RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Sleeping poorly may lead to several complications, such as obesity, depression, hypertension, diabetes and anxiety. And according to data from the Brazilian Sleep Association (ABS), lack of sleep is a frequent problem among Brazilians: some 45 percent of the population suffer from some sort of sleep disorder.
According to neurologist and member of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology, Dr. Marcílio Delmondes Gomes, the most common sleep disorders are insomnia and obstructive apnea which, like the other disorders, prevent restorative sleep.
“Sleeping is much more than just dreaming. While we sleep, the body restores itself, balances the production of hormones, strengthens immunity and stabilizes learning,” explains the doctor.
Sleep disorders
Characterized by any change that prevents adequate sleep, sleep disorders, whether from brain or respiratory causes, may occur in any age group. People with such disorders usually start the day poorly, experiencing fatigue, headaches and mood swings. Loss of energy also hinders concentration, increasing the risk of accidents, which compromises the quality of life in general.
“One must be alert to the symptoms and seek help if experiencing difficulties in sleeping. An adult should sleep between seven and nine hours daily, bearing in mind that we shouldn’t sleep too much or too little, just as long as necessary”, cautions the specialist.
How to sleep better
There are several measures that could help increase the quality of sleep. Known as “sleep hygiene”, these actions can be applied at any age and are based on good sleeping habits.
“Sleep disorder prevention is simple and should be done daily: exclude stimulants; avoid dinner and going to bed right away; use the bed only for sleeping; do not expose yourself to bright lights during the night, such as cell phones and computers; do relaxing activities before going to sleep, such as reading; go to bed only when you feel sleepy and prepare the environment to make it as dark and silent as possible”, concludes the neurologist.