Focus

Sleeping problems on the rise

By Yang Wanli (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-21 07:53

Lying on your soft bed, you fall asleep with crickets singing outside your window. Sweet dreams wafting through your mind until the first rays of sunshine caress your face.

That should be a perfect sleep, a sleep that brings happiness and satisfaction - and the sleep that experts say deserves to take up one-third of our lifetime.

Those pleasant dreams, however, are elusive to many Beijingers.

Dr Han Fang, of Peking University People's Hospital, said more than 40 patients visit the hospital's sleep center every day in search of restful sleep.

But many people with sleep problems do not seek medical attention, Han said.

"Insomnia has become a time bomb for lots of people," Han said. "More than 40 percent of Chinese people suffer from sleeping problems, especially in metropolises."

The Science Sleep Society, which conducts research into sleeping problems, released a World Health Organization report that said 27 percent of people have sleeping problems on average.

Chen Yanfang, president of the China Sleep Research Society, said the society's research shows nearly 60 percent of adults in China suffer from insomnia at some point in their lives. Most of them are office workers. Almost 50 percent of people suffering with sleeping difficulties also suffer from mental health problems.

Chen said middle-aged women suffer insomnia in disproportionate numbers.

"Women are sentimental and more susceptible to depression, especially because they are under great stress from work and life," Chen said. "With conflicts at home, having a good sleep is difficult for women."

Sun Fang, a 36-year-old woman who sought medical treatment for insomnia, including prescription drugs and psychological counseling, in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital two months ago, said sleepless nights troubled her deeply before she went to the hospital.

"I was working in a real estate agency for 10 years. And I lost a promotion chance several months ago, which bothered me a lot. I was having three or four sleepless nights every week and the situation lasted more than a month, which almost drove me crazy."

Sun said her temper flared and she couldn't concentrate on her work during that period. Now her life has returned to normal with help from her doctor and her realization about the importance of sleeping.

Insomnia is closely related with physiological distress. The disease typically manifests itself in early awakenings. If the condition lasts more than a week, moods blacken, doctors said.

"Forty percent of people with sleep problems will develop depression. If you cannot sleep at night for more than five days, you'd better see a doctor," said Chen.

"Some patients take sleeping pills without guidance from doctors. It's very dangerous and may actually worsen the condition.

"Depression, can not be cured by good rest, alone," Chen added. "About 80 percent of depressive patients can be cured by medical help."

For most men with sleeping problems, breathing problems, such as snoring, tend to be the most common malady.

Guo Xiheng, director of the sleep and breathing center at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, said about 80 percent of patients at the center have problems with snoring. The center is open half a day twice a week and receives about 30 patients on those days.

"Snoring affects many middle-aged men. If one in six patients for insomnia is men, the proportion will be reversed in terms of snoring," he said. "People seldom think of snoring as a problem, but in some cases, it may be a sign of other problems."

Guo said the snoring, which also affects other family members, might be a sign of high blood pressure or other conditions.

"In severe cases, temporary absence or cessation of breathing may kill you," Guo said.

Treatment for snoring problems depends on the case. Guo said that lifestyle changes such as losing weight or giving up alcohol and smoking can help cure snoring. For some patients, lying on your side may also help.

"Good sleep is a profound skill that we never admit unless we have the problem," said Chen. "But watchfulness can prevent misfortune. A healthy way of living is essential for nice dreams."

Daytime exercise and concentrating on positive things contribute to a good sleep.

"Eating a banana and drinking some milk before going to bed may also be helpful," Chen said.

CHINA DAILY