Ever wonder why you sleep, or why you don't perform your best when you don't get enough sleep?
This week, the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research (NCSDR) of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) unveiled a new Web site to offer the public and health care professionals, the most current science-based information on sleep and sleep disorders.
"Sleep research is advancing rapidly, and we want the medical community, as well as the public, to have timely access to the wealth of accurate information on sleep and sleep disorders that has been developed within the Federal government," said NHLBI Director Dr. Claude Lenfant.
Sleep-related problems affect millions of Americans, occur in all age groups, and have a major impact on society.
They are common in teens, shift workers, and people over age 65.
There are more than 70 different sleep disorders, and they often lead to or are associated with other health problems, lost worker productivity, and accidents, including approximately 56,000 car crashes each year, according to the National Institutes of Health.
"Every American needs to understand the importance of obtaining adequate sleep and the risks of excessive sleepiness," said NCSDR Director Dr. James Kiley. "This new Web site provides information that will help to recognize the signs of common sleep disorders and the need for professional treatment," said Kiley.
For patients and the public, the Web site provides news and information about common sleep problems through a variety of fact sheets, an interactive quiz, public service announcements, and other radio programming.
To visit the NCSDR Web site, go to www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/ncsdr