Little sleep = stroke

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Now this I would believe as the lead cause for such a high incidence of strokes in this Island:

Middle-aged and older people who regularly sleep less than six hours a night may be significantly raising their risk of stroke, a new study suggests.
As much as a fourfold increased risk was seen among normal-weight people who didn't suffer from sleep apnea but got fewer than six hours of sleep each night, the researchers found. Both obesity and sleep apnea are known risk factors for stroke.
"Sleep is important," said lead researcher Megan Ruiter, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Alabama at Birmingham's School of Medicine. "There is evidence that insufficient sleep ... increases all sorts of abnormal responses in the body."
Lack of sleep increases inflammation and causes increases in blood pressure and the release of certain hormones, all creating a greater stress response that can increase the risk for stroke, Ruiter said.

http://news.yahoo.com/too-little-sleep- ... 10867.html

[Ex Animo]

I needed to read that. Thanks for posting.

[jimipresley]

I can't sleep more than 6 hours a night, no matter how much I try. What do I do? Being a chain-smoker and alcoholic with ridiculously high blood pressure doesn't help, either, I presume. I think I'm a high-risk potential heart attack or stroke victim. Some words of wisdom would be appreciated.

[Deuce Dropper]

I can't sleep more than 6 hours a night, no matter how much I try. What do I do? Being a chain-smoker and alcoholic with ridiculously high blood pressure doesn't help, either, I presume. I think I'm a high-risk potential heart attack or stroke victim. Some words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Do exercise that gives you an elevated heart rate (though not too intense) 20 minutes a day, three days a week.

Cut fast food and snack food out of your diet as much as possible.

Substitute coffee with green tea whenever possible.

Drink a large glass of water after eating local food (it is very high in salt).

Ration your cigarettes to a below chain smoking level.

Remove as many stressful elements from your life as possible.

[tomthorne]

DD gives good advice there.

Obviously you aren't going to quit drinking/smoking, so try to drink the equivalent in water whenever you have a drink. This is very effective if you drink beer, not so much for a spirits drinker.

[Charlie Phillips]

I can't sleep more than 6 hours a night, no matter how much I try. What do I do? Being a chain-smoker and alcoholic with ridiculously high blood pressure doesn't help, either, I presume. I think I'm a high-risk potential heart attack or stroke victim. Some words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Don't take blood thinning drugs and drink more water.

I'm supplementing my beer with bloody mary's and it's done me the world of good. Vodka, tomato juice, two anchovie stuffed olives and salt an pepper.

[jimipresley]

I take a power walk to work and back each day. I don't eat meat and I don't snack. I hate eating. It irritates me. I sometimes eat a small lunch. I usually only eat one meal a day. I NEVER eat breakfast. The mere idea nauseates me. Supper at around 9PM. I don't drink tea nor coffee. I abhor hot beverages. I smoke on average 3 packs a day and drink a big bottle of Scotch each day. I'm a chain-smoker and alcoholic.

I guess my days are numbered.

[divea]

I can't sleep more than 6 hours a night, no matter how much I try. What do I do? Being a chain-smoker and alcoholic with ridiculously high blood pressure doesn't help, either, I presume. I think I'm a high-risk potential heart attack or stroke victim. Some words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Read the holy scriptures, if that won't lull you into sleep, nothing ever will.

[jimipresley]

I cannot sleep more than 5-6 hours a night. I try, I really do. It's just impossible.

And I teach kindy each day. Jump around like a monkey every day. It's not like I get no exercise.

[Charlie Phillips]

I cannot sleep more than 5-6 hours a night. I try, I really do. It's just impossible.

And I teach kindy each day. Jump around like a monkey every day. It's not like I get no exercise.

Hitler and Napoleon had the same problem. Don't worry about it. You are completely normal.