This week in sleep news:
Your chronotype might affect your CPAP machine
New research shows that your chronotype may influence your reaction to CPAP machines used to treat sleep apnea. New research published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society shows that those with obstructive sleep apnea who are morning chronotypes used their CPAP machines for longer periods than other chronotypes. The study analyzed chronotype data of 469 people who participated in a different CPAP study and showed that “morning larks” with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea used their CPAP machines about 40 minutes longer, compared with later chronotypes. This new information will be used to help inform providers on how to tailor sleep therapies in the future, based on patients’ circadian rhythms.
Melatonin could help reduce self-harm in young people
A new study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry shows that there’s some evidence that melatonin is associated with a reduced risk of self-harm in adolescents with psychiatric disorders. The study looked at the risk of self-harm in participants by comparing the last unmedicated month with the 12 months after starting melatonin treatment. While there were significant changes in relative risk for body injuries, falls, and transport accidents, the relative risk for self-injury was statistically significantly lower during the months following melatonin-treatment initiation. More follow-up is needed to further confirm this link to rule out other variables.
Getting less sleep linked to visceral fat
A study published in Science Direct shows new evidence that points to the link between weight gain and sleep deprivation. The study investigated the relationship between sleep duration and body fat distribution in adults. While looking at data, researchers saw that obesity had risen in parallel with a habitual decline in hours of sleep in Western societies. This study found that insufficient sleep (fewer than 8 hours) leads to excess fat accumulation around the torso area and surrounding vital organs, which is called visceral fat. Overall, this study shows that sleep deprivation may be an important regulator in metabolic health as sleep disorders and insufficient sleep may alter your neuroendocrine system activity, a major mediator of your metabolism.
In more fun sleep news ...
Baseball is back! MLB started its season with a bang yesterday, with an opening day that saw all 30 teams play their first games on the same day for the first time since 1968. With the latest games starting at 10 p.m. yesterday, there certainly will be some sleepy fans going about their day today. Here’s to hoping for another exciting season!
