A recent survey conducted by Fiocruz revealed an alarming fact: more than 70% of the Brazilian population suffers from sleep-related problems, such as insomnia and sleep apnea. This troubling topic will be the focus of the upcoming episode of “CNN Sinais Vitesse – Interview with Dr. Khalil”, scheduled to be broadcast on CNN Brasil, highlighting the importance of a good night's sleep not only for our well-being, but also for cardiovascular diseases. health.
According to pulmonologist Geraldo Lorenzi Filho, one of the people interviewed for the programme, we are facing a real epidemic of “sleep deficiency”. Lorenzi, together with neurologist Dalva Boyaris, will discuss how disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea, which affect nearly 73 million Brazilians, can have serious consequences on our health.
What are the effects of poor sleep quality?
A poor night's sleep can lead to more than just fatigue the next day. The experts invited by Dr. Roberto Calil warns of the high risk of cardiovascular disease and depression associated with a lack of good sleep. In fact, a good night's sleep is so important that the American Heart Association recently included it among the cornerstones of maintaining a healthy heart.
These details highlight one of the critical points in the discussion about health in the 21st century: the need to value comfort as much as we value productivity and performance in our daily activities.
Good sleep: a luxury or a necessity?
Neurologist Dalva Boyaris confirms that sometimes bad sleep is not synonymous with insomnia. True chronic insomnia is characterized by symptoms that occur at least three times a week for three months. The distinction is important, because we live in an age where stimulus overload, whether due to excessive screen use or information overload, greatly impacts our ability to shut down our minds and rest properly.
Furthermore, Boyaris and Lorenzi Filho criticize the cultural value of sleeping less and “performing” more. This type of mindset may contribute to the overall health problem of insufficient sleep and poor sleep quality.
How to improve sleep quality?
For those looking for a solution, experts offer some important tips. So-called “sleep hygiene” includes practices such as setting regular bedtime and wake-up times, reducing caffeine consumption, exercising regularly and adopting habits that promote relaxation before bed, such as turning off electronic devices. These simple, yet effective measures can make a big difference to the quality of your sleep, and therefore your overall health.
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