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September 1st, 2010
12:01 AM ET
Study: Insomnia is deadly for men
Insomnia kills. That’s the central finding of a large study looking at men who complained of chronic insomnia and slept fewer than six hours a night. Men with insomnia were more than four times as likely to die as “good sleepers” during the 14-year study, published Wednesday in the journal Sleep. Add hypertension or diabetes, and men with insomnia were seven times as likely to die as those not suffering from sleep problems, the study found. “We were expecting to find something, but we were surprised by the magnitude of the findings,” said lead investigator Dr. Alexandros N. Vgontzas, a professor of psychiatry at Penn State College of Medicine and Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Self-reported chronic insomnia plus lack of sleep among women did not result in more deaths among women. The study did not elaborate why, but Vgontzas said he sees two possibilities: Insomnia among women could be less severe, or the study did not follow women long enough. The study began looking at women later than men and followed them for only ten years, not 14. The study randomly chose 1,741 people in central Pennsylvania, 1,000 women and 741 men, with an average age of 50. Of that group, 8 percent women and 4 percent of men complained of chronic insomnia and slept fewer than six hours when they were measured in a sleep laboratory. The study adjusted for such factors as age, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol use, depression and obstructive sleep apnea. Among the men who did not have insomnia, 9 percent died. Of those who complained of insomnia but slept more than six hours, 13 percent died. Among the insomniacs who slept fewer than 6 hours, 51 percent died. Previous studies have linked lack of sleep with learning and memory problems and increased risks for diabetes and hypertension. Although the study places those who sleep six or more hours in the “good sleepers” category, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends seven or eight hours of sleep a night. Vgontzas said the six hours was used for the purposes of the study and not to imply six hours is sufficient. soundoff (773 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Next »Leave a Reply to motorhome interior renovation
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
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Good point Jason. Kathy,
I think men may decide death is to be preferred to life with a Kathy.
Kathy, I'm sorry to see you so angry after all this time. I thought the medication and therapy had helped but I guess not. If I had a job I'd send you whatever I could so you can get back into counseling. You should tell people what your dad did you to rather than go off on men and sink your agenda. I know what a wonderful person you are, but that's only because you let me into your life. Looking at your posts in this forum, I can see why people think you're a man hater. If you want me to stop by and have a crying session, I will. But promise you won't push me down the stairs again like you did last time. I'm sorry I couldn't make you c-me, but try to control yourself. You're a good person, and need to do better.
Look, just cause you are a women now does not mean you have a right to say those things to an ex. Oh wait, you are still waiting on the female reassignment surgery....sorry, those hormones must be getting to you.
Personal attacks REALLY prove your point. You certainly showed her the flaws in her argument! You thoroughly examined every point of her argument and disassembled it and showed the flaws in her arguments.
No, you only showed that you are a man suffering from penile envy.
actually, I am all woman 🙂 its called sarcasm...and was trying to make a point about being overly ridiculous.
Try using facts, rather than personal attacks. It works better.
Otherwise you denigrate every point you try to make after as well as any point previously made.
this has been known for over one thousand years.
Im lucky if i sleep 4 hours a day, but i do take naps this is been going on for the last 25 years, is it normal no but what is normal. how do i feel i just dont know so why am i in danger after all these years. the study just dont make sense, or am i missing something.but i do take meds for high blood pressure i forgot to mention that.
Hmmm, memory lapses and hypertension. I'll guess you are in your mid 40's? 🙂
4 hours of sleep IS normal with some people, the naps is what tells the tale. Hence, one adds up all of the sleep, it's cumulative.
And 8 hours is the recommended AVERAGE. SOME people require 10 hours, others 4.
I typically range between 4 and 6 hours of sleep. If I have high activity levels and get 4 hours, I can go about a month before I need to crash for 10-12 hours of sleep. That was something acquired during my military career. Catnaps on demand and literally inducing REM instantly upon entering sleep were other tricks I learned to do to cope with sleep deprivation.
Keep me going for 72 hours and I'm just about useless for anything, save the simplest of tasks, as I literally have difficulty in counting beyond 10 at that point (which I discovered when attempting to take a 15 second pulse). At 78 hours, I'm the best door stop you'll ever have, but beyond that I'm useless for complex tasks, such as intelligent conversation.
These comments are satire, eh?
So I need to worry about insomnia now – I don't have to worry about breast cancer, menopause, PMS or yeast infections and I am less likely to die from a stroke, Alzheimer's or septicemia than a woman. Does that make men superior to women? Don't think Kathy thought this one through very well – more likely she is compensating for some unstated insecurities...
Did they normalize for stress? Stress contributes heavily to insomnia and we all know stress is a major factor in many diseases.
" relaxation shots" work great for stress and occasional insomnia. I personally tried it and love it.
There are relaxation shots called "Tranquila relaxation shots" really good stress buster.
This is a very poorly worded article, the article states men with insomina are 14 times more likely to die then those with out. Excuse me but unless i missed a major medical breakthrough in the last 24 hours, EVERYONE dies. Someone's editor obivously did not get enough sleep. It also does not state what age the men were for all we know half of them could have been near dead before the study started.
CNN blew it on this article
"Among the men who did not have insomnia, 9 percent died. Of those who complained of insomnia but slept more than six hours, 13 percent died. Among the insomniacs who slept fewer than 6 hours, 51 percent died."
...Did the rest live forever?
An excellent point. Frankly, I would not want to live forever. This is a crazy, insane world and there's a point where I must say "I've had enough, let me out of here". I recall the true story about the French woman who lived (I hope I got this right) to be 116 years old. When asked about what she thought her future would be, her reply was (paraphrased) "Short, I hope".
allright. how bout u come play some football with me n the boys and show us how superior you are to us...
The battle of the sexes continues! So why is it so very important for some of the women responders to declare (actually, to reaffirm) the superiority of their gender over males? Is its so vital to these ladies that they make themselves feel superior? Oh go ahead. I admit it. Females are the stronger sex. The same way a fish is stronger than an aardvark and a bird is better than a lizard. Look, we all have roles in life and the differences among us may not be in quality as in – nature. We're all different. Thank God for that because I could not stand living on a planet filled with others exactly like myself! lol
Whatever your prejudice, be assured – there's a statistic to support it. The likely validity of popular statistical reports is best illustrated with the finding that the "average" adult american has one testicle and one breast.
I just checked and I have two of each. Does that mean I'm not "normal"???
Your husband must be very desperate, I don't even know you and can't stand you. I'd want to kill myself if i lived with you
Men have always ruled the world, case closed. The funny thing is, you can beat your wife and she'll keep coming back. Women can't live without men.
You speak from experience? Sad.
Dude, men have NOT always ruled the world. There were and still are many matriarchal societies. Those are typically known for less warfare than male dominated societies.
The MOST stable societies were where both sexes ruled in concert.
Consider the Iroquois nation, the men went to the tribal council. They spoke, they voted. If what they did wasn't liked and was abusive, overreaching or against the interest of the group who selected him, those who selected him removed him from office immediately.
Guess who selected their representative? The women. The women from HIS family would walk up to him and remove his wampum of office and select another man to represent their group and give him that wampum of office.
And that system was SO bad that their constitution was used as a source example of what to place in ours.
Are you serious. Someone needs to beat you to submission.
So, the brain trust of the CNN comments section got trolled again? I'll try to act surprised.
What about naps? or power naps
I prefer nips.
"Add hypertension or diabetes, and men with insomnia were seven times as likely to die as those not suffering from sleep problems" HEY MORONS......EVERYONE in that study is GOING TO DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How poorly written is this report?
There is absolutely no reference to how or when these men died. Did they die during the study? Did they die in their sleep? If they merely died over an undisclosed time period, that implies that the other men who sleep well will live forever.
I hope wages for reporters and editors is low these days – the bar seems to be...
Absolute Nonsense !
Less than six hours? That's basically all the surgeons on service at most hospitals.
This is absurd. Six hours is a lot of sleep. And five hours is sufficient. Anyone who needs more than 5-6 hours is a lazy bumpkin.
and damned proud of it too 😉
Well, it seems I have one foot in already....Not good.
This may all be well and true but are you taking into account feminine men, such as those men who are gay and born that way? There is scientific evidence clearly showing gay men are more like women when it comes to chromosomes, so how do we fit into this study? Are we the week inferior men who will die early, sometimes even before birth as you imply on evidence I can not seem to find, or are we considered women ultimately for scientific reasons on this study and will outlive butch, testosterone bearing men, again who's facts I can not derive? Just wondering.
Ugh. It's just sleep. Nurses go sometimes days w/o sleep. Female and male nurses. In a stressful job environment. Ironically, they seem to be doing just ok. Sooner or later, your child's tennis ball they play w/will cause cancer. Lol
Yes, but according to this study, by the time the 50-year-old male nurses reach 50 one-half of them will be dead if they sleep less than 6 hours per night. The problem with this study? On average... or intermittently... what? QUANTIFY IT.
Do you REALLY want to go there?
Wanna talk medication errors? Charting errors? Failure to notice a change in the patient status? Becoming irritated with that "pain in the ass in room xxx", thereby ignoring the call to later find said patient is circling the drain?
Please, go on and tell us more about how sleep deprivation isn't causing a problem. The courts are loaded with proof that there IS a problem.
Honestly I find the male bashing funny. Yes, keep thinking I'm an idiot, and let your guard down more please while my plundering goes unnoticed. You're not unique, you're not special, and you truly are alone. Keep making enemies with the opposite sex, and blame yourself when no one comes to your aid. Past generations of women who have fought hard for equal rights would be appalled by the pacification of woman now a day.
Overall, this article is not very significant sociologically, or at least it's misleading. To say that "insomnia is deadly for men" or that it's causing death is wrong... more likely is that there is a correlation; whatever is causing the insomnia is also causing the increase in death. For example, if we find that work related stress has negative impact on health, but that this is markedly more severe for manual labor jobs (which tend to be predominantly male occupations, often of a particular social class), then we would find that men in general show a greater negative effect on overall health. If there is any correlation at all between tendency for insomnia, and this new variable (work related stress), then it shows if nothing else that the relationship between observable insomnia and "rate of death" (a variable never clearly defined at all) is spurious. Imagine a similar study was done called "homesickness – deadly for women." It shows data that women suffering from prolonged homesickness "die at higher rate" (again a very difficult thing to measure or define) than men. Obviously it would be silly to assume that homesickness directly causes the deaths, and that women are simply "more susceptible" or "weak" concerning homesickness. A more likely explanation would be that within the sample group, something that was causing the homesickness specifically for the women is the culprit. For example, there may be more than just homesickness... it could be separation anxiety over being away from a child (a "motherly instinct" we typically consider to be stronger in women). In this example, it would then make sense that the homesickness is simply a tertiary correlation, and that the real deadly relationship is between the rate of death and a separate stress/anxiety source manifesting itself as homesickness (much as it is being manifested as insomnia in the actual study).
Bad Science
Also in response to Kathy,
Without really diving into this comment, I must say it is heavily biased and very righteous. Men and women have a symbiotic relationship... the words "inferior" or "superior" are more pejorative than constructive, and only apply to particular contexts. Men are "inferior" at childbirth...... women are (typically) "inferior" at hand/eye coordination. Women typically are "superior" in their verbal faculties, while men typically have "superior" spacial awareness. Really the words are generalizations of innate aptitudes, nothing more, and they certainly don't characterize a stronger or weaker sex. As to your argument regarding this article, men aren't "weaker" toward insomnia (that doesn't even make sense). They may be more vulnerable to the effects of insomnia on life span, probably due to a specific underlying cause such as a particular type of stress. Really using "superior" and "weak" in this argument only muddles the sound parts from the prejudiced ones. To say there is a weaker sex, and to rationalize that this is somehow going to lead to women procreating without men, implies that the purpose of life is only procreation. If the purpose of life were survival (of the individual organism say) then men would have a distinct advantage biologically in many aspects (height, physical strength, coordination). Through the process of evolution men have developed to take on the role of protection and security; to be an initial barrier between a threat and his family...the reason is obvious (if the man dies, another can take his place, and the potential for procreation is unaffected, whereas if the women dies, then the ability for that procreation is lost). Hence the tendency of war to consist overwhelmingly of male soldiers. This doesn't make men "inferior," it's simply a different role to be fulfilled.... both were necessary for survival of the family. Today, since physical threats aren't nearly what they used to be (and because patriarchal societies hold their power and structure in anticipation of this threat), male power itself is becoming obsolete, and the social role of the man is beginning to be more domestic... his worth is now measured by how he can protect his family (often financially), hence from the hunter to the breadwinner. Many "angry frustrated men" are simply reacting to this change... they are no longer valued for their brawn, but must admit themselves to a world that focuses less on power and more on relationships. It doesn't mean men are weak, they are simply going through a paradigm shift that obsoletes much of their traditional roles (and source of power). Though I don't know Kathy or her intentions, I feel she was overgeneralizing, and being heavily biased in claiming overall superiority of either sex. It's about as silly as making a case for the peanut butter or the jelly being "superior" in a PBJ.
The jelly would be the better. Too many peanut allergies!! lol
Was it the amount of sleep or lack of REM that lead to deaths??
Lack of money, peace of mind, job opportunties, and a supportive partner... It's not the lack of sleep... the symptom... it's about the reason for the lack of sleep... THAT's killing these guys. Funny, the study DOES NOTHING to address or classify the causes of lack of sleep. That would be interesting. UNEMPLOYMENT for example, might trigger GOVERNMENT REFORMS... job creation... local trickledown legislative policies (protectionism).
So, "the sleep" is the symptom of something else. What? That is my opinion.
By Kathy's logic, women are the weaker sex because they have a problem with breast cancer.
I LOVE men!!! LOL
I LOVE MEN!! LOL
I wanna meet BetsyAnn!!
A question was asked whether they could elaborate on what one could die from with insomnia. I have obstructive sleep apnoea, and, because of that, I don't sleep deep enough to get REM sleep. That causes the methabolism NOT to start, or to slow down, you gain weight, get diabetes (which was what I got) and you could also be in line for a heart attack and other organ problems. I believe therefore, that insufficient sleep, might have the same outcome. Oh yes, and YES I do believe that everything was done in 6 days, but at that time, a day, was not 24 hours, and could have been years. It says, In the beginning, GOD created the heavens and the earth. period. No one can tell me what period means, and how long it was. I BELIEVE because I believe, because I believe, and cannot be swayed, however, I have no problem with any other opinon, I will stand at judgement, only to answer what I believed and not what others believed. I just mean to say I don't agree the woman is to be the master of the man, but his helpmate, she was taken out of his "RIB" to be beside him, not his scull, to sit on his head, neither one of his foot bones, to be trampled. Sela!
If I admit to being the weaker of the sexes, will a few asian broads throw themselves at me please?
thanks
When I think of the greatest minds, I think of Einstein, Edison, Franklin, Hubble, Copernicus, Hawking, Newton, Galilei, Darwin, Volta, Archimedes, Pascal and Heisenberg just to name a few. Should I count Bobby Fischer? What is it they all have in common, a penis perhaps??? Who are the greatest musicians of all time? Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Elvis??? Who are the best athletes? Your argument is over Kathy... come back when you have something to contribute to the world.
I am dead....
Looks like you're doing well for dead. Dead people type?
This article was written by which brain dead person? HOW are men dying? Crashes due to falling asleep? Heart attacks? HOW? Are they committing suicide? HOW LONG does the insomnia have to be present, etc. etc.
I'm amazed people actually a living "spewing" nothing into the press. That is my opinion.
The "study" placed men gettign six or more hours of sleep into the "good sleepers" group. However, the "study" did not imply six hours of sleep was sufficient? Right... and "the study" took place over 14 years... BUT how many years before that were these 50-year-old men NOT SLEEPING? 5, 10,15, 20, 30, 30+ years? So, this "study" looks like "it found something... but its just alarmist, not productive." The message: men – force yourself to sleep??? HERE GOES THE DIVORCE RATE – more money for dishonest family court lawyers who conduct auction house rights sales to highest bidder.
That is my opinion.
How did these men die? A sleepless irritable street fight, road rage, violence? Drug abuse? Were they not sleeping because they were homeless? In a bad stressful marriage? Constantly under stress for some socio-economic reason? WHAT? How? This study is a PRIME EXAMPLE of the potential for the abuse of statistics. STATISTICS are great for "docking at the space station" with a 80% level of confidence. However, to "define the complexities of life" is an abuse. SOMEONE SHOULD PULL this "researcher's credentials". This type of "science" leads to mistruths like "build a manager" PMI PM training and certification, and "buy a college degree" dysfunction. It's an outrageous and misleading abuse of statistics to justify an agenda. That is my opinion.
"Among the insomniacs who slept fewer than 6 hours, 51 percent died." Brilliant statement...and article. Not. Died of what? Died at what premature age? With complete assurance, I can state from my own observations that everyone dies. Really excellent piece of research and journalism here. yawn.
Exactly. Point on. Although randomly selected these men may have shared "coronary artery disease" or something... so this study lacks the substantive detail needed to interpret it. I'm surprised "the results" were printed to alarm people. WHO SPONSORED THE STUDY? The makers of weird mind-altering Ambien? Looks like it. That is my opinion.
Why on earth do people insist on using the old English word 'methinks'?
Nothing could make you appear more pretentious.
Less than six hours per night and 4 times as likely to die? And I thought the likelihood of dying was 1.
I contacted Kathy's husband in Craigslist and had hot sex with him. He was a true bottom so I guess he was weak !
Although insomnia is not good for you (because sleep allows the body to rest and repair itself), could it be that over a 14 year span the people participating in the study died from other reasons (including, but not limited to, the underlying cause of the insomnia)? Put into perspective, 14 years is a very long time and very many things can happen within that time span.
I don't think this article is very strong scientifically. I think it was printed as filler with a strong headline to make people click on it. Look at all of the people that have commented (including me).
Girly girls, do you have any make up tips, I need to look hot for Kathy and that hot man I met in the bathroom !
Hell, all they would have to do is read this blog to fall asleep !!
And sorry 'bout this ladies but men are the stronger sex, always have been, always will be. Get over it.
4 times as likely to die?
Oh no, guys. I have a 400% CHANCE OF DYING. Help me!
Yawn – another day, another study.
The amount of sleep a human of any gender needs to remain healthy, obviously depends on many factors and varies on a case to case basis.
Taking a nap or simply resting around noon for 20-30 minutes, works like a miracle drug, unlike any other you can find.
#1 reason for dying too early is STRESS, closely followed by poor nutrition and lack of basic cardiovascular exercise, regardless of how much or what kind of sleep one gets.
Now get off your behind and enjoy that one time around we all have been given and make something off it that feels good to your heart, mind, body and soul.
You will sleep like a baby, every night.
What crappy reporting. They didn't even mention at what age people died, just that it happened. I guess that means that people that don't have insomnia are immortal?
Also, once again rampant chauvinism in the AMA rears it's ugly head. They didn't bother to study women until almost a decade later because they are still considered less valuable even in our own society, even in this supposed age of enlightenment. Once a woman's baby machine years are over it's time for the trash can! That's why heart disease in women was not even studied until relatively recently. God forbid a man should die! Women? It only matters if you are still a breeder! Get breast cancer – let's just lop them off – When a man gets prostrate cancer it's a different story!!!!! Let's do everything we possibly can to save it!!!
yes Kathy men are weak. I just took out a couple of them at work.
Why is everybody on Kathy?
Do these have to be consecutive hours of sleep? I wake up frequently, checking to make sure Kathy doesn't try to smother me.
Linda Goodman writes in Star Signs that by using Pran Yantra or Tesla Purple Energy Plates, the problem of insomnia and Irregular Sleeping Hours vanishes. Even a 4 hour sleep will make you as energised as if you have had a full 8 hours sleep. Simply keep the purple plate beneath your pillow.These plates are developed using universal free energy somewhere in the Himalayan region of India.