In addition to combating the Covid-19 pandemic, Malaysians now have to cope with a range of sleep disorders as prolonged periods staying indoors and the increased use of electronic gadgets disrupt normal sleep patterns.

Experts from the Sleep Disorder Society Malaysia (SDSM) contend that sleep problems is starting to become a serious health issue for a growing number of Malaysians including children.

Sleep disorders affect people of all ages but SDSM states that it is adolescents who are in their early secondary school years that are most affected as they have been staying at home for many months.

The main reason why people suffer from sleep disorders is because of changes in their circadian rhythm or the body’s internal clock. A major contributing factor to sleep disorders is the excessive use of electronic gadgets and going on to online platforms.

Usually nowadays children have to share the PC with their parents who work from home and other siblings. Online learning becomes a burden in this case and students usually find it difficult to cope with online lessons for long hours.

SDSM experts explain that the use of such gadgets before sleeping at night can stimulate the mind and interfere with a person’s sleep cycle. The light from a cellphone or laptop screen prevents the release of melatonin which is the hormone necessary to sleep.

Sleep deprivation can lead to disrupted body homeostasis which is the self-regulating process by which the human body maintains a stable condition. The lack of proper sleep is the main contributor to mental health issues that more Malaysians are complaining of now.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE