HHS HealthBeat (January 12, 2010)

Losing sleep

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Losing sleep may be something to lose sleep over. Sleep problems are associated with other health problems, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and injuries.

But national survey data say almost 30 percent of adults get less than 7 hours of sleep a night.

At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lela McKnight-Eily lists some things that keep people up nights.

[Lela McKnight-Eily speaks] ``Lifestyle-occupational factors that reflect broad societal changes, like longer work hours, increases in shift work, greater access to technology, including the Internet and television.’’

Setting a sleep schedule, sleeping where it’s dark and quiet, and avoiding caffeine before bedtime are some things that can help you sleep better.

The study is in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: May 7, 2011