Sleep is the state of natural rest observed in humans and is characterized by a reduction in voluntary body movement, temporary blindness, decreased reaction to external stimuli, loss of consciousness, an increased rate of anabolism (the synthesis of cell structures), and a decreased rate of catabolism (the breakdown of cell structures). In humans, regular sleep is necessary for survival.
Poor sleep habits linked to increased risk of fibromyalgia in women — Middle-aged and older women with sleep problems are at greater risk – Researchers from Norway have uncovered an association between sleep problems and increased risk of fibromyalgia in women. The risk of fibromyalgia increased with severity of sleep problems, and the association was stronger among middle-aged and older women than among younger women.
‘Alarm clock’ gene explains wake-up function of biological clock — Finding promising insight into sleeplessness, aging and chronic illness, such as diabetes and cancer – Ever wondered why you wake up in the morning – even when the alarm clock isn’t making jarring noises? Wonder no more. Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have identified a new component of the biological clock, a gene responsible for starting the clock from its restful state every morning.
Poor sleep quality increases risk of high blood pressure – People with the lowest level of slow wave sleep (SWS) had an 80 percent increased risk of developing high blood pressure. Sleep disorders and poor quality sleep are more common in older adults than in younger ones.
The good life: Good sleepers have better quality of life and less depression — Study shows that a nightly sleep duration of six to nine hours is associated with higher ratings for quality of life and lower ratings for depression. – Getting six to nine hours of sleep per night is associated with higher ratings for quality of life and lower ratings for depression, suggests a new research presented in Minneapolis, Minn., at SLEEP 2011, the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS). Results show that people with a “normal” sleep duration of six to nine hours per night had higher self-reported scores for quality of life and lower scores for depression severity compared to short and long sleepers.
Study finds that wives’ sleep problems have negative impact on marital interactions — Wives’ inability to fall asleep at night has interpersonal consequences in marriage – The quality of interactions among married couples is affected by wives’ inability to fall asleep at night, but not by husbands’ sleep problems, suggests new research presented in Minneapolis, Minn., at SLEEP 2011, the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS). Results show that, among wives, taking longer to fall asleep at night predicted their reports of more negative and less positive marital interactions the next day.
Children who sleep less are more likely to be overweight — Longitudinal analysis of sleep in relation to BMI and body fat in children: the FLAME study – Young children who do not get enough sleep are at increased risk of becoming overweight, even after taking account of lifestyle factors, finds a study published on bmj. Sleep is an important determinant of future body composition in young children. Researchers recommend that appropriate sleep habits should be encouraged in all children as a public health measure, and call for more studies to determine whether more sleep or better sleeping patterns impact favourably on body weight and other health outcomes.
Night owls at risk for weight gain and bad diet — People who go to bed late and sleep late eat more fast food and weigh more – Staying up late every night and sleeping in is a habit that could put you at risk for gaining weight. People who go to bed late and sleep late eat more calories in the evening, more fast food, fewer fruits and vegetables and weigh more than people who go to sleep earlier and wake up earlier.
As we sleep, speedy brain waves boost our ability to learn — A UC Berkeley study suggests we’re busy recharging our brain?s learning capacity during a dreamless light slumber that takes up half our sleeping hours – During sleep, we’re busy recharging our brain’s learning capacity, which can take up half the night, revealed a new study from the University of California, Berkeley.
Sleeping well at 100 years of age: Study searches for the secrets to healthy longevity – A new study shows that sleeping well linked to healthy longevity. Study analyzes general patterns of sleep quality and daily hours of sleep in the world’s largest sample of nonagenarians and centenarians.
Poll reveals sleep differences among ethnic groups — National Sleep Foundation’s Annual Sleep in America poll explores sleep issues among Asians, African-Americans, Hispanics and whites – The 2010 Sleep in America poll released by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) reveals significant differences in the sleep habits and attitudes of Asians, Blacks/African-Americans, Hispanics and Whites.
Sleep problems and sleepiness increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents in adolescents – Sleepiness at the wheel and poor sleep quality significantly increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents in adolescents, revealed in a study in the Feb. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
Better sleep is associated with improved academic success – According to a research presented at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, getting more high-quality sleep is associated with better academic performance.
