“Short sleep leads to short life.” The idea that we can cut sleep time in order to devote it to other activities, whether work or leisure, is a very, very dangerous idea.

Our well-being and many aspects of our social life are affected by the lack of adequate sleep, reports the Scientific Group “Study of Sleep Disordered Breathing”, of the Hellenic Pulmonology Society, on the occasion of World Sleep DayMarch 17.

Over the past 50 years, the average sleep duration in the Western world has decreased by about two hours, and a large percentage of people now sleep less than seven hours, which is considered the minimum to avoid health problems from sleep deprivation.

It is emphasized that sleep, along with food, water and breathing are basic needs of our body and long-term deprivation of it is an important risk factor for a wide range of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, dementia and Diabetes.

Insufficient sleep increases appetite, resulting in weight gain. Lack of sleep can lead, among other things, to sleepiness during the day resulting in a decrease in our performance at work or studies and serious traffic accidents.

Good sleep is also necessary for the proper functioning of the immune system. The information necessary for the series of immune reactions is transferred to the body during sleep, reports the Scientific Group “Study of Breathing Disorders in Sleep” of the EPE.

Obstructive sleep apnea

A very common disorder that destroys sleep is obstructive sleep apnea. In some people snoring is accompanied by complete pauses in breathing that last from a few seconds to over a minute (figure attached). During these breaks the snoring stops and resumes more strongly when the person resumes breathing.

These breathing interruptions are called apneas, and if a person experiences several apneas, they are considered to be suffering from sleep apnea syndrome.

The most common symptoms of sleep apnea are chronic snoring with interruptions in breathing (apneas) during sleep, frequent nighttime sleep apnea, morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, and fatigue.

The Scientific Group “Study of Breathing Disorders in Sleep” of the Hellenic Pulmonology Society has prepared the self-completed questionnaire (STOP BANG), a useful tool for doctors, to detect people who are likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.