Sleeping well eliminates toxins from the brain, says the IMSS

As part of personal well-being, getting enough sleep should be a regular activity because not doing so can affect your health. Here are the details:

When addressing sleep-related problems, the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) recommends that its beneficiaries establish fixed bedtimes and wake-up times, exercise regularly, and avoid consuming energy drinks .

Dr. Onelia Heredia Hernández, a psychiatrist assigned to the Mental Health and Addictions Coordination, noted that adequate sleep is a process through which the body renews, repairs, and revitalizes itself .

He indicated that during sleep, the body has the opportunity to eliminate toxins from the brain, rebuild the immune system, and store memories, so not getting that rest can lead to conditions such as obesity and cardiovascular disease .

He noted that there are factors that can prevent good sleep, including medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's. In addition to predisposing factors such as prolonged use of mobile devices, financial worries, school worries, and work worries, among others .

He explained that in addition to conservative treatment, which includes sleep hygiene measures such as maintaining regular sleep and wake-up times, even on weekends and holidays, as well as physical activity, Social Security also provides tiered services across the three levels of care .

In Family Medicine Units, he commented, major sleep problems are identified, and the family doctor assesses the need for non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment . If the patient does not respond adequately to both treatments, they are referred to an outpatient psychiatric clinic.

Dr. Heredia Hernandez stated that some symptoms that indicate sleep problems are a feeling of tiredness during the day, fatigue, lack of concentration, changes in mood or increased impulsiveness and decreased reaction capacity .

The psychiatrist assigned to the Mental Health and Addictions Coordination of Social Security expressed that restorative sleep is the process where we rest and recharge our energy .

He noted that sleep needs vary at each stage of life . For example, newborns and children up to age 5 need an average of 12 to 13 hours; adults require an average of 9 hours; and older adults, between 7 and 8 hours of sleep .

In 2023 alone, Social Security provided more than 6,390 consultations for sleep problems in its medical units at all three levels of care across the country.

With information from the IMSS

* * * Stay up to date with the news, join our WhatsApp channel * * *

OA