Binge drinking raises the risk for numerous health problems, including alcohol poisoning, injuries, heart risks and liver disease. Defined as having four or more drinks in one occasion, for two or more days a week, frequent binge drinking is linked with insomnia symptoms in adults age 55 and older.
Although binge drinking is considered an activity more common among younger adults, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that older adults (those 65 and older) binge drink more often.
The study, presented at the annual SLEEP 2013 conference, included 4,970 people ages 55 and older who answered questions about their alcohol consumption, including how many times in the past three months they binge-drank The researchers then used this information to calculate how many times a week they participated in binge drinking on average. The study participants also answered questions about their sleep habits, including whether they had problems falling asleep, staying asleep, waking up too early, or feeling unrested “most of the time.”
The results showed that the odds of having insomnia were 84% greater among the participants who reported participating in binge drinking an average if more than two days a week.
Clinicians and health care providers are being encouraged to discuss the alcohol usage with their older patients who report poor sleep. Binge drinking is a poor choice for improving poor sleep.
Alcohol is known to disrupt sleep, leading to groggy mornings. Skip that nightcap and replace it with sleep-promoting drinks such as warm milk, herbal teas and tart cherry juice. We at Gallery Furniture want to see you reap the benefits that come with getting the proper amount of great quality sleep!
Comments are closed.