How impaired sleep affects the risk of cancer
Sleep is extremely important for human health. Too little sleep and impaired sleep can increase the likelihood of Contracting a serious illness. Nocturnal snoring, and exhaustion or fatigue after Sleep may indicate an increased risk for the development of cancer is present.
In the current study of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece, it was found that snoring in women is associated with an increased likelihood of a diagnosis of cancer. The results of the study were published in the English journal “European Respiratory Journal”.
Are only affected women of the risk?
When women suffer from sleep apnea, you develop a higher chance of cancer, compared with not suffering this type of disease women. If women with sleep apnea at night, the blood oxygen level dropped sharply, this was associated with a higher risk of cancer. However, the same Trend in men was not observed, report the authors of the study. Recent studies have shown that low blood oxygen levels during the night and sleep disorders, which occur both in the case of obstructive sleep apnea frequently can play an important role in the biology of various types of cancer. The research area is still relatively new and the impact of gender on the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and cancer have not been previously studied in Detail.
More than 19,000 people took part in the study
For the current study, more than 19,000 people have been examined, which recorded their age, their BMI, their Smoking status and their consumption of alcohol. The researchers then analysed how often each subject experienced a partial or complete closure of his airway per hour of sleep, and how often his blood oxygen levels under 90 percent fell. Cancer occurred in women with sleep apnea more frequently, and even if all other factors were taken into account, men with the same complaints affected less often of cancer. In the case of 388 individuals diagnosed with cancer, of which 160 women and 228 men. The most common Form of cancer in women disease breast cancer, while men were often affected by prostate cancer. The connection between cancer and sleep apnea was particularly strong in the case of the studied women and less pronounced in the case of men, say the authors of the study. This suggests that severe sleep apnea could be an indicator of cancer in women, although further research is needed to confirm these results.
What are the symptoms that indicate sleep apnea?
The classic symptoms of sleep apnea, such as sleepiness, snoring, and respiratory arrest arose in the night, occur in men more frequently, while others less well-known symptoms such as depression and morning headaches affect more often women.
How can we protect ourselves from sleep apnea?
Doctors should continue to be vigilant, if you examine people with possible sleep apnea, in particular women, which often have less definite symptoms occur. Both female and male patients with sleep apnea should be advised to adhere to the therapy and maintain a healthy lifestyle. You should weight, sufficient physical activity and movement, Reach the ideal body and a limitation of alcohol consumption and, where appropriate, give up Smoking. (as)