Sleep disorders - When the night becomes a nightmare 

According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, about 27% of adults worldwide suffer from sleep disorders, with insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep) followed by sleep apnea (breathing pauses during sleep) as the most common sleep disorder. However, the number of unreported cases is likely to be much higher, as there is a fine line between temporary sleep problems and temporary or chronic sleep disorders. Reason enough to take a closer look at the topic of sleep.

Why we should sleep well and, most importantly, sleep enough

Sleep is of vital importance to a person's health and well-being. It is a fundamental biological process that is essential for the smooth functioning of the body and brain. For an adult person, we are talking about at least seven to nine hours of sleep per night. For children between six and twelve, nine to twelve hours are recommended, and for teenagers, eight to ten hours. There are several reasons why sleep is so important:

1. rest and regeneration: sleep allows the body to rest and regenerate. During sleep, tissues are repaired, the immune system strengthens, and energy reserves are replenished. This helps us feel rested and refreshed.

2. memory formation and learning: sleep plays a vital role in memory formation and the learning process. During sleep, newly learned information and skills become solidified in the brain.

3. Cognitive functions: Adequate sleep is critical for cognitive functions, such as attention, concentration, problem solving, and creative thinking. A lack of sleep can lead to decreased mental performance and difficulty concentrating.

4. Physical health: regular and adequate sleep is associated with improved physical health. It helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.

5. emotional well-being: Sleep plays a role in the regulation of emotions. Adequate sleep can help stabilize mood and reduce the risk of mood swings and emotional distress.

6. hormonal regulation: during sleep, various hormones are released and regulated that play a significant role in growth and metabolism, such as growth hormone.

7. immune system: sleep plays a crucial role in strengthening the immune system and fighting infections. During sleep, the body produces proteins that are important for the immune response.

A chronic lack of sleep can lead to various health problems, including fatigue, decreased mental performance, increased risk of accidents, mood disorders, weight gain, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and, of course, a weakened immune system.

There are even some studies that suggest that sleep deprivation or inadequate sleep quality may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. This is because during sleep, the brain goes through a cleansing process. In this process, waste products and harmful substances are removed from the brain. With insufficient sleep or sleep deprivation, this cleansing system can be impaired, which could lead to an accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain.

The causes of sleeping problems

The causes of insomnia can be many and include:

1. stress and anxiety: worry, anxiety, or stressful life events can interfere with falling asleep and staying asleep.

2. Irregular sleep-wake rhythm: Frequent changes in sleep-wake rhythm, such as shift work or jet lag, can lead to sleep problems.

3. environment: too warm, too bright, too stuffy, or noise emissions can negatively affect sleep.

4. Lifestyle factors: Factors such as unhealthy diet, excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, or poor sleep habits can contribute to the development of insomnia.

5. Medical problems: Some medical conditions such as pain, respiratory disorders (e.g., sleep apnea), gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), or mental illness can affect sleep.

What you can do yourself for sleep problems

There are several actions and behaviors that can help prevent and reduce sleep problems. Here are some tips and strategies to improve sleep quality:

1. Maintain a regular sleep schedule: Try to go to bed and get up at the same time each day, even on weekends. A consistent sleep rhythm helps regulate the natural sleep-wake cycle.

2. Optimize sleep environment: Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, cool and well ventilated. A comfortable mattress and pillows can also help promote better sleep. Essential oils such as valerian, lavender, hops, ylang-ylang help promote relaxation. Some plants such as mountain lily, aloe vera, monocot or mountain palm increase humidity.

3. relaxation before bedtime: Develop an evening routine to relax and calm down before you go to bed. This can include reading a book, doing a relaxation exercise, meditating, or taking a warm shower.

4. avoid stimulating substances: reduce or avoid the consumption of caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, especially in the hours before bedtime.

5. regular physical activity: exercise and physical activity can help improve sleep quality. However, avoid intense exercise before bedtime.

6. limiting screen time: avoid using electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets, or computers just before bedtime, as the blue light can interfere with the production of sleep hormones.

7. Worry and stress management: Find ways to manage stress and worry, such as journaling, keeping to-do lists for the next day, relaxation techniques, or talking with friends or family.

8. diet: make sure your meals are not too heavy or too late in the evening, as this can affect digestion and make it harder to fall asleep.

9. sleep-promoting foods and supplements: walnuts, algae, amaranth, vitamin C, vitamin B9 (folic acid), omega 3, magnesium or even taking the sleep hormone melatonin directly for a limited time.

Implementing these tips and developing good sleep hygiene can help improve sleep quality and reduce potential sleep problems. Each person is an individual, so it can be helpful to try different approaches to find out which ones work best for you.

If you continue to have sleep problems despite these measures, it is advisable to consult a doctor or sleep specialist to diagnose a possible sleep disorder and receive appropriate treatment.

We wish you a good and restful sleep!