Many people take it very lightly that the sleeping cycle is not that important for overall health, but it affects various aspects of health. While you sleep at night, your body supports you both mentally and physically by repairing tissues, storing memories, and regulating hormones. A robust immune system relies on adequate sleep to fortify the body's defenses against diseases and infections. Not only that, but if you get sufficient sleep each night, it helps a lot in improving your cognitive performance and mental stability, which naturally leads to an increase in focus, productivity, and emotional resilience.

Conversely, prolonged lack of sleep is linked to a higher risk of developing illnesses such as depression, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Pushkar A. Shikarkhane, a consulting physician at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, emphasized the importance of sleep for overall well-being.

According to Dr. Pushkar, although sleep is one of the basic needs of living beings, humans are grossly neglecting it in current times, especially due to advancements in science, the availability of artificial light, and over-ambitiousness and greed. Screen addiction is becoming a serious issue, and problems like mosquito menace and irregular municipal water supply disturb the sleep of many. Sleeping for 7 to 9 hours at a stretch every night during physiological hours (around 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) is crucial for good health.

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What Are The Problems That Can Happen Due To Insufficient Sleep?

Insufficient sleep can lead to various health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, fatty liver leading to cirrhosis, acidity (GERD), increased accident proneness, dementia, Parkinson's disease, infertility, PCOD, obesity, addictions (tobacco, alcohol), anxiety, depression, erectile dysfunction, frozen shoulder, allergies, hair loss, and glaucoma. Poor sleep also increases the risk of infections, including COVID-19.

Do You Know That Sleep Apnea Is A Growing Matter Of Concern For People Of All Age Groups?

Dr. Pushkar highlighted that sleep apnea is a growing concern for people of all age groups. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), characterized by choking of the throat during sleep causing breath blockage multiple times, leads to poor quality sleep due to a drop in blood oxygen level. Symptoms of OSA include excessive sleepiness, snoring, choking during sleep, frequent urination at night, unrefreshing sleep, morning headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and a lack of concentration. OSA can begin in childhood due to structural defects in the jaw bones, nasal passages, or tonsils, manifesting as attention deficit disorders, poor academic performance, and obesity.

Prolonged sleep increases the risk of developing illnesses like depression, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.(Image Credit:Canva)

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Can Be Diagnosed

OSA can be diagnosed through a sleep study, a simple and non-invasive test conducted at home for one night. Dr. Pushkar suggested that individuals with symptoms or related diseases should undergo a sleep test.

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What Are The Preventive Measures And Treatments For Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Preventive measures and treatments for OSA include early diagnosis in childhood and appropriate interventions such as 'Airway orthodontic' treatment or tonsillectomy. In adults, weight reduction, myofunctional exercises, yoga, pranayama, using a positive airway pressure machine (CPAP), using a mandibular advancement device while sleeping, and ensuring 7 to 9 hours of sleep are recommended. Dr. Pushkar also emphasized the importance of having an early dinner and avoiding screens (TV and mobile) for at least an hour before bedtime.