Getting a good night’s sleep is a struggle for many Americans. So much so, in fact, that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 70 million Americans have some kind of sleep disorder or another, and these astronomic numbers mean that sleep is now a public health problem in the United States.
And not getting enough sleep is no small issue. A lack of sleep can lead to a myriad of health problems, from high blood pressure to arrhythmia to mood disorders.
Luckily, there are many ways to track sleep these days, aside from counting sheep. Rather, there are thousands of apps available on the market now, programmed especially to monitor sleep patterns, analyze personal data and ultimately help improve sleep habits and cycles — entirely from the comforts of a smartphone.
In general, app engagement has become increasingly popular over the burgeoning number of smartphone users. In fact, overall app usage grew by 76% in 2014, or about two trillion app sessions during that year.
Among the thousands of app options, there are many of note, like the iOs bestseller Sleep Cycle 5.0. According to Yahoo Tech, the free app uses the phone’s microphone to monitor the noises the user makes and to identify their sleep states. Using this information, the app wakes users up at a time that will have them feeling the most rested.
While apps like Sleep Cycle 5.0 sound appealing, do they work? Medical professionals don’t necessary discourage the use of sleep-aid and monitor applications, yet physicians like Dr. Romie Mushtaq don’t necessarily advocate the use of just an app.
“An app just doesn’t have the technology to play doctor,” Dr. Mushtaq tells Fox 35 Orlando’s Tom Johnson.
Instead, those who have trouble sleeping should seek the help of a medical professional in tandem, as a smart phone app will not be able to address the sleep problem in its entirety.
