Menopause - The Blog » sleep

The Effect of Poor Sleep Quality on Blood Pressure

Wendy — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:36:21 +0000

Sleep disturbances, weight gain and creeping blood pressure are common complaints of women in mid-life. I’ve learned through experience and research that there’s a connection between sleep deprivation and weight gain as well as between weight gain and high blood pressure. Now, a new study, published just last week, is making a direct connection between sleep duration and blood pressure. It concluded that “early middle-aged adults who sleep fewer hours appear more likely to have high blood pressure and to experience adverse changes in blood pressure over time.”

Sleep disturbances are common complaints of women going through the peri- and post- menopausal transitions and this and other studies have pointed out the consequences of not getting enough shut eye. If you’re typically getting less than six hours of good quality sleep a night, find a medical professional (such as a naturopathic doctor, internist, acupuncturist) or even a yoga instructor or meditation class to help you solve this problem.

Personally, I have found that a combination of supplements, hormone balancing and exercise (above all) have just about cured me of my night-time anxiety and insomnia. As a result, I’m more clear-headed, more energetic and I have a much better disposition on life!

I’d be very interested in hearing about what has helped you solve your sleep problems.

A New Study Explains the Connection Between Insomnia and Weight Gain

Wendy — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:23:58 +0000

The connection between insomnia and weight gain, both common complaints of mid-life women, has been well established, but a new study by UCLA researchers has revealed why.

The culprits are two hormones; ghrelin, often referred to as the “hunger hormone” because it stimulates appetite and increases before meals; and leptin, which tells the body when it is hungry and when it is full. Sleep loss apparently leads to increased ghrelin and decreased leptin - a “double-whammy” that stimulates appetite.

By the way, a year ago I wrote about a Canadian research study that concluded that too much sleep can cause weight gain. I guess you just have to figure out how much shut-eye is right for you.

A Study Explores The Connection Between Sleep and Risk of Stroke

Wendy — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 19:07:10 +0000

When you’re having trouble sleeping – as most women in menopause are – it’s hard to believe that too much sleep can cause problems. I’d settle for a little too much sleep anytime. But new research suggests that too much shut-eye can raise your risk of stroke… and too little makes you vulnerable too. Where’s the sweet spot?

As reported in the October issue of the Women’s Health Advisor newsletter, the study (published in the journal Stroke) followed 93,000 women ages 50-79 for seven years. It found that postmenopausal women who slept nine or more hours a night were 70 percent more likely to suffer a stroke than women who slept seven hours. Women who slept for six or fewer hours a night had a 14 percent higher stroke risk. So it seems that 7-8 hours of sleep is what we should all wish for.

Too much sleep can cause other problems too. See my earlier blogpost about a Canadian study on the connection between sleep and weight gain.

On average, how many hours of sleep do you get a night?