If you seem prone to health problems despite eating well, exercising regularly, and managing stress levels, you might wonder what else can be done. A doctor may suggest considering your sleeping routine. After all, sleep doesn't just feel good; it's connected to your health. Here are some of the ways it can impact your well-being.

5 Ways Sleep Relates to Health

1. Daily Performance

Every day, you need to handle work, chores, social obligations, exercise, and other items on your to-do list. Sleep provides the energy, concentration, and physical comfort you need to complete all these tasks.

2. Weight & Appetite

Inadequate sleep can throw off the hormones that control your appetite, leading you to consume more calories than needed. It can also reduce your energy and motivation to move and exercise. These issues culminate in a propensity for weight gain and obesity, which, in turn, makes you susceptible to many other health problems.

3. Risk of Disease

Poor sleep can weaken or overwork your immune system so you're more likely to develop both short- and long-term illnesses, diseases, and medical conditions. It's specifically linked to a greater risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and various respiratory issues. If you don't want to see a doctor for anything more than an annual checkup, you need to sleep well.

4. Inflammation

When the body doesn't get the rest it needs, its cells are more vulnerable to damage and inflammation, particularly in the digestive tract. Besides being generally uncomfortable and disruptive to your daily routines, this could lead to problems like inflammatory bowel syndrome and more frequent relapses with chronic conditions like Crohn's disease.

5. Mental & Emotional Health

Sleep deprivation makes you more prone to mental health problems like depression and dementia. You're also less likely to recognize and react appropriately to others' emotions. If you want to keep your mind sharp and develop more positive relationships with those around you, sleep is essential.

To talk with a knowledgeable and compassionate doctor about improving your health with better sleep, head to Kona-Kohala Health Care Services in Kailua-Kona, HI. Board-certified and committed to personalized treatments, Drs. Donald Nikaitani and Richard Pekala will help you determine and resolve the reasons for your poor sleep quality. Learn more about their services by visiting their website, and call (808) 329-1346 to make an appointment.