STRUGGLING to fall asleep within 30 minutes is linked to dementia risk, a study suggests.
The research adds to existing evidence that ties the condition to poor sleep and insomnia.
GettyStruggling to fall asleep within 30 minutes is linked to dementia risk, a study suggests[/caption]
A ten-year study on 6,284 over-65s found those who found it hard to doze off or used sleeping pills were more likely to develop dementia.
However, having difficulty falling back asleep after waking was found to lower the risk, but experts are not sure why.
Dr Roger Wong, who led the US study, said: “We expected sleep-initiation insomnia and sleep medication usage to increase dementia risk, but we were surprised to find sleep-maintenance insomnia decreased dementia risk.
“Our findings highlight the importance of considering sleep disturbance history when assessing the dementia risk profile for older adults.
“Future research is needed to examine other sleep disturbance measures using a national longitudinal sample… and how certain sociodemographic characteristics may interact with sleep disturbances to influence dementia risk.
“Older adults are losing sleep over a wide variety of concerns.
“More research is needed to better understand its causes and manifestations and limit the long-term consequences.”