March 21st is World Sleep Day, let's pay attention to everyone's sleep. Research shows that many adults have sleep disorders, such as difficulty falling asleep, poor sleep, and insufficient sleep. If sleep problems are severe, they may directly lead to various diseases including cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders. At the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, the number of patients with sleep disorders treated here continues to increase. In 2024, the hospital's three departments of psychiatry, respiratory and critical care medicine, and neurology opened sleep clinics, sleep wards, or sleep disorder clinics, treating nearly 160000 patients with sleep problems. Zhou Xinyu, Chief Physician of the Department of Psychiatry at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University: We have about 54 beds, which are in high demand all year round, or it can be said that one bed is hard to find. Our department has approximately 130000 outpatient visits per year, of which 80% of patients have varying degrees of sleep problems. Ms. Liu, who is 61 years old this year, only sleeps for two or three hours a day, and long-term sleep deprivation has seriously affected her quality of life. Ms. Liu, a sleep disorder patient, experienced palpitations, chest tightness, wheezing while walking, wheezing when walking a little faster, and fever. It is reported that the causes of sleep disorders are complex, with high academic or work pressure, excessive obesity, and other factors being the main causes of sleep disorders. An 11 year old patient, due to thick neck fat and enlarged tonsils, experiences over 100 episodes of breathing pauses per hour during nighttime sleep, as well as severe symptoms of drowsiness. Patient's mother Ms. Wang: Since the first and second classes in the morning, he has been very tired. For example, during an exam, he has to lie down and sleep for two or three times before he can persist, always in a drowsy state. According to doctors, regardless of the cause of sleep disorders, they should be given sufficient attention. Sleep problems can not only affect people's work and life status the next day, but over time, they can also lead to various diseases. Zhou Xinyu, Chief Physician of the Department of Psychiatry at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University: I always have trouble sleeping well, don't sleep enough, feel tired, lack energy, and sometimes have emotional problems such as not being happy. These may be some of the emotional and sleep problems we are talking about. At this time, it is important to seek medical attention in a timely manner and receive guidance from doctors to do some psychological and medication assisted treatment. Snoring does not equate to deep sleep! Experts reveal sleep misconceptions. Experts explain that sleep problems are not formed overnight, but rather have a gradually worsening process, especially when some cognitive misconceptions are not given enough attention, ultimately leading to sleep disorders. Let's take a look at several common misconceptions about sleep. Snoring is a common phenomenon. In the eyes of many people, snoring indicates that a person has entered deep sleep. In fact, in the eyes of doctors, snoring is a manifestation of blocked breathing, and in severe cases, it can even lead to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Hu Yida, Deputy Chief Physician of the Neurology Department at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University: During sleep, his airway collapsed, and after collapse, it was equivalent to hypoxia. Peng Xi, Deputy Chief Physician of the Neurology Department at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University: If this situation is not corrected regularly, long-term occurrence of hypoxemia may cause long-term dizziness, decreased attention and memory, and even increase the risk of some cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The doctor explained that if a child snores, it indicates that their breathing is starting to be difficult. At this time, the cause should be identified in a timely manner and appropriate measures should be taken for intervention. Wang Bing, Deputy Chief Physician of the Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck Surgery Department at Chongqing Medical University Affiliated Children's Hospital: This breath holding is a combination of sleep, low ventilation, and pause, which can cause several effects. Firstly, it can lead to repeated hypoxia, which can impose a significant burden on the child's cardiovascular system. Besides snoring, the longer the sleep duration, the better, and more attention should be paid to the quality of sleep. Zhou Xinyu, Chief Physician of the Department of Psychiatry at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University: Sleep has a U-shaped curve. For example, if we sleep for too long, usually more than 9 hours, it can also lead to various physical problems. During the interview, the reporter found that many people are accustomed to playing with their phones at night or lying in bed with the TV on, thinking that watching for too long will cause visual fatigue and make it easier to fall asleep, but they do not realize that this has the opposite effect. Zhou Xinyu, Chief Physician of the Department of Psychiatry at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University: When using electronic products, mobile phones also release a blue light, which reduces the secretion of melatonin hormone and affects our sleep health. If used for a long time, especially at night, it can seriously affect sleep. How to improve sleep by inducing diseases caused by poor sleep? Long term poor sleep not only affects the state, but may also induce various diseases. What should we do to improve our sleep condition? On March 19th, medical staff from the Department of Psychiatry at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University visited an elderly care center located in Bishan District, Chongqing, to conduct health knowledge lectures and free consultations on sleep for the elderly. Experts say that many elderly people have sleep disorders, but being too anxious about sleep problems can actually be detrimental to improving the condition. The chief psychiatrist of the Department of Psychiatry at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University smiled and said, "Actually, sleep problems are controllable, and you can master some popular science knowledge related to sleep. This way, you won't scare yourself and think that if you don't sleep well, there will be big problems. Ensuring adequate sleep is particularly crucial for children and adolescents. Doctors suggest that parents should guide their children to develop good habits in life and study. For adults, experts suggest that while changing bad habits such as drinking coffee, strong tea, using electronic devices, and eating late night snacks before bedtime, one should also alleviate anxiety and maintain a happy mood, in order to effectively reduce the occurrence of sleep difficulties. Peng Xi, Deputy Chief Physician of the Department of Neurology at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University: If it is indeed difficult to fall asleep or the sleep time is relatively short, try not to nap and exercise moderately. In addition, try not to look at or play with your phone before going to bed, and deal with work-related tasks to keep your brain in an excited state. (New Society)