Bad sleep 'dramatically' alters body

[xchrom]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21572686



A run of poor sleep can have a potentially profound effect on the internal workings of the human body, say UK researchers.

The activity of hundreds of genes was altered when people's sleep was cut to less than six hours a day for a week.

Writing in the journal PNAS, the researchers said the results helped explain how poor sleep damaged health.

Heart disease, diabetes, obesity and poor brain function have all been linked to substandard sleep.

[In_The_Wind]

1. Kickin' it for the truth.

4 to 6 hours of sleep is not enough.

[bemildred]

2. Ya think?

Next they will notice that poor food and overwork damage your health too.

[tibbiit]

3. I'm a bad sleeper

I've always seen sleep as a nuisance. It's really hard for me to sleep more than 6 hours. I know all of this about health and sleep, yet I can't sleep longer. Its a real drag!
tib

[progressoid]

4. ditto

I'd respond with something more eloquent but I'm kind of groggy.

[Quantess]

5. What is it with people who brag about how little sleep they need?

I have met some people --I'm sure we all have-- who are proud that they only get 6 hours of sleep per night, as though they're tougher than us lazy wimps who get our full 8 hours.

And then there are other people who are ashamed for actually needing 8 hours of sleep. What's up with that? I aim for a full 8 hours of sleep every night and 'll be damned if I ever feel guilty or "weak" about it.

[SheilaT]

6. Most of my life I have been able to get enough sleep, which

for me is usually a good 9 hours. When I was in my 20's I could easily sleep fourteen hours straight.

Could there possibly be a connection between getting enough sleep and the fact that I am the healthiest person I know?

And I am also puzzled by those who brag about either how little sleep they need (they're wrong about that) or how little they get because of choices they've made about their lives.

And because I usually get enough sleep, the times I need to short myself aren't all that bad, because I am not chronically short of sleep like so many people.

[spinbaby]

7. Try to get a doctor to take it seriously

I've had horrible sleeping issues since hitting menopause and now can't take estrogen because I had a blood clot. Doctor's reaction is always "Here, have an anti depressant and come back in a couple of months."