Dubai: Sleep is a necessary and often overlooked part of a healthy life. It should be included when considering how to treat diseases.

Dr Firas Hamdan, an ear, nose and throat doctor specializing in sleep disorders, told Gulf News that the busy lifestyle in Dubai has resulted in sleeping problems.

Dr. Hamdan said that some workers here have sleep problems because they have to change their sleeping times; sometimes they sleep during the day so they can work at night.

He added that traffic problems, a lot of work, a busy social life, and noisy construction work at night can also make getting a good night's sleep difficult for many Dubai residents.

Dr Hamdan said doctors should focus more on sleep in helping maintain or improve their patients' health.

"Part of the questioning should always explore whether patients are getting enough sleeping time. But a lot of physicians don't even consider sleep in health problems," he said.

He said that sleep is important to allow the body to fight stress.

He said recent studies have shown the importance of getting a good night's sleep. Those who do not sleep enough increase the risk of heart attacks by three to five times. Another study released in September also found that patients with sleep apnea, a condition in which sufferers stop breathing during sleep, often get  depression.

According to Dr. Hamdan, an adult needs up to 8 hours of sleep. Most adults need an average of seven to eight hours of continuous sleep. The amount of sleep needed lessens with age.

Things to do: 

      * Get to bed at the same time every night.

      * Allow enough sleeping time between bedtime and wake up time.

      * Avoid stimulants, such as caffeine and nicotine, before bedtime.

      * Avoid heavy meals before bedtime.

      * Be in a quiet room.

      * Do something relaxing, such as taking a warm bath, before
      bedtime to improve sleep.