Lack Of Sleep Effects Women Hardest
According to some new research that appears in the journal “Sleep” lack of sleep effects women more. So if you’re a woman sleeping less than the recommended 8 hours a night (and who isn’t?), you’re at increased risk of heart trouble .
Experts found that inflammatory markers (indicators of heart disease) changed quite a bit depending on the amount of sleep a woman got - but sleep duration had no impact on these levels in men.
The findings add to a growing body of evidence that suggests how long you sleep plays a part in the health of your heart. Maybe the rest of you too.
The most recent study was a joint effort between researchers at the University College London and the University of Warwick. The work used data from over 4,600 London-based civil servants, 73% male and all between the ages of 35 to 55 years old. Levels of the molecule interleukin-6 (IL-6), believed to set off inflammation, were much lower in women who slept 8 hours a night, as opposed to women who slept only 7 hours the team found
To add a bit of perspective here, the latest Sleep in America™ survey out of the National Sleep Foundation, a non-profit group of researchers, patients and facilities estimates Americans are getting an average 6.7 hours of sleep (it was 7.0 in 2001) on weeknights.
Earlier research on sleeping and health has shown that those who sleep under 5 hours a night are at increased risk of death due to cardiovascular disease compared to subjects who get the full 8 hours a night.
Adding weight to this, the current study found that the level of yet another dangerous molecule linked to heart problems, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), was significantly higher in women who slept 5 hours a night, or less.
University of Warwick’s Dr. Michele Miller concludes, “The results also are consistent with the idea that sleeping seven or eight hours per night appears to be optimal for health.”
If you’re like many of people in this always-on world, you’re not getting the sleep you need.
Long commutes, family obligations, economic worries, not to mention the fascination we all seem to have with 24/7 access to everything has made getting the right amount of sleep harder than ever.
Not only does this rob your body of the rest it needs to recharge (and perhaps stay healthy), but too little sleep makes handling everyday stress that much harder.
What’s more, lack of sleep leaves us with impaired work performance, lackluster thinking skills and questionable judgment.
An estimated 15-20% of auto accidents are caused by one of the participants falling asleep at the wheel.
These avoidable accidents happen when a driver has lost the ability to tell when he or she is sleepy… because being tired is such a normal feeling. You simply don’t recognize how exhausted you truly are.
If you end up cutting sleep, don’t do this forever… catch up when you can.
Your body needs 5-9 hours of sleep every 24 hours, so try and find a way to get this by establishing a healthy sleeping routine.
Go to bed and get up at the same time, even on days off, vacations and holidays. Keep your sleeping space restful, quiet and a comfortable, constant temperature and you’re more likely to get the most out of your sleep.
More work will need to be done to try and understand just why lack of sleep seems to have a greater effect on women.
Hormones may hold a key, especially since research has already uncovered that inflammatory marker levels are different in pre- and post-menopausal women.
Other experts not involved with this study point out that changes in inflammatory markers could be a short term bump as the body tries to cope against sleeplessness. These markers can also be influenced by unusual conditions - like the interaction between researcher and subject.
Until more is known about the lack of sleep effects women may want to take advantage of the excuse to roll over, hit the snooze button and get in a bit more sleep… for your heart and yourself.
By KIRSTEN WHITTAKER, DAILY HEALTH BULLETIN EDITOR
Information that I have come across that I would like to share with you - updated regularly. At the bottom of the page is the source/link of this information
