All articles tagged with #sleep problems
Magnesium deficiency often develops silently and can cause signs like eye twitching, muscle spasms, headaches, sleep issues, and mood changes. Recognizing these early signs and increasing intake of magnesium-rich foods or supplements under medical guidance can prevent long-term health problems.
Brain fog, characterized by unclear thinking and memory issues, can be caused by various health conditions including sleep problems, hormonal changes during perimenopause, and infections like COVID-19, with underlying causes needing to be identified for effective management.
Brain fog, characterized by unclear thinking and slow thought processes, can be caused by various health issues including sleep problems, hormonal changes during perimenopause, and infections like COVID-19. Addressing the underlying cause is key to alleviating symptoms.
A study by Norwegian researchers found that even consuming just one energy drink a month can increase the risk of sleep problems, particularly insomnia, due to the high caffeine content. The study, published in BMJ Open, surveyed 53,266 Norwegian students and revealed that regular consumption of energy drinks was associated with poorer sleep outcomes, with young people aged 18 to 35 who consumed them daily sleeping around half an hour less than those who drank them occasionally or not at all. The study also highlighted the serious health risks associated with energy drinks, including links to anxiety, stress, and suicidal thoughts, prompting calls for a ban on sales to young people.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine has found that infants with abnormally enlarged perivascular spaces (PVS) in the brain have a 2.2 times greater chance of developing autism compared to infants with the same genetic risk. The study followed infants at increased likelihood for autism due to having an older sibling with the condition and found that 30% of infants who later developed autism showed enlarged PVS by 12 months. The study also revealed an association between enlarged PVS and sleep problems later in life, suggesting a long-term impact of these early brain abnormalities.
A 15-year study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry suggests that children's sleep problems may be inherited. Researchers analyzed the sleep patterns of 2,458 children and found that certain genetic variants can impact sleep quality and quantity. Children who were genetically predisposed to insomnia were more likely to experience sleep problems between the ages of 1½ and 15. The study emphasizes the importance of early recognition and prevention of sleep issues in children. While genetics play a role, environmental factors such as electronics, schoolwork, and social factors can also disrupt sleep. Seeking early intervention from a sleep specialist is recommended for children with persistent sleep problems.
A study conducted in Finland found that individuals with high levels of compassion tend to have fewer sleep problems. The association between compassion and better sleep disappeared when depressive symptoms were taken into account, suggesting that compassion may buffer against sleep difficulties by reducing symptoms of depression. The study, based on data from the Young Finns Study spanning 37 years, also revealed that high compassion predicted fewer sleep difficulties over an 11-year follow-up. However, the study has limitations, including reliance on self-reports and the exclusion of short-term effects of compassion on sleep difficulties.
A study conducted in China has found that childhood maltreatment may lead to sleep problems later in life, with emotion regulation playing a role in this connection. The study involved young individuals aged 16 to 22 and found that those who experienced high levels of physical and emotional maltreatment had the most distinct sleep issues. Participants exposed to sexual abuse or a combination of physical and emotional maltreatment also experienced sleep problems through different emotion regulation processes. The study highlights the need for differential targets on emotion regulation strategies for distinct maltreatment groups and considering the cooccurrence of physical and emotional maltreatment. However, the study's reliance on self-reports and the limited representation of Chinese youth from below-average income families may introduce bias.
Scientists have discovered a direct link between heart disease and sleep problems for the first time. The study, conducted in mice and human tissues, found that heart disease may disrupt the production of the sleep hormone melatonin in the brain due to damage to a group of nerves called the superior cervical ganglion (SCG). These nerves connect to both the heart and the pineal gland, which produces melatonin. The research suggests a potential mechanism for why people with heart disease often experience sleep disturbances. Further studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and potential treatments, but the findings may lead to the development of new drugs to treat sleep problems in patients with heart disease.
Scientists have discovered a direct link between heart disease and sleep problems for the first time. The study, conducted in mice and human tissues, found that heart disease may disrupt the production of the sleep hormone melatonin due to damage to a group of nerves called the superior cervical ganglion (SCG), which connect to both the heart and the pineal gland responsible for melatonin production. People with heart disease often experience sleep disturbances, and this research provides a potential explanation for why. The findings suggest a novel mechanism that could lead to the development of new drugs to treat sleep problems caused by heart disease. However, further studies and clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings and explore potential treatments.
People with one or more self-reported symptoms of insomnia have a 16% increased risk of developing stroke, according to a study by scientists in the US. The link was stronger in participants under 50, where those with five to eight symptoms had nearly four times the risk of having a stroke. The study suggested that improving sleep quality through therapies could help reduce this risk. The research involved more than 31,000 participants, with an average age of 61, who had no history of stroke at the beginning of the study and were followed for an average of nine years.
Preschool children with autism spectrum disorder who have sleep problems show heightened sensory sensitivity and excessive connectivity between the thalamus and auditory cortex regions of the brain, according to a neuroimaging study. The research also indicated a likely lack of auditory habituation during sleep. The study makes an important contribution to the scientific understanding of the physiological aspects of autism spectrum disorder.
Poor sleep quality and sleep fragmentation are associated with accelerated brain aging, according to a recent study published in Neurobiology of Aging. The study enrolled 50 healthy older volunteers, aged 65 or over, who underwent a comprehensive assessment of sleep measurements for two weeks using actigraphs and self-assessed their sleep quality before undergoing an MRI session. The researchers found that as people age and experience sleep problems, there is a decrease in the gray matter and white matter microstructure, highlighting the potential impact of sleep disruptions on the aging brain. By improving sleep quality and addressing sleep disruptions, we may be able to mitigate the risk of cognitive decline and maintain healthier brains in our later years.
A study conducted by researchers from Stockholm University found that lengthy commutes to work can lead to physical inactivity, being overweight, and sleep problems. Commutes of more than two miles increased the likelihood of these issues. Those who worked more than 40 hours and commuted more than five hours each week were more likely to be physically inactive and experience sleep problems. The study also found that people who worked in high socioeconomic status areas were more likely to have harmful drinking habits, especially if their workplace was located near a bar. The researchers proposed further research to investigate these factors and their impact on people living in different regions of the world.
Elderly dogs with dementia appear to spend less time sleeping than those with healthy brains, according to a study by North Carolina State University. The research found that dogs with higher dementia scores took longer to fall asleep and spent less time sleeping. The study also found that dogs with a poorer performance on a memory task experienced shallower rapid eye movement sleep. The findings suggest that changes in sleep habits could be a sign of cognitive decline in older dogs. The researchers hope to follow dogs before and during progression of dementia to identify changes early on that might serve as predictors of future problems.