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Clocks? Spring? Forward, People? Fall? Behind on Sleep

Most of the nation will change its clocks at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8

By Jason Stacchini
HAMILTON, NJ — Most of the nation will change its clocks at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8, when clocks "spring forward" an hour for Daylight Savings Time. Because the time change occurs in the middle of the night, sleep cycles can be effected, especially in the spring when many people lose an hour of sleep.
Capital Health’s sleep center is fully accredited and meets the most stringent quality standards in the industry. While many sleep centers only treat a few common sleep disorders, Capital Health’s sleep center physicians are board certified and trained to diagnose and treat a full array of sleep disorders, including insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, parasomnias (such as sleepwalking) and other unusual body movements in sleep.
“Many people have difficulties adjusting to changes in time and to changes in the seasons,” said Dr. Debra DeLuca, co-medical director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at Capital Health. “The first 24 hours of daylight-saving time are the hardest. Most people can handle this without too much difficulty, but those who are getting by on a limited amount of sleep will feel a significant impact.”
The National Sleep Foundation recently reported that more than one-third of Americans said they are so sleepy during the day it interferes with their activities at least a few days a month. One in six people also reported these symptoms a few days a week or more.
National Sleep Awareness Week is observed the entire week leading up to March 8. To help people with their sleepiness, the Center for Sleep Medicine at Capital Health, located at 1401 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road in Hamilton, NJ, is promoting healthy sleep through public understanding of sleep and sleep disorders.
“Sleep disorders are not always readily apparent,” said Dr. Marcella Frank, co-medical director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at Capital Health. “The controlled environment of a sleep medicine center, and the multidisciplinary approach of a comprehensive center, can help pinpoint a clear diagnosis.”
To learn more about the Center for Sleep Medicine at Capital Health, visit www.capitalhealthsysteminhamilton.org or call 609-584-5150.