Toledo (EFE).- Chronic insomnia has doubled in Spain in the last twenty years, from 6.4 percent in 1999 to 14 percent in 2019, according to a study by the Spanish Sleep Society (SES).
Around 5.4 million people suffer from this sleep disorder in Spain. It is characterized by the existence of difficulties sleeping at least three days a week and lasts for at least three months.
“Insomnia has a negative effect on quality of life. It is related to medical and mental health problems,” explained Dr. Manuel de Entrambasaguas, lead author of the study.
This is what this neurophysiologist from the Clinical Hospital of Valencia has stated at the SES Congress being held this Friday in Toledo.
Insomnia affects women over 55 more
According to the study, chronic insomnia is higher among women (14.6%) than men (13.4%) and is also higher among adults over 55 years of age (17.9%) than among young people. .
“The higher prevalence in elderly people is attributed to the normal deterioration of sleep due to aging, the presence of chronic diseases and the loss of circadian rhythm synchronizers due to isolation or sedentary lifestyle,” the author has argued.
These data suggest that there are many people with undiagnosed sleep disorders. Therefore, they are not treated or have not been correctly diagnosed.
9.3% take sleeping medication
The results were obtained through a telephone survey carried out with more than 2,000 people of legal age, from which those who worked at night were excluded.
9.3% of respondents took prescription medication to sleep, but the drug treatment was not effective in 25% of cases, while 18% thought they would have no problems sleeping if they did not take that medication, but the I kept drinking.
The recommended initial treatment for any adult with this type of condition is cognitive behavioral therapy. It is the most effective treatment, even in the long term, and without side effects. EFE
