Knowledge Center

Learn about the different stages of sleep, from light to deep sleep, after your head hits the pillow.

When you sleep, your body goes through several sleep cycles, each involving different sleep stages.

Most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep every night, and during this time, your body goes through different phases. The four sleep stages of sleep include:

REM Sleep Confusion

While rapid eye movement (REM) sleep gets a lot of attention, researchers are still trying to decipher ...

Daylight-saving time doesn’t have to disrupt your sleep schedule. A few simple tips help ensure sound sleep during daylight-saving time and beyond.

For most of us, the springtime switch from standard to daylight-saving time is merely an inconvenience. It might be the cause of skipped appointments if we manage to miss all those reminders telling us to move our clocks forward one hour on the second Sunday in March.

But for others, the first few days of daylight saving time ...

Don’t take sleep woes lying down! Here are 10 ways to overcome age-related sleep problems.

If sleep is becoming more difficult for you as you get older, try these steps:

1. Talk to your doctor. If you have a health condition that is making it difficult for you to sleep, such as severe arthritis, chronic pain, or obstructive sleep apnea, getting it treated may help you sleep better.

2. Limit caffeine and alcohol. Gehrman recommends avoiding excess caffeine and alcohol, since these ...

Getting a good night’s sleep is an important part of healthy aging, but sleep patterns change as people get older, interfering with the quality of our rest.

As people get older, their sleep patterns tend to change. Many older adults report being less satisfied with their sleep than they were when they were younger. But insomnia and other sleep problems are not a non-negotiable part of aging, and there are steps you can take to sleep better well into your ...

Studies show that skimping on sleep may lead to weight gain. But can getting shut-eye help you lose weight?

We all know that diet and exercise are the cornerstones of a weight-loss program. But can sleep also help you maintain a healthy weight or even drop a few pounds?

“There are more and more studies showing that not getting enough sleep or not getting good quality of sleep can [contribute] to weight gain,” says Raj Kakar, MD, MPH, the medical director ...

Getting teens to bed at a reasonable hour can help them behave and function better during the day. Here’s how you can get your adolescent on a healthy sleep schedule.

Teens typically need up to 10 hours of sleep each night to function at their best during the day. Problem is, many adolescents don’t get the healthy sleep they need. Getting teens on a regular sleep schedule can improve their health, as well as their performance at school and at ...

Certain medications can upset your normal sleep patterns. Switching medications or lowering doses under your doctor’s supervision can often fix the problem.

If you rely on medications for a chronic condition or even minor ailments, you may find yourself sleep-deprived or battling daytime drowsiness.

“Certain heart, blood pressure, and asthma drugs, as well as over-the-counter medicines for colds, allergies, and headaches, can interrupt normal sleep patterns,” says James Wellman, MD, medical director of the Sleep Disorders Center of Georgia in Augusta. ...

Sleep disorders can be difficult to understand because of complex medical terminology. This glossary can help.

Many people think getting a good night’s sleep is as easy as putting your head on your pillow and closing your eyes. Those with sleep disorders, however, realize there is much more to it than that, starting with medical terminology that sometimes barely sounds like English. Use this glossary of important sleep-related terms to better understand your condition.

Advanced sleep phase disorder

People with this sleep ...

When your sleep is disrupted enough that it becomes a problem, you need to see a medical professional. Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your sleep history and overall health.

Getting enough sleep is an absolute imperative for good health. If simple changes to your lifestyle and environment haven’t alleviated a sleep problem, it may be time to see a health care provider to evaluate your sleep history. A good primary care physician may be able to diagnose and treat ...

Healthy sleep habits do more than just keep you alert — they can also keep you healthier. Getting more shut-eye might even make you a better employee or student.

Healthy sleep habits have a pervasive effect and are crucial to health and well-being at any age. These healthy sleep habits generally allow you to wake up feeling refreshed; think quickly; successfully perform potentially dangerous tasks, like driving, which require complete attention; and do your very best at work or school.

“The ...