Khaberni - A specialized German medical association warned of the consequences of lack of sleep, stating that the most notable are weakened immunity, weight gain, and increased risk of diabetes and heart attacks.
The German Society for Sleep Medicine and Research explained that lack of sleep can lead to headaches, poor concentration, continuous feelings of fatigue and exhaustion, and a decline in the ability to exert effort, as well as a decrease in muscle mass and testosterone levels in men. The society added that lack of sleep requires consulting a doctor if one cannot enjoy peaceful and comfortable sleep at least three times weekly over a four-week period, to identify the underlying cause behind sleep difficulties such as restless legs syndrome or sleep apnea syndrome.
To avoid severe health consequences, the society advised getting an adequate amount of sleep ranging between 6 to 8 hours each night, in addition to following a regular waking and sleeping rhythm, i.e., waking up and going to bed at specific times.
The society added: "The bedroom should be a suitable environment for sleeping; it should be dark, quiet, and have an appropriate temperature ranging between 15 and 18 degrees Celsius." The German society concluded its advice by stressing the importance of avoiding exposure to blue light emitted from electronic devices such as smartphones and televisions at least two hours before bedtime, as it reduces the secretion of the sleep hormone "melatonin".
