"The important thing is that it has to be good quality and continuous," says Dr. Lourdes DelRosso, medical director at Inspire Sleep Center.
Now, the potential consequences of poor sleep look even more serious.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that obstructive sleep apnea could be linked to Parkinson's Disease.
"It's a really interesting relationship because for years, studies have shown how obstructive sleep apnea affects cognition," Dr. DelRosso said.
Researchers looked at the electronic health records of more than 11 million veterans between 1999 to 2022.
The study found between that time frame, about 14 percent had sleep apnea.
Those with the condition were likely to develop Parkinson's compared to those without.
"The association doesn't necessarily mean causation," Dr. Delrosso said. "But it means that both conditions can be interrelated. Obstructive sleep apnea places people at risk for memory, attention deficits and other medical disorders."
Researchers found that by treating sleep apnea with a CPAP machine, it could reduce the risk of developing Parkinson's.
The Inspire Sleep Center off Willow Avenue in Clovis also monitors sleep apnea behaviors with its patients.
According to the Parkinson's Foundation, an estimated 1.1 million people in the US are living with the brain disorder.
Dr. DelRosso explains that while the study showed CPAP machines helped, living a healthier lifestyle and getting high quality sleep can be a benefit.
"Better decisions, better memory and better health overall," she said.
She adds it's important to monitor our sleep quality and see how we feel when we wake up.
If you're still struggling, make sure to see a doctor right away.
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