Proper sleep is critical to maintaining overall health and well-being.
A bad night of rest can impact an individual’s entire day and lead to irritability, fatigue, and reduced alertness. Sleep is an integral part of staying healthy. During the sleep cycle, the body works to support healthy brain function and maintain physical health.
Sleep needs can vary based on the individual. Most adults aged 18 to 64 need seven to nine hours of sleep, with children and teenagers needing much more (eight to ten hours), according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Long-term improper sleep can cause detrimental health impacts and chronic disease. Sleep deprivation has been associated with illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, heart disease, and improper hormone fluctuation, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Individuals with sleep disorders have difficulty falling or staying asleep. According to ChristianaCare’s Regional Healthcare System based in Delaware and Maryland, more than 70 million Americans suffer from sleep-related problems.
The body cycles through two phases of sleep each night, rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM). These stages repeat approximately four to six times throughout each night of sleep. Each stage of sleep includes variations in muscle tone, brain wave patterns, and eye movements, according to the National Library of Medicine. If sleep is impacted, then an individual does not go through as many of these cycles.
“Sleep issues in the U.S. are worsening. This stems from technology and our habits that contribute to insomnia, the obesity epidemic that has increased the prevalence of sleep apnea, and the new understanding that sleep is important to our overall health and wellness,” according to Dr. Shilpa Kauta, medical director of the ChristianaCare Sleep Wellness Center. “More people are identifying and recognizing sleep issues on their own and then seeking help.”
To address the growing issue of sleep-related problems, ChristianaCare opened the Sleep Wellness Center on the ChristianaCare Newark Campus in Newark, Delaware in early 2023.
The ChristianaCare Sleep Wellness Center is an outpatient clinical office that provides diagnoses and treatment options for sleep disorders. The facility, accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, incorporates clinical care and diagnostic testing with a sleep-related medical focus.
Sleep Wellness Center
The ChristianaCare Sleep Wellness Center provides multidisciplinary diagnoses for sleep-related diseases. Diagnoses are followed with care and treatment from sleep-wellness expert clinicians. Patients who come in for treatment participate in a physical examination, a medical background check, and a personal sleep history analysis.
The physicians and staff at the Sleep Wellness Center integrate sleep services into disease-based programs such as cardiac care, weight loss surgery, and renal transplant care to ensure patients are receiving proper rest after undergoing invasive procedures.
“Sleep disorders affect members of every race, socioeconomic class and age group, but despite the high prevalence of sleep disorders, many people remain undiagnosed and untreated,” said Dr. Kauta.
Even though sleep wellness is such an important indicator of health, national surveys from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine show that more than 60% of adults have never been asked about the quality of their sleep by a physician.
“Our goal is to simplify sleep care across ChristianaCare and through our community. Navigating sleep care can be complicated. As a centralized sleep location that collaborates with other programs in our community, we can help coordinate and personalize each patient’s care plan,” said Dr. Kauta.
Sleep health across the nation
Many causes contribute to sleep deprivation, including longer working hours, lifestyle changes, shift work, access to phones and TV, medications, aging, and more, according to the National Library of Medicine.
“Sleep impacts multiple areas of our health. It affects how you feel during the day. Poor sleep can cause you to feel tired, sleepy, and mentally sluggish and can affect your mood. It can also affect your risk for other conditions like stroke, heart attack and dementia,” said Dr. Kauta.
The need for Sleep Wellness Centers in the Delaware area and across the nation is great. Of the 70 million Americans suffering from sleep-related problems, more than 50% are likely to have a chronic disorder such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy.
“There is a growing need for sleep care centers here in Delaware and nationally. The need for sleep care is related to both an increased awareness of the importance of sleep and a growing population of patients with sleep disorders,” said Dr. Kauta.
Sleep deprivation has enormous impacts on the American economy, and untreated sleep disorders are estimated to cost over $100 billion annually in lost productivity, medical expenses, sick leave, and property and environmental damage, according to the NIH.
Physicians at the Sleep Wellness Center and doctors with a specialization in sleep disorders can assist patients with diagnoses by treating the underlying diseases that may be impacting sleep quality. Physicians can also guide patients through lifestyle and behavioral changes that can help them to get a better night’s rest.
“After a patient is diagnosed with a sleep disorder, it is important for them to talk to a healthcare provider about their options and the risks of the disorder so that they can receive treatment that addresses the specific needs of the individual,” said Dr. Kauta.