World Sleep Day is an annual observance, intended to be a celebration of sleep and to shed light on important issues related to sleep, including medicine, education and societal impacts. It aims to lessen the burden of sleep problems on individuals through better prevention and management of sleep disorders. It also calls all sleep professionals to advocate and educate the world about the importance of sleep for achieving an optimal quality of life and to improve global health.

Robert Dias, MD, a neurologist and sleep expert with Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group, shares his insight on the importance of sleep and some tips for getting better sleep.

When we think about caring for ourselves, we often equate that to healthy eating and physical activity. However, proper sleep is just as critical for both mental and physical health – especially now. Families are continuing to navigate changes in their lives on account of the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of sleep can impact how we respond to stress and anxiety.

The reality is that almost 60 million Americans suffer from insomnia and another 22 million suffer from sleep apnea. Lack of sleep not only impacts quality of life, but it can alter your immune system and lead to other serious conditions. In fact, research suggests that sleep is necessary for removing a toxic protein in our brain tissue called beta-amyloid. This protein is associated with the onset of dementia.

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night covered in sweat? Sometimes we can write off night sweats as a symptom of a fever, or stress-related. But when night sweats are reoccurring, it can be a real burden on day-to-day life. Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner, Lindy Chavez, NPC, who practices with Dignity Health Medical Group in Camarillo, has answered four important questions about night sweats. [ Skip to Video]

Andrew Katz, MD, a pediatrician with Mercy Medical Group, shares his expertise and own experience with building sleep habits in this Q&A.