Getty
A study published in 2018 in Healthcare found that a survey of nearly 20,000 individuals reported that nearly 27.3% of individuals reported having some form of sleep disorder. Another more recent one study indicates that almost 33% of adults reported insufficient sleep and short sleep cycles. With growing economies, increasing labor needs and increasing wage challenges, insufficient sleep has become a global phenomenon. In fact, many experts attribute this growing trend toward increasing stress levels as part of a visionary cycle: “The relationship between stress and sleep is thought to be bidirectional – that is, stress can disrupt sleep and sleep loss can increase subsequent stress levels.”
Research has also overwhelmingly indicated that a lack of sleep can lead to a host of health harms, including chronic diseases, worsening mental health, and even behavioral disorders.
People are increasingly realizing this problem; With increasingly busy lives, more screen time and poorer sleep hygiene, people are increasingly relying on supplements, such as melatonin, to help them sleep more.
A new one study published by the American Heart Association late last year found a link between long-term melatonin use and heart failure. Specifically, the study reviewed data from more than 130,000 adults who used melatonin for needs related to insomnia or sleep disorders. This showed that they were more likely to be diagnosed with heart failure, leading to hospital admission. While not necessarily a causality finding, the study calls for more research and awareness about the common and routine use of melatonin by millions of people every day.
Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the body to help regulate the sleep-wake cycle; typically, levels increase during darkness and decrease during daylight, reflecting natural human circadian rhythms. The hormone binds to MT1 and MT2 receptors, activating a variety of downstream physiological processes to produce fatigue, drowsiness and a general ‘resting state’.
For years, synthetic melatonin preparations have been available to consumers without a prescription and are commonly marketed as a sleep aid or as a solution for circiadian disorders. However, because the substance is considered a supplement and not a drug, manufacturers’ formulations often bypass strict regulatory controls. In Europe and countries in Asia, melatonin cannot even be obtained without a doctor’s prescription due to the significant consequences it can have with long-term use.
Another one study Published last year in the World Journal of Pediatrics, it found that the long-term effects of melatonin on children are simply unknown, despite skyrocketing use in pediatric populations worldwide. The study also cites that there are no clear efficacy or safety data that would strongly suggest downstream physiological and pathological effects. Despite a lack of clear data on safety and prognostic findings, melatonin use in young children is common, underscoring the need for more research in age-specific cohorts. According to a recent literature reviewit was found that “the use of melatonin as a sleep aid for children under 6 years of age has increased around the world over the past 20 years, and especially over the past decade. In countries where melatonin requires a prescription, these prescriptions have increased by as much as 500% in some areas. Furthermore, the studies have shown an increase in the long-term use of melatonin, with young children receiving new medications two and three years after the first prescription.”
Fortunately, over the past decade there has been increased awareness and education about non-drug interventions to improve sleep for both children and adults. More and more wellness clinics are springing up around the world to help achieve better sleep routines and practices for patients. New wearbles and activity trackers are incorporating sleep monitoring into their hardware. Even new phone applications are designed solely to help users sleep. There is also more research and discussion surrounding this topic. Experts broadly encourage improvement sleep hygiene with simple but important changes including maintaining a consistent schedule, a darker environment during sleeping hours, less screen time prior to bed, and consistent daytime habits that promote more regular circadian rhythms, including caffeine restriction and exercise. Through these methods, we hope that societal outcomes for sleep effectiveness can improve.
#Insufficient #sleep #growing #crisis