Time Change Disrupts Sleep Patterns for Some

HENDERSONVILLE, TN (March 9, 2007) – With the earlier change to daylight saving time this year, many people are looking forward to longer daylight hours to enjoy the summer sunshine. But daylight saving time also brings something not as pleasant to look forward to – a disruption in sleep patterns for many Americans.

 As many as 70 million people in the U.S. suffer from sleep disorders and wakefulness, and “springing forward” only compounds the problem.  March is National Sleep Awareness Month and that's why Hendersonville Medical Center wants to raise awareness about the benefits of adequate sleep and the serious health and safety consequences of sleep disturbances and disorders.

“Losing an hour of sleep because of the change to daylight saving time affects all of us to a certain degree, and for some, adjusting to the time change is a serious issue,” said Fay Witcher, coordinator of Hendersonville’s Sleep Lab. “Traffic records show a jump in accidents the Monday after people move their clocks ahead. People are so sleep deprived these days that losing even one hour can make us more clumsy and dangerous on the roads.”

Witcher says sleep may seem like inactivity, but it’s vital for the body and brain to rest, revitalize and download. Memory, mood reaction time and alertness are diminished with sleep deprivation, and recent research has also found that metabolism and endocrine functions are dramatically affected as well.

“Temporary sleep problems due to the time change are one thing, but chronic sleep problems require treatment,” said Witcher. “That’s where the sleep lab comes in. By monitoring our patients’ sleep difficulties, we can suggest adjustments to help them resume a healthy sleep pattern. We often have patients who have been searching for a solution to their sleep problems for years. When they come here they say, 'Why didn't someone point this out to me before?'"

The time change offers a great opportunity to learn about and practice sound sleep habits.   Witcher suggests the following tips:

• Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day (regardless of time changes)
• Don’t drink caffeine after 10 a.m. or lunchtime
• Don’t take a nap; work through the sluggishness until bedtime
• Avoid a heavy meal three hours before bed
• End your exercise routine at least three to four hours before bedtime.
• Take a warm shower or bath before bed.

Staffed with physicians and technologists who specialize in sleep medicine, Hendersonville studies and treats over 350 patients each year to help them reclaim a good night's sleep. The Sleep Lab diagnoses and treats adults, adolescents, and children with sleep disorders including insomnia, snoring, sleep apnea, narcolepsy and others.

To learn more about services offered at Hendersonville’s Sleep Lab, call MedLine at 615-342-1919 or 1-800-242-5662.

Hendersonville Medical Center, part of the TriStar Health System, is a 110-bed community-based medical center with comprehensive medical and surgical programs including Obstetrics, Cardiology, Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery services.  Fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Hendersonville Medical Center remains the only Accredited Chest Pain Center in Sumner County.  Portland Medical Center, a facility of Hendersonville Medical Center, joined the TriStar Health System in April 2006 and together, we are proudly serving the healthcare needs of Sumner County.

For more information about the services offered and health plans accepted by Hendersonville Medical Center, Portland Medical Center or TriStar Health System, call MedLine at 342-1919, toll-free outside of Nashville at 1-800-242-5662, or visit the website at TriStarHealth.com.