Nutrition. Exercise. Sleep.
When it comes to a patient’s whole health, sleep and weight management go hand in hand. Are you discussing sleep health with your patients?
Sleep isn’t just for rest—it’s a critical component for regulating body weight.
Insufficient sleep can lead to weight gain, and a weight increase of just 10% can amplify the risk of developing sleep apnea by six-fold, negatively impacting sleep quality.1,2
Sleep disorders can make comorbid conditions, including obesity, even more challenging to manage and treat.
Studies have demonstrated that sleep deprivation is linked to:
- Decreased neuroendocrine appetite control and metabolic rate, two risk factors for obesity.8
- Elevated sympathetic nerve activity, leading to increased blood pressure and heart rate—risk factors for hypertension or cardiovascular disease.9,10
- Increased insulin resistance and lower disease control in patients with type 2 diabetes.11,12
The reciprocal relationship between sleep and weight in holistic patient care is undeniable.
Hear Dr. Atul Malhotra, a leading expert on sleep medicine, and host Dr. Carlos M. Nunez discuss the impact of obesity on sleep health.
It’s never been more critical to talk to your patients about their sleep health.
Your time with your patients is limited and valuable. However, prioritizing conversations about sleep health can make a significant difference in identifying and treating sleep disorders early.
Here are four practical tips to seamlessly integrate sleep health discussions into your patient consultations:
- Start with Simple Questions
One of the easiest ways to initiate a conversation about sleep health is by asking your patients simple questions like, “Have you been having any problems sleeping lately?” and “How do these problems affect you during the day?” This can open up a dialogue about their sleep quality, any issues they may be experiencing and how it impacts them. - Use a Sleep Screening Tool
Depending on your health system’s protocol, consider using a validated sleep screening tool as part of your routine patient assessment. Tools like the Berlin Questionnaire or STOP-Bang Questionnaire can help identify patients who may be at risk for sleep disordered breathing and prompt a more in-depth conversation.13
- Refer Patients to a Testing Center or Sleep Specialist
If your patient’s responses or sleep screening results indicate possible sleep disorders, don’t hesitate to refer them to a specialized testing center or a sleep specialist. This can ensure patients receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, helping them improve their sleep health and overall quality of life.
Find a Sleep Center - Provide Informational Resources
As a valuable addition to your dialogue, guide your patients toward readily available resources. These platforms can provide additional learning and help foster connections with others who share similar experiences.
Browse Patient Resources
References:
- Source: Papatriantafyllou et al. Nutrients. 2022 Apr;14(8):1549.
- Source: Peppard et al. JAMA. 2000 Dec 20;284(23):3015-21.
- Source: Panossian et al. Sleep. 2012 May 1;35(5):605-15.
- Source: Wolk et al. Hypertension. 2003;42(6):1067-74.
- Source: Bernstein et al. Perm J. 2006 Spring;10(1):21-3.
- Source: Jehan et al. Sleep Med Disord. 2017;1(3):00012.
- Source: Blasco et al. Psychiatry Investig. 2020 Aug;17(8):715-724.
- Source: Beccuti et al. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2011 Jul;14(4):402-12.
- Source: Caples et al. Sleep Medicine Clinics. 2007 Mar; 2(1):77-86.
- Source: Fuchs et al. Hypertension. 2020 Feb;75(2):285-292.
- Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sleep for a good cause. Page last reviewed July 28, 2022.
- Source: Marcum et al. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2013 Nov-Dec;9(6):817-27.
- Source: Kapur et al. J Clin Sleep Med. 2017 Mar 15;13(3):479-504.