This week, Bobbi Conner talks with Dr. Andrea Rinn about the science of sleep. Dr. Rinn is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC.
TRANSCRIPT:
Conner: I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio with Health Focus here at the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Sleep is a very active, restorative state, with a lot going on each night that's essential for our cognitive health and physical health. Doctor Andrea Rinn is here to talk about the details. Doctor Rinn is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC. Doctor Rinn, what are some of the important restorative functions that are going on automatically as we sleep?
Dr. Rinn: Our understanding of sleep as a fundamental process for both physical and mental health is really growing. Some of the functions of sleep include impacts on mental health, memory, immune function, heart health, metabolism, cleaning waste from the brain and tissue repair and growth, just to name a few.
Conner: Tell us more about what sorts of restorative things might be going on as we sleep related to mental health.
Dr. Rinn: Well, research suggests that reduced sleep may lead to anxiety and depression. And on the flip side, treatment of sleep disorders may actually improve mental health.
Conner: And what restorative functions are happening as we sleep related to the heart.
Dr. Rinn: When you sleep, your blood pressure and heart rate should drop. And this ultimately should lead to less strain on the cardiovascular system. There are some sleep disorders that may impact your ability to dip with your blood pressure and heart rate. And so those types of sleep disorders such as sleep apnea are very important to treat.
Conner: Doctor Dr. Rinn what goes on during our sleep that actually impacts our memory?
Dr. Rinn: Well, sleep appears to be important in keeping memories as well as removing less important memories to reduce clutter.
Conner: Tell us more about clearing toxins from the brain while we're sleeping.
Dr. Rinn: Toxins and metabolic wastes are thought to be cleaned up during sleep by a relatively newly discovered system in the brain, called the glymphatic system.
Conner: And why is extra sleep essential when we get sick with a virus or some other illness?
Dr. Rinn: Your body's immune system works best during sleep. It produces and mobilizes parts of the immune system that fight disease, and additionally, the illness may actually trigger the release of sleep inducing substances that promote the entire process.
Conner: So, the old adage to get extra sleep when we get a cold or the flu really has science behind it.
Dr. Rinn: Yes, I think we are finding that these old adages really do hold up with the research.
Conner: What can we do to set the stage to maximize these sleep benefits.
Dr. Rinn: The best practice for setting the stage includes four things. Quantity, which for adults usually is 7 to 9 hours. Kids need more sleep. Quality, which includes treating sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and maximizing your sleep environment. Some examples include reducing sound and light. The third is timing, which means lining up with your body's rhythm or circadian rhythm. Actually, going to bed when sleepy. And, regularity, that predictable routine is important so that your brain and body know when to do what, for optimal health.
Conner: Doctor Rinn, thanks for talking with us about the science of sleep.
Dr. Rinn: You're welcome.
Conner: From the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio.
Health Focus transcripts are intended to accurately represent the original audio version of the program; however, some discrepancies or inaccuracies may exist. The audio format serves as the official record of Health Focus programming.
