Join Us in Freehold for a "Mall Walk" and Wellness Discussion Featuring Dr. Carol Ash!

Join us Wednesday, July 22 at Freehold Raceway Mall  for a relaxing morning mall walk, followed by a special discussion with Meridian's own authority on sleep health, Carol Ash, D.O.

Dr. Ash will talk about how making small, gradual adjustments to sleep and lifestyle habits can dramatically improve your long-term health. 

Register by calling  1-800-560-9990.  More information is available here.

For expert sleep advice, here's Dr. Ash on FOX News discussing some of the long-term effects lack of sleep can have on the overall health of adults and teenagers.

Don't "Ignore the Snore"

Ignoring Snoring?

Check out Dr. Carol Ash on "CBS This Morning" discussing sleep related health issues, and why simply "ignoring the snoring" could have serious consequences.

Adjusting Your Internal Clock for Daylight Savings Time

As you prepare to "spring ahead" for daylight savings, it's important to adjust your internal clock accordingly.

Watch Dr. Carol Ash on the TODAY show discussing the impact of springing forward on everyday health:

Get Your New Year Off to a Healthy Start with Our Top Stories of 2014

Another year, another step toward a healthier you. Health and wellness topics were hotter than ever in 2014, a year of breakthroughs, outbreaks and trends that had people all over the world talking. So what did we learn in 2014? Read on for some of the year's top health advice from Meridian experts.

1. Sleep Disorders Are No Walk in the Park

   Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli's decision to undergo surgery to treat his sleep apnea was yet another call to action for public discourse on the seriousness of the ongoing struggle roughly 18 million Americans have with this potentially life threatening disorder, characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. Read the full article here.



2.  Do Our Kids Need More Sleep?

   Meridian Health Director of Sleep Medicine Dr. Carol Ash took on this hot-button issue during a visit to CBS This Morning. Hear what she had to say here.



3. What's Making Us So Tired?

   On a visit to the TODAY Show, Dr. Carol Ash joined Julie Bain, Health Director of the Ladies Home Journal to discuss answers to the commonly posed health question, "Why am I so tired?" Listing common causes that include diet and stress, both Ash and Bain agreed that most cases of daytime fatigue can be remedied with adjustments to both habit and lifestyle. Watch the full clip here.



4. Sleeping Apart Could Boost Mind, Body and Relationship

   He likes it cold; she likes it hot. She's a mover and a shaker; he's down for the count. Opposites may attract, but when it's time to call it a night, some differences come at a cost. It sounds extreme, but on an episode of "The Doctors," Dr. Carol Ash discussed how sleeping separately from your partner could provide a healthier night's sleep all around. Read all about it here.



5. Healthy Sleep Impacts School Performance

   According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), two-thirds of American children age 10 and younger have sleep problems. They noted 60 percent of children under the age of 18 complained of being tired during the day, and 15 percent fell asleep at school. So what can a parent do? Read on to find out.

Dr. Carol Ash on "CBS This Morning" discussing the effects of sleep issues on "brain drain"

Can't sleep? The answer may be all around you.

Sleep deprivation can be a symptom of numerous health issues, but it's important to remember that the causes of our sleep disruptions aren't always internal.

According to Dr. Carol Ash, the following external factors can affect our sleeping patterns:

• Room temperature
• Jet lag
• Variations in schedule
• Snoring

 Watch Dr. Ash's Weather Channel appearance to learn more about the effects our environment can have on our sleep habits.

Dr. Ash helps answers the question, "Why am I so tired?"

It's a question we've all asked ourselves: "Why am I so tired?"

On a visit to TODAY earlier this year, Dr. Carol Ash and Julie Bain, Health Director for Ladies Home Journal, offered tips to help provide answers to that question.

Both Ash and Bain agreed that mental fatigue and stress can be one of the biggest causes of daytime sleepiness.

"Stress is a good thing; it helps us overcome challenges," Ash said. "But sustained stress can lead to anxiety and depression."

These types of stress can keep you awake at night - and exhausted during the day.

Ash advises, when stress and anxiety are keeping you up, write it down, and then confide with someone you trust during the day.

Watch the full TODAY segment below.

How Sleep (or Lack of) Can Affect Appearance

Carol Ash, M.D.
Director of Sleep Medicine
Meridian Health, Riverview Medical Center

Sleeping Beauty had it right, as studies show lack of sleep can have an effect on our appearance in many ways.

Lack of sleep can stress many organ systems including skin, which is the largest organ in the human body. Sleep is important for maintaining the structure and integrity of collagen, which is your skin's main component and important for protection and elasticity.  Collagen formation can be affected by changes in the immune response.

Studies show sleep plays a role in restoring the immune system. Changes in immune response can injure blood vessels vital to the health of your skin.

Sleep deprivation causes oxidative stress, which is a known cause of accelerated aging. Sleep deprivation can cause breaks in the protective function of the skin barrier and mucous membranes. The end result is accelerated aging of your skin and wrinkles.

Your skin can also be affected by sleeping positions. The supine position is believed to be best, as it offset the effects of gravity. Positions that put continuous pressure on thinner facial skin can compromise blood flow and pull on delicate facial tissue aging your skin.

The best sleep position is on your back, as it also provides the best positioning for spine alignment and minimizing muscle aches and pains.

Side sleeping would be best for those with nasal congestion and allergies, or even simple snoring. The side position will help to keep your airway open and your sleep will be more restful.

Most people never think about the detergent in their sleepwear, but any material that touches your skin can cause harm. Ionic detergents are particularly harsh and are widely found in many body-care products and household detergents.

The most common ionic detergents are sodium lauryl sulfate, (SLS). The good news is there are several “green detergents” on the market that are SLS free.

Eye masks can be  an essential for healthy sleep.  For some, even a small amount of light can block the melatonin response and cause sleep onset difficulty.

Facial creams and lotions are a great way to add moisture. Those formulas with antioxidants and anti-wrinkle agents such as retinol have been shown to boost the overnight repair function of sleep. Once again, avoid detergents, shampoos and other cleansers with SLS.

Join us as we answer the question, "Are you getting a good nights sleep?"

Everyone could use a better night's sleep, which is why Meridian Health is offering a special lecture series designed to pass along important information about sleep disorders and offer key tips for getting a healthier night's rest.

Join us on any of the following dates for "Are You Getting a Good Night's Sleep."

Attendance is FREE, but registration is required and available by calling 1-800-560-9990.

July 31, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Arbour Terrace of Middletown
1800 Hwy 35 South
Middletown, NJ 07748

August 5, 2 to 3 p.m.
Ocean Medical Center - Meridian Nursing & Rehab
425 Jack Martin Boulevard
Brick, NJ 08724

August 6, 2 to 3 p.m.
Jersey Shore University Medical Center
1945 Route 33
Neptune, NJ 07753