Sleep
Sleep: the most underrated clinical intervention
22 April 2026 · 5 min read · Dr. Shaima Alshareef
Sleep influences appetite, glucose regulation, mood, immunity and cognition. It deserves the same attention as any prescription.
Patients often apologise for raising sleep, as though it were a soft topic. In a preventive consultation it is one of the highest-yield subjects available.
Where to begin
- A consistent wake time, including weekends.
- Morning daylight exposure to anchor the circadian rhythm.
- A defined wind-down period without bright screens.
- Screening for sleep apnoea when snoring, daytime sleepiness or unrefreshing sleep are present.
Persistent insomnia or suspected sleep apnoea should be assessed clinically rather than managed with habits alone.