Sleep Deprivation - Alarming New Studies
There have been several studies recently that link sleep
deprivation with an increased risk of developing diabetes,
obesity, heart disease and cancer.
That's rather scary when you consider 3.5 million Americans
suffer from insomnia.
With regard to the obesity cases, researchers have found that
even mild sleep deprivation can disrupt the hormones ghrelin and
leptin that regulate appetite. Sleep deprivation may also
increase substances in the blood that indicate increased
inflammation which is associated with diseases like colon
cancer, breast cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
Not all experts agree with the findings, claiming that the link
between health problems and sleep problems could be caused by
other factors. However, most experts agree that further studies
need to be done.
More Bad News
Sleeping difficulties may be a red flag for a serious illness.
In a recent Harvard Medical School study involving 82,000
nurses, they found an increased risk of death among those who
slept less than six hours a night.
What About Pills?
The most popular way to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders
is with sleeping pills. It's a $2.1 billion a year business. The
most common drugs are Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata. Although they
are not as addictive as the barbiturates prescribed in the past
(the kind Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley took), most experts
agree that the new drugs have not been tested enough for
long-term use.
Melatonin is a popular over-the-counter sleep aid, but it is not
regulated or approved by the FDA and there are no reliable
studies that show it works. Something to consider when using
melatonin are the purity levels and correct usage. Most people
take it 30 minutes before bed when they should take it several
hours before bed.
Any Good News?
There is a non-drug therapy that seems to be working for sleep
disorders that are caused by stress, depression, or other
psychological factors. It's called cognitive behavioral therapy
and is showing some promising results. In one study, researchers
found patients got to sleep faster after the therapy than after
taking Ambien.
The treatment includes training patients how to calm their mind
and body and teaching them how their thought patterns can cause
sleeplessness. Other therapy actually restricts the amount of
time you spend in bed. The goal is to get six great hours of
sleep rather than six hours of poor sleep spread over an eight
hour period.
Powerful Sleep
Actually, that's the theory behind the book "Powerful Sleep". If
you can go to sleep quicker, sleep deeper and wake up feeling
refreshed every morning in just 6 or 7 hours, then why would you
want to toss and turn for 8 or 9 hours?
If you have an interest in learning more about how your internal
sleep clock works and what you can do to enjoy a better night's
sleep, click on the link below to get the first two chapters of
"Powerful Sleep".