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Sleep researchers sleep much worse than men
About one in four Germans suffer from sleep disorders. A recent study found that women are significantly more affected than men. The consequences can be serious. Patients during the day are not only struggling with fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Health is also endangered.
Sleep disorders are common
Millions of people in Germany have trouble sleeping: they often lie awake for hours in bed, rolling from one side to the other, and feel like they're wheeled the next day. According to the Robert Koch Institute, about 25 percent of Germans suffer from sleep disorders, and sleep is often not restful for a further eleven percent. A Leipzig research team now reports that women are significantly more affected than men.
About every fourth German citizen suffers from sleep disorders. Women are significantly more affected than men. (Image: Gina Sanders / fotolia.com) Women sleep worse than men
According to health experts, sleep disorders increase the risk of illnesses such as depression, anxiety disorders, diabetes and also cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks.
And recently, a study showed that sleep disorders can increase the risk of stroke.
Scientists from the US reported years ago that women sleep worse than men. An investigation by the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Leipzig has now also concluded that women suffer sleep problems significantly more often than men.
Definitions for good and bad sleep
For their study, the scientists evaluated information on the quality of sleep of 9,284 subjects. The data comes from the study of the Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), an investigation program on causes and early detection of civilization diseases using the example of the Leipzig population.
According to the researchers, the study results now for the first time define solid results for good and bad sleep for our western culture.
They were recently published in the "Journal of Affective Disorders" and in the journal "Sleep Medicine".
Different sleep behavior
"If we examine the sleep of a particular patient group in the future, we now know which sleep behavior we can use," explained study leader Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Hinz from the University of Leipzig in a press release.
The participants had given information about their sleep in a questionnaire. In addition to the subjective assessment, they also provided information on sleep duration, time to fall asleep, sleep efficiency, possible sleep disorders and sleep aid consumption as well as daytime sleepiness.
From the points for the individual answers then a total value is calculated: Above a value of five the patient suffers from sleep problems, values below which promise a better sleep quality.
"This limit of five was determined by the authors who developed the questionnaire. In studies, this value is maintained in order to be able to compare the results ", says Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Hinz.
Educational dependence of sleep quality
If one also bases this limit on the Leipzig study, then 36 percent of those examined are struggling with sleep problems. Women (42 percent) are more likely to suffer from a poorer quality of sleep than men (29 percent).
According to the information, overweight people sleep worse, while the nicotine consumption makes no difference.
The researchers also registered a clear education-dependent quality of sleep: So the subjects slept better with A-levels than participants without a high school diploma. Furthermore, unemployed people were struggling with a significantly poorer quality of sleep than working people.
"That's very interesting. Although the work activity holds burdens, but not pursuing a job is even more stressful for humans. This is also shown by study results from other areas - such as studies on depression ", explained Prof. Dr. med. Hinz.
Tips for a better sleep
Although the current Leipzig study can describe relationships between sleep quality and other variables, it does not provide any information on cause and effect. Thus, problems at work can cause poor sleep, or conversely, the bad sleep can create problems in everyday working life.
Health experts do not rush to access medication for sleep problems. A healthy lifestyle and the absence of late food, coffee, alcohol and intensive sports in the evening are beneficial for a restful sleep.
It is also helpful to observe regular sleep times and to reduce your weight if you are overweight. Also useful are various home remedies for sleep disorders.
A calming tea made of passionflower or chamomile, for example, has proven to be effective in relieving tension. Relaxation techniques such as autogenic training or progressive muscle relaxation can also be effective. (Ad)