Latest news with #ChelsieRohrscheib
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Napping too much after 60? New study links long afternoon snoozes to higher death risk
A recent study suggests excessive daytime naps could be risky for older adults. Researchers presented the findings at SLEEP 2025 in Seattle. Longer, irregular naps between 11 AM and 3 PM are linked to higher mortality. Experts advise short 'power naps' of 20-30 minutes. They also suggest that frequent napping may indicate underlying health issues. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Naps between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. were most risky Long naps might mean you're not sleeping well at night Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs A new study says that older adults who nap too much during the day may have a higher risk of death. This study was presented at SLEEP 2025, a big sleep science event in Seattle, Washington. The research looked at daytime naps , especially longer and irregular naps in the early afternoon, and found these were linked to a higher death risk over 8 years, as per the report by Fox News Gao, the study's lead author and a postdoc at Massachusetts General Hospital, said they wanted to understand more than just if people nap — but also how long, when, and how often. The study had 86,565 participants with an average age of 63. All had regular daytime jobs, as per people wore devices that tracked their movement during sleep. It didn't check brain activity though. Scientists defined daytime napping as sleep between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Over the next 8 years, 5,189 people (6%) from the study died, as stated in the report by Fox News who napped between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. or took longer naps had higher chances of dying during those 8 years. The study also adjusted for other death risk factors like age, weight, smoking, alcohol, and night sleep time. Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, a sleep expert from Wesper, New York, who wasn't part of the study, said naps are okay unless they're used to make up for bad night sleep, according to the report by Fox News also said adults need 7 to 9 hours of good sleep at night to stay healthy and avoid diseases like heart problems and diabetes. One issue with the study: it might have confused "quiet rest" with actual sleep, because the tracker only checks movement, not brain activity, as mentioned in the defining naps as between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. may have accidentally included some people's real sleep, not just naps. Too much daytime sleeping could be a sign of other health problems like chronic illness, body inflammation, or issues with the body's internal clock, as mentioned by Fox News Rohrscheib said if someone needs a nap every day, they probably have bad night sleep or an underlying health issue. Chenlu Gao said more studies are needed to find out whether naps directly cause health issues, or if they're just a sign of something Gao also said watching people's napping patterns could help spot health problems early and let doctors step in faster. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine says healthy naps should be under 20 to 30 minutes, and taken early in the afternoon, according to the "power naps" can help you feel more awake and full of energy. But if you nap for more than 30 minutes, you might feel tired or dizzy after waking short, sleeping too much during the day after age 60 can be risky. The time, length, and how often you nap may show signs about your health, according to Fox News DigitalYes, a new study says too much daytime napping after age 60 may raise the risk of say naps should be 20–30 minutes and taken early in the afternoon.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Napping too much after 60? New study links long afternoon snoozes to higher death risk
A new study says that older adults who nap too much during the day may have a higher risk of death. This study was presented at SLEEP 2025, a big sleep science event in Seattle, Washington. The research looked at daytime naps, especially longer and irregular naps in the early afternoon, and found these were linked to a higher death risk over 8 years, as per the report by Fox News Digital. Chenlu Gao, the study's lead author and a postdoc at Massachusetts General Hospital, said they wanted to understand more than just if people nap — but also how long, when, and how often. The study had 86,565 participants with an average age of 63. All had regular daytime jobs, as per reports. Naps between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. were most risky These people wore devices that tracked their movement during sleep. It didn't check brain activity though. Scientists defined daytime napping as sleep between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Over the next 8 years, 5,189 people (6%) from the study died, as stated in the report by Fox News Digital. People who napped between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. or took longer naps had higher chances of dying during those 8 years. The study also adjusted for other death risk factors like age, weight, smoking, alcohol, and night sleep time. Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, a sleep expert from Wesper, New York, who wasn't part of the study, said naps are okay unless they're used to make up for bad night sleep, according to the report by Fox News Digital. Long naps might mean you're not sleeping well at night She also said adults need 7 to 9 hours of good sleep at night to stay healthy and avoid diseases like heart problems and diabetes. One issue with the study: it might have confused "quiet rest" with actual sleep, because the tracker only checks movement, not brain activity, as mentioned in the reports. Live Events Also, defining naps as between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. may have accidentally included some people's real sleep, not just naps. Too much daytime sleeping could be a sign of other health problems like chronic illness, body inflammation, or issues with the body's internal clock, as mentioned by Fox News Digital. ALSO READ : Michael Madsen, iconic 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'Kill Bill' actor, dies at 67 Dr. Rohrscheib said if someone needs a nap every day, they probably have bad night sleep or an underlying health issue. Chenlu Gao said more studies are needed to find out whether naps directly cause health issues, or if they're just a sign of something else. But Gao also said watching people's napping patterns could help spot health problems early and let doctors step in faster. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine says healthy naps should be under 20 to 30 minutes, and taken early in the afternoon, according to the reports. Short "power naps" can help you feel more awake and full of energy. But if you nap for more than 30 minutes, you might feel tired or dizzy after waking up. In short, sleeping too much during the day after age 60 can be risky. The time, length, and how often you nap may show signs about your health, according to Fox News Digital FAQs Q1. Is it dangerous for older adults to nap a lot during the day? Yes, a new study says too much daytime napping after age 60 may raise the risk of death. Q2. How long should a healthy nap be? Experts say naps should be 20–30 minutes and taken early in the afternoon.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Have Sleep Apnea Or Suspect You Do? Certain Pillows Might Help
The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted. Sleep apnea — a disorder in which one's breathing is interrupted for seconds or minutes at a time during sleep — affects people of all ages, genders and body types, according to Dr. Indira Gurubhagavatula, a sleep medicine physician and spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Yet more than 80% of sleep apnea cases remain undiagnosed, she said. 'The most common symptom of sleep apnea is loud, persistent snoring,' Gurubhagavatula noted. However, because of the unconscious nature of sleep, it can be tricky to determine whether you snore, much less experience sleep apnea episodes, unless a family member, roommate or partner notices. However, if you notice yourself waking up gasping or choking, or even frequently using the bathroom at night, these can all constitute sleep apnea symptoms, too. The interruptions in breathing that occur with sleep apnea 'lead to frequent drops in blood oxygen levels, severely disrupting sleep quality,' explained Chelsie Rohrscheib, a neuroscientist and head sleep expert at Wesper. The consequences of such diminished sleep quality can be dire, affecting daytime hours and the broader constitution of one's life emphasized Gurubhagavatula. 'For about half of those with sleep apnea, symptoms worsen when sleeping on their back,' explained Rohrscheib. This is called positional sleep apnea, she noted, and occurs because sleeping on your back can actually block your airway. Specifically, gravity can cause your tongue to fall into the throat during sleep, obscuring the airway, both experts said. 'Patients with positional sleep apnea often benefit from sleeping on their side or elevating their head,' added Rohrscheib. 'For people with mild sleep apnea, sleeping with a firm, elevated pillow might improve their respiration, as softer pillows that are thinner tend to promote airway blockage.' If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, seek evaluation by your doctor or a specialist from an AASM-accredited sleep center. A healthcare professional can order you a sleep study, which often can be done right at home. 'Those with positional sleep apnea may still experience breathing disruptions, though typically to a lesser degree than when sleeping on their back,' Rohrscheib noted, and 'not everyone with sleep apnea will see improvements by changing their sleep position.' It's best to consult with a sleep specialist about whether positional therapy makes sense for you. Tempurpedic Switching to a side sleeping position with an appropriate pillow can be helpful if you have mild or positional sleep apnea, in which the disorder worsens during back sleeping. 'Typically, someone with positional sleep apnea will benefit more from a pillow that allows them to sleep comfortably on their sides, such as a medium firm memory foam pillow," said Rohrscheib. Based on Rohrscheib's advice, we selected Tempurpedic's beloved memory foam pillow, which is designed to comfortably support your head and neck during side sleeping. $119+ at Tempurpedic Large: $66 at Amazon Amazon This popular contoured side sleeping pillow is another solid option based on Rohrscheib's recommendation. It's so important for any good side pillow to support the space between your shoulder and head as closely as possible, yet that distance is unique to each person depending on their particular physical makeup, according to sleep brands like Tempurpedic. After all, shorter folks may have different head-to-shoulder widths than taller people. As a result, it can be advantageous to choose an adjustable pillow, like this one. Oeko-Tex-certified and made out of memory foam, the pillow provides four different heights for you to choose from to help achieve optimal profile support while helping minimize neck strain. Another plus is that this option comes in a travel size for easy portability. $37+ at Amazon Amazon For folks with positional sleep apnea, "The simple practice of sleeping on their side or stomach can help keep the airway open throughout the night," noted Gurubhagavatula. A concave contoured pillow, like this bestselling one that HuffPost selected, may help side sleeping feel comfier by providing additional support. Made with memory foam, the pillow is designed to ergonomically cradle the head at a 15-degree angle while supporting the natural curve of the neck and shoulders. This option features convenient removable inserts, too, so you can adjust it to your ideal side profile width. If you'd like the pillow to be even taller than the available inserts allow, the company says you can even contact them for an additional insert. $40 at Amazon Amazon Both Gurubhagavatula and Rohrscheib recommended wedge pillows for folks with mild or positional sleep apnea, since this kind of pillow helps encourage sleeping with the upper body elevated. "A wedge pillow that allows [patients] to sleep at a 45-degree angle ... reduces the risk of soft tissue blockage in the back of the throat" and thus helps improve respiration, explained Rohrscheib. Based on the experts' input, we think this bestselling memory foam wedge pillow is a great option. Available in tons of different sizes, including options that span your whole headboard, the adjustable pillow is plenty versatile (and surprisingly chic thanks to its Jacquard pillow cover). It's designed to help with snoring and encourage more comfortable sleep, but can also be used for back support while reading or watching TV or for elevating your feet or legs after a long day. $37 at Amazon Amazon If you already know you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine to assist with nighttime breathing, you might benefit from a pillow that's designed specifically with CPAPs in mind. "There are ... pillows made for sleep apnea patients that use other therapies, like CPAP," noted Rohrscheib. This Contour CPAP Max pillow, which HuffPost selected, is one such option. The adjustable, orthopedic pillow sports side cutouts to help minimize leaks from your mask and prevent your mask from moving around. Its concave center cradles your head while providing facial support to help facilitate comfortable airflow and side positioning. With the pillow's three removable layers, you can add and subtract inserts to achieve an ideal height for your side profile. Available in original and cooling versions, the pillow even has a tether for attaching your machine's hose to further minimize shifting of your mask. Original: $60 at Amazon Cooling: $60 at Amazon Amazon This popular, firm Lunderg memory foam pillow, which HuffPost also chose, is also designed for folks with sleep apnea who use CPAP machines. Designed to reduce mask air leaks, the pillow's two sides offer different thickness levels to accommodate differing side profiles; the pillow also comes with an additional removable insert for further customization. The piece also includes two pillowcases (one of which is cooling)! $79 at Amazon $79 at Walmart Amazon In previous HuffPost reporting, a sleep medicine physician recommended using a full-body pillow to make side and stomach sleeping easier while providing additional pressure-relieving support. Based on this advice, we selected this popular adjustable full-body pillow from Pharmedoc. The piece is customizable, so you can opt for its full U-shaped style, or detach one of its legs for a C-shape, and use the removed part for additional support between your legs or behind your head. It also comes with a heat-absorbing cooling cover. $40 at Amazon Amazon A sleep medicine physician also previously told HuffPost that a small pillow in between the knees can help align the spine for more comfortable side sleeping. Based on this suggestion, we think this orthopedic knee pillow from Luna is a solid option. Contoured into an hourglass shape and made with memory foam, the knee pillow is designed to support your body while adapting to your particular shape and maintaining breathability with its cooling fabric. Designed to help align the spine, the sleep tool helps reduce pressure in the neck and shoulders while distributing your weight more evenly in the side sleeping position. $21+ at Amazon The Highest-Rated Pillows On Amazon For Every Type Of Sleeper The Very Best Pillows For Stomach Sleepers, According To Experts If You're Desperate For Better Sleep, This $30 Gadget Could Be A Game-Changer
Newsweek
21-06-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
The Key to Better Sleep Is in Your Gut, Says Gastroenterologist
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Around 25 million U.S. adults suffer from insomnia. At the same time, more than 3.9 million Americans are taking probiotics, usually for gut health, according to the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). And gut health could be the key to better sleep. A study published in the journal Engineering examined a specific probiotic strain called Lactobacillus helveticus CCFM1320. This probiotic produces a compound known as SAM (S-adenosylmethionine), which helps regulate the body's internal clock and supports the production of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep. The researchers found that this probiotic could significantly improve sleep quality. The Gut as a Second Brain Neuroscientist Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, the head of sleep at Wesper, a national home sleep disorder diagnostics company, told Newsweek: "The gut essentially acts as a secondary nervous system and creates and releases many crucial neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, which also help to regulate nervous system activity. "This allows for two-way communication between the gut and the brain, called the gut-brain axis. Healthy gut microbes are essential to keeping the gut healthy and functioning, and there is ample evidence that gut microbiota dysregulation can negatively impact the activity of the gut-brain axis. Because the brain is highly sensitive, this can lead to poor sleep quality." Stock image of a woman taking pills from her nightstand before bed. Stock image of a woman taking pills from her nightstand before bed. Liudmila Chernetska/iStock / Getty Images Plus Is CCFM1320 a Game-Changing Strain? To test the effectiveness of CCFM1320 in humans, scientists from Jiangnan University conducted a four-week study with 60 volunteers who experienced sleep difficulties. Participants were divided into two groups: one received the probiotic, while the other took a placebo. Results showed that those who consumed the probiotic had better sleep scores, lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and a healthier balance of gut bacteria. Additionally, the probiotic boosted the expression of genes involved in producing and utilizing SAM, a key factor in sleep and overall health. Strain-Specific Benefits Dr. Michel Bass, a board-certified gastroenterologist and the Founding Medical Director at Oshi Health in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, emphasized the importance of strain specificity: "Not all probiotics are created equal. This study identified CCFM1320 as uniquely beneficial for sleep quality. This isn't a generic 'take-any-probiotic' situation—it's about strain-level specificity," Bass told Newsweek. "That's where a lot of public messaging needs to evolve. Just like different medications target different conditions, different strains do different things. And this one appears to enhance melatonin synthesis via SAM methylation—a novel pathway." Probiotic Supplements vs. Fermented Foods Stock image of an assortment of fresh vegetables and meats. Stock image of an assortment of fresh vegetables and meats. esilzengin/iStock / Getty Images Plus While fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and kefir are beneficial for general gut health, Bass explained that they may not provide targeted probiotic strains at therapeutic levels. "If someone wants to improve things like sleep quality or reduce stress hormones like cortisol, a strong, well-researched supplement—especially one with proven strains like CCFM1320—is usually more effective," he said. "That said, eating fermented foods is still a great daily habit and can complement targeted probiotic supplements." Jason Eastty, owner of Healthspan Longevity in Westborough, Massachusetts, and a nutrition specialist, added that overall good nutrition can combat poor sleep. "Having a nutrient deficiency—like low iron, magnesium, or vitamin D—can throw off your gut microbial balance, leading to poor sleep. Clinical trials have shown that correcting these deficiencies helps microbial diversity and improves sleep efficiency," Eastty said. He also emphasized that a whole-foods diet rich in fiber—from fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains—is essential to feeding the "good" bacteria in your gut.
