Rare category people sleep only for six hours

Hyderabad: One in two persons experience sleep deprivation. While this often results in disorders such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity, some people who get less than six hours of sleep every night face no such problems.

Researchers say that short sleepers who do not have any health problems do not get their sleep tested. Dr S. Kishore, a senior sleep specialist from the city, said, “The number of such people is very small. They often do not have to visit any clinics or institutions as their circadian rhythms and biological cycles are not affected by the lack of sleep.”

He said researchers had sought individuals from this rare category and found that their moods are upbeat, they are thinner than the average person, and they have a high tolerance for physical and psychological pain.

Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of sleep deprivation has increased from 8 per cent in 1942 to 50 per cent in 2017. This has led to an increase in the incidence of sleep-related disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, strokes and Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr K. Nagalakshmi, a sleep specialist, explained, “Less than six hours of sleep a night affects all aspects of the body, as is seen in a large number of people. This is becoming a major problem because technology has entered the bedroom and it keeps people awake for long.”

She said people should limit the use of gadgets at bed time and get back to maintaining proper sleep habits. Those who are not affected by the lack of sleep have a stronger genetic make-up, but more research is required into this phenomenon, Dr Nagalakshmi said. Experts say that the sleep cycle impacts the life cycle, from birth to death.