It can often be quite difficult to get a good night’s rest. Maybe you had a stressful day that is affecting your ability to sleep, or you are a particularly light sleeper. There are a number of reasons that people often turn to using sleep medications to help them get better rest. However, a group of researchers from Taipei Medical University and Penn State University has recently discovered some concerning connections. They found that people who suffered from persistent insomnia and used sleep medications were more likely to develop disabilities later in life.
The Disability Risks of Insomnia and Sleep Medications
According to the study, regular insomnia could accelerate your rate of aging due to a gradual reduction in mobility and loss of independence. Therefore, something as simple as interrupted sleep can have long-term implications for your body’s coordination, strength, and ability to function normally. The study examined the data of more than 6,700 adults from America aged 65 and older. They found a link between the number of times a person reported issues sleeping or used sleep medications and the likelihood of developing disabilities.
The Result of a Pattern Of Interrupted Sleep
Furthermore, every additional year of bad quality sleep significantly increased the disability scores. This drastically increased the risk of developing disabilities that would affect everything from being able to walk unaided, bathe oneself, or get dressed unassisted. If you have the occasional restless night of sleep, you shouldn’t be too concerned. However, if it is a regular occurrence that necessitates the use of sleep medications, you should probably pay attention. According to the study’s co-author, Orfeu Buxton, “This isn’t about one bad night of sleep, it’s about a pattern that has long-term consequences. As older people used more sleep medication or experienced more insomnia symptoms, they moved more rapidly towards greater disability.”
The Study On Sleep Interruption and Disability Development
For their study, the researchers analyzed five years’ worth of data sourced from the National Health and Aging Trends Study. Otherwise known as NHATS, this long-term study tracks the health of the older American demographic. Participants in the ongoing study are required to self-report any sleeping issues and use of sleep medications on an annual basis. Using this data, the researchers of the new study calculated how sleeping issues and medications correlated to a change in their ability to perform daily activities.
An Important Analysis of the Factors
Other studies have previously attempted to analyze the impact these factors have on disability development. However, this is among the first to examine the effect of both interrupted sleep and medication use over a period of several years. This enables the researchers to gain a greater perspective of the effect sleeping patterns have on functional decline and aging. The researchers used a scale to measure the symptoms of insomnia. These symptoms included waking too early, issues falling asleep, and trouble staying asleep. For each additional symptom added, the researchers noted a 20% increase in disability risk. The pattern was similar when looking at the use of sleep medications. This remained true even if lifestyle factors and health conditions were under control.
Read More: Six Natural Ways To Help You Get a Better Sleep
Relief Versus Risk
The findings of the study are cause for concern given the regular use of sleep medications among older adults. As with many medications, it’s a case of weighing up the relief offered versus the potential risks associated with their use. Seniors often turn to benzodiazepines or other sedatives that can result in delayed reaction time, dizziness, and impaired balance. Considering that older adults are already susceptible to injuries and falls, using these medications might only exacerbate the problems.
The Search For Safer Tools and Treatments
While simply prescribing sleeping medications may seem like a convenient solution, they often come with risks that create more issues than they solve. Therefore, health practitioners are always on the search for more effective and safer treatment options. One such treatment that has shown potential is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). This therapy aims to change people’s behavior and pessimistic mindsets towards sleep. So far, this treatment has been shown to be very effective in several trials. However, while effective, this type of treatment is not easily accessible for most individuals.
Read More: 10 Reasons You’re Drooling While You Sleep and What It Could Mean
The Need For Safer Therapies
A good night’s rest is a luxury denied to many people. In fact, over half of adults over 65 experience some type of sleep disturbance. It is a prevalent condition that can have serious consequences for your overall health and ability to function properly. This study has revealed the need for safer ways of addressing insomnia than the use of sleep medications. So much of our health relies on adequate sleep. Everything from physical coordination to mood and hormone regulation is affected by the quality of our sleep.
The Bottom Line
Poor sleep quality can have a significant impact on your ability to remain independent as you age. Taking a sleeping medication every night may seem like a quick cure, but it could backfire in the long run. The more sleep issues you experience, it appears that your chance of future impairment increases. Even mild insomnia symptoms, if chronic, can gradually deteriorate your health and mobility. The real damage is caused by a long-term pattern rather than a single inadequate night of sleep.
Read More: Sleep Medications Interfere With The Brain’s Waste Removal Process, Study Says
