Sleep is essential for both physical and mental well-being, but for many people across the UAE, quality sleep remains elusive. With fast-paced lifestyles, high screen exposure, and changing routines, sleep disorders are becoming increasingly common among adults and children alike.
Of course, the problems associated with sleep can also seep into one's daily routines, creating or worsening anxiety problems, stress, difficulty concentrating, headaches and other issues. In this feature, we explore the most prevalent sleep issues in the UAE, the underlying factors contributing to them, and the range of available solutions, as shared by some of the medical experts in the country.
Common Sleep Disorders In The UAE
According to Dr. Fahmidha Abdul Rahim, Emergency General Practitioner and clinical tutor at Thumbay Hospital, Ajman, "Sleep problems can be triggered by various issues like chronic pain, mental health concerns, or even disruptions in your sleeping environment like your partner snoring". These become disorders when they are prolonged and the underlying medical conditions are left untreated.
Insomnia and sleep apnoea top the list of sleep-related issues affecting people in the UAE, according to some experts. Other conditions like parasomnias and restless leg syndrome are also reported quite often in the country.
Insomnia is the condition where one experiences difficulty falling or staying asleep, which often leads to tiredness, irritability, and reduced daytime functioning. Sleep apnoea involves interruptions in breathing during sleep, which often causes loud snoring and is also linked to being overweight or anatomical issues like enlarged tonsils. Parasomnias are unusual behaviours in sleep like sleepwalking or night terrors. Restless leg syndrome manifests as an overwhelming urge to move one's legs while at rest, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations like itching, crawling or throbbing, and this can also interrupt one's sleep.
Dr. Seejo George, Specialist Otolaryngology (ENT) at Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital, Al Qusais, says, "The most common disorders in both adults and children include insomnia, sleep apnoea, restless legs syndrome, and parasomnias".
Dr. Raiza Hameed, Specialist Pulmonologist at Aster Clinic, Bur Dubai, adds, "Sleep disorders are increasingly seen among students, shift workers and heavy screen users, due to delayed sleep phases and irregular schedules. In paediatric cases, insomnia, restless leg syndrome and parasomnias are the most common".
Dr. Amir Firouzjaei, a Chinese Medicine Practitioner at Wellth, says, "In adults, difficulty falling asleep due to stress and overthinking, and waking up multiple times during the night are the most common in the UAE".
It is also noted that for children adapting to a new environment, like many in the UAE, school-related stress, social challenges, and cultural adjustment often disrupt sleep patterns.
Major Causes Behind Sleep Disorders
The most significant causes behind sleep disorders are a combination of physical and environmental factors. Dr. Raiza Hameed from Aster Clinic says, "Insomnia is caused by a multitude of factors, including stress, anxiety, depression, poor sleep hygiene, shift work, excessive caffeine, alcohol or nicotine intake, medical causes like chronic pain, asthma, GERD, menopause, neurological disorders and some medications like stimulants, corticosteroids, antidepressants and beta-blockers".
"The causes behind restless leg syndrome include iron deficiency, chronic kidney disease, pregnancy, family history, medications like antidepressants, antihistamines, antipsychotics etc.", adds Dr. Raiza Hameed from Aster Clinic.
Apart from these, lifestyle factors play a major role in prolonging sleep disorders. Experts note that increased prevalence of obesity in the UAE due to increased consumption of fast food and sedentary lifestyle along with increased screen time, especially before bedtime, disrupts sleeps and worsens sleep disorders.
Environmental factors like heat and sensitivity to it can also trigger sleep disorders, according to experts. "High temperatures also interfere with sleep quality, often leading to overuse of air conditioning, which doesn't always help", adds Dr. Seejo George from Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital.
"Many expats also experience adjustment-related anxiety, which increases overthinking before bed. People often take their work mindset to bed, without creating a buffer zone for relaxation", suggests Dr. Amir Firouzjaei from Wellth.
Treatment Options And Lifestyle Changes
The good news is that a wide variety of clinically approved treatment options are available across the UAE.
According to Dr. Razia Hameed from Aster Clinic, "Treatment for sleep apnoea includes lifestyle modifications like weight loss, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, positional therapy by encouraging side-sleeping, smoking cessation, exercise, positive airway pressure therapy, oral appliances and devices and surgical correction in certain cases".
Dr. Seejo George from Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital recommends sleep studies for diagnosis and further treatments such as airway pressure machines, which can keep your airways open while you sleep, surgical interventions in some cases, or short-term medication under supervision, for serious cases of sleep apnoea. Dr. Seejo George from Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital also says that cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia helps change the thoughts and behaviours that lead to sleep problems.
There are also non-pharmacological solutions to sleep disorders, according to the experts. Dr. Fahmidha Abdul Rahim from Thumbay Hospital recommends yoga and other kinds of exercises like cardio workouts and resistance training to help reduce anxiety and other conditions that disrupt one's sleep.
According to Dr. Raiza Hameed from Aster Clinic, "Maintaining a good sleep hygiene helps in overcoming sleep disorders to an extent, which includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and nicotine, limiting screen time before bed, avoiding heavy meals close to bedtime, etc. Lifestyle changes like reducing body weight helps in treating sneep apnoea".
"Shift work people should also try to maintain a regular sleep hygiene, practising short naps so that the sleep quality is maintained. Melatonin helps in maintaining consistent sleep cycles but should be taken with a doctors prescription only", adds Dr. Raiza Hameed from Aster Clinic.
Dr. Amir Firouzjaei from Wellth says, "Taking a quick, hot shower, drinking chamomile tea, eating a light and early dinner, listening to calm music, meditating, taking magnesium supplements, and many more lifestyle approaches can be effective for sleep disorders before they become chronic and lead to diseases such as insomnia".
When To Seek Professional Help
Sleep disorders often go undiagnosed, either because people dismiss the symptoms or are unsure when to seek help. So when is it time to consult a sleep specialist?
Dr. Seejo George from Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital suggests consulting a sleep expert if you experience ongoing sleep issues that impact your daily functioning, excessive tiredness, or if someone notices loud snoring or breathing interruptions during your sleep. Sleep studies are also recommended as highly effective in identifying root causes and developing tailored treatment plans.
Dr. Raiza Hameed from Aster Clinic adds that signs like dozing off while driving, mood changes, forgetfulness, or having other health conditions like hypertension or diabetes, warrant medical attention. If you’ve maintained good sleep hygiene and still struggle, don’t hesitate to consult a physician.
Dr. Amir Firouzjaei from Wellth believes that persistent sleep problems lasting more than four weeks, or symptoms like waking up gasping, excessive daytime fatigue, or mood disturbances should prompt a visit to a specialist.
Sleep is the cornerstone of good health, and ignoring its importance can have long-term consequences. Whether caused by stress, medical conditions, or lifestyle choices, sleep disorders are treatable. With a wealth of resources available in the UAE, there's no need to suffer in silence. Recognising the signs early, making small lifestyle adjustments, and seeking timely professional help can put you on the path to restful nights and healthier days.