As a sleep-apnea sufferer, I read David K. Randall’s new book about sleep research with great interest. Yes, there’s a chapter on sleep apnea here, but Randall also explores the latest research about sleepwalking, dreams, insomnia, and other sleep disorders. Randall says the U.S. is one of the most sleep-deprived countries in the world. And the health impacts of that fact is apparent in high rates of heart disease and cancer linked to sleep-deprivation. Our immune systems recharge themselves during sleep. But if sleep is fragmented or too short, the immune system is degraded. Illness can result from too little “real” sleep. Randall explains the different stages of sleep and the studies researchers are conducting to delve further into the secrets of sleep. There’s still a lot we don’t understand, but as Dreamland shows we’re learning more about how we spend a significant portion of our lives. GRADE: A
I have had insomnia since age seven and I am sure I have cut off several years of life due to this. Interesting article in NYT Magazine yesterday about this remote Greek island where people live to be very old. One of the many different things they do is sleep late and take naps. Maybe we should retire there.
You would think the Kelley manse was part of that Greek island, Patti. Sleep comes first around here. I can almost always trace my illnesses to times when my sleep pattern was disrupted: travel, guests, holiday schedule, etc.
I never had any trouble sleeping until my last bout of cancer. Then I couldn’t seem to sleep more than a couple hours at a shot. Sleeping pills gave me exactly 7 hours sleep with an additional two or three hours of grogginess. Not good.
Two Benadryl every night, Patti. I wouldn’t be able to function without it. It’s even sanctioned by my oncologist. Not recommended for the men, though; it can cause prostate problems.
Benadryl is part of plenty of sleep remedies, Beth. Nyquill ZZZZ has Benadryl in it. I drink a glass of red wine before I go to bed (doctor’s orders…good for my heart). That usually puts me right to sleep. And, of course, the Lortabs made sleep a breeze.
I should read this because I’vealways been fascinated by dreams. I have recurring dreams about discovering a previously unknown secondhand bookstore with old British paperbacks everywhere.
I always wake up happy from that one.
I rarely have trouble falling asleep but if I wake up around 4 am I have trouble falling asleep again.
I have the same issue, Jeff. I can fall asleep easily, but sometimes sleep eludes me after my 4 A.M. bathroom break.