Afternoon drowsiness, the test is coming that will discover it in two minutes: who risks more

Eyelids drooping. The brain that struggles to stay connected in meetings. Attention that drops rapidly. Chronobiology says more or less between 2pm and 4pm brain performance tends to reduceafter reaching the top (we are talking about population averages obviously) during the morning. But for some people, recovery after lunch, no matter how light it is, becomes a real challenge.

So what? At that time you struggle to stay focusedbut you often risk losing concentration anyway. And maybe you stick to the water bottle, in the office, to try to hydrate and give yourself a wake-up call. For those who suffer from insomnia, an increasingly 24-hour illness and not just the night-time hours, this is a sign that it is necessary to take stock with the doctor. Also because excessive daytime sleepiness can become a real threat to well-beingespecially if you are driving. As reported by research published in Brain Research, perhaps in the near future it will be enough a simple test to find out what you are suffering from. And to take appropriate countermeasures.

Custom markers

Those who suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness may recognize the contours of their condition in just two minutes. As? Thanks to a targeted testdeveloped by scholars at the University of South Australia which could integrate the classic procedure of the Multiple Wakefulness Test (MWT), which requires a whole day.

The exam is carried out through electrodes that detect the traces of the electroencephalogram, measuring the electrical activity of the brain. Based on this data, e using specific markersa hypothesis of identifying daytime sleepiness could be easier and quicker. The test is based on the use of new EEG markers linked to biological processes. And according to researchers it could even predict whether a person is safe enough to drive, use machinery or even have the mental capacity to take an exam.

In short, the hypothesis of a rapid objective evaluation is gaining ground to understand who, perhaps without knowing it, experiences insomnia (quantitative or qualitative) which then leaves after-effects for 24 hours. The new test aims to track neuronal excitability, corresponding to sleep-wake processes of the brain. The test, once it becomes routine, could offer practical benefits for the management of sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea or other disorders in which individuals experience interrupted sleep but may not perceive of being sleepless, which also impacts safety in the workplace, where detecting and managing drowsiness could prevent accidents in the septum.

How much insomnia weighs on the person and the economy

The impact of insomnia is often underestimated. In fact, it can be a distressing condition capable of have a significant impact on quality of life of the patient, compromising work, study, social life and relationships. In fact, those who deal with insomnia are three times more likely to feel down or depressed, compared to people with a normal sleep pattern.
Not only that: the chances of experiencing reduced energy and low motivation to engage in physical exercise or participate in social activities double. Plus it’s easier feeling irritable and misunderstoodwith possible repercussions on relationships in private and working life.
Finally, on the work front, the risk of being is tripled not very concentrated during the day compared to those who sleep well.
The economic impact of insomnia is also very significant as it is one of the main causes of absenteeism and of reduction in productivity at work. Poor management of insomnia is associated with an increased risk of traffic accidents, falls and workplace injuries.

In Europe, the total annual burden of insomnia according to recent data is around approx 50 billion euros. Please note: however, this data refers only to direct costs, such as costs for drugs and psychotherapeutic treatment. Indirect costs due to absenteeismreduction in productivity at work and an increase in injuries and the risk of road accidents.

What happens to the person

Insomnia is associated with a compromise in the quality of life of the individual affected by it. In several studies insomniacs reported a decrease in quality of life. The perception of general health of patients diagnosed with chronic insomnia is compromised by this condition and even of worse quality when compared with that reported by “good sleeper” patients and patients with other chronic diseases. In short, there is a correlation between chronic/primary insomnia and perception of physical pain. Sleep disturbances are a reliable indicator of possible new pain episodes as well as a flare-up of the same chronic pain.
Due to an underestimation of the problem, some patients may tend to “normalize” insomnia, which can prevent them from seeking help in the early stages of the sleep disorder as well as a general sense of helplessness and disengagement of the patient in managing the problem. problem.

A Swedish study highlights a significant correlation between insomnia and an unhealthy lifestyle in agreement with other previous studies that had explored the correlation between primary insomnia, low physical activity and alcohol abuse. A meta-analysis revealed significant impairments in some attentional, episodic and working memory functions and in some domains of executive functions.
Further studies have investigated the relationship between insomnia and depression: while sleep disturbance is the most evident symptom in depressed patients and in the past was considered a secondary manifestation of depression, today, many longitudinal studies have identified insomnia as an independent risk factor for the development of emergent depression or recurring among young, middle-aged, and older adults. This bidirectional association between sleep disorders and depression has created a new perspective according to which chronic sleep disorders are no longer an epiphenomenon of depression, but a prodromal symptom of the latter.

How widespread is insomnia globally and in Italy? At what age does it appear?

Insomnia is a very prevalent disorder in the general population, with marked peaks in relation to advanced age and female gender. The illustrated data outline a picture of high but highly variable prevalence which does not depend so much on differences between different countries but rather on the criterion used to define insomnia disorder. Since these are studies carried out mostly without standardized diagnoses, but with self-reported instruments of the participants in the investigations, the prevalence percentages reflect the more or less strict criteria for the clinical definition of the disorder.

First of all, we must distinguish the prevalence of acute insomnia and chronic insomnia which refer to different percentages. It defines itself acute insomnia one with a duration of less than three months and “chronic insomnia” that lasting more than three months up to a lifetime. For the short-term form, the range in various epidemiological studies fluctuates up to 30% of the population, meaning individuals who have suffered from insomnia at least once in their lives; the range of chronic insomnia which is a real pathology, varies from 10% to 15%. These percentages are in any case indicative, because they are strictly linked to the methods with which the epidemiological data were collected.
Compared to the rest of the world, Italy does not present a substantial difference, we are around 10%-15% for chronic insomnia, therefore from 6 to 9 million individualsfrom 1 Italian in 10 to approximately 1 Italian in 7.

Insomnia may occur at any agetaking it for granted that there are different forms from that of childhood to that of adults, there are groups in which however it becomes more prevalent as in the elderly, in women and during menopause. We can say that insomnia is an ageless disorder and that childhood insomnia has characteristics that are partly different from those of adults. There is no profile of the insomniac patient, or at least not yet because a completely validated phenotyping of insomnia has not yet been identified, i.e. no convincing standard profile or profiles have currently been identified. At the moment, a distinction is made between patients with primary insomnia and patients with secondary insomnia. We also distinguish patients with initial insomnia (such as difficulty falling asleep), maintenance insomnia (for example with high sleep fragmentation) and early awakening, although some patients may present all three of these forms at the same time.

How does insomnia arise and how to deal with it?

The clinical picture must be discussed with the doctor. It is certainly useful to remember that different factors can influence the picture:

  • genetic (specific genes associated with the development of insomnia have been identified)
  • physiological (high level of activation of the autonomic nervous system)
  • of personality (tendency towards perfectionism, cognitive style marked by ruminations…).

Obviously, female gender and advanced age must be added to these risk factors. THEsleep hygieneHowever, for everyone and especially for those who suffer from nocturnal insomnia and daytime disturbances, it is essential. When we talk about sleep hygiene we mean thatset of healthy behaviors that must be adopted to promote good sleep and prevent any sleep disorders that may arise throughout life. Sleep rules are one of the strategies to also approach insomnia and prevent sleep disorders in normal dormitories. First things first All stimulating substances should be avoided before going to bed (coffee, tea, foods that contain caffeine, energizers, drugs such as sympathomimetics, nicotine, etc.) and alcohol should be avoided which depresses and worsens normal respiratory functions during sleep.
Try as much as possible to maintain a certain regularity in the times of falling asleep and waking up, we are circadian animals, let’s always remember this. Excessive intake of food and liquids in the evening is not recommended; Snacks after dinner are also not recommended. Physical activity should be absolutely avoided in the evening hours as it is stimulating. Try to avoid work and stressful activities in the evening and at night, as well as The use of computers, tablets and smartphones should be avoidedtelevision and video games which have a double negative effect: they postpone falling asleep, on the one hand; on the other hand, these devices suppress the spontaneous secretion of melatonin which is closely linked to darkness.