In the elderly, an important role is played by the quality of sleep, not by its quantity
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Specialists of one of the universities of Chicago in their last study proved that in the problem of sleep in older people begin because of poor sleep quality, and not from its lack, as was previously thought.
More than 700 people took part in the scientific experiment, who told about the quality and duration of their sleep to specialists. For each of the participants in the study, a special sensor was attached, which controlled the sleep. As a result, scientists managed to find out that most of the elderly people slept enough time (an average of just over seven hours a day). However, according to the survey, 13% of the participants in the study almost always felt tired in the mornings. Approximately 12% had problems with falling asleep, 30% had frequent nocturnal awakenings. Also, 13% of elderly people who participated in the study noted that they wake up quite early and then can not fall asleep.
As a result, experts came to the conclusion that most people in old age sleep the required amount of time, however, thus there are problems with the quality of sleep. Also, experts noted that that part of the participants, who often woke up at night, had a longer sleep. According to the research, insomnia is based on the quality of sleep and when treating this disease it is worth considering this very reason.
Inadequate or poor sleep can provoke a variety of diseases, which has been proven by numerous studies of specialists from around the world.
In the UK, scientists in one of their studies have revealed another reason why it is worth paying more attention to the quality of their sleep.
The head of the study was John Macbeth, who with his colleagues spent a long time monitoring (more than three years) for volunteers, aged 50 years. In total, more than 4,000 people took part in the experiment, of which about 800 people began complaining of musculoskeletal pain three years later.
As a result, specialists came to the conclusion that a poor quality of sleep can lead to the development of fibromyalgia, a disease that affects about 4% of the world's population in old age. Among the participants in the study, experts found a greater percentage of lesions of fibromyalgia (15% of women and 10% of men). With age, there was an increase in the prevalence rate of the disease (it increased to 80%).
As the experts noted, 800 people who had complaints of musculoskeletal pain in the past also had problems with pain of a different nature. Also, experts warn that the risk of developing musculoskeletal pain is higher in those who have a chronic feeling of fatigue or are regularly nedosypaet.
Experts recommend that those who suffer from insomnia or other sleep disorders eat more rice.
As research has shown, a serving of rice before bedtime helps to fall asleep more quickly and makes sleep more robust.
Rice, according to scientists, due to a high glycemic index increases the production of tryptophan in the body (protein, which is responsible for sleep).
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