Is a Lack of Sleep Hurting Your Health?

It has long been known that consistent sleeping patterns are an important component of overall health and well-being. Restorative rest helps rejuvenate the body's energy supplies and provides much-needed respite from the stress and strain of day-to-day life, and without it, the body's ability to be rebound may be negatively impacted.

However, recent research has indicated that the importance of sleep may go much deeper than mere rest. A number of studies have linked sleep deprivation to a staggering array of illnesses, diseases, and symptoms, underscoring the need for sleep as the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. This week, we'll survey a few of the most notable recent findings that have bolstered the health-sleep connection.

Risky Behaviors Increase with Sleep Deprivation

Anecdotal reports have long indicated that a lack of sufficient sleep may impact people's behavior. However, the results of a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh makes an even stronger suggestion -- a lack of sleep may actually promote unhealthy behaviors and lifestyle choices, especially among young people.

According to the results of a survey that was administered to more than 1300 adolescents and young adults, average nightly sleep of less than eight hours was strongly linked to an array of risky and potentially dangerous behaviors.

The strongest connections were seen between sleep deprivation and underage use of cigarettes, alcohol, and illicit substances. However, other factors, such as academic performance and emotional stability, also appeared to be linked to a lack of sleep. The authors suggested that programs designed to prevent and treat substance abuse among adolescents and young adults focus on sleep interventions as a technique for treatment.

Researchers Uncover Link between Inadequate Sleep and Poor Heart Health

While scientists have long suspected that chronic sleep deprivation may negatively impact health, the findings of a recent study indicated that cardiovascular health -- a major predictor of mortality and morbidity -- may be directly linked to sleep patterns.

The study, which was conducted by researchers affiliated with the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine, assessed the heart function of a group of 39 subjects whose sleep was restricted to mimic the impact of long-term sleep deprivation. During the study, the participants sleep was severely restricted by the researchers, who would awake the participants after an average night's sleep of only five hours.

After a week of sleep restriction, the study participants were subjected to a battery of health exams and diagnostic tests. The researchers noted many differences in laboratory test results after the sleep deprivation. Most significantly, a majority of the participants exhibited potentially dangerous fluctuations in cardiac function.

Although more research will be necessary to come to a clear-cut conclusion about the role of sleep in heart health, the scientists say that healthy sleep habits should be emphasized to all patients, particularly those who are already at high risk for cardiovascular disease and other heart disorders.

Sleep Deprivation, Disturbances Linked to Suicide among Elderly

Older men and women often experience a great deal of difficulty maintaining a healthy sleep schedule. Anxiety, illnesses, chronic pain, and a lack of schedule structure all contribute to sleep disorders in the elderly population, and researchers have long contended that the problem likely aggravated other health concerns for those in this age group.

However, the results of a recent study conducted by researchers at Florida State University indicated that the problems associated with sleep disruptions in the elderly may be significantly more serious than previously suspected. Most notably, it was found that sleep disturbances among older men and women were an accurate prediction of suicide risk.

The connection between sleep and suicide was found to be more statistically significant than any other variable, including depression and chronic illness. The authors emphasized the importance of intervention and prevention programs designed to enhance the quality and quantity of sleep-hours among the elderly, and they urged family members to seek professional assistance for elderly relatives' sleep disorders.

If you or a loved one is having difficulty establishing and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, talk to your doctor to help devise an intervention that will work for you. Depending on your unique health profile, your physician can discuss treatment options that will help you enjoy more consistent sleeping patterns. Don't forget to check back each week for more of the health science news you need to achieve optimal well-being.