Insomnia, snoring, apnea: 64% of Argentines suffer from a sleep disorder

We know that a good rest is in the process of repairing. And that adults sleep at least eight hours a day to carry out their activities and stay healthy. In children, sleep is also the engine of growth.

But the truth is that the pace of life has changed, the workday has been extended and people sleep an average of two hours less than 20 years ago. In addition, with the arrival of cell phones, computers, television and the Internet, we further stimulate the brain by exposing us to artificial light until dawn, which which prevents the body from entering the resting phase. The "combo" causes very few people to reach the recommended resting goal. Not only is the number of hours an impossible utopia for many, but the quality of sleep during the hours you sleep also leaves a lot to be desired.

Under the motto "Dream healthy, healthy aging", the World Day of Sleep, created and organized by the World Sleep Society, and commemorated today, seeks to raise awareness of the health and quality of life benefits of good rest.

The pulmonary specialist physician, Eduardo Borsini, is the coordinator of the British Hospital Sleep Unit and ensures that "the quality and quantity of sleep improves the chances of having good physical, cognitive and emotional health. ". "In an adult, it reduces the risks of obesity and hypertension and protects against deterioration of age and diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. It has even been badociated with a reduction in the rate of depression. "

"For many adults, sleeping seven to eight hours can be critical to improving their physical and mental health." Recent research shows that it's important to sleep well for brain health because it eliminates toxins during sleep. potentially harmful to the aging brain that accumulates during the day while we are awake, "said the specialist.

More conscious, but less sleepy

L & # 39; investigation The global pursuit of better sleep health (Global Research for Better Sleep Health), conducted by the KJT Group on behalf of Philips, a global leader in health technologies, surveyed 11,006 adults in 12 countries to capture attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors around dream. The results showed that Although increasingly aware of the effects of sleep on overall health, it remains difficult to achieve good quality sleep around the world..

The annual survey showed that while 77% of adults surveyed acknowledged that the dream had an effect on health, 62% admitted that they only slept "something good". And 44% said their dream had deteriorated over the past five years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems and poor sleep health, which results in sleep deprivation, which has a strong correlation. with depression, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, neurocognitive diseases and even cancer.

The survey collected information from adults in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, in the belt south and the United States. The results showed that most respondents would prefer to consult the Internet with a doctor about sleep. Eight out of ten adults worldwide wish to improve the quality of their sleep, but most (60%) have not asked for help from a health professional.. When confronted with sleep problems, respondents also reported being more likely to turn to online sources to express their concerns about sleep. Even more worrisome, 65% of those who reported having sleep apnea never used sleep apnea therapy to treat their condition, or did not use it. use more.

"These data suggest that while people are becoming aware that sleep is fundamental, achieving a quality dream is always out of reach for most people," acknowledged Mark Aloia, PhD, leader Behavioral Change and Respiratory Care and Sleep Disorders at Philips. "If we want to take sleep seriously and address the social and emotional aspects of a bad sleep, we must begin by demonstrating that we can solve these problems easily and significantly with the support of a clinical science. solid."

The survey also found that 76% of adults in the world had at least one list disease that affected their sleep, with insomnia (37%) and snoring (29%) being the most common. The 2018 survey, which had shown that 26% of cases reported insomnia and 21% of snoring, respectively.

In Argentina, the annual Philips Sleep Survey (2018) revealed that 64% of Argentines admit to suffering from insomnia, snoring, apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy or any other condition leading to sleep disorders. Among the main reasons were concerns about financial or economic problems and the penetration of technology, with 36%.

Beyond these reasons, in Argentina, 54% of adults recognized the considerable impact that sleep and its lack have on their overall health and well-being, even more than exercise, financial security and the subject. of nutrition

When the bad rest gets old
Aging is a complex phenomenon that affects the ability to perform various functions and all human beings age at different rates, but gradually. Good sleep is one of the factors that has a clear implication in this process and there are enough certainties to ensure healthy aging.

Sleep plays an important role in immune function, metabolism, memory, mood and learning. The reason that sleep deprivation is one of the factors that, along with an unbalanced diet, lack of exercise and a genetic predisposition, can increase the chances of getting metabolic diseases, such as being overweight, obesity , type 2 diabetes mellitus, infections and cardiovascular diseases.

There are approximately 80 sleep-related conditions, the most common in the elderly: insomnia, circadian rhythm sleep disorder (type of sleep phase advance), respiratory disorders, restless legs syndrome (SJS) and the periodic disorder of the movement of the extremities (TMPE).

The obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SSAHS) is one of the most common in the elderly. It affects between 4 and 20% of the general population, gradually increasing this percentage after 50 years. It is a pathology characterized by repeated interruptions of breathing (apnea) of more than ten seconds, which in many cases adds two or more hours of insufficient oxygenation during a single night. and this is accompanied by various symptoms or complications. Of the people affected, only one in five is aware of their problem and undergoes rapid, effective treatment in 90% of cases.

Apneas are repeated all night and the lack of oxygenation generates significant psychological, social, occupational, neurological and cardiorespiratory problems. On the other hand, road accidents caused by drowsiness or lack of reaction to driving are also a common complication that compromises the lives of these patients and their families as well as society in its together.

"The main symptom of patients with obstructive sleep apnea is chronic fatigue of the day, accompanied by an intense sleepiness during the day, a situation that many patients can not explain to be convinced of. have enough sleep to be so tired, the reason for this paradox is that the affected person, when she is asleep, is obviously not aware of those breathing pauses that interrupt sleepSo, if you have not heard of this disease, you do not know why you are tired. "The pulmonologist Luis Darío Larrateguy (MP 6015) is the coordinator of the Sleep and Oxygen Section of the Argentine Association of Respiratory Medicine and noted that" another sign badociated with sleep apnea is loud snoring . This snoring occurs at the end of each breath stop (apnea), it is loud and strong, to the point of waking up and frightening the bed-mate or roommate. "

To establish the diagnosis, the person presumably suffering from apnea must sleep one night in a sleep unit or a sleep laboratory, where they will undergo polysomnography. Although in many cases, when the sleep unit has the necessary experience, these patients can be studied at home with simplified equipment.

"This test includes an electroencephalogram, a recording of the movements of the legs and chin, an electrocardiogram, a recording of snoring, a record of breathing through the nose and mouth, another record of the movements of the chest and airways. the abdomen and the rate of oxygenation of the blood, "said the specialist.

Fortunately, there are treatments to treat sleep-related problems and, depending on the severity of the illness, the most appropriate to follow will be chosen, which is in most cases favorable and will allow the patient to enjoy the benefits of sleep. a new quality of life you will finally have a restful sleep and healthy aging.

Keys for a better rest

The Facundo Nogueira pneumonologist, responsible for the hospital's sleep laboratory's clinics, has formulated a series of recommendations aimed at improving the quality and quantity of sleep.

– Give the dream the importance it has. Sleeping is not a waste of time or decreases the ability to do other things. But on the contrary, adequate rest allows us to be sated during the day. Specialists recommend resting between seven and nine hours a day.

– Reduce exposure to screens after 23 since using the cell phone during the hours of rest equals taking a cup of coffee or eating chocolate, two factors that help to delay sleep. Allow the body to know that it's time to sleep and can relax.

– Be neat with food. Dinner should not be the most important meal of the day. Avoid heavy meals at night as they prolong the digestive process at times when we should be sleeping. Respect the four meals of the day.

– Exercise regularly. Two to three times a week, preferably in the morning and in the afternoon. Not during the night, because contrary to what we believe, playing sports at night is counterproductive for the body.

– Siesta. A good nap may be necessary when the person is really tired. They should not be long, it should not exceed 20-30 minutes. Otherwise, the brain is disoriented about metabolic processes.

– Avoid caffeine consumption after 17 years. Beware of chocolate, coffee and cola beverages because they have a strong stimulating effect.

A space for patients and their families
The British Hospital, as a delegate of the World Sleep Society in Argentina, is organizing today open and free workshop from 18 to 20 years old, at its seat.

Designed to highlight the importance of sleep in the quality of life of older people, the workshop aims to help people with respiratory disorders during sleep.

In addition to the workshop organized as part of this celebration, the British Hospital meets every month, the third Thursday of each month, for the benefit of patients, relatives and those interested in the problem. "Dream little school", open and free. Basic management of the most common sleep disorders – Use of specific therapies for sleep apnea.

Registration and consultation: [email protected]