The Braga Local Health Unit (ULS de Braga) marked, today, World Sleep Day, with the ‘SleepTalks 2.0’ initiative, an event dedicated to promoting sleep health and sharing knowledge and advances in the field of medicine of sleep. The event, which took place in the Braga Hospital Auditorium, brought together experts from various medical areas and other health professionals, to discuss the latest developments, research and clinical approaches related to sleep.
Sleep plays a fundamental role in an individual’s physical and mental well-being. “Lack of adequate sleep can have a significant impact on a person’s daily life, impairing their ability to concentrate and make decisions. It can cause changes in mood, affect memory and the feeling of well-being”, highlighted Ana Luísa Vieira, Pulmonologist at ULS in Braga and researcher at 2CA-Braga. Furthermore, the Sleep Medicine specialist highlighted that untreated sleep disorders can increase the risk of health problems, such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
During the event, several key elements related to the topic of sleep were explained, with the participation of several specialists from the areas of Pulmonology, Pediatrics, Maxillofacial Surgery, Otorhinolaryngology, Neuroradiology, Psychiatry and Psychology from ULS de Braga.
Sleep Medicine
Sleep medicine is a medical area dedicated to the study, diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Users are clinically evaluated and, when necessary, undergo sleep studies for accurate diagnosis. Monitoring includes a multidisciplinary approach, with the involvement of doctors specializing in sleep, such as pulmonologists, neurologists, otorhinolaryngologists, maxillofacial surgeons, pediatricians and psychiatrists, among others. “Treatment may include cognitive-behavioral therapies, medical devices, medications and surgical interventions, depending on the individual situation”, maintains Ana Luísa Vieira.
Sleep disturbances in children
Obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (PROS) is common in children, with hypertrophy of the adenoids and tonsils being one of the main causes. Carla Moreira, a pediatrician dedicated to children’s sleep, reinforces that other predisposing factors include obesity, changes in facial conformity and allergic rhinitis. PROS can have significant consequences on the neurological, cognitive and behavioral development of children, “and can cause language delays, poor school performance, hyperactivity, irritability and behavioral problems”.
Neuroradiology and sleep surgery
Neuroradiology plays an important role in evaluating the anatomical causes of obstructive sleep apnea. Through imaging techniques, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, it is possible to evaluate factors associated with upper airway collapse, which allows for an accurate diagnosis and the planning of targeted therapeutic interventions.
Surgery specialized in the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea aims to cure or improve daytime and nighttime symptoms and the repercussions of the disease, and can also facilitate adaptation to other forms of treatment. The advent of new surgical techniques in Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery (CMF), has significantly improved the results of sleep surgery, making it an effective alternative to treatment with CPAP, the device used during sleep to try to reduce the occurrence of sleep apnea.
Insomnia
Insomnia can be caused by several factors, including stress, anxiety, health problems, changes in sleep routine and inadequate sleeping habits. Treatment of insomnia generally involves identifying and addressing the underlying factors, combined with cognitive-behavioral therapies, lifestyle adjustments and, in some cases, the use of medication, under medical guidance.
According to the recommendations of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, it is recommended that babies up to 3 months of age rest between 14 and 17 hours a day, and babies between 4 and 11 months of age sleep between 12 and 15 hours a day. day. Children between 1 and 2 years old are recommended to sleep between 11 and 14 hours a day, children between 3 and 5 years old should sleep between 10 and 13 hours, and children between 6 and 12 years old should sleep between 9 and 12 hours a day. . During adolescence, it is recommended that a minimum of 9 hours of rest per day be respected. Adults (18-64 years old) should rest around 7 to 9 hours a day and an elderly person, a little less, between 7 and 9 hours a day. The values may vary slightly according to each person’s individual needs, but they serve as a general guide to ensure adequate sleep for each age group.
World Sleep Day is celebrated today around the world, an initiative of the World Sleep Society.
The Braga Local Health Unit promotes, alongside ‘SleepTalks 2.0’, an exhibition that will be on display at the Braga Hospital Agora, until the end of March. The “Enchanted World of Sleep” exhibition is made up of drawings created by children and adolescents monitored at the Pediatrics Service, with phrases that highlight the importance of sleep and its role in well-being and health.
Today, the play “An Adventure in the World of Dreams” is also taking place, promoted by General Training Intern Doctors and Pediatrics Specific Training Intern Doctors, a play that aims to create a magical atmosphere, providing moments of joy and inspiration for hospitalized children.
