1. Snoring is a common problem and not a medical one.

Although snoring may be harmless to most people, it can be a symptom of a sleep disorder that can become dangerous – sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea is characterised by pauses in breathing that prevent air from coming in or going out. Breathing pauses reduce oxygen levels in the blood, can strain the heart and cardiovascular system and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Frequent or regular snoring is directly associated with hypertension. Obesity is another factor that can contribute to sleep apnoea.

Sleep apnoea can be treated. Those who experience shortness of breath during sleep or frequent snoring should consult a specialist for symptom analysis and sleep monitoring with a medical device.

3. Pupils and students who fall asleep in class do not concentrate enough or are lazy

According to sleep experts, teenagers need at least 8-10 hours of sleep each night, compared to an average of seven to nine hours each night for most adults. Also, their internal biological clocks cause them to fall asleep and therefore wake up later.

Thus, we cannot speak of lack of concentration or laziness, but only of a behaviour determined by the biological clock.

4. Insomnia is characterised by difficulty falling asleep

Difficulty falling asleep is one of four symptoms generally associated with insomnia. The others include waking up too early and not being able to fall asleep, frequent awakenings and unrefreshing sleep. Insomnia can be a symptom of a sleep disorder or other medical or psychological/psychiatric problem and can often be treated.

According to the 2002 survey conducted by the National Sleep Foundation of America, 58% of adults in this country reported at least one symptom of insomnia in the past year. When symptoms of insomnia occur several times a week and affect a person’s daytime functions, symptoms should be discussed with a doctor and sleep should be monitored.

5. Daytime sleepiness means insufficient sleep at night

Daytime sleepiness is a condition manifested by an excessive need for sleep at a time when the individual should be alert and fully awake.

The condition, which can occur even after a sufficient night’s sleep of 7-9 hours, may be a symptom of a medical condition or a sleep disorder such as narcolepsy or sleep apnoea, signs that need medical interpretation. Daytime sleepiness can be dangerous in contexts where attention is greatly impaired (driving, crossing, operating machinery, etc.) and can affect mental abilities, emotions and performance.

7. Older people need less sleep

Sleep experts recommend seven to nine hours of sleep for the average adult. Whilesleep patterns change as we age, the amount of sleep needed usually remains constant.

Older people may wake up more frequently during the night and have less deep sleep during the night, but Their need for sleep is no less than in younger adults. Because they can sleep less at night, older people tend to sleep more during the day. As in middle-aged people, a sleep disorder in older people may be a symptom of a medical or mental condition that needs specialist consultation.

9. A warm bath makes for a restful sleep

This is another false belief. Warm baths before sleep increase internal body temperature and thus delay sleep. In order to fall asleep, the body sensibly lowers its temperature through self-regulatory mechanisms.

10. A lost night is made up in two days

One or more nights of insufficient, interrupted or restless sleep negatively affects the body’s balance. Although it can recover in two to three days, the circadian rhythms are actually restored in two to three weeks.