FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- This week the National Sleep Foundation celebrates Sleep Awareness Week, its annual event to raise awareness about the health benefits of sleep.
When you don’t get enough sleep it affects your health, mood, productivity and more. Talk to your health care provider if you are having trouble sleeping. They can help determine if you’re having a short period of restlessness or if you have a sleep disorder and may share helpful tips to improve your sleep habits.
If you need a sleep study, you must be referred to a sleep disorder center by your doctor in order for TRICARE to cover a sleep study.
TRICARE also covers home/portable sleep studies as an alternative to in-facility studies for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in an adult when certain criteria are met. Check with your regional contractor for details.
You should try to get seven to eight hours of quality sleep every 24 hours. Research shows that after only one day without sleep, even young, healthy service members lose 25 percent of their ability to think clearly.
For more information about how much lack of sleep affects you, including how much you really need, visit the National Sleep Foundation’s website.