Don't Disturb Grandpa While He's Sleeping

(Washington School of Medicine illustration)

At last July's check-up I asked the doctor why I have to get up in the middle of the night to relieve myself. His response: as men age, the prostate enlarges and presses against the bladder; it's all quite natural and nothing to worry about.

Though comforting, his statement didn't address the problem of going back to sleep (I stay awake till morning about a third of the time).

The importance of sleep has been confirmed by yet another study: [bold added]

People age 50 or 60 who regularly slept six hours or less each night were more likely than those who slept seven hours to be diagnosed with dementia, according to the study published Tuesday in the scientific journal Nature Communications.

Even after controlling for cardiac, metabolic and mental-health issues, the study researchers found that 50-year-olds who were sleeping six hours or less a night had a 22% higher risk of developing dementia later in life. Sixty-year-olds were 37% more likely to develop the disorder. The comparisons were with people who slept for seven hours each night.

What about the risk if one can go back to sleep after using the bathroom?

Studies have also shown that interruptions preventing people from getting a good night’s sleep are associated with higher dementia risk later on.

Past research also suggests that obesity, high systolic blood pressure and mental-health issues like depression increase the risk of sleep issues and dementia.

This research on inadequate sleep is keeping me up at night.