, there are a wide variety of sleep disorders. If you have more challenging sleep problems, talk to your doctor. Or you can work with the sleep team at an AASM-accredited sleep center to find a solution that works for you.
The Sleep Center at CGH Medical Center is fully accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Our four comfortable rooms feature queen-sized beds and private restrooms and can accommodate all patients, including individuals with disabilities. If you think you have a sleep disorder, please contact our sleep medicine team at CGH Dixon Medical Center at 815-284-1600, ext. 2760; CGH Main Clinic at 815-625-4790, ext. 3301; or visit cghmc.com/sleep.
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