THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP

The Importance of Sleep
Markian Babij, ND, FABNO

Many chronically ill patients have insomnia, or lack of quality sleep. Insomnia has been associate with many chronic health conditions. According to the National Sleep Foundation, seven out of 10 Americans report frequent sleep problems, however most are not diagnosed. So why is there so much insomnia? There are many reasons; however, insomnia can be addressed naturally with appropriate sleep hygiene and relaxation. If sleep problems persist, you need to be further evaluate by a physician to rule out other underlying causes.

Sleep: Behind the Scenes
While you sleep, your body and mind participate in many healing and restorative processes. Cytokines, messengers of our immune system, are busy while we sleep. Lack of sleep has been shown to decrease important immune cells and make people susceptible to illness. Growth hormone is responsible for for physical restoration and maintenance in people of all ages. Our bodies produce the greatest amount of growth hormone while we sleep. Melatonin is produced and secreted by the pineal gland as it becomes dark. This hormone is largely involved with inducing our sleep cycle and coordinating various immune functions that occur while we sleep. Reduced melatonin has been linked to increased rates of cancer. Cortisol is a hormone we produce at peak levels when we are waking up and when we feel stress. Chronically high levels of cortisol and associated stress impair sleep, and are not uncommon in chronic illness.

How will your immune System benefit from sleep?
Insomnia allows for a gap in restorative immune processes, resulting in less efficient immune functioning while we are awake. The immune system protects us from foreign invaders that cause disease. As we sleep, many repair processes increase our total available energy to maintain a healthy immune system.

How to Improve Your Sleep and Immunity-
Daily exercise and setting a night routine are great ways to start, however simple details such as soft night lights in the bathroom, "white noise," and creating the right sleeping environment are important. If you have been lying in bed for 20 minutes, get out of bed and try to do something relaxing other than watching TV.

There is a solution to most sleep issues, and the immune system will work more effectively if sleep is restored. Natural agents can solve insomnia; however, using a specific agent that fits your particular set of issues is optimal. Many "health tools" can build the immune system, and sleep is one of them. An uncomplicated naturopathic plan can effectively improve immune functioning when health is compromised. First, remember what we all inherently know is good for us- plenty of clean water, oxygen, whole foods, exercise, and restful sleep habits.

Article found from the Avante Times. Avante is a ND Clinic in Anchorage, AK.