The importance of sleep

Sleep is essential for our health and well-being. During rest, the body strengthens the immune system, releases hormones such as growth hormone, organizes the information obtained during the day and relaxes the body's muscles.

 

THE RELEVANCE OF SLEEP

When we sleep poorly or very little, the body notices it quickly. A single night of poor sleep can cause the body to react differently the next day. The brain is the first to feel the effects, with the central nervous system becoming dysregulated. 

Neurotransmitters, responsible for physical activity, memory and pleasure, are disrupted, resulting in memory lapses and inattention.

The heart also suffers. Rapid heartbeat and overload are common after nights of insufficient sleep. The immune system is also affected, increasing vulnerability to illnesses such as colds.

 

TRAFFIC-ACCIDENTS

A bad night's sleep can have serious consequences, such as increased irritability and lack of attention, which significantly increases the risk of traffic accidents. In 2004, there were 34,674 traffic deaths in Brazil, with an average of 7,000 deaths per year attributed to drowsy driving.

 TIPS FOR A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

1. Calm down at night: Set a limit of one hour before bed for relaxing activities.

2. Avoid long naps: a nap after lunch is healthy, but should not exceed forty minutes.

3. Reduce brightness: Light disrupts melatonin production. If you wake up at night, keep your eyes closed.

4. Patience when sleeping: If you can't fall asleep within 15 minutes, get up, read a book or listen to soft music, and go back to bed when you feel sleepy.

5. Use the bed only for sleeping: Avoid spending a lot of time lying down without sleeping.

SLEEP APNEA

Sleep apnea is a disorder that affects millions of people and can be fatal. It is characterized by respiratory arrest caused by obstructions in the trachea, being more common in men aged 40 to 50 and aggravated by obesity.

TYPES OF SLEEP APNEA

1. OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA: This is the most common form and occurs when the throat muscles relax during sleep, blocking the airway. This causes multiple sleep interruptions, leading to serious complications.

2. CENTRAL SLEEP APNEA: Less commonly, it happens when the brain does not send adequate signals to the respiratory muscles. This can cause nighttime awakenings with shortness of breath and difficulty staying asleep.

CONSEQUENCES

Sleep apnea causes daytime drowsiness, irritability, headaches and even depression. It can lead to high blood pressure, sexual impotence and an increased risk of heart attack and death due to artery blockage.

 

RISK FACTORS

It mainly affects men over 40 years of age and women after menopause, with obesity being an aggravating factor.

TREATMENT​

Treatment aims to keep the airways clear. It is common to use a CPAP mask that forces air to pass through, with personalized adjustments after polysomnographic studies. In specific cases, surgical treatment may be necessary. Losing weight and avoiding sleeping on your back are additional recommended measures.