SLEEP AND IT'S IMPORTANCE

 TODAY ( March 19th) is world sleep day. So  thought  of writing about sleep. Sleep is very important to maintain a good quality of life  and for our mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. Work productivity and cognitive performance will be affected if sleep is affected. 

WHAT HAPPENS DURING SLEEP? 

Sleep onset leads to hypoventilation and decrease in metabolic rate along with loss of voluntary and emotional control of breathing . We have a cycle of light and deep sleep.  During Deep sleep there will be a stage  in which brain is well rested and refreshed  and REM ( rapid eye movement) sleep  ,during that time brain is active . 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SLEEP IS DEPRIVED ? 

SUDDEN  sleep deprivation leads to  impaired  psychomotor, cognitive and executive function. There will be hormonal changes also. Sleep deprivation for a longer period, leads to increase in insulin resistance, leading to risk of developing diabetes, high cholesterol, leading to ailment  of the heart and other serious side effects. 

CAUSES OF DECREASED SLEEP 

Emotional stress, work shift, obesity and various sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep related breathing disorders which can lead on to excessive day time sleepiness especially those who snore or have obesity, diabetes and kidney problems. 

WHAT IS INSOMNIA ? 

It is difficulty in initiation of sleep or waking up early or difficulty in sleeping which leads to fatigue, concentration problem and affect intellectual performance. 

SLEEP  DISORDERS CAN BE  DUE TO VARIOUS CAUSES. DETAILED HISTORY HAS TO BE TAKEN  TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE  AND TREAT ACCORDINGLY , BE IT BEHAVIORAL AND  OR DRUG THERAPY.