Even though sleep disorders have been researched for decades, only recently has the medical community begun to take the problem seriously, according to experts such as renowned sleep researcher William C. Dement. Dement says that half of the U.S. population mismanages sleep to the point that it negatively affects health or safety. Compared with Americans living 100 years ago, we sleep an average of 1.5 fewer hours a night, he says. And those who are chronically sleep-deprived can be completely unaware of the cause of their daytime fatigue. The mind actually is extremely active during sleep and several muscles such as the heart and diaphragm, fortunately, do not punch out for eight hours a day.
Sleep also helps renew mental and emotional balance.
In addition, it is believed that sleep is crucial to the learning and memory process by providing a brain state that allows neurons to establish new connections and put memories in long-term storage. Before her diagnosis, Parrott had the signs of a sleep disorder but did not realize it. It never crossed my mind. I didn't think my snoring and tiredness added up to a sleeping disorder. A nasal obstruction led to occasional breathing difficulties, but she also had apnea, which contributed to her daytime sleepiness.