On March 21, 2025, World Sleep Day, the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences held a press conference named “Sleep Health, the First Choice – China Medical Health Press Conference” in Beijing. Wang Chen, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, emphasized at the meeting that good sleep is not only essential for physical and mental health but also plays an irreplaceable role in growth and development, physical recovery, psychological adjustment, brain function maintenance, and immune function regulation.
The press conference invited three sleep medicine experts – Academician Wang Chen of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Professor Han Fang, Director of the Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Peking University People’s Hospital, and Professor Zhan Shuqin from the Department of Neurology at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University – to jointly discuss the importance of sleep health and its impact on overall well – being.
The Harms of Sleep Breathing Disorders
Sleep disorders have become a prominent global issue affecting human health. Academician Wang Chen pointed out that sleep disorders can be categorized into six major groups and over 90 types of diseases. Among them, sleep breathing disorders and insomnia are the most common. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a prevalent sleep breathing disorder, is mainly characterized by repeated snoring, apnea, and hypopnea during sleep.
This leads to bodily hypoxia and damage to multiple organ functions. Data reveals that one out of every seven adults suffers from this disorder. Professor Han Fang further noted that sleep apnea not only impairs sleep quality but is also closely associated with various health problems. For example, patients often feel sleepy during the day, which can result in fatigued driving and increase the risk of traffic accidents. Additionally, sleep apnea can cause metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and other health issues.
Professor Han Fang especially highlighted that sleep problems among children and teenagers should not be overlooked. Snoring and sleep apnea can affect children’s growth and development and may even lead to changes in the maxillofacial structure. She called on parents and schools to pay close attention to children’s sleep health, intervene as early as possible, and prevent long – term health risks.
Insomnia, An Invisible Health Threat
In her speech, Professor Zhan Shuqin from the Department of Neurology at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, focused on the issue of insomnia. She pointed out that insomnia is one of the most common sleep problems in modern society, accounting for 70% of sleep disorders. In recent years, with the accelerated pace of life and increased mental stress, the problem of insomnia has become more severe. Statistics show that the average sleep time of many adults in China is less than 7 hours. Insomnia has become a significant factor affecting personal health and social productivity.
Professor Zhan Shuqin elaborated on the diagnostic criteria and hazards of insomnia. Insomnia not only causes daytime functional disorders such as drowsiness, fatigue, irritability, and slow response but is also closely related to many chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Moreover, insomnia is an important cause of many mental disorders. Long – term insomnia may increase the risk of psychological problems such as anxiety and depression.
Regarding treatment, Professor Zhan Shuqin emphasized that the treatment of insomnia should first identify the cause and then provide targeted treatment. For example, some insomnia patients are affected by sleep apnea, and their problem is resolved after using a ventilator. In addition, non – pharmaceutical treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, physical therapy (such as light, electricity, sound, or magnetic stimulation), and traditional Chinese medical therapies are all effective intervention methods. In terms of drug treatment, modern medicine offers various options, including benzodiazepines, non – benzodiazepines, melatonin drugs, etc. Patients should use drugs rationally under a doctor’s guidance.
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