Paul Alexander, known as “the man in the iron lung,” having spent most of his life living inside a metal chamber that helped him breathe, has died aged 78, a fundraiser for his health care confirmed Tuesday.

Alexander, of Dallas, Texas, contracted polio in the summer of 1952 when he was 6 years old, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down.

He was forced to live inside the chamber for the rest of his extraordinary life, yet was known for his positive and graceful attitude.

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“In this time Paul went to college, became a lawyer, and a published author,” wrote Christopher Ulmer, who created a GoFundMe page for Alexander to help finance his health care needs.

“His story traveled wide and far, positively influencing people around the world. Paul was an incredible role model that will continue to be remembered.”

At 21, Alexander became the first person to graduate from a high school in Dallas without ever attending class in person, reports the Daily Mail.

He pursued his dreams of becoming a trial lawyer and represented clients in court in a three-piece suit and a modified wheelchair that held his paralyzed body upright.

He also staged a sit-in for disability rights and published a 155-page memoir, “Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung,” which took five years to complete. Alexander wrote each word with a pen attached to a stick in his mouth, the Daily Mail reports.

Alexander has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the person who has spent the longest amount of time living in an iron lung.

In an interview with Reuters before his death, Alexander said: “My story is an example of why your past or even your disability does not have to define your future.”

Dr. Jennifer Howse, president of March of Dimes, explains the workings of an iron lung to students of Sherman Elementary School in 2004. (Gerald Martineau/The The Washington Post via Getty Images)

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The ventilator, a large yellow metal chamber, required Alexander to lie his entire body down inside with just his head exposed outside.

Air pressure is continuously cycled up and down to stimulate breathing. People who have contracted polio typically need iron lungs, as do those who have become paralyzed due to poisons.

Ulmer wrote that the GoFundMe was set up after Alexander had been “taken advantage of by people who were supposed to care for his best interests.” Although the page did not go into further detail. 

“This theft, combined with the high cost of health care, has left Paul with little money to survive,” Ulmer wrote. 

“He struggles to maintain his iron lung, afford health care, and find housing that accommodates his needs,” Ulmer wrote before Alexander’s death.

Ulmer said Paul had been living in a small one-room apartment that did not have a window.

An iron lung machine used in the U.K. in the 1950s. (Science & Society Picture Library/SSPL/Getty Images)

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Alexander’s brother, Philip, said the fundraiser, which raised more than $143,000, helped him live out his final years. 

“I am so [grateful] to everybody who donated to my brother’s fundraiser. It allowed him to live his last few years stress-free,” Paul was quoted as saying on the GoFundMe page.

“It will also pay for his funeral during this difficult time. It is absolutely incredible to read all the comments and know that so many people were inspired by Paul. I am just so grateful.”

The notion that twins do everything together has met a new standard.

Identical twin brothers Pablo and Julio Delcid, 21, underwent matching heart surgeries on the exact same day following their diagnosis of Marfan syndrome.

The duo, of Dover, New Jersey, had been alerted to their risk of Marfan syndrome because a majority of their family members also have it, the twins told Fox News Digital in an on-camera interview.

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“We’re a family of five. I have two older sisters who have it,” Julio Delcid said. “My older brother doesn’t have it as much … But I also have other family members who have it, too — pretty much through my whole family on my mom’s side.”

“It’s very genetic,” Pablo Delcid added. “When we were younger and were first diagnosed with it, nobody knew what it was.” 

He added, “Nobody knew they even had it until tests kept coming in, and they were like, ‘Yeah, it’s pretty genetic. Everyone should get tested.'”

What is Marfan syndrome?

Fox News Digital spoke with Dr. Benjamin Van Boxtel, surgical director at the Atlantic Aortic Center at Morristown Medical Center, in a separate interview about the condition; he performed the twins’ surgeries.

The cardiovascular surgeon said that while Marfan syndrome is mostly genetic, it can also occur at random. It’s a defect of the gene that creates connective tissues in the human body, he said.

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“Because it’s a broad defect in these connective tissues, it can affect many different parts of the body,” he said. “So, this could be anywhere from the eyes to the spine and … the heart.”

“The most dangerous symptom you could develop with Marfan syndrome is a dilation of the aorta, specifically in the root,” he added.

Van Boxtel said the aortic root in Marfan syndrome can become dilated or enlarged, which can cause an “immediately fatal” tear or rupture.

Van Boxtel holds up a “tube-shaped graft” model used during a valve sparing root operation, in which the surgeon “replaces the aortic root and then hand-sews leaflet by leaflet inside that graft.”  (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)

“Or it can cause something called an aortic dissection, which is also potentially very fatal, and becomes a surgical emergency,” he said. “That’s unfortunately how a lot of people who have Marfan syndrome pass away.”

Many of those people don’t even know they have the syndrome, Van Boxtel noted.

A valve-sparing root procedure performed before a dilated aorta dissects can be a life-saving operation.

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Marfan syndrome can be difficult to spot, according to Van Boxtel, as it’s often marked by common symptoms such as chest pain, poor vision — or being tall and having long limbs.

“When you have an aneurysm [from a] dilated aorta, it’s generally asymptomatic, meaning you feel absolutely nothing,” he said. “You feel completely fine … Aneurysm disease is silent, it’s asymptomatic — which can be really dangerous.”

Left to right, Julio Delcid, the twins’ mother, Betulia Miranda, and Pablo Delcid snap a selfie. (Pablo and Julio Delcid)

Pablo Delcid, for his part, said there’s “not much you can feel when you’re growing into the condition.”

He added, “What we didn’t know was that our bodies were changing … obviously with height, vision, the length of our arms, feet, legs, even with our chest.”

Surgery on the same day

The twins’ mother, Betulia Miranda, had an emergency procedure on Oct. 8, 2023, after experiencing an aortic dissection, which the boys described as “excruciating” for her.

After their mother’s surgery was a success, the twins decided to seek preventative surgery performed by Dr. Van Boxtel – but their one request was that they do it together.

“Of course they’re like, ‘Can we go at the same time?’” the doctor said with a laugh.

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Van Boxtel, a father of twins himself, said the double surgery was like “nothing I’ve ever done before.” 

He said, “I’ve done this procedure hundreds of times. But to do it back-to-back on twin brothers — it was an experience, that’s for sure.”

It was decided that Pablo Delcid would go first, since he was born five minutes before his brother, followed by Julio Delcid several hours later.

Julio Delcid, left, and Pablo Delcid underwent heart surgery on Jan. 5, 2024. (Pablo and Julio Delcid)

“We always do everything together,” Pablo Delcid said. “We live together, go through everything together … We didn’t think we could get the operation done together, but everything [was] successful.”

The twins agreed that they felt “safer” knowing they were going through the procedure together.

“You kind of feel like you’re not going to lose that person,” Julio Delcid said. “They’re sticking with you, side by side.”

“Aneurysm disease is silent, it’s asymptomatic — which can be really dangerous.”

Pablo Delcid added, “It’s like your gut’s telling you, ‘All right, if I make it, he’s going to make it.’”

On surgery day, Jan. 5, 2024, Van Boxtel and his team distinguished the twins from one another using color-coded ankle bracelets.

The surgeon emphasized the rarity of double heart surgery on twins, especially at such a young age of 21. “This is like the ultimate twin study,” he said. 

Van Boxtel said it was “freaky” when he realized that the brothers’ hearts were also identical.

“I knew they could be different on the inside, but it ended up that they were the exact same,” he said.

Julio Delcid said he was “shocked” that a surgeon like Van Boxtel could take on both surgeries back to back.

“He did the best he could,” he said. “He successfully saved our aortic valves, replacing the aneurysm … We were very appreciative.”

More about Marfan 

Marfan syndrome affects about one in 5,000 people, according to Van Boxtel, and impacts men and women equally.

“About 75% of those cases are genetic,” he said. “But about 25% of Marfan cases are actually not inherited. They’re not from a parent. They’re a spontaneous mutation.”

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Along with a dilated aortic root (enlarged aorta) or narrow dissection (tear in an artery), patients also run the risk of having a leaky valve, which can lead to heart failure symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness and inability to perform normal exertional activity, Van Boxtel said. 

Since Marfan syndrome is often hard to spot on the surface, the Delcid twins emphasized the importance of getting tested, especially for those within the Latin and Hispanic communities.

Julio Delcid said that those at risk of Marfan syndrome should “take the time to get yourself checked out.” (Pablo and Julio Delcid)

“It’s pretty lethal,” Pablo Delcid said. “We almost lost our mother, and that was a traumatic experience.”

People with symptoms or with a family history of Marfan syndrome should educate themselves on how best to prevent an aneurysm and connect with a cardiology team, Julio Delcid reiterated.

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“It’s just very important to take the time and the opportunity to get the best treatment that they could possibly get, because if they wait, consequences will happen later,” he said.

“Don’t fear anything. Just take the time to get yourself checked out and get the help that you need to live a better life.”

Looking ahead with new hope

With the stresses of heart surgery behind them, the twins said they’re looking forward to getting outside, playing sports and exercising more than they could before.

“Both their valves were saved,” Van Boxtel said. “They weren’t leaking at the end. All the things that we look for in a very successful repair they had, and they’re going to go on and live normal, healthy lives.”

“It’s a very serious problem … but there’s prevention available, and if you get it at the right time, it can be very successful.”

He said he hoped that “these valves last a really, really long time, if not the rest of their lives. They’re much better off now than they were walking around with aneurysms.”

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Van Boxtel thanked his team for handling the complex, same-day operations on young men with their “whole lives ahead of them.”

Dr. Benjamin Van Boxtel is a cardiovascular surgeon and the surgical director of the Atlantic Aortic Center at Morristown Medical Center. (Atlantic Health System)

The Marfan Foundation has various resources for patients at all stages of the condition, the doctor noted.

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“I can’t underscore how important it is for patients with aneurysms to be seen by a surgeon or a team who is comfortable performing that,” he said.

“It’s a very, very serious problem … but there’s prevention available, and if you get it at the right time, it can be very successful.”

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Your favorite cycling or dance class is a great way to burn calories and boost heart health — but it might not be so good for your ears. 

Some audiology experts are warning that the loud volume of group fitness classes — from the blaring music to the instructor shouting directions — can take a toll on your hearing.

Workout classes often play music at over 85 to 90 decibels for an hour, which exceeds the recommended limits from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), according to experts.

ASK A DOC: ‘WHY ARE MY EARS RINGING, AND SHOULD I SEE A DOCTOR?’

Here’s what to know. 

What is a safe level of sound?

A safe sound level depends on the length of the class and the amount you are attending each week, according to Sabrina Lee, an audiologist at HearUSA in New York.

“Sounds at or below 70 decibels are considered safe for an extended period of time, meaning that if classes were constantly held at this sound level, you could do back to back classes or work as an instructor without any hearing concerns,” she told Fox News Digital. 

Noise levels should not exceed 85 decibels over a one-hour period, says the World Health Organization, which is about the length of a fitness class.

“It’s safe to say that for a typical fitness class, a safe sound level is at or below 85 decibels,” Lee said.

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Many classes exceed this level, the expert warned. 

“High-intensity group fitness classes – like spinning, cardio or Zumba – can get up to and above 90 decibels, and sustain that volume throughout the class,” she said. 

“The rationale for this is that many believe higher volumes of sound promote more intensity in workouts, and [it’s often] done as an encouragement to move to the beat.”

The World Health Organization recommends that noise levels should not exceed 85 decibels over a one-hour period. (iStock)

There is some science behind this, Lee acknowledged.

“Research does agree that music can help us engage well with a workout and can help motivate people to strive for intensity,” she said.

“For a typical fitness class, a safe sound level is at or below 85 decibels.”

“Aspects of music like a steady beat, motivational messaging and good, enjoyable sound are all things that can create a really dynamic and effective workout.” 

This can pose a danger, however, as people crank up the volume to boost their motivation without realizing the possible negative side effects, Lee said. 

Signs of adverse effects on hearing

There are some almost-instant signs that noise exposure may affect your hearing. 

“If immediately after exposure, you notice that sounds are muffled to you, or you have ringing or buzzing sounds in your ears, you are likely having a temporary change in hearing as a result of noise exposure,” said Lee. 

“High-intensity group fitness classes – like spinning, cardio or Zumba – can get up to and above 90 decibels, and sustain that volume throughout the class,” an expert said.  (iStock)

These symptoms will usually fade away, but over time with repeated exposure to high intensities of sound, these effects may begin to take a permanent toll, she said. 

The warning signs of permanent hearing loss may be a little different. 

“If you find yourself getting confused or lost in group conversations, asking people to repeat themselves, or notice yourself regularly turning the volume up on headphones or speakers multiple times in order to hear, you might be experiencing the early stages of hearing loss,” Lee said.

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Another sign of damage to hearing is experiencing ringing in your ears, known as tinnitus.

Anyone noticing these types of symptoms should see a hearing expert for an audiology test, experts recommend. 

“This can diagnose where your hearing is currently and where it’s headed,” said Lee.

How studios are ensuring safe sound levels

While experts say there aren’t specific regulations for audio levels in fitness facilities, many of them have opted to put their own guidelines in place.

“Many classes now offer ear protection at the studio for attendees, indicating a movement toward more inclusive hearing health activities,” Lee said.

Anyone noticing symptoms of hearing loss should see a hearing expert for an audiology test, experts recommend.  (iStock)

Orangetheory Fitness, a national chain of high-intensity interval training studios based on heart rate zones, incorporates music as an integral part of the experience.

Rory Ellis, the Florida-based vice president of innovation and design at Orangetheory, spoke with Fox News Digital about how the company ensures members’ hearing safety.

“OTF’s audio systems are meticulously installed and programmed to ensure that the maximum sound pressure levels do not exceed an average of 95 decibels during class, prioritizing safety without compromising on the intensity of the workout experience,” Ellis said. 

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“To achieve a consistent and controlled sound environment, we employ customized signal processing techniques, such as compression and limiting.”

One strategy that Orangetheory uses is microphone ducking technology, which helps ensure that the coach’s voice remains clear and intelligible. 

“Research does agree that music can help us engage well with a workout and can help motivate people to strive for intensity,” an expert said. (iStock)

“This technology automatically lowers the music volume when the microphone is in use, maintaining the overall desired sound pressure level and eliminating the necessity or tendency to increase the microphone volume in an attempt to overpower the music,” Ellis said.

“The direct result is a safer, more immersive and exciting audio-visual workout experience for our clients, where the clarity of coaching is maintained without sacrificing the dynamic atmosphere of the class.”

Self-protective measures

If you find that the volume is too loud in a fitness class, there are several steps you can take.

Fitness class attendees and instructors should consider investing in a pair of comfortable hearing protection devices and wearing them when around the loud noise, recommended Brian Taylor, an audiologist and senior director of audiology at Signia Hearing in Minneapolis. 

Earplugs can help maintain sound quality while reducing volume, an audiologist said. (iStock)

“So-called musician’s earplugs are a great choice for someone who is frequently exercising in a gym with loud music,” he told Fox News Digital. 

“These earplugs maintain sound quality while reducing volume, making them ideal for individuals who frequent classes with loud music.”

“Length of exposure matters just as much as intensity of exposure.”

Lee noted that it may also be possible to change to a different location in the class to get farther away from the speakers — and if that fails, it’s best to step out of the class.”

She pointed out, “Length of exposure matters just as much as intensity of exposure … If noise levels are constantly too loud, even with hearing protection and while taking the above steps, it may also be worth considering looking into alternative fitness classes that refrain from playing loud music.”

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Lauren Tritle, an Orangetheory fitness instructor in Cincinnati who also attends classes herself, told Fox News Digital that the coaches are more susceptible to hearing damage due to the number of classes they lead on a daily or weekly basis.

“As a member, I prefer the music louder so I don’t hear people talking or myself breathing heavily,” she told Fox News Digital.

Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus, is one common sign of hearing loss. (iStock)

“However, paying more attention to the decibel meter would certainly assist in keeping everyone’s hearing safe,” Tritle said. 

Tritle also uses the Noise app on her smartwatch, and it rarely registers unsafe levels during class.

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In her experience as an instructor, Tritle has seen some members use the earplugs provided by the studio, but she has never had a member complain about the volume being too loud.

Hearing loss can occur at any age, although some people are at a higher risk than others. 

Sabrina Lee, an audiologist at HearUSA in New York, weighed in on the risks of high volumes at fitness studios. (Sabrina Lee)

“Even seemingly innocuous amounts of noise can have an accumulative effect that warrants the use of hearing protection,” said Taylor. 

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“As people age, their risk for hearing loss increases. If you are in doubt about your hearing sensitivity, get it checked out by a professional.”

Fox News Digital reached out to additional fitness studios requesting comment.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Bloodshot eyes are often associated with late nights followed by early morning obligations. 

While this is indeed one cause of irritated eyes, other factors can contribute to the condition.

To get a clear understanding of the triggers and treatments for bloodshot eyes, Fox News Digital consulted with two ophthalmologists, who provided eye-opening insights.

What causes bloodshot eyes?

When the eyes get irritated, the tiny blood vessels on the white surface of the eye (the sclera) swell, said Usiwoma Abugo, M.D., an ophthalmologist at Katzen Eye Group in Lutherville, Maryland. 

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When this happens, the white of the eye appears pink or red, she noted.

There are many potential causes of red or bloodshot eyes. 

“They can be a response to an irritant such as pollen, pets, dust or smoke, or a symptom of a medical condition, such as a bacterial infection, virus or injury to the cornea,” Abugo told Fox News Digital. 

Here’s some more information on some of the primary culprits.

Allergies

When an allergen gets into the eye, the eye responds by producing a substance called histamine, Abugo said.

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This causes the blood vessels on the surface of the eye to get leaky and swollen, which creates redness and swollen, itchy tissues.  

Dry eyes

“Dry eye is an incredibly common eye condition,” Abugo told Fox News Digital. 

“When the eye doesn’t have enough tears to stay lubricated, the eye becomes red, and the horizontal blood vessels on the surface of the eye become more prominent, swollen and irritated.”

Tiredness

There’s a reason an overnight flight is called the “red-eye” — bloodshot eyes are often caused by being tired, which is usually related to dry eye, the doctor said.

Allergies are a common cause of bloodshot eyes, according to experts. (iStock)

“When you are tired, your body’s natural tearing or lubrication system becomes abnormal, leading to dry eye,” she noted.

Contact lenses

Poor contact lens hygiene or poorly fitted lenses can irritate the eye and lead to redness.

Not cleaning or caring for your lenses correctly could even lead to a serious eye infection, Abugo warned.

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“Make sure to care for your lenses as recommended by your eye care team, remove them as prescribed, and only wear lenses prescribed for you by a professional,” she advised. 

Eye infections

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, can be caused by bacteria or a virus. 

The condition causes the surface of the eye to swell, which gives the eye a pink or red color, said Abugo.

Relieving and preventing bloodshot eyes

Michelle Andreoli, M.D., an ophthalmologist at Northwestern Medicine in Naperville, Illinois, shared with Fox News Digital some tips for treating red eyes at home.

Over-the-counter artificial tears can be used to address irritation and wash allergens from the eye. 

An opthamologist said to avoid decongestant (anti-redness) drops, because “they don’t solve the cause of the problem and can sometimes make redness worse in the long run.” (iStock)

Avoid decongestant (anti-redness) drops, Andreoli advised, because “they don’t solve the cause of the problem and can sometimes make redness worse in the long run.”

Instead, she suggested using over-the-counter antihistamine drops to help with itchy eyes caused by seasonal allergies. (Always check with a doctor first.) 

A cool compress can also provide some relief.

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To prevent redness, Anderoli said to avoid smoke, fumes, pollen, dust, chlorine or pet dander if those are known irritants.

Wash your hands often, avoid touching your eyes and wash eyelids daily with a mild cleanser, she recommended.

“If you do have an eye infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotic eye drops or other medication as deemed appropriate,” the doctor said.

When to see a doctor

Bloodshot eyes are very common and rarely indicate something serious, according to Andreoli.

If symptoms aren’t improving after one week of home remedies, however, she recommends seeing an ophthalmologist for diagnosis and treatment.

Contact lenses can cause redness for some people, especially when they are not cleaned or cared for properly.  (iStock)

Some of the more serious conditions associated with bloodshot eyes are ocular inflammation (called uveitis) or an eye infection. 

In that case, there are usually additional symptoms, such as pain, discharge and blurred vision. 

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“If not treated, eye infections can sometimes cause devastating damage, including vision loss,” Anderoli said.

“Luckily, effective treatments are available to avoid this worst-case scenario.”

If eye redness is accompanied by any degree of vision loss, contact your eye care provider immediately, the doctor advised.

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The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that all healthy adults get an eye exam by the age of 40 to catch any signs of eye disease. 

Added Anderoli, “Lots of eye conditions and diseases can be treated when caught early enough, but often begin without any noticeable symptoms.”

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is deploying medical personnel to help address a measles outbreak at a migrant detention center in Illinois.

Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) officials announced Sunday that CDC teams will help screen and vaccinate “new arrivals” to its Pilsen migrant shelter after a second case of measles was discovered at the center.

“Teams from CDPH and healthcare partners including Cook County Health, Rush University Medical Center and the University of Illinois-Chicago have been on site all weekend at the Pilsen shelter screening all residents for symptoms and vaccination status, and administering vaccines as needed,” the CDPH said in a statement.

“A team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also coming to Chicago to assist with the response,” the statement added.

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City officials are urging residents to make sure everyone in their household is vaccinated against measles, and are instituting a 21-day quarantine for migrants after receiving the shot.

“The majority of Chicagoans are vaccinated against measles and therefore are not at high risk but we are strongly urging those who aren’t vaccinated to do so as soon as possible, new arrivals and all Chicagoans. It is by far the best protection against measles, which for the first time in years is in our city,” said Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Olusimbo Ige. 

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Recently arrived migrants sit on cots and the floor of a makeshift shelter operated by the city at O’Hare International Airport on Aug. 31, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

She continued, “Because of how contagious measles is, I anticipate seeing more cases. Should you be exposed to someone who has measles, if you are not vaccinated you need to immediately quarantine and call a health provider. If you are not sure of your vaccination status, stay home and call your health provider as soon as possible.”

The Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) is providing meals for those required to stay in the shelter for quarantine.

A total of five cases have thus far been reported in the Chicago area.

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A group of migrants receives food outside a migrant landing zone during a winter storm in Chicago. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)

Medical teams have not yet been able to establish a link connecting the cases.

Teens should be getting between eight and 10 hours of sleep every night, experts say — yet a vast majority of them are falling short.

The 2024 Sleep in America Poll from the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), which is headquartered in Washington, D.C., found that 80% of teens don’t get enough sleep — and the typical teen scored a failing grade of “F” in terms of practicing healthy sleep behaviors.

Teens also reported that when they get insufficient sleep, their mental and emotional health suffers.

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The poll compiled sleep data from a variety of indexes and questionnaires conducted by NSF, as well as the PHQ-9 (patient health questionnaire) to gauge teens’ depressive symptoms.

Here’s a deeper dive into the issue.

Why are teens so sleep-deprived?

Teens face many challenges in getting a healthy amount of sleep, according to Dr. Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD, vice president of research and scientific affairs at NSF, who was one of the researchers working on the study.

“Those [challenges] include school schedules and demands, extracurricular activities, social commitments, employment responsibilities and the constant lure of electronic content, to name a few,” he told Fox News Digital.

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School demands and activities are one of the biggest sleep blockers, the poll found.

Teens are nearly half as likely to get the recommended eight to 10 hours of sleep on school nights compared to weekends, and they are more than three times as likely to be dissatisfied with the amount of sleep they get on school nights compared to weekends.

Link between sleep and mental health

There is a two-way connection between sleep health and mental health, Dzierzewski noted.

“Poor sleep health can lead to depressive symptoms, and depressive symptoms can lead to poor sleep health,” he said.

Teens are nearly half as likely to get the recommended eight to 10 hours of sleep on school nights compared to weekends, a new study found. (iStock)

Teens who don’t get the recommended amount of sleep on school nights, who have difficulty falling or staying asleep, or who are dissatisfied with their sleep have higher levels of depressive symptoms, the poll found.

Dr. Zaid Fadul, the Arizona-based medical director at Better U, an online mental health provider, said he’s struck by the “clear connection” between sleep health and mental well-being in teenagers, which he said he’s observed in his own practice.

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“It’s deeply concerning that such a significant portion of teens are not getting the sleep they need, which undoubtedly impacts their academic performance, emotional health and overall quality of life,” Fadul, who was not involved in the NSF findings, told Fox News Digital.

Lack of sleep can contribute to feelings of sadness, hopelessness and disinterest in activities once enjoyed, the doctor noted.

It can also affect concentration, decision-making, and memory, leading to decreased academic performance and increased stress.

Teens should prioritize slumber with a consistent, relaxing wind-down routine while keeping a regular sleep schedule, an expert said. (iStock)

Mood swings often come with poor sleep, Fadul said, as teens may experience more irritability, short temper and emotional volatility.

“Studies have also shown a link between sleep problems and suicidal ideation among adolescents,” Fadul warned.

Tips for teens to improve sleep

The NSF recommends six small steps that can have a big impact on nighttime sleep. 

During the day, teens should get some bright light, especially in the morning. 

They should also exercise regularly and eat meals at consistent times daily, Dzierzewski said. 

During the evening, teens should avoid caffeine and heavy meals before bedtime.

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They should also prioritize sleep with a consistent, relaxing wind-down routine while keeping a regular sleep schedule, Dzierzewski said.

In addition, teenagers should put devices away before bed and sleep in dark, quiet and cool spaces, according to the NSF’s guidance.

Families, schools and entire communities all play a part in supporting the sleep health of young people, Fadul noted.

Teens who don’t get the recommended amount of sleep on school nights, who have difficulty falling or staying asleep, or who are dissatisfied with their sleep have higher levels of depressive symptoms, new research found.  (iStock)

“In my view, parents must be proactive in creating environments conducive to good sleep and in establishing routines that encourage healthier sleep habits, such as reducing screen time before bed,” he said. 

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“Moreover, I firmly believe that schools and community programs must align to promote better sleep practices among teenagers, potentially revisiting policies like school start times to better accommodate teens’ biological clocks.”

If sleep problems persist, an expert recommends speaking with a health care provider to explore possible underlying causes and treatment options. (iStock)

Sleep should be prioritized in the public health agenda, Fadul said.

“Health care professionals, educators and policymakers must unite to elevate sleep’s priority,” he said. 

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“As both a clinician and a parent, I see the urgent need to rethink our approach to teen sleep health, ensuring that it’s treated as the foundational aspect of mental well-being that it truly is.”

If sleep problems persist, Fadul recommends speaking with a health care provider to explore possible underlying causes and treatment options.

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