World Sleep Day 2024: India is facing a sleep health crisis, say experts

India is facing a sleep health crisis that is further soaring diseases affecting the heart and brain said health experts here on World Sleep Day on FridayWorld Sleep Day is celebrated every year on March 15 to raise awareness about the importance of sound sleep for health and wellbeing The theme this year is Sleep Equity for Global HealthSleeping a minimum of seven hours every day is essential for good health if not it can affect your body both physically and mentallyAccording to health experts sleep deprivation is one of the highest in India among global countriesThis was seen in a survey by the social community platform LocalCircles on World Sleep Day which showed that 61 per cent of Indians got less than 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night in the last 12 monthsThe percentage of sleepdeprived Indians has been increasing in the last two years it was 50 per cent in 2022 and 55 per cent in 2023ldquoIn India were facing a sleep health crisis which is further intensified by our alwayson lifestyle and other stressors With one of the highest rates of sleep deprivation globally its critical for us to reevaluate our approach to sleep while recognising its role in preventing noncommunicable diseases and maintaining mental and physical health Dr Prabash Prabhakaran Senior Consultant ndash Neurology Apollo Speciality Hospitals Chennai told IANSDr Gajinder Kumar Goyal Director Cardiology Marengo Asia Hospitals Faridabad told IANS that sleep deprivation can affect heart health by increasing blood pressure and heart rateldquoUsually blood pressure dips by 10 to 20 per cent during the night But with sleep deprivation this does not occur leading to nocturnal hypertension that is linked directly to high incidence of cardiovascular eventsrdquo Dr Gajinder explainedHe noted that sleepdeprived individuals are also more likely to develop diabetes and high cholesterol and indulge in faulty dietary habits So adequate and sound sleep of at least 7 hours is essential to keep our heart healthy the doctor saidldquoSleep quality affected by poor sleep hygiene and overuse of digital devices is also causing significant health effects both physical and mental We cannot ignore sleep which occupies a third of an average personrsquos lifespanrdquo Dr Lancelot Pinto Consultant Pulmonologist and Epidemiologist P D Hinduja Hospital amp MRC Mahim told IANSFurther lack of sleep is also linked to early dementia affecting both short and longterm memory concentration creativity and problemsolving abilities said Dr Satish Nirhale Consultant Neurologist at DPU Super Specialty Hospital PuneIt can also raise mental health problems like irregular mood swings and anxiety and potentially lead to depression he saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever