People who have insomnia symptoms such as trouble falling asleep, staying asleep and waking up too early, may be more likely to have a stroke, according to a study.
The study, published in the journal Neurology, showed that the link between insomnia symptoms and stroke was stronger in people under age 50 with those who experienced five to eight symptoms having nearly four times the risk of stroke compared to people with no symptoms.
People with more than five symptoms of insomnia had a 51 per cent increased risk, while those with one had 16 per cent.
However, the researchers said that the study does not prove that insomnia symptoms cause stroke; it only shows an association.
“There are many therapies that can help people improve the quality of their sleep, so determining which sleep problems lead to an increased risk of stroke may allow for earlier treatments or behavioural therapies for people who are having trouble sleeping and possibly reducing their risk of stroke later in life,” said Wendemi Sawadogo, of Virginia Commonwealth University in the US.
The study involved 31,126 people with an average age of 61, who were followed for an average of nine years.
Participants had no history of stroke at the beginning of the study. In the nine years of follow-up there were 2,101 cases of stroke.
Of the 458 people under age 50 with five to eight symptoms, 27 had a stroke. People aged 50 or older with the same number of symptoms had a 38 per cent increased risk of stroke compared to people with no symptoms.
Of the 654 people 50 and over with five to eight symptoms, 33 had a stroke.
“The list of stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes can grow as people age, making insomnia symptoms one of many possible factors. This striking difference suggests that managing insomnia symptoms at a younger age may be an effective strategy for stroke prevention. Future research should explore the reduction of stroke risk through management of sleeping problems,” Sawadogo said.
This association increased further for people with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and depression.
A limitation of the study was that people reported their own symptoms of insomnia, so the information may not have been accurate.
Ahmedabad crash: Two Manipuri crew members of London-bound Air India flight killed
Two cabin crew members from Manipur - Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma (20) and Lamnunthem Singson (26) – were killed when the London-bound Air India flight, carrying over 240 passengers, crashed shortly after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport.
Covid-19 virus protein triggers immune attack on healthy cells: Study
Amid a fresh wave of Covid-19, Israeli researchers have discovered that a protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus can cause the immune system to attack healthy cells mistakenly.
US: Curfew imposed in downtown LA after protests, looting spark chaos
A limited curfew will come into effect from Tuesday in several areas of downtown Los Angeles, California, following several nights of unrest triggered by the Trump administration's immigration raids.
Manipur: Authorities of 5 valley districts relax indefinite curfew as situation improves
A Home Department official said that the situation in the five valley districts have been reviewed and it is deemed appropriate to partially relax the restrictions while ensuring public safety and maintaining law and order.
Curfew, shutdown cripple normal life in Manipur
Normal life was badly affected in five valley districts of Manipur on Monday due to the indefinite curfew and 10-day shutdown, called by the Meitei radical outfit Arambai Tenggol.
10 NDA MLAs meet Manipur Governor, claim 44 MLAs support popular government
A day after former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh held a meeting with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, 10 NDA MLAs on Wednesday met the Governor, claiming that they have the support of 44 legislators in the 60-member Assembly to form a popular government in the state.
Drugs valued at Rs 9.70 cr seized in Mizoram, Manipur; 4 held
Smuggling of various narcotic substances from Myanmar continues unabated in the northeastern states of India, as drugs valued at Rs 9.70 crore have been seized by the security forces in Manipur and Mizoram and four drug peddlers have been apprehended, officials said on Wednesday.
Covid cases increasing, but nothing to worry about as infections are not severe: ICMR chief
Covid-19 infections are increasing in India but there is nothing to worry about as these are not severe, Indian Council of Medical Research Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl said on Monday.