Five Of The Most-Searched Sleep Questions, Answered

Sleep is one of those things, like wi-fi or anaesthesia, that gets odder the more you think about it. In fact, scientists still don’t know for sure why we spend a third of our lives unable to move or perceive the world around us.

So perhaps it’s no wonder it’s a heavily-searched topic. According to sleep expert Dr Deborah Lee from Doctor Fox, who is working with Comfybedss, millions of us turn to the web every month with questions about everything from REM to magnesium.

Here, she answered five of the most-searched-for questions:

“Sleep apnoea itself won’t exactly ‘kill’ you in a way that illnesses might, although it can lead to serious health problems further down the line,” Dr Lee explained.

“Sleep apnoea, a condition that causes repeated pauses in breathing as you’re sleeping, contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even accidents that can be related to daytime fatigue.”

In very severe cases, “these risks can compound and become fatal, so you’re best getting it checked by a doctor sooner rather than later, especially if you have several of the symptoms that come alongside sleep apnoea.”

Signs include daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, and choking during sleep.

“The good news is that it is treatable, usually with some generic lifestyle changes, CPAP machines or medical interventions.”

Experts advise that deep sleep should make up about a quarter of your sleep. It is the “most physically restorative stage of the sleep cycle… During this stage, your body repairs tissues, builds muscle, strengthens the immune system, and even consolidates memories,” Dr Lee said.

But, she added, “This isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer, and the right answer is dependent on each person. Some people may feel as though they can’t function if they get under eight hours sleep a night, whereas some people may feel as though anything above five hours works perfectly well for them.”

Still, she said, we should aim for at least seven hours’ sleep a night. “The easiest way to know whether you have had enough deep sleep is by waking up refreshed, alert and ready to seize the day.”

“Sleep apnoea is a common sleep disorder where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), happens when the muscles in the throat relax too much, temporarily blocking the airway,” Dr Lee explained.

It can lead you to wake up during the night, even if you don’t notice it.

“Symptoms typically include loud snoring, gasping for breath or choking during sleep, morning headaches, and, as it can lead to reduced time in REM sleep, it can therefore lead to increased daytime sleepiness.”

Speak to your GP if you notice signs of sleep apnoea.

Magnesium does seem to be somewhat effective in helping to regulate our body clock. But while it can “help lower [stress hormone] cortisol levels and also support the production of melatonin,” it’s not a “magic pill,” Dr Lee advised.

“The evidence is fairly mixed on magnesium, and it’ll differ on a case-by-case basis. If you’re struggling to sleep and you’ve not made any lifestyle changes before taking magnesium, i.e, reducing smoking, drinking, sugary drinks, etc., then do this before becoming reliant on magnesium.”

Speak to your GP before starting any magnesium supplements if you have chronic illnesses or take regular medication, she continued.

“REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement, and this type of sleep is the stage of the cycle that is most associated with dreaming. It typically occurs in cycles throughout the night, becoming longer in the early morning hours.

“During REM sleep, brain activity increases to levels similar to when you’re awake, while the body temporarily becomes paralysed to prevent you from acting out dreams.” Dr Lee said.

Most adults spend about 20-25% of their sleep in REM, which is key for emotional regulation, memory consolidation, and learning.

“Disruptions to REM sleep, often caused by stress, alcohol, or poor sleep routines, can leave you feeling mentally foggy and seriously fatigued throughout the day, even if you’ve had a long enough sleep overall.”