20% of Thais suffer from insomnia, not enough sleep

Getting enough sleep is important for long-term health & a long life. For World Sleep Day learn more about insomnia that you or your loved ones may suffer from.

HEALTH & SLEEP

20% of Thais suffer from insomnia

23/03/2017
Penchan Charoensuthipan

About 20% of Thais suffer from insomnia.

Insomnia affects body growth, healing ability and raises the chances of developing various diseases later in life, doctors say.

This startling statistic was revealed yesterday as medical experts gathered to mark World Sleep Day.

Insomnia topped a list sleep- related abnormalities, followed by snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is when breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.

This is according to Wachira Phengchan, head the of Public Health Ministry's Department of Health.

MOBILE PHONES, LATE NIGHT TV & STRESS: ALL CAUSES OF INSOMNIA

Insomnia is not restricted to people encountering stress as many believe, the gathering was told.

Watching TV and using smart phones late into the night can be also factors behind difficulty in sleeping.

LACK OF SLEEP: NEGATIVE LONG-TERM EFFECT ON HEALTH

If left untreated, insomnia will affect physical growth as well as intelligence quotient (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ) development in children. 

The bodies of adults who do not get enough sleep are unable to repair deteriorated cells in the body.

"Eating healthy food alone will not be helpful" in supporting body growth and self- healing if people suffer from insomnia, Dr Wachira said.

10PM TO 2AM: BEST SLEEPING TIME 

Sleeping during what Dr Wachira called the "valuable time" from 10pm to 2am is the best period for the brain to take a full rest.

It is also when the body produces growth hormones which is essential in a child's growth and the self-healing process in adults.

HEALTH PROBLEMS FROM LACK OF SLEEP: 7-HOURS ON AVERAGE NEEDED DAILY

Without enough sleep, which should be seven hours a day on average, people are gradually harming their hearts.

In the long term, they are more likely to develop diseases such as heart disease, coronary artery disease, stroke, high blood pressure or diabetes, experts say.

DO I SUFFER FROM INSOMNIA?

People can check whether they have insomnia by observing their sleep.

If they cannot fall asleep within 30 minutes for three consecutive days, they should see a doctor.

This is according to Arunwan Phruethiphan, chairwoman of the Sleep Society of Thailand.

Changes in lifestyles can help people cope with insomnia.

They should not drink coffee or tea two hours before sleep time.

They are also advised to refrain from eating a lot of food and doing heavy exercise before bed.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1219425/doctors-lose-sleep-over-insomnia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insomnia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apnea

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