Almost 50 percent of the Turkish population suffers from sleep disorders, Fuat Özgen, the head of Ankara-based Turkish Sleep Medicine Society has said.

"Half of our population suffers from sleep disorders," Özgen told Anadolu Agency (AA) on the sidelines of the 19th National Sleep Medicine Congress in Istanbul.

The five-day congress, participated by some 200 health professionals, will discuss the functions of sleep, breathing and movement-related sleep disorders, oversleeping, insomnia and sleep disorders in children.

"Sleep disorders can lead to impaired functionality, increased physical or mental illnesses or interruptions during treatment," Özgen said. "People who do not get enough sleep may suffer from problems that can affect their whole body. A sleep disorder can increase the risk of all diseases," he said. "Even healthy people can suffer from a number of physical and psychological disorders after a certain period of time." Özgen said, adding that, "People spend one-third of their life in sleep, which refreshes them physically and spiritually while preparing them for the next day.