President of the Society of Lifestyle Medicine of Nigeria (SOLONg), Dr. Moyosore Makinde has lamented high rate of sleep disorders in the country.

Makinde noted that functioning on a limited amount of sleep should not be equated to strength, courage or productivity, saying such is detrimental to the health.

This was disclosed at SOLONg’s 5th annual conference, tagged: “Healing Africa with Lifestyle Medicine: from Evidence to Action,” in Lagos.

Speaking on ‘Sleep as Medicine: Myth and Medicine’, Makinde described sleep as a cyclical period of rest, which helps to balance one’s circadian rhythm.

According to her 70,000 Americans have been diagnosed with chronic sleep disorders while research revealed that seven out of 10 patients presented at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital in 2017 had sleep disorders.

On her part, a lifestyle medicine physician and entreprenuer, Dr. Chinasa Amadi stressed the need to grow a profitable niche in the practice of lifestyle medicine with emphasis on leveraging the Internet as a tool.

She recommended E-books sale, short educative video clips , consultations among others as effective tools in communicating ideas.

Speaking on lifestyle medicine and sexual health, a physician, Dr Uchenna Anekwuonye, stated that people excuse the urgency of their sexual heath.

She identified healthy eating and rest amongst others to rejuvenate sexual health.

A physiotherapist, Dr Babatunde Ogundunmade, described the concept of graceful aging as optimising physical, social and mental health.

He noted that this would enable older people take an active part in the society without discrimination and enjoy quality life. “A lifetime of regular excercise slows down ageing,” he said.

Highlights of the two day event were award presentations and panel discussions on global lifestyle practices, obesity, and sustainable weight loss, sleep disorders, exercise, rejuvenating sexual health.

Dr.Makinde also presented special recognition plaques to the wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwoolu; Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi and SOLONg BoT Chairman and the President, World Lifestyle Medicine Organisation, Dr Ifeoma Monye.