Sleep and Detoxes
With the arrival of a New Year, one resolution that the team at Sleep Center at Comprehensiveknows is popular is doing cleanses or detoxes to flush the body of toxins. The team also knows that one of the most effective detox options is found in a simple good night’s sleep, along with proper hydration.
Sleep Center
The Sleep Center at Comprehensive team recommends anyone looking to cleanse their bodies and improve their health this year do so by getting good sleep and drinking plenty of water. While trendy detoxes and cleanses may make for what appears to be more compelling content to share on social media, sleep and water combine to very effectively flush out toxic waste that can cause issues such as neurodegeneration. This is done by the creation of Cerebrospinal fluid, generated during sleep that in essence, which is known to remove toxins from the brain.
A recent article in Popular Science outlined the benefits of proper sleep in detoxing the brain in greater detail. The story shares that while Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep gets the most hype when it comes to the benefits of sleep, slow-wave sleep (SWS), the deepest phase of non-REM sleep, may be what really best helps detox our brains. That’s the sleep that people should aim for, when looking to improve their health.
Slow-wave sleep (SWS) refers to phase 3 sleep, which is the deepest phase of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, and is characterized by delta waves (measured by EEG). Dreaming and sleepwalking can occur during SWS. SWS is thought to be important for memory consolidation. SWS is more easily achieved by young people, and can be harder to get as people get older. The decrease in SWS might account for the frequent daytime sleepiness and propensity to nap during the day in the elderly.
Another way to detox is by taking in more water. This is especially important in a climate like ours in Southern Nevada, where no matter the season, it can be difficult to stay properly hydrated. Being properly hydrated flushes out toxins, while also helping improve sleep.
According to a large cross-sectional study published in Sleep in February 2019, data showed that in 20,000 American and Chinese adults, those who self-reported sleeping less than six hours on average each night were associated with a higher likelihood of inadequate hydration status, as measured by urine samples, compared with those sleeping eight hours or longer each night. The researchers were investigating the connection because getting too little sleep and getting too much sleep have both been previously linked to kidney problems.
Dehydration during sleep can cause muscle spasms as well as cramping, with both making it difficult to fall asleep or potentially waking a person up in the middle of the night. Dehydration can cause headaches, early morning thirst and dry mouth, all of which interrupt good sleep necessary for the body to repair and replenish itself.
While the benefits of good, properly hydrated sleep can prove superior to what’s gained from following popular detoxes and cleanses, there are instances where people do whatever they can to get this good sleep, but cannot due to medical issues. This is where the team at Sleep Center at Comprehensives can help.
How Sleep Center at Comprehensive Can Help
Getting good sleep is important for detoxing and cleansing, and many other factors in life. If you aren’t getting good sleep, be sure to get the help you need by contacting Sleep Center at Comprehensive to get on track for good sleep.
Sleep Center at Comprehensive is a team of board-certified pulmonologists, respiratory therapists, nurse practitioners, and administrative support staff who are dedicated to providing high-quality care to patients with sleep disorders. Sleep Center is a full-service sleep disorders center that offers the following services: Behavioral Sleep Medicine, CPAP Management and Adjustment, Dental Sleep Medicine, Diagnostic Testing, Pulse Oximetry and Sleep Studies to determine issues and find solutions. Sleep Center at Comprehensive adds to Comprehensive Cancer’s multidisciplinary approach by offering more services to patients, especially those with trouble sleeping. Call us at 702-737-5864 for an evaluation.
The content is this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.