Dr. Milena Nikolova, MC MARKOVS: Sleep and Health — Why Lack of Sleep Leads to Illness?
Dr. Milena Nikolova is a sleep medicine specialist with many years of clinical and academic experience.
She works with patients of all ages, combining a scientific approach with practical care for sleep and overall health.
At MC MARKOVS, she advises young parents and children, helping them establish healthy sleep habits and achieve balance within the family.
Sleep is a time of invisible wonders. While our eyes are closed, the brain organizes the day’s impressions and works more actively than when awake, the nervous system recovers, and hormones balance our bodies.
For children, sleep is a driver of growth — supporting learning, memory, development, and maturation. For parents, it is the most powerful weapon against exhaustion and stress.
How can we recognize that lack of sleep is already harming us?
Our bodies often speak more clearly than we realize. Persistent fatigue upon waking, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, a feeling of “brain fog,” frequent irritability, lack of motivation, and sudden mood swings are the first warning signs.
Swollen face, puffiness or discoloration in the lower legs, dry, flaky skin on the elbows and knees, red eyes, and dark circles underneath are also signs that sleep is insufficient. If you notice increased cravings for sweets or caffeine, or if you fall ill often and recover slowly — these are further signals from your body that it is lacking quality rest.
These symptoms may result from insufficient sleep due to caring for children or other aspects of a busy modern lifestyle, which is typically temporary and reversible. However, when a sleep disorder also affects the quantity and quality of sleep, the problem becomes serious and requires professional treatment to prevent long-term health consequences.
And yes, parenthood inevitably brings sleepless nights.
But every opportunity for sleep should be cherished. Take a nap when your baby sleeps. Create small evening calming rituals — a dark room, no screens, minimal noise.
Allow yourself help — from a grandparent, friend, or partner who can take over for a few hours. Sleep is not a luxury. It is the most natural form of prevention we can give ourselves — helping us be not only healthier, but also calmer, more patient, and more present as parents.
Because when both mother and father are rested, the whole family breathes easier.
