The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) affirm, after analysis of multiple epidemiological surveillance surveys, that sleep disorders must be considered a public health epidemic.
They consider that the quality of sleep and its duration are real factors of good health or risks. Sleep deficiency can be responsible for car accidents, industrial disasters, metabolic disorders, and heart problems. In addition, people who lack sleep have a higher risk of developing chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, the diabetes, depression, obesity and cancer. They also experience increased mortality.
The lack of sleep is widespread
The first study carried out by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) reveals that out of 74,571 adults, 35.3% slept less than 7 hours a day, 48.0% declared that they snored, and 37.9% declared that they fell asleep involuntarily during the day. 4.7% even claim to have fallen asleep at the wheel at least once during the previous month.
Drowsiness, a daily danger
People who lack sleep cannot perform certain daily tasks… Lack or poor quality of sleep affects the ability to concentrate, memory, driving or even moving by public transport, managing the budget of the home, and even professional abilities. A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine claims that 20% of car accidents in the United States are caused by drowsiness. A heavy toll of 1,550 deaths and 40,000 non-fatal injuries each year.
Recommendations for quality sleep
The National Sleep Foundation suggests that children ages 5 to 10 sleep 10 to 11 hours a day, teens (10 to 17) 8.5 to 9.5 hours, and adults 7 to 9 hours.
A few rules for better sleep
It is important to have “sleep habits” by going to bed at the same time every night and getting up at the same time every morning. It is recommended to have a light dinner, to avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol before bed and not to doze in front of a screen.