World Sleep Day: Why Quality Sleep is Key to Health and How to Improve It?

Around 20-30% of people worldwide have sleep problems, and there are over 50 types of sleep disorders, said Prof. Ivan Staykov – Deputy Chairman of the Neurosomnology Section of the Bulgarian Society of Neurology and Medical Director of Acibadem City Clinic. Prof. Staykov spoke at the opening of the seventh Scientific and Practical Conference, dedicated to World Sleep Day. It is under the motto: "Sleep well, live better." The conference is under the auspices of the Neurosomnology Section of the Bulgarian Society of Neurology.

A huge part of our lives passes in sleep, we sleep about 20-25 years, said Prof. Staykov. Sleep and wakefulness disorders are among the most common problems in everyday life and affect 20 to 30% of the general population. There are over 50 types of sleep disorders, they are very diverse, he explained. According to him, there is no specialty that is entirely dedicated only to sleep medicine, it includes neurology, psychiatry, cardiology, pulmonology, endocrinology, and dental medicine.

Quality sleep can reduce the risk of arterial hypertension, cerebrovascular accidents, age-related cognitive impairments, anxiety, depression and is of the highest priority in our daily lives, also noted Prof. Ivan Staykov.

Stress is one of the main factors causing headaches and sleep disturbances, said Assoc. Prof. Pencho Kolev – Chairman of the Neurosomnology Section of the Bulgarian Society of Neurology. 

Insomnia and sleep apnea are the most common sleep disorders, accompanied by headaches. Insomnia is a frequent symptom in patients with chronic headaches. Treatment of sleep disorders leads to improvement in headaches. Sleep can have a relieving effect on migraines, especially in children, explained Assoc. Prof. Kolev.

People who sleep less often complain of headaches compared to those who sleep longer. There is a reciprocal relationship between headaches and sleep. Despite the established link between headaches and sleep, the exact pathogenetic mechanisms of these interactions have not yet been proven. Good sleep hygiene reduces the frequency of migraine attacks, and treatment of chronic headaches reduces the frequency of sleep disorders, also said Assoc. Prof. Pencho Kolev.

According to a study presented earlier this month, over 60% of Bulgarians report having sleep problems to varying degrees, and one in seven rate their sleep quality as poor.