’40 million Nigerians experience sleep disorders’

Some of the main functions of sleep, according to experts, are to restore metabolic
balance, permit the recovery from muscular fatigue and to aid in neutral re-organisation.
Sleeping is also done to refresh oneself. A good night sleep allows one to be awake and alert the next day.
Adequate sleep promotes good posture and better performance at work. Sleep appears necessary for our nervous system to work properly.
However, too little sleep leads to drowsiness and inability to concentrate the next day.
Obviously, the speed and stress of modern life confronts man with problems, most of which he is prepared for.
This leaves him too alert at bedtime, to develop difficulty or
inability falling asleep.
The legs and arms are moved restlessly in search of the ‘right position’.
What then are the factors responsible for sleep disturbance, and its effects on human body?
A psychologist, Dr. Nelson Aderemi Oyewo, attributed some factors causing sleep disturbances to “being conditioned to non-sleep behaviours at bedtime, and bedroom itself, having a lot on mind when going to bed which keeps one alert and awake; as well as being psychologically over-aroused when going to bed as such thought may be related to specific life problems such as finance, marriage and other social
challenges”.
According to him, an estimated 40 million Nigerians experience some type of sleep disorders, but 95 per cent go undiagnosed and untreated simply because they do not realise they have a problem, or they think that nothing can be done for them.
Oyewo noted that many people that feel tired during the day and yawn throughout the evening only go to bed to lie awake for long periods, or to keep dozing and rolling from side to side having chronic difficulty falling asleep.
Oyewo stated that lying awake for 40 minutes during the night seems like an eternity, as one never remembers falling asleep because the time of sleeping seems to pass in a flash.
“Trying hard to sleep is too tiring because a lot of muscles are
involved; hence a lot of energy is put into the effort to go to sleep. Sleeping with other people can be very strange when one has been used to a small bedroom, and a particular person.’’
He pointed out that short time insomnia can be linked to events and factors that are often temporary such as adjustments sleep disorder, jet lag, working the night shift or long shifts, side effects of medication, overuse of caffeine and alcohol, environmental
noise and wearing of too tight clothing.
Oyewo, former Dean, School of Education, Emmanuel Alayande College
of Education, Oyo, posited that since the discovery that medications
are effective only on a short time basis, the chronic use and rapid
withdrawal from drug use produces a worsening situation.
He added that the body develops tolerance and dependency
necessitating the use of higher dosage to produce the same effect,
stressing that alternative method of treatments has been sought for
the various disorders of sleep.
On recommendations for having good sleep, Oyewo advised that the
bedroom should not only be warm and not stuffy, but used for sleep and
sex only, and not for reading and watching television.
“There should be straightening and tightening of sheets and the
re-arrangement of pillows. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants
especially, late in the day. A warm, light, and nourishing drink could
be taken. Many people found that warm milk increases sleep, as it
contains sedative”.
The Counseling psychologist also urged people not to over focus on
falling asleep by watching the clock, saying that “if you don’t fall
asleep fairly quickly, get out of bed, and do not return until you are
feeling drowsy”.
As for students in tertiary institutions, Oyewo called on
administrators of tertiary institutions to provide additional places
of residence for students, stressing that those sleeping at present in
lecture rooms and in shared rooms, should be given adequate
accommodation.
“Specialists in the helping professions such as Doctors, Nurses, Counsellors should plan seminars, workshops, and write ups especially,
during orientation weeks that will make the public to be aware of the
various disturbances of sleep and their effects. This can make the
undergraduates seek for help early enough when they have sleeping
problems”.
While calling on governments at all levels to restrict or ban the
sale of certain drugs to reduce the possibility of drug abuse, the
expert said counselors should be willing to assist the students in
resolving their conflicts as regards worry, depression, carryovers,
family pressures and financial handicaps.
Oyewo further asserted, “admissions into our institutions should be
based on the availability of hostels and lecture rooms. Undergraduate
students should not spend all their lives in isolation, but should
socialize with members of the family, colleagues, friends and also
pursue hobbies. This will provide opportunity to talk over unhappy
memories and experience with a friend, relative, counselor or
religious leaders”.