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SLEEP
MEDICINE

ular and sufficient sleep tend to demonstrate improved concentration, in college, and mental well-being in school-aged and college-aged in-
problem-solving skills and enhanced memory recall, contributing to dividuals. Promoting healthy sleep habits, educating students and their
better grades and academic success. Conversely, chronic sleep depriva- families about the importance of sufficient sleep, and addressing sleep-
tion can lead to decreased cognitive performance, increased suscepti- related issues can contribute to better overall health outcomes and pave
bility to stress and difficulty managing the demands of a rigorous the way for academic success and emotional well-being. Integrating
academic environment. A study performed by J. David Creswell, et al. sleep education and support into healthcare practices can empower the
reinforces the effects of sleep in college. It found that on average, every next generation to achieve their full potential both academically and
additional hour of nightly sleep gained was associated with a 0.07 in- emotionally.
crease in end-of-term GPA. Sleep less than six hours each night shifted
to a harmful end-of-term GPA. Reference:
Sleep and mental health are intertwined, and disruptions in sleep Nightly Sleep Duration Predicts Grade Point Average in the First
patterns can significantly impact mood, contributing to the develop- Year of College, J. David Creswell, Michael J. Tumminia, Stephen Price
ment or exacerbation of depression and anxiety. For school-aged and and Marsh C Lovett. Feb 13,2023. 120(8). Proceedings of the National
college-aged individuals, the pressures of academic performance, social Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
interactions and personal growth can contribute to stress and emotional
challenges. Adequate sleep serves as a protective factor against mood Tarak Patel, MD, is Board Certified in Pediatric Pulmonology,
disorders and can enhance emotional resilience. Sleep deprivation, on Pediatrics and Sleep Medicine. He is an Assistant Professor of Pe-
the other hand, has been linked to increased irritability, heightened diatrics at Baylor College of Medicine/San Antonio, Medical Di-
stress levels, and an elevated risk of developing or worsening symptoms rector at Academy Diagnostics Sleep/EEG Center and Christus Children’s
of depression and anxiety. Sleep Center, and practices at Texas Pediatric Specialties and Family Sleep
As medical professionals, it is imperative to recognize the profound Medicine and Christus Children’s Pulmonary, Sleep and Cystic Fibrosis
impact of sleep on neurocognitive development, academic performance Clinic. Dr. Patel is a member of the Bexar County Medical Society.

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