المملكة: On the Day of World Sleeping, sleep disturbances are related to chronic diseases

The Ministry of Health emphasized that sleep disorders may be an indication of the presence of some chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases, which highlights the importance of sleep quality care to maintain public health.

The effect of sleep disturbances on health

During the blessed month of Ramadan, individuals face major changes in their daily habits, the most prominent of which is the effect of fasting on sleep due to the different dates of food and acts of worship, which is reflected in the quality of sleep and the extent of the person feeling comfortable and active during the day.
In this context, the sleeping specialist, Dr. Mishni Al -Saeed, explained, on the occasion of the World Sleep Day, that the delay of sleep due to Tarawih and Suhoor prayer leads to reducing the total number of hours of sleep, which negatively affects focus and mood, in addition to physical and mental performance.
He also pointed out that the change in dates of eating and fluids may lead to sleep disturbances such as insomnia or frequent waking at night, as a result of feeling thirsty or full after the suhoor meal.
He added that the change in the secretion of the hormone melatonin, which is caused by delaying sleep, affects the quality of sleep and leads to a feeling of fatigue and exhaustion during the day.

Techniques and instructions for improving sleep quality

Dr. Al -Saeed pointed out that modern technological developments contributed to improving the quality of sleep, especially during the periods in which daily customs such as Ramadan change.
Among these technologies are sleep rhythm organs, such as light therapy lamps, which help reset the biological clock by controlling exposure to light, as well as wearable devices that monitor sleep patterns and provide recommendations to improve it.
These developments also include smart, artificial intelligence applications, which offer relaxation programs and breathing exercises that help to reach deep sleep, as well as drugs that stimulate melatonin, which can contribute to sleep regulation, but should be used under medical supervision to avoid any unwanted side effects.

In the context of achieving a healthy balance between worship and sleep during the holy month, Dr. Al -Saeed provided a set of guidelines that contribute to improving the quality of sleep and reducing insomnia and fatigue.
He stressed that adhering to a fixed sleep schedule as much as possible helps reduce sleep disturbances, as sleeping and waking up at close times daily contributes to controlling the biological clock for the body.
It is also recommended to avoid exposure to blue light before bed, by reducing the use of smartphones and TV screens, due to its negative impact on the secretion of natural melatonin.

The role of nutrition in improving sleep

As for the nutritional point of view, Dr. Al -Saeed stressed the importance of choosing snacks and balanced in suhoor, and avoiding fatty or heavy foods that may negatively affect the quality of sleep.
He also stressed the role of naps in compensating for the lack of night sleep, indicating that a short nap ranging from 20 to 30 minutes in the afternoon helps reduce the feeling of exhaustion and improve mental performance, while sleeping for two hours in the afternoon may help compensate for the lack of sleep at night.

He also advised to practice light exercises after breakfast, such as walking, to enhance sleep quality and help relax. Dr. Al -Saeed concluded his speech by emphasizing the importance of listening to the needs of the body and organizing daily habits in a way that ensures comfort and the maximum benefit from the holy month, indicating that Ramadan can be an opportunity to enhance health and activity instead of being a source of stress and fatigue.
He stressed that awareness of the importance of sleep and its quality is positively reflected on the health of individuals and their daily performance during the holy month.