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Women's sleep finally researched
Interesting / shocking (especially the 13th and 14th paragraphs, which I italicized. On a personal note, this study says nothing about the interplay of apnea, arrhythmia and stroke - my own motivation for strict compliance with my CPAP regime):
http://www.mercurynews.com/san-mateo-county/ci_16305380?source=rss&...
Joan Aragone: Women and
sleep
By Joan Aragone
San Mateo County Times
Posted: 10/10/2010 05:36:12 PM PDT
Updated: 10/10/2010 09:45:46 PM PDT
Most women don't realize that until the early 1990s, they were not included in medical research studies, including studies on the effects of prescription
drugs.
So when the doctor prescribed a dose of medicine in those not-so-olden days, it was an amount that had been tested on men. That might explain why drugs prescribed for women often worked better when the dosage was cut in half -- at least, they
always did for me.
According to the Society for Women's Health Research, before the law was changed in 1993
women were prohibited from participating in clinical studies, including studies on medication, as a "protective measure" against possible harm to themselves or a potential fetus. Women older than 60 were not included -- period. Lobbying from women's groups and others finally produced a change.
With a new population to test, researchers found that their results began to vary from previous years. Surprise! They discovered, for example, that symptoms of heart attack differ in women and men.
Now, a recent study on the relation between women's sleep patterns and mortality shows that women may not need as much sleep as they had been led to believe. For those who wake up after only a few hours and can't get back to sleep, the report may come as a relief.
The study was based on research from the late 1990s, when researchers at UC San Diego charted sleep patterns for 459 women ranging in age from 50 to 81. Those previous studies, based upon questionnaires of people's sleep habits, tested the notion that sleeping 6.5 to 7.5 hours per night was associated with the best
survival.
In the new study, published online in the journal Sleep Medicine, scientists searched for participants from the old study to see who was still alive and well. They located 444. Eighty-six women had died.
What researchers found surprised them. Clearly, the old saw that everybody needs eight hours of sleep did not apply. The best survival rate occurred among women who slept 5 to 6.5 hours, accordingto the scientists, headed by Daniel Kripke, professor emeritus of psychiatry at the UC San Diego School of Medicine.
Too little sleep and too much sleep could both present difficulties.
"Women who slept less than five hours a night or more than 6.5 hours were less likely to be alive at the 14-year follow-up," Kripke said in a statement.
While specific causes of sleeplessness vary, the study can allay some women's fears that they aren't getting enough sleep.
"A clinical implication may be to reassure those who sleep only five or six hours if they feel their function is unimpaired," the study said.
Among other findings in the study: For older women, sleep apnea, or pauses in breathing during sleep, was not associated with increased risk of death.
"Although apneas may be associated with increased mortality risk among those under 60, it does not seem to carry a risk in the older age group, particularly for women," said Kripke.
Although the study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, measured only a small group of people, it's one of many ongoing sleep-research projects around the country.
As a worrywart who often wakes up after five or six hours and adds the duration of my sleep to the list of things to worry about, I welcomed the study. Like many others, after several days of six or fewer hours of sleep I often "crash" and sleep for eight hours or
more. My body manages to take care of itself, if I let it.
But for day-to-day life, when I wake and wonder why I can't return to sleep, I found the study reassuring.
The Greeks were right: moderation in all things, even sleep.
For comments or story ideas, contact Joan Aragone at 650-348-4332 or fogbelt2@aol.com.
http://www.mercurynews.com/san-mateo-county/ci_16305380?source=rss&...
Joan Aragone: Women and
sleep
By Joan Aragone
San Mateo County Times
Posted: 10/10/2010 05:36:12 PM PDT
Updated: 10/10/2010 09:45:46 PM PDT
Most women don't realize that until the early 1990s, they were not included in medical research studies, including studies on the effects of prescription
drugs.
So when the doctor prescribed a dose of medicine in those not-so-olden days, it was an amount that had been tested on men. That might explain why drugs prescribed for women often worked better when the dosage was cut in half -- at least, they
always did for me.
According to the Society for Women's Health Research, before the law was changed in 1993
women were prohibited from participating in clinical studies, including studies on medication, as a "protective measure" against possible harm to themselves or a potential fetus. Women older than 60 were not included -- period. Lobbying from women's groups and others finally produced a change.
With a new population to test, researchers found that their results began to vary from previous years. Surprise! They discovered, for example, that symptoms of heart attack differ in women and men.
Now, a recent study on the relation between women's sleep patterns and mortality shows that women may not need as much sleep as they had been led to believe. For those who wake up after only a few hours and can't get back to sleep, the report may come as a relief.
The study was based on research from the late 1990s, when researchers at UC San Diego charted sleep patterns for 459 women ranging in age from 50 to 81. Those previous studies, based upon questionnaires of people's sleep habits, tested the notion that sleeping 6.5 to 7.5 hours per night was associated with the best
survival.
In the new study, published online in the journal Sleep Medicine, scientists searched for participants from the old study to see who was still alive and well. They located 444. Eighty-six women had died.
What researchers found surprised them. Clearly, the old saw that everybody needs eight hours of sleep did not apply. The best survival rate occurred among women who slept 5 to 6.5 hours, accordingto the scientists, headed by Daniel Kripke, professor emeritus of psychiatry at the UC San Diego School of Medicine.
Too little sleep and too much sleep could both present difficulties.
"Women who slept less than five hours a night or more than 6.5 hours were less likely to be alive at the 14-year follow-up," Kripke said in a statement.
While specific causes of sleeplessness vary, the study can allay some women's fears that they aren't getting enough sleep.
"A clinical implication may be to reassure those who sleep only five or six hours if they feel their function is unimpaired," the study said.
Among other findings in the study: For older women, sleep apnea, or pauses in breathing during sleep, was not associated with increased risk of death.
"Although apneas may be associated with increased mortality risk among those under 60, it does not seem to carry a risk in the older age group, particularly for women," said Kripke.
Although the study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, measured only a small group of people, it's one of many ongoing sleep-research projects around the country.
As a worrywart who often wakes up after five or six hours and adds the duration of my sleep to the list of things to worry about, I welcomed the study. Like many others, after several days of six or fewer hours of sleep I often "crash" and sleep for eight hours or
more. My body manages to take care of itself, if I let it.
But for day-to-day life, when I wake and wonder why I can't return to sleep, I found the study reassuring.
The Greeks were right: moderation in all things, even sleep.
For comments or story ideas, contact Joan Aragone at 650-348-4332 or fogbelt2@aol.com.
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