Everyone has a sleep number.
It’s the hours of sleep that make you feel refreshed when you wake up, and stay sharp all day. It may be 7 or 8 hours, which is what most adults need. Some require 9. A minority of us feel rested with 6.
Hitting your number consistently is vital to good health, ranking up there with diet and exercise.
But, routinely missing the mark creates a sleep deficiency that could increase your risk for serious, long-term problems such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease or
More than 35% of adults report getting less than 7 hours of sleep, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That number jumps to nearly 40% in the 45-to-54 age group.
Novant Health’s sleep centers can help you understand what’s keeping you awake. Disruptions might be caused by obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome or narcolepsy. Tests are available that give your doctor information that can be used to identify your condition and create a treatment plan.
Most people assume that a sleep study involves spending a night in a clinic. But about 70% of sleep tests are done at home, and most are covered by medical insurance.
The patient takes a small device home that measures breathing and oxygen levels overnight. Sleep specialists analyze the data the next day.
A more comprehensive in-lab sleep study has the patient spend the night at a sleep center. This takes place in a private room similar to a small hotel room. A technician attaches the sensors to monitor breathing and leg movements.
How lack of sleep hurts you

Not getting adequate sleep can mean more than just feeling out of it the next day.
Lack of sleep causes reaction time, cognitive functioning and memory to be slower. Your immune system is also affected; you're more likely to get sick.
Long-term effects can include being at higher risk for high blood pressure, increased blood sugar levels, obesity and heart problems. Current studies also show a link between lack of sleep and dementia.
Tips to improve your sleep ‘hygiene’
There are factors you can control that are helpful to getting quality sleep and being alert the next day.
- Allow enough time for sleep.
- Make your bedroom dark, cool and quiet.
- Don’t sleep with the television on.
- Avoid caffeine after 2 p.m.
- Avoid any illuminated screen, including your cellphone, in the hour before bedtime.
- Limit alcohol intake.
At Novant Health, we are local leaders in diagnosing and treating sleep conditions for people of all ages. Our sleep doctors and their highly trained staff can study your sleep patterns and design a plan to improve the quality of your rest.