New addiction identified among UAE residents
Some 49% of people in the United Arab Emirates have a fear of switching off their smartphones when travelling (FOSO, The fear of switching off), according to a Priority Pass survey.
Meanwhile, 58 per cent of respondents indicated that they find it difficult to distract themselves from their smartphone screen when travelling, with the figure standing at 61 per cent among millennials. Thus, the researchers concluded that FOSO is real.
The survey showed that 74% of those surveyed in the UAE believe that getting rid of this fear would benefit them. Medical experts believe that people experience anxiety not only because of the disconnection of smartphones, but also because travelling disrupts their routine.
Combating FOSO, doctors believe, requires awareness, mindfulness and adopting healthy habits. Among other things, medical professionals advise drawing a line between work and personal life, devoting more time to hobbies and personal relationships, meditating and doing breathing practices.
It is also advised to take regular breaks from using digital devices and social media, and instead devote time to reading, exercise or relaxing in nature.
Earlier, medical professionals in the UAE called for more attention to be paid to the study of a rare condition called narcolepsy. It is a sleep disorder in which a person suddenly falls asleep at inappropriate times.
Narcolepsy affects 50 out of every 100,000 people in the world, but there are no statistics on the incidence in the UAE. Doctors, however, suggest that the prevalence of narcolepsy is 30-50 cases per 100,000 population.
Symptoms of the disease include daytime sleepiness, nightmares, hallucinations, sleep paralysis and cataplexy – temporary muscle weakness (up to two minutes) with preservation of consciousness.
There is currently no therapy for narcolepsy, but doctors often use antidepressants and stimulants to relieve symptoms. In addition, it helps to maintain a healthy lifestyle – proper nutrition and sports.
If you do not pay attention to this disease, it can lead to tragic consequences. For example, patients with narcolepsy are more likely to be involved in car accidents, and a safe descent down a long flight of stairs can become dangerous due to loss of muscle activity.
Source: Khaleej Times
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