Health & wellness
BY GRANT CRAWFORD
Sleep expert encourages healthy bedtime habits According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly one in three adults in the U.S. don’t get enough rest or sleep every day. Meanwhile, an estimated 50 million to 70 million people in the U.S. have a chronic sleep disorder. To understand more about sleep disorders and how people can improve their sleep, Community Impact reached out to Dr. Aaron Kirkpatrick, pul- monary, critical care and sleep medicine specialist at Ascension Seton Williamson Hospital in Round Rock. How much sleep should people get a night? The amount of sleep that someone needs will vary from person to person. Most adults need at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night in order to feel rested the next day. Are there any warning signs people are not getting enough sleep? Feeling excessively sleepy during the day to the extent that you need to take naps. Falling asleep while reading a book or watching TV. Dozing o while trying to drive a car. Having di culty concen- trating and being productive throughout the day. Are there any particular medical conditions poor sleep is linked to? Poor sleep may be linked to not getting enough sleep at night—like only getting four hours of sleep due to going to bed too late—or an underlying sleep condition such as obstructive sleep apnea. If someone is not getting enough sleep at night, risks include slow reaction time, feelings of anxiety or depression, [and] di culty with complicated tasks.
Texas State University in Round Rock and Ascension Seton Williamson Hospital opened a sleep center in 2021.
COURTESY ASCENSION SETON WILLIAMSON HOSPITAL
Dr. Aaron Kirkpatrick is a pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine specialist at Ascension Seton Williamson Hospital.
At the Ascension Seton Williamson Hospital Sleep Center in Round Rock, patients can schedule a sleep study.
COURTESY CEDAR PARK REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
COURTESY TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY
People are also at higher risk for developing obesity, cardiovascular issues and glucose intolerance. If poor sleep is due to obstructive sleep apnea, they are also at risk for heart attacks, strokes, high blood
How can someone be diagnosed with a sleep disorder? The person should schedule an appointment with a sleep physician. The physician will get a detailed history and may decide to get a sleep study. A sleep study is needed to diagnose most sleep disorders. How can people get better sleep at night? Develop a bedtime routine and stick to it. Avoid any bright lights at least one hour prior to going to bed—TV, phone, tablet. Aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. If you suspect you may have an under- lying sleep disorder, make an appointment to see a sleep physician.
pressure and abnormal heart rhythms. What are the most common types of sleep disorders?
The most common sleep disorder is obstructive sleep apnea. The two main causes of obstructive sleep apnea are genetics or being overweight. Some other sleep disorders include insomnia, narcolepsy and restless leg syndrome.
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