Sleep disorder gives rise to several diseases, say doctors
A common problem in today’s world is sleep deprivation or insomnia, which leads to irritation, anger and fatigue as also a loss of mind’s attention span. All these could result in health complications such as digestive problem, diabetes, obesity and the PCOD problem.
Experts say excessive attention to television programmes is one reason for insomnia. People keep watching programmes till midnight. Sleep timings have been disrupted also due to the newer forms of work culture. The strong influence of gadgets has pushed people to stay awake for longer periods at night. The coronavirus pandemic has changed people’s normal sleep patterns. Those staying back at home tend to sleep during day time, which means a disturbance to the normal sleep pattern. This would also make them stay awake for much of the night.
Experts say sleep for seven to eight hour is a must. Sleep restores physical energy, repairs the damaged tissues and rejuvenates the mind. ‘Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise’, so goes the adage.”
Ravindra Kapadia, director of the Gandhi Gyam Mandir Yoga Kendra, has been giving admissions to BPO employees, IT professionals and housewives for yoga classes to help them have normal sleep. Says he, “Yoga and meditation will help heal sleep problems. Sleep deprivation will lead to many physical and psychological problems.”
One must go to bed two hours before midnight. The two hours until midnight will cleanse our body toxins and make sure we have complete sleep before sunrise. That is the mantra for a healthy body and sound mind that brings more fortune and peace to your life.”
Dr Anita Rego, mental health professional, said, “The standard suggestion is that you set your rhythm with the Sun. This pattern has been disrupted by newer forms of work cultures based on western timings, gadgets and new streams of television programmes. These have encouraged people to sleep late at night. In the Covid-19 situation, most of us slept late, woke up late and many were sleeping in the afternoon hours. This caused sleep disturbances.”
“Those who lack proper sleep will get irritated, angry, they have lack concentration and fatigue. Stress at work or strains in family relationships also affect one’s sleep schedule. When people have mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, mood disorders and psychosis, sleep is affected.”
In chronic cases, this causes dementia, confusion, the restless-leg syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, sleep apnea, parasomnia and sleep attacks during day time. Professionals must do medical evaluations via polysomnography, multiple sleep latency test and electroencephalogram.
Treatment can be medical, therapeutic, or psychopathy. People benefit from simple relaxation exercises such as yoga, meditation etc followed by sleep hygiene.
Dr Daljeet Kaur, consultant psychiatrist, said anxiety can lead to sleep problems. Even addiction to recreation drugs and sleeping medication as also alcoholism ultimately affects the sleep cycle.
Sleep hygiene is important. When we go to bed, avoid using gadgets and switch off television programmes. Bed is strictly meant for sleep. Avoid tea or coffee after 7 pm. Taking a hot shower before going to bed will relax one’s body.
If some thought leads you to anxiety, try to think of pleasant moments. It’s better to think about positive things or meditate and slowly slip into sleep. If the above technics do not work, consult a psychiatrist or mental health practitioner, say doctors.