Your sleep habits can impact your health:
Sponsored by Memorial Hermann
By Monica Vanover on March 6, 2025
March is National Sleep Awareness Month, which is a great reminder to take stock of your sleep. Dr. Mathew, sleep medicine physician affiliated with Memorial Hermann, talks about the importance of quality sleep and how it impacts health and wellness, as well as when to speak your health care provider about your concerns.
Q: How is sleep connected to health?
A: Quality sleep is a foundation for good health. Disruptions in sleep accumulate over time and impact physical and mental function. Long-term sleep problems are linked to diseases like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, stroke and depression. Consistent problems with sleep could be symptoms of a sleep disorder.
Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Less sleep is considered sleep deprivation, which may impact function during the day and can have long-term consequences."
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— Dr. Reeba Mathew
When to talk to your doctor about your concerns
If you consistently have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, experience daytime fatigue, or sleepiness, or drink caffeine all day to stay awake, it is time to see your health care provider."
— Dr. Reeba Mathew
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Reeba Mathew, MD
Dr. Reeba Mathew is Co-Medical Director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.
Q: What is a sleep disorder?
A: A reduction in quantity or quality of sleep may indicate disordered sleep. It is not uncommon to experience periodic difficulties falling or staying asleep, but if it is ongoing or affects your daytime routine, you may have a sleep disorder.
In the United States, the most common sleep disorder is obstructive sleep apnea, a breathing disorder marked by snoring, breathing pauses, and choking or gasping for air. Others include insomnia, movement disorders, sleepwalking and narcolepsy.
Q: How are sleep disorders treated?
A: Each disorder is treated differently. The first step is speaking with your health care provider. Some disorders are caused by underlying conditions like heart disease or breathing-related illness. In those cases, the place to start is managing the other condition.
The next step is a deep-dive into your sleep hygiene. Based on information gathered during an office visit, your health care provider may recommend testing. Sleep studies provide valuable information that can help your health care provider diagnose and create a treatment plan for you. Oftentimes, the best place to start is by making simple changes to your sleep hygiene.
Q: What is sleep hygiene?
A: Sleep hygiene refers to the routine and habits that can have an impact on your sleep. Some sleep problems can be resolved without testing or medication, and patients find relief by changing simple behaviors they may not realize inhibit sleep.
Sleep specialists ask many questions to understand your sleep hygiene and environment. These include questions like: What time do you wake up and go to sleep? What does your day look like: work schedule, naps, caffeine, alcohol, meal habits, physical activity, bedtime routine? Do you have a bed partner who snores? Is the bedroom cool, dark and quiet?
If you have noticed irregularities in your sleep, keeping track of your habits can be a beneficial tool to help identify problematic behaviors in your routine. For example: are you sleeping a consistent amount of time each night?
Q: How many hours of sleep are recommended?
A: Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Less sleep is considered sleep deprivation, which may impact function during the day and can have long-term consequences. Sleep-deprived adults often lack energy or alertness and may struggle with concentration or decision-making skills. This can throw off your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, or your circadian rhythm.
Q: Why is the circadian rhythm important?
A: The circadian rhythm is your body’s “internal clock” that lets you know when it is time to go to sleep and time to wake up. Many people experience temporary interruptions from seasonal time changes, traveling to a different time zone or working the night shift. But, if the natural sleep rhythm does not rebound on its own, it is important to work with a sleep specialist who can help realign your natural rhythm.
Q: When is snoring a problem?
A: While many people snore, it is not always a medical problem. Snoring is more common among men than women and becomes more prevalent as people get older or gain weight.
Snoring is a problem when it occurs because of a sleep disorder like sleep apnea. A bed partner can provide important information to help determine if snoring is an annoyance or something more. If choking, gasping or breathing pauses occur along with snoring, or if snoring is accompanied by daytime sleepiness, it is important to talk to your health care provider.
Q: When should I speak to my health care provider?
A: If you consistently have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, experience daytime fatigue, or sleepiness, or drink caffeine all day to stay awake, it is time to see your health care provider. Sleep medicine specialists have innovative tools that can help diagnose and treat disorders. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can restore the healthy sleep you need.
With affiliated sleep specialists and eight dedicated Sleep Disorders Centers, Memorial Hermann offers resources that can help improve the quality of your sleep. To learn more visit memorialhermann.org/sleepnow.
