Thursday, July 7, 2016

Want To Sleep Well? Drop The Cigarette.

Image source: Getty Images
People try a lot of things to help them sleep better. They do breathing exercises, diet, physical activities, and they even drink sleeping pills for a satisfying snooze. However, research suggests smokers are prone to insomnia, and giving up smoking might be their best bet towards better sleep. Nicotine is a potent stimulant, and those who smoke closest to their bedtime are more likely to develop insomnia.

According to studies, smoking disrupts the body clock by bringing complications to the brain and lungs. This can disrupt a person’s sleeping patterns, causing anxiety, mood disorders, and cognitive decline.

Image source: webmd.com
Cigarette smoking has a huge impact on a person’s neurophysiological and pulmonary functions. It can increase snoring and the predisposition to sleep apnea. Chemicals and pollutants present in smoke could cause airway swelling, especially in soft tissues found in the nose and throat. These airflow changes could result in vibration in sleep that causes snoring. Even those who receive secondhand smoke could be at risk for complications like these, especially younger children.

Nonsmokers are the soundest of sleepers. Quitting smoking can help people sleep, function, and live better.

Dr. Lisa Marie Cannon is a physician who specializes in critical care, pulmonary disease, and sleep medicine. Visit this blogto read similar articles.