World sleep awareness month: Why is sleep so important?

by Argus News

New Delhi, March 15: Sleep is an important part of our daily routine -- we spend about one-third of our lives sleeping. Quality sleep -- and getting enough of it at the right times -- is as essential to survival as food and water, says Sibasish Dey, Head, Medical Affairs, Asia and Latin America, ResMed.

Writes the sleep expert:

Globally, studies have shown that sleep along with other benefits, helps in improving our learning and problem solving skills. Whereas sleep deficiency on the other hand alters neuro-cognitive process, and we may experience symptoms such as irritability, poor decision making, low problem-solving skills, depression, loss of memory, among others. Thus, this world sleep awareness month, let's take a pledge to relook at our sleep schedules, maintain a healthy circadian rhythm and also increase conversations around the need for a healthy sleep hygiene as we cannot achieve optimal health without taking care of our sleep.

Why are we sleep deprived?

Barriers to a good sleep cycle may include a hectic lifestyle, long erratic working hours, and sleep disorders. Also, habits such as too much screen time, lack of physical activity, consumption of caffeine before bedtime and low exposure to sunlight may disrupt our sleep cycle. Underlying, sleep disorders are also causative of poor sleep. Insomnia is a widely known disorder, but obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is a form of sleep disordered breathing is also a common sleep disorder. OSA is caused due to momentary stopping of breath due to muscle relaxation of neck muscles while sleeping and can lead to repeated micro-awakening during sleep -- thus disrupting sleep. Statistics have shown that around 28 million people suffer from sleep apnea in India, 80 per cent of whom are undiagnosed.

What are the consequences of a disordered sleep cycle?

The cumulative effects of a long period of sleep loss and sleep disorders have been linked to deleterious health consequences, including an impact on our cognitive functions, cardio-metabolic diseases, obesity, impaired immunity, etc. OSA impairs glucose metabolism and promotes weight gain, which puts us at the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Individuals with OSA are at a higher risk of stroke and irregular heart beats. Hence, quite often OSA management goes hand-in-hand along with cardio-vascular medications in individuals who have had a history of cardiac disease.

Few studies have also linked impaired sleep with the risk of cancer. A research at Stanford university has confirmed that sleep deprivation alters the balance of two hormones, cortisol, and melatonin. Cortisol helps in the regulation of immune system activity whereas melatonin helps to fight tumour growth and promote DNA repair, leading to cancer protective effects.

Sleep disorders have also been linked road traffic accidents and major industrial accidents globally.

How can we sleep better?

It is important to be in sync with our body's natural sleep -- wake cycle. We must set aside 8 hours for regular sleep and try to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Exercise, exposure to sunlight are important to get good sleep. Pre-sleep activities such taking a warm bath and meditation also helps us sleep well.

In case of symptoms such as morning headaches, excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, breathing pauses during sleep, unexplained fatigue, it is important to seek help of a sleep specialist. With the advent of digital technologies, sleep diagnosis is easily accessible in our bedrooms. One such test is OneSleepTest, which is one of its kind, safe, accurate, simple, and comprehensive home sleep test-kit being distributed by ResMed in India. Battling sleep issues with easy remedies and treatments is the first step we can take to manage the global problem of sleep deficiency. Sleep therapies can help in bringing us closer to living life to the fullest.

(IANS)

PM Modi To Participate In Event To Mark 20 Years Of Vibrant Gujarat Summit Today

by Utkalika Mohanty

Gandhinagar, September 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join the programme to mark 20 years of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit on Wednesday.

Taking to X, PM Modi said “Marking two decades of fostering business, innovation and growth! At 10 AM, will be joining the programme to mark 20 years of the @VibrantGujaratSummit, which is a testament to Gujarat’s unwavering commitment to economic development. Over the years, the Summits have brought together key stakeholders across sectors, furthered growth and most importantly, created opportunities for several youngsters of Gujarat.”

Vibrant Gujarat's official Twitter handle on X posted “Vibrant Gujarat was initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi (the then Chief Minister of Gujarat) in 2003 with a vision of achieving the inclusive and holistic development of the state. In the last 20 years, Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit has become the foremost choice for investors, not only from India but from all over the world.”

“Today, with the relentless efforts of Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Gujarat is recognized as one of India's most vibrant states due to its pro-business policies, robust industrial base, and investment-friendly environment,” Vibrant Gujarat posted on X.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also inaugurate development projects to the tune of Rs 5,206 crores at Chhota Udepur in Gujarat including village Wi-Fi facilities in 22 districts on Wednesday.

The Gujarat government, in a statement on Monday, said PM Modi will visit Gujarat on September 27 and inaugurate projects worth Rs 4,505 crore under the Mission Schools of Excellence.

“During his visit, he will inaugurate and dedicate various development projects worth Rs 5,206 crore in Chhota Udepur district.

Under the Mission Schools of Excellence project, development works worth Rs 4,505 crore will be inaugurated and dedicated by the Prime Minister,” the statement read.

A new Navodaya Vidyalaya built at a cost of Rs 23 crore in Dahod and an FM Radio Studio built at a cost of Rs 10 crore will also be inaugurated.

PM Modi will also inaugurate village Wi-Fi facilities that will benefit 20 lakh beneficiaries in 7,500 villages across 22 districts.

“Development projects worth Rs 277 crore under the Roads and Buildings Department, Rs 251 crore under the Urban Development Department, and Rs 80 crore under the Water Supply Department will also be inaugurated and dedicated,” the statement added.

(ANI)

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Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan Celebrate Their Twin Boys Uyir, Ulag’s First Birthday

by Utkalika Mohanty

Bhubaneswar, Sep 27: ‘Jawan’ actor Nayanthara and her husband Vignesh Shivan on Tuesday celebrated their twins Uyir, Ulag’s first birthday.

Taking to Instagram, Vignesh shared a string of pictures of their kids and captioned it, “En Mugam Konda .. En Uyir En Gunam Konda … En Ulag (Waited for a long time to post these lines and our pics together my lovely boys) Happy birthday my dear Sons Uyir RudroNeel & Ulag Daiwik @nayanthara Appa and Amma love U2 beyond what words could explain! Beyond anything and everything in this life! Thank You 2 for coming into our lives and making it soo happy! U have brought in all the positivity and blessings, this 1 full year has been filled with moments to cherish for a lifetime! Love you 2! You are our world & our blessed life.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CxqewRtS_xX/?img_index=2

In the pictures, Uyir and Ulag can be seen in matching black and white outfits.

In one of the pics, Nayanthara and Vingesh can be seen along with their kids.

Soon after they dropped the pictures, fans flooded the comment section with red heart emoticons and sweet birthday wishes for the kids.

“Omggggggggg how cute love you,” a user wrote.

Another user wrote, “how beautiful are the boys and this family.”

A fan wrote, “Happy birthday God bless.”

Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan married in Chennai on June 9, 2022. It was an intimate wedding with only their close friends and select guests, including Shah Rukh Khan, AR Rahman, Suriya, and Rajinikanth, in attendance.

Also Read: Viral Online Teacher Khan Sir Invites Big B For ‘Litti Chokha’ In Patna

Last year the couple welcomed their sons via surrogacy. The news was shared by Vignesh on his Instagram handle where he shared pictures of his twin newborns named Uyir and Ulagam. In the images, the duo was seen kissing the feet of their babies.

He captioned the post by writing, "Nayan and Me have become Amma and Appa. We are blessed with Twin Baby Boys. All Our prayers, our ancestors' blessings combined with all the good manifestations made, have come 2gethr in the form Of 2 blessed babies for us. Need all ur blessings for our Uyir and Ulagam. Life looks brighter and more beautiful. God is double great."

Meanwhile, on the work front, Nayanthara is basking in the success of her film 'Jawan', which also stars Shah Rukh Khan.

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Locals Lodge Plaint Against DJ, Puja Committees For Loud Music During 'Visarjan' In Odisha Village

by Sabyasachi Kundu

Kendrapara, Sept 27: Locals of Brahmapur and Purusottampur villages in Garadpur gram panchayat in Kendrapara district filed a written complaint against DJ owners and puja committees for playing loud music during 'visarjan' (immersion) in the village.

According to information, as many as 15 children and elderly persons have fallen ill due to the high-decibel sound produced by the DJ units. They alleged that one Pramod Kumar Kar (55) of Purusottampur village suffered a cardiac attack due to loud music.

Soon he was rushed to Patkura Community Health Centre (CHC) and after primary treatment, he was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. The villages also alleged that loud DJ music also affected newborn babies in the villages. Many of them were hospitalised.

"We have filed a complaint at Patkura police station against the puja committee members and four DJ units for causing illness to the people. We also demand compensation for victims," said a villager.

The noteworthy, high-decibel sound produced by the DJ unit may lead one to suffer a heart attack. Sound over 120 decibels can be fatal for human beings.