PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Nainital
With mobile phone use increasingly disrupting sleep, doctors at the BD Pandey District Hospital are urging patients suffering from insomnia, burning eyes and chronic daytime fatigue to put away their devices before bed. A senior physician at the state-run facility, Dr Mahiman Singh Dugtal noted that late-night screen time is heavily impacting children as well. “Remaining glued to mobile screens until late at night robs children of essential sleep, which ultimately harms their concentration, academic performance and daily routines,” he explained.
As per the doctors’ assessment, a majority of people, including children, spend eight to ten hours a day on the screen. They explained that the blue light that emits from mobile screens can affect the secretion of the hormone melatonin in the body. “This hormone plays an important role in preparing the body for sleep and regulating the biological clock. Staring at screens late at night can keep the mind alert, leading to difficulty falling asleep and disrupted sleep-wake cycles,” Dr Dugtal added.
“We must make it a point to stay away from mobile phones an hour before retiring for sleep. Lack of sleep causes lethargy, fatigue, headaches and a lack of concentration throughout the day. Long-term sleep problems can increase the risk of mental stress and depression. Lack of sleep in children can also affect their behavior, studies, and concentration. For better sleep, people should stop using mobile phones at least an hour before bedtime. Mobile phones should be kept away from the bed, and regular bedtimes should be maintained,” he advised.
