Before sleeping, forbidden to use the smartphone

Insomnia and sleep disorders have increased among the youngest

   40% of adolescents have incorrect sleep habits, such as using technological devices before sleep, something that can cause insomnia or sleep disorders, according to research conducted by the University Hospital Araba de Vitoria.

In fact, between 10% and 20% of adolescents suffer some type of disorder related to rest, percentages that experts have not hesitated to relate to the use of new technologies.

   "The tablets and other electronic technological devices generate a blue light that stimulates the brain to access a part of it that regulates alerts," said the head of research at the University Hospital Araba, Vitoria, Joaquín Durán-Cantolla, who has explained that "the brain provokes the same type of alerts as those that are triggered when a scare is received, they are very primary alarms and that blue light derived from the use of smartphones and tablets before sleep multiplies sleep problems since it inhibits secretion of melatonin. "

Therefore, it is necessary for parents to lead by example: If children and adolescents see their parents using this technology at bedtime, they do not intuit the inconvenience. In addition, it is necessary that parents know the risks that their children run when they go to bed, since most think that when children close the door of their room to go to sleep are protected, and that is not entirely true , since the inadequate use of technologies is also a big problem.

Diseases related to sleep

"All messaging systems, calls, light, sounds and alarms have to be deactivated, since sleeping with the phone could keep us in an unconscious state of alert, leaving our brain waiting for a message," said Duran. .

There are almost 90 diseases related to sleep. Sleep disorders not only influence the long-term health of people who suffer from them, but also cause problems on a daily basis, such as falling asleep during the day or significant difficulties in maintaining attention.

"When our circadian rhythms are destabilized, the risk increases for all types of ailments, including heart attacks, obesity, diabetes and various types of cancer." These examples are mostly related to long-term nocturnal changes, or serious disturbances of the sleep, but any interruption of the circadian rhythm can cause problems.The lack of sleep has also been related to problems of mood, anxiety and depression, and an increased risk of accidents, "said the specialist.