By Bridget Baidoo, Edith Sadick and Esther Botchway
A Consultant Psychiatrist at the Brain Clinic Limited in Accra, Dr. Yao Mfodwo says obesity is likely to contribute to sleep disorders.
According to Dr. Mfodwo, Sleep Apnea is a ”disorder known as whereby a person breathes repeatedly, stops and starts again in the form of snoring loudly repeatedly and still feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep”.
This condition, he said, is found mostly in obese people.
In an interview on the GTV Breakfast Show with Kafui Dey, the Psychiatrist outlined the health benefits of good sleep.
”Sleep is one of the most important fundamentals that every individual needs to maintain good health.”
Dr. Mfodwo maintained that the human body gradually dysfunctions without a good sleep.
”An average between 5 to 8 hours is needed to complete a REM cycle of sleep in order for the body to function properly,” he posited.
Sleeping posture:
He advises that the most beneficial sleeping posture is to lay sideways, and this works really well, especially for pregnant women.
Dr Mfodwo added that good sleep is incumbent on eating less.
”Avoid consumption of heavy foods and alcohol, as these may impede your body’s metabolism from having a good sleep,” he asserts.
”This he said won’t be an issue for lactating mothers, as their newborns will be the reason for their sleep deprivation.”
