90% of residents are sleep-deprived

One in four people suffer from some form of sleep disorder, study finds

Lack of sleep is a serious concern among UAE residents with around 90 per cent of individuals suffering from sleep deprivation, showed research.

Dr Hady Jerdak, Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases and Sleep Medicine at Medcare Hospital stressed the importance of paying close attention to signs of chronic fatigue, as only 46.42 per cent of individuals in the UAE sleep seven hours per night.

“Many people may simply be tired from a long week of demanding tasks to unwind from, but it’s also important to pay attention to such recurring occurrences as daytime headaches, frustration, and lack of concentration,” said Dr Jerdak. Studies also found that one in four people suffer from some form or symptom of sleep disorders.

“Repeated sleep problems can be the body’s way of hinting at something more. Increased stress levels, mood swings, and anxiety are all ways your body might be trying to tell you it’s suffering from a sleep disorder,” said Dr Jerdak.

The opposite is also true, with sleeping problems sometimes leading to anxiety disorders.

Lack of sleep can also weaken the immune system’s defences against viruses, increase the risk for high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, and lead to issues related to heart disease.

During Ramadan, many people remain awake at night and sleep during the day.

“The sudden change of eating habits and timing, from day to night (fasting during daytime and eating at night) are accompanied by some physiological changes in the body,” said Dr Jerdak.

Disrupting the sleep cycle can have some consequences on our health.