FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Is Hot Weather Interfering With a Good Night’s Sleep?

If your family, friends or co-workers seemed a bit crabbier than usual during the recent heat wave, it may have been due to their failure to get a good night’s sleep. Research has shown that there seems to be an ideal temperature for sleep and when the temperature is very high, it takes longer for the average person to fall asleep. Also, when sleep does come, it’s fragmented and the individual dreams less.

“We know there is a direct correlation between getting a good night’s sleep and our ability to optimally function the next day, both at work and in our personal relationships,” said Karen Block, administrator of Endeavor Therapy and Sleep Center. There’s more than a month of summer remaining, and temperatures are expected to climb back into the mid 80s this week. Block provides these helpful tips to sleep better:

  • Prevent excessive heat build-up during the day by keeping blinds closed and windows closed if the temperature outside is hotter than inside.
  • Remember that heat rises. If you live in a multiple story dwelling, the lower you are, the cooler you will be.
  • Spend the hotter part of the day in a cool spot—a friend’s air conditioned home or at a retail mall.
  • Consider a shower or bath before you go to bed. You can also try a plant mister or gadget to create a fine mist.
  • Use a room fan. Also, a bowl of ice cubes positioned in front of the fan will help cool down the room.
  • Plan ahead for future heat waves by purchasing an air conditioning unit now. Make sure you obtain the right size for the room.

Sleep and Health

Many times, individuals fail to make the connection between sleep and good health. “Remember that when you sweat a great deal, you lose both water and electrolytes,” Block said. “Make sure you replenish both to prevent dehydration.”

How much uninterrupted sleep you get is crucial. The average adult needs between 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Adolescents need 9 hours, an important point for parents with the new school year just around the corner.

If you suspect that your problem goes beyond the heat, check it out. Endeavor Therapy & Sleep Center has started a Community Awareness Project to provide interested individuals with a free ApneaLink™ sleep screening. It’s as simple as calling to make an appointment to pick up the device. Trained professionals will provide instructions on how to use it. The device records breathing patterns during sleep. The report is made available to the individual and their primary care physician who can then write an order for a complete overnight sleep study.

Endeavor’s sleep physicians are available for anyone who doesn’t have a primary care physician.

Block notes that untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which contributed to the death of Packer Legend Reggie White, can result in serious health concerns. These include Type 2 diabetes, high-blood pressure, increased risk of heart attack and stroke, sexual dysfunction, work-related accidents, and an overall decrease in quality of life.