Almost one in two people has symptoms of insomnia in its mildest form. given the worsening of this type of disorder, Alianza por el Sueño launched the sleep Observatory to have a global vision of the situation, trends and characteristics of sleep in Spain.
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dream observatory
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Arizona (United States), Year 1987.- A man wiht a telescope observes the stars and the full moon in the Arizona desert. EFE/Frank Zullo
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Arizona (United States), Year 1987.- A man with a telescope observes the stars and the full moon in the arizona desert. EFE/Frank Zullo
As 50% of the population presents symptoms of insomnia and doesn’t sleep well, one of the objectives of the Sleep Observatory is to collect more precise data to investigate the causes. Furthermore, between 6 and 14% of Spaniards suffer from chronic insomnia and we are the country with the highest consumption of benzodiazepines in the world.
In Spain, epidemiological data on sleep disorders in people over 18 years of age show that, in recent years, its prevalence has doubledwhich represents a serious public health problem, according to Alianza por el Sueño.
Given the worsening of sleep health, the Ethics Committee for Drug Research of the General University Hospital of Castellón, where Dr. Carmen Bellido, member of Alianza por el Sueño), is coordinator of the Professional Risk Prevention Service, certified the creation of the first sleep health observatory in Spain.
Consequences of bad sleep
According to the Sleep Alliance, poor sleep makes it worse:
- The daytime functioning of patients
- Cognitive function
- personal relationships
- emotional management
- Decision making
For all these reasons, the media and social debate on this problem is growing, the approach of which requires the creation of a National sleep strategy to mitigate its consequences.
The Sleep Observatory
This easily accessible platform allows health workers can investigate and monitor the Spanish sleep health index. Through a precise map of the insomnia situation in Spain, they will be able to know it impact and evolution over the years and thus promote research on sleep health.
“This data will help understand the global impact of sleep on citizens’ well-being and
They will promote the search for scientific, educational and policy solutions that ensure continuous betterment in the approach to sleep disorders, an important public health problem. we want to offer a complete,accessible and useful vision of the reality of sleep disorders,” says Dr. Carlos Roncero,member of the Sleep Alliance Health Group and president of the Spanish Society of Pathology DUAL (SEPD).
Objectives of the Observatory
The Sleep Observatory seeks to measure sleep disorders and their risk factors and, above all, Psychosocial problems and their impact on health care in Spain.
Another objective is to contribute to the production of supporting evidence fill information or knowledge gaps in insomnia and support the development and timely dissemination of data to fill these gaps.
The Observatory will be enriched as the number of cases collected increases, facilitating the task of the participating centres possibility to download yoru data with graphs get to know their patients better, though only Alianza del Sueño will have access to the data globally.
Likewise, the Observatory and its Scientific Committee can allocate research aid to professionals connected to it.
Him Scientific Committee of Sleep observatory It is made up of doctors Carmen Bellido, Carlos Roncero, Carlos Egea (coordinator of the Health Group of the Sleep Alliance and president of the Spanish Federation of Sleep Medicine Societies), Odile Romero (coordinator of the Health Group of the sleep Alliance) Sleep and coordinator of the Sleep Unit of the
Vall d’Hebron Hospital and member of the Spanish Sleep Society
What are the main causes of insomnia in Spain according to the Sleep Observatory?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Sleep Expert
Editor: Welcome, Dr.Martinez! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the launch of the Sleep Observatory by Alianza por el Sueño. It’s a critical initiative given the alarming statistics on insomnia in Spain. Let’s dive right in! Can you start by sharing what motivated the creation of this observatory?
Dr. Martinez: Thank you for having me. The impetus behind the Sleep Observatory was the growing prevalence of insomnia symptoms in Spain, with nearly 50% of the population affected at a mild level. we need a centralized hub for gathering data and understanding the trends, characteristics, and possible causes of sleep disorders. With this data, we can address these issues more effectively.
Editor: Those figures are indeed concerning. You mentioned that between 6% to 14% of Spaniards suffer from chronic insomnia. What are the implications of such a meaningful portion of the population struggling with sleep?
Dr. Martinez: chronic insomnia can have profound impacts on an individual’s physical and mental health. It can lead to serious conditions like depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular problems. Furthermore, it affects workplace productivity and quality of life. Understanding who is most affected and why will help us provide targeted interventions.
Editor: Speaking of interventions,Spain holds the unfortunate title of having the highest consumption of benzodiazepines in the world. What do you attribute this to, and how does it relate to the sleep issues we’re witnessing?
Dr. Martinez: It’s a complex issue. One of the reasons is that many people turn to medication as a quick fix for their sleep troubles rather than addressing the underlying causes. The easy accessibility of these medications contributes to high consumption rates. Though, we certainly know from research that even though benzodiazepines may help with sleep short-term, they don’t resolve the problem and can lead to dependency and other health risks.
Editor: that raises the question of prevention and education. How does the Sleep Observatory plan to tackle these issues?
Dr. Martinez: One of our key objectives is public education about healthy sleep practices and the importance of sleep hygiene.we’ll also conduct research to identify the specific factors contributing to insomnia—be it lifestyle, stress, or environmental influences. By understanding these dimensions, we can promote healthier sleep habits and encourage people to seek alternatives to medications.
Editor: That sounds promising.With advancements in technology and growing interest in personal health, do you foresee any role for technology in improving sleep patterns among the population?
Dr. Martinez: Absolutely! Technology can be a double-edged sword, but when used wisely, it can aid in better sleep. As an example, sleep-tracking apps allow individuals to monitor their sleep patterns and get insights into their behaviors. However,it’s essential that users aren’t overwhelmed by the data; we need to guide them on how to interpret it meaningfully.
Editor: It’s fascinating to see how comprehensive the observatory’s approach is. What long-term changes do you hope to see in Spain consequently of this initiative?
Dr. Martinez: We hope to foster a cultural shift towards prioritizing sleep. This means improving societal perceptions around sleep disorders and encouraging conversations about them, just as we do with other health issues. Our ultimate goal is to reduce the incidence of insomnia and improve the overall quality of life for individuals in Spain.
Editor: Thank you,Dr. Martinez, for providing such insightful perspectives. The Sleep Observatory is an essential step towards tackling the sleep crisis, and we look forward to seeing its findings and impacts in the coming years.
Dr. Martinez: Thank you for the possibility to share this important work. Together, through awareness and action, we can make a significant difference in people’s lives.
