Sleep disorders have become a major health concern, as stress, irregular lifestyles and electronic gadgets hamper more Koreans from getting enough shut-eye.

According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of patients with sleep disorders surged 60 percent from 384,910 in 2008 to 616,619 last year.

The number of insomniacs increased across all age groups, except for those aged 19 and under, it added. Sleep disorders include insomnia, sleep apnea, sleep deprivation and excessive sleep.

The portion of patients in their 20s and 30s showed significant growth, despite the fact that people usually start to develop sleep problems as they get older. The number of patients in their 30s was 71,327, in 2012, up from 48,655 in 2008. The number of patients in their 20s also increased from 33,080 in 2008 to 41,152 last year.

A sharp increase in the number of young people having sleep problems may indicate that they are under constant stress at work and from searching the job market, the state-run insurance review agency said.

Doctors say it is important to expose oneself to sunlight during the day because it helps the body produce melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-waking cycle.

“There are many young people with sleep disorders because they are stressed out with their own problems at work or with looking for a job. Getting more sunlight helps to have quality sleep at night as it produces melatonin more when compared with people stuck in the office all day long,” said Han Jin-kyu, a doctor at Seoul Sleep Center.

With high temperatures and humidity continuing into the night during summer, the doctor advised taking a light shower to cool the body temperature before sleep.

“People usually have trouble with sleeping during sweltering summer nights because the summer heat constantly stimulates one’s nervous system to make the body adjust to the hot temperature. So, it is important to lower the body temperature by taking a cool shower,” he said.

The frequent use of smartphones and computers can also cause sleep disorders.

“People with sleep trouble must turn off electronic devices before going to bed because light from the screens can cause the body to suppress melatonin,” the doctor said.

Sleep disorders can lead to other serious conditions such as obesity, diabetes and heart diseases, according to doctors. Rather than taking sleeping pills, people with sleep trouble should start stretching and getting enough rest before going to bed. Milk and bananas also help, as well as avoiding loud music or television, they said.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)