Ask our physician

I only sleep four or five hours a night. Can this affect my memory?
—Julie L., Shamong Township

Adequate amounts of sleep are definitely needed for you to maintain good memory. Slow wave sleep enhances your recollection of facts, figures and events, while rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep improves memory of tasks and skills. When you’re awake you gather information, and while you’re sleeping you process and organize this information to help with your memory and learning. Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a night, with adequate amounts of both deep non-REM sleep and REM sleep, to effectively do this job. Sleep that’s adequate in both quantity and quality leads to improved memory. If you have trouble sleeping—or staying asleep once you fall asleep—it might be time to talk with a specialist.

—Michael Nolledo, M.D., Director of the Institute for Sleep Medicine at Deborah Heart and Lung Center. Dr. Nolledo is currently accepting new patients. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Nolledo, call 1-800-555-1990.