Parkland Sleep Center highlights dormant dangers of poor bedtime habits
‘Quality rest is critical to mental, cardiovascular and immune health.’
For nearly a decade, Ben Loschky, MSPAS, PA-C, tossed and turned in bed, strategically placed pillows around himself and even used a bed climate-control system — all in an effort to get a good night’s sleep without constant snoring or interruptions throughout the night.
“There were times when I was extremely exhausted and struggling to take notes,” said Loschky, a Physician Assistant in the Parkland Health Behavioral Health Clinic. “I’m spending most of my time in front of a computer typing notes about patient encounters, so it’s not a very stimulating task to keep me alert.”
It wasn’t until his primary care provider referred him to the Parkland Sleep Center that a sleep study revealed he had moderate sleep apnea, a serious condition that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep.
“The most common sleep disorder often dismissed as just being tired or stressed is obstructive sleep apnea, with an estimated 80 to 90 percent of cases going unrecognized,” said Jasmine Jacob, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, Neurology and Sleep Medicine Provider in the Sleep Center. “Most people dismiss inadequate sleep issues when they present with fatigue, insomnia, anxiety or depression — usually blaming the symptoms on stress, age or hormonal changes.”
March 13 is globally recognized as World Sleep Day, when healthcare professionals promote sleep health and raise awareness of the detrimental effects of poor sleep on a person’s overall wellbeing. This year’s theme is “Sleep Well, Live Better.”
“More than just rest, sleep is active repair, regulation and reset for the entire human system,” said Dr. Jacob. “During sleep, cells repair, immunity strengthens and the brain processes emotions. Adequate sleep reduces the risk of depression and anxiety while enhancing problem-solving, creativity and memory.”
Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to cognitive decline, impaired judgment, mood disorders, cardiovascular disease, weight gain, obesity and a weakened immune system.
Working in behavioral health, Loschky has seen firsthand the toll that lack of sleep can take.
“I see patients all the time struggling with sleep issues that make them depressed or anxious,” he said. “We ask about sleep at every visit because if you don’t rest well, it impacts everything else.”
After his diagnosis, Loschky began using a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine provided by the Sleep Center, which now allows him to sleep through the night without interruption or loud snoring. He attends regular follow-ups, where clinicians review his device data to monitor his progress and appreciates the convenience of virtual visits for ongoing care.
“I have no regrets. The CPAP exceeded my expectations and completely changed the quality of my sleep,” he said. “I’m not as tired, and I no longer feel the need to oversleep. It makes me wish I had visited the Sleep Center sooner.”
For better sleep quality, Dr. Jacob recommends:
- Aiming for seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.
- Maintaining a consistent bedtime and wake-up schedule.
- Limiting screen time, caffeine and alcohol before bed.
- Creating a relaxing sleep environment with dim lighting and white noise.
“You can try to improve everything else — your diet, fitness or mental health,” she added. “But if your sleep isn’t healthy, those efforts may fall short and lead to frustration.”
For more information about the Sleep Center, visit www.parklandhealth.org/locations/sleep-center.
For information about services at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhealth.org
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