Sleeping for Less Than 5 Hours Each Night Can Double the Risk of Dementia

Researchers found poor sleep as a primary reason for cognitive decline, possibly doubling one's risk of dementia. In what's considered as an "understandably stressful 2020," a lot of people have struggled to both falling asleep during the night, and maintaining a regular schedule of sleep.

However, according to a Best Life report, aside from leaving an individual feeling groggy during the morning, scientists have warned that constantly getting inadequate sleep every night can result in a higher dementia risk not to mention, "higher risk of all-cause mortality."

The research which the Aging journal published comes from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Boston College researchers.

Specifically, for this research, the study investigators evaluated data from the ongoing National Health and Aging Trends Study or NHATS, which is composed of individuals in the United States who are eligible for Medicare and aged 65 years and above.

ALSO READ: Study Shows Link Between Healthy Sleep Habits and Lower Risk of Heart Failure

(Photo : Pixabay)
Compared to individuals who reported they slept seven to eight hours each night, study participants who had less than five hours of sleep appear to have twice the risk of developing dementia.

Analyzing Sleep

Over five years of study period, the researchers examined over 2,800 adult participants aged 76 on the average. Specifically, the study authors looked at how easy or challenging participants found it to concentrate mentally during the day. They looked at all-cause mortality, as well.

Compared to individuals who reported they slept seven to eight hours each night, study participants who had less than five hours of sleep appear to have twice the risk of developing dementia.

In a similar way, among the people who needed more than half-an-hour to fall asleep every night, the risk of developing dementia increased by 45 percent.

Effect of Sleeping Too Long

A previously-conducted study has shown, too that those who have more dependable sleep habits and patterns tend to have a lower occurrence of dementia and death.

A study the Journal of American Geriatrics Society published in 2018 studied roughly 1,300 Japanese adults aged above 60.

The said research showed that study participants who slept from five to 6.9 hours each night had lower occurrences of both dementia and death during the study period compared to subjects who slept for less than five hours or more than 10 hours. The said finding had only proven that sleeping too long could be dangerous, too.

Work Hours' Impact on Cognitive Health

It is not only the older adults who need adequate sleep A French study the Occupational and Environmental Medicine journal published in 2015 showed, 10 years of night shifts could cause one's brain to age by about 6.5 year.

The researchers concluded that shift work chronically damages cognition, with potentially essential safety implications not just for the people concerned but for the society, as well.

Specifically, Denmark and Korea workers have been remunerated by the government by the poor help that they experienced following working night shifts.

Insomnia, Impacting One in 4 American Adults

A 2018 University of Pennsylvania of Medicine report specified that insomnia is approximated to impact one in four American adults each year.

The report also said many others are suffering from snoring, narcolepsy, restless legs, as well as other nighttime conditions. Meaning, not getting adequate sleep is an extensive issue.

With an aging populace, the number of elderly aged 85 and older in the US is forecasted to quadruple from year 2000 to 2040.

Furthermore, habits that impair individuals at present should be addressed to eliminate serious problems sooner or later.

READ MORE: Top 3 Positive Feelings for an Increased Level of Happiness, According to Science

Check out more news and information on Sleep Disorder in Science Times.