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On World Sleep Day, health experts are sounding the alarm over India’s escalating sleep health crisis, warning of its profound impact on cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Observed annually on March 15, World Sleep Day serves as a global platform to emphasize the critical role of quality sleep in promoting overall health and well-being, with this year’s theme focusing on “Sleep Equity for Global Health.”
Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, health experts emphasize the importance of prioritizing sufficient sleep, with a minimum of seven hours recommended for optimal health. However, alarming statistics reveal a concerning trend of sleep deprivation across India, underscoring the urgent need for awareness and intervention.
According to findings from a survey conducted by the social community platform LocalCircles, a staggering 61 percent of Indians reported receiving less than six hours of uninterrupted sleep per night over the past year. This disturbing trend reflects a significant increase in sleep deprivation rates, rising from 50 percent in 2022 to 55 percent in 2023.
Dr. Prabash Prabhakaran, Senior Consultant in Neurology at Apollo Specialty Hospitals, Chennai, attributes India’s sleep health crisis to the pervasive influence of an “always-on” lifestyle and mounting stressors. He emphasizes the critical role of adequate sleep in preventing non-communicable diseases and safeguarding mental and physical well-being.
Echoing these concerns, Dr. Gajinder Kumar Goyal, Director of Cardiology at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Faridabad, highlights the adverse effects of sleep deprivation on heart health. Sleep disturbances can elevate blood pressure and heart rate, contributing to nocturnal hypertension and increasing the risk of cardiovascular events, Dr. Goyal explains.
Moreover, inadequate sleep is associated with metabolic dysregulation, heightening the likelihood of diabetes and dyslipidemia, notes Dr. Goyal. He underscores the pivotal role of quality sleep, emphasizing its role in maintaining optimal heart health and overall well-being.
Dr. Lancelot Pinto, Consultant Pulmonologist and Epidemiologist at P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC, Mahim, underscores the broader health implications of poor sleep hygiene and digital device overuse. Stressing that sleep constitutes a fundamental aspect of human health, Dr. Pinto emphasizes the need to address sleep quality to mitigate adverse physical and mental health effects.
Highlighting the link between sleep deprivation and cognitive decline, Dr. Satish Nirhale, Consultant Neurologist at DPU Super Specialty Hospital, Pune, warns of its impact on memory, concentration, and mental health. The prevalence of irregular mood swings, anxiety, and depression underscores the urgent imperative to prioritize adequate sleep for optimal health outcomes.
As India grapples with a burgeoning sleep health crisis, experts underscore the pressing need for concerted efforts to raise awareness, promote healthy sleep habits, and prioritize sleep equity to safeguard public health and well-being.
