Latest news with #Troxel
New York Post
2 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Alzheimer's risk could rise with specific sleep pattern, experts warn
A new study has found a link between rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and Alzheimer's disease. The research from China, published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia by the Alzheimer's Association, analyzed the sleep cycles of 128 adults in varying states of cognition. Advertisement The study found that the highest occurrence of REM latency — which is when it takes longer for someone to reach the first REM period after drifting off to sleep — was associated with the highest risk of Alzheimer's. The researchers concluded that prolonged REM latency may serve as a 'novel marker of risk factor' for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Dr. Wendy Troxel, senior behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation in California, said this study adds to 'growing evidence' that specific sleep features, like prolonged REM sleep, are linked to Alzheimer's biomarkers. 'REM sleep is the stage of sleep when dreams mostly occur, and is critically important for memory consolidation and emotional processing,' Utah-based Troxel, who is also author of 'Sharing the Covers: Every Couple's Guide to Better Sleep,' told Fox News Digital. Advertisement This new research aligns with findings from Troxel's own lab, which have shown that other signs of poor sleep health — like shorter duration and poor quality — are associated with worse cognitive function. 'Sleep disruptions may contribute to the buildup of amyloid and tau proteins, key features of Alzheimer's pathology,' the sleep expert said. 5 A new study has found a link between rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and Alzheimer's disease. amenic181 – 'But it's also important to note that the Alzheimer's disease process itself can disrupt sleep, suggesting a bidirectional association between sleep problems and cognitive decline.' Advertisement Dr. Giulio Taglialatela, vice president and research institute director of the Brain Health Institute at the University of Texas Medical Branch, reacted to these findings in a separate interview with Fox News Digital. Taglialatela said it's been 'long understood' that getting a good night's sleep is associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. 'Our brains use sleep to clear out toxic proteins, like those associated with Alzheimer's, and these results show that the cleaning mechanism is less effective when it takes someone longer to enter the REM cycle,' he noted. 5 The study found that the highest occurrence of REM latency was associated with the highest risk of Alzheimer's. – Advertisement 'Unfortunately, there is nothing an individual can do to control how long it takes to enter REM sleep,' the expert.' However, the expert said, the findings provide a 'promising avenue' for predicting the likelihood of someone eventually developing dementia. 'Early intervention in Alzheimer's is essential for delaying its progression, and measuring REM sleep could be a marker to indicate who may be a candidate for treatment even before they start to show impaired cognitive function,' Taglialatela said. Potential limitations 5 'Our brains use sleep to clear out toxic proteins, like those associated with Alzheimer's, and these results show that the cleaning mechanism is less effective when it takes someone longer to enter the REM cycle,' Dr. Giulio Taglialatela noted. sudok1 – The study did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged – primarily that it was cross-sectional, 'and thus the direction of the association cannot be determined.' The sample size was also relatively small, and the researchers only focused on one specific type of tau protein. There is also the possibility that monitoring sleep in a clinical setting may introduce 'environmental disturbances,' impacting sleep measurement accuracy, the researchers noted. 'Future studies will benefit from research in real-world home settings,' they wrote. Tips for sleep improvements 5 The study did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged – primarily that it was cross-sectional, 'and thus the direction of the association cannot be determined.' LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – Advertisement While these findings are important, Troxel said, she encourages individuals to not allow the information to be 'another source of worry that keeps you awake at night.' 'Avoid the tendency to become overly fixated on metrics like REM sleep percentage or latency from consumer sleep trackers, as they have limited accuracy in determining sleep architecture,' she cautioned. 'Obsessing on such data can increase anxiety, which is a powerful sleep disruptor.' Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here! The best approach is to focus on the foundations of good sleep health, the expert said. Advertisement Adults should strive for seven to nine hours of shuteye and should maintain consistent sleep and wake times, according to Troxel. 5 Adults should strive for seven to nine hours of shuteye and should maintain consistent sleep and wake times, according to experts. Satawat – 'Minimize common disruptors such as excessive caffeine and alcohol, which are known to fragment REM sleep, [as well as] screen use before bedtime,' she added. Advertisement 'Focusing on these core sleep habits is the most effective and evidence-based way to support the brain and overall health.' Taglialatela also encourages individuals to focus on creating an 'ideal sleep environment' while maintaining 'good bedtime habits' to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
Calgary Herald
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Liver transplant recipient takes to the octagon in first MMA bout this weekend
Rebecca Troxel, 36, has long dreamed of picking up combative sports, but between complications from a liver transplant and a battle with endometriosis, she never had the chance – until now. Article content Troxel received the transplant when she was just nine years old, after being diagnosed with biliary atresia, a life-threatening liver disease, when she was a baby. She's been on medication ever since, and has also dealt with multiple rejections. Article content Article content Article content 'I've always wanted to do some sort of boxing, or something like that,' Troxel said. 'I started getting slammed with social media ads for Champions Rise.' Article content Article content But despite her initial hesitation, Troxel eventually signed up for her first season in September of 2024 – and for a second season in February after just a few days off. Article content Article content 'I had an injury last season, so I didn't end up fighting,' Troxel said. 'I wanted to come back for a redemption this season.' Article content Her debut fight takes place tonight at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino, and though she's hoping for a win, it's about more than that for her. Article content 'I'm trying to just focus on gratitude,' Troxel said. 'More than anything, the last year of training has taught me that I'm capable of so much more than I thought.' Article content 'When you have chronic illness like endo or or growing up in the hospital, a lot of people just kind of discount you for things,' she said. Article content 'You get a little bit of that in your head, thinking, 'Maybe I can't do this' – but I can, and I'm here.' Article content 'It's been very rewarding to work with her,' Troxel's coach, Mike Smallwood, said. 'She's a really hard worker.' Article content 'We have high expectations, so there's always going to be a transformation that's going to happen.' Smallwood said. 'She was very resilient and worked her way through it.' Article content Smallwood trained both Troxel and her opponent, so he's not rooting for a particular outcome for Friday's fight, but said it could go either way. Article content 'It's a fair match up,' he said. 'Honestly, I do not know who will win this.' Article content
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Most sleep-deprived cities in US revealed in report: Where does yours rank?
Where you live could affect how you sleep at night. New research from Innerbody revealed that some areas of the country are more sleep-deprived than others. The study used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other benchmarks from the 100 most populous cities in the U.S., ranking each on sleep duration and quality. Here's Why 90% Of Americans Don't Sleep Through The Night, According To Expert For each city, the researchers analyzed the prevalence of five metrics — physical activity, obesity, alcohol consumption, mental distress, and noise and light pollution — all of which can impact sleep quality. Below are the top 10 most sleep-deprived cities, according to the study results. Read On The Fox News App Norfolk, Virginia New Orleans, Louisiana Detroit, Michigan Toledo, Ohio Cincinnati, Ohio Indianapolis, Indiana Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Laredo, Texas Cleveland, Ohio Memphis, Tennessee The researchers noted that many of these cities are in the eastern half of the U.S., and Ohio appears multiple times. Heat Exposure Linked To Better Sleep, Experts Say — Here's Why While these cities ranked as the most overall sleep-deprived, Honolulu, Hawaii, placed No. 1 for worst sleep duration, with 42.3% of adults getting fewer than seven hours of shuteye per night. That's followed by Norfolk, Virginia; New Orleans, Louisiana; Detroit, Michigan; and Huntsville, Alabama. Memphis, Tennessee, ranked No. 1 for the city with the worst sleep quality, followed by New Orleans, Louisiana; Norfolk, Virginia; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Corpus Christi, Texas. Just One Night Of Poor Sleep Could Have These Surprising Health Effects The study also identified the country's least sleep-deprived cities, listed below. Minneapolis, Minnesota Seattle, Washington San Jose, California Madison, Wisconsin Boise, Idaho St. Paul, Minnesota Denver, Colorado Lincoln, Nebraska Oakland, California San Francisco, California The researchers commented that cooler temperatures in some of these locations could boost sleep quality. Sleep expert Wendy Troxel, PhD – a RAND Corporation senior behavioral specialist and licensed clinical psychologist in Utah – confirmed in an interview with Fox News Digital that, per her own research, location can have an impact on sleep. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "It's often said that your zip code can influence your health as much as your genetic code," she said. "Together, these results highlight that this saying holds true for sleep health as well." Troxel's latest research, published in the journal Sleep Health, showed that improving sleep health requires "moving beyond individual-focused approaches and considering broader strategies" in relation to neighborhoods, she said. This includes investing in neighborhood improvements to enhance sleep quality and overall population health. For more Health articles, visit "Considering the strong connection between sleep health issues and preventable chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke, our findings suggest that interventions aimed at improving neighborhood conditions could yield significant benefits," she article source: Most sleep-deprived cities in US revealed in report: Where does yours rank?
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Here's why 90% of Americans don't sleep through the night, according to expert
Sleep is of great importance to overall health, but many people struggle to get quality slumber. In an annual survey by U.S. News, which was released in March, thousands of Americans weighed in on their sleep habits. While the National Institutes of Health recommends seven to nine hours of sleep every night, 58% of people reported sleeping six to seven hours a night. Heat Exposure Linked To Better Sleep, Experts Say – Here's Why Meanwhile, one in five Americans (20%) reported only getting four to five hours. The survey also found that 25% of respondents use over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids. Read On The Fox News App The largest finding revealed that 89% of U.S. adults wake up regularly during the night. More than one in three (40%) Americans said they wake up often, even if it doesn't happen daily. Sleep expert Wendy Troxel, PhD — a RAND Corporation senior behavioral specialist and licensed clinical psychologist in Utah — shared a few reasons Americans aren't sleeping through the night. Just One Night Of Poor Sleep Could Have These Surprising Health Effects "Given the stress and uncertainty in today's world, it is not particularly surprising that a striking number of people are facing trouble staying asleep," she said in an interview with Fox News Digital. Other health conditions like chronic pain — or sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or insomnia — can also disrupt sleep, according to Troxel. Environmental factors like pollution and rising global temperatures can also contribute to "fragmented sleep," as temperature can manipulate the circadian rhythm, the expert added. "As part of the circadian rhythm (which regulates sleep-wake cycles among other things), the body's core temperature naturally decreases at night, signaling that it's time to sleep," she said. "A cooler environment facilitates this temperature drop, promoting deeper and more restful sleep." The recommended temperature for quality sleep is between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit, according to experts. Troxel recommended using breathable bedding, wearing lightweight sleepwear and using fans or air-conditioning to regulate temperature. "Investing in temperature-regulating mattresses or mattress pads can also help maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the night," she advised. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter Troxel also named menopause as a "significant factor" for sleep disruptions, with about 60% of women experiencing restless nights during this transition. For more Health articles, visit "Hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle and during menopause influence thermoregulation and can contribute to sleep disruptions in women," she said. To prevent waking up in the middle of the night, Troxel shared that "one of the most effective strategies" is stimulus control. "If you wake up and can't get back to sleep, get out of bed and do something calming but distracting, like reading a book or gently stretching," she suggested. "This can help break the habit of being awake and frustrated in bed." "You want your brain to associate your bed as a sanctuary for sleep, not as a place for frustration and worry." Troxel also encouraged people to resist the urge to check the clock in the middle of the night. "Seeing the time at 3 a.m. only exacerbates stress and anxiety," she article source: Here's why 90% of Americans don't sleep through the night, according to expert
Fox News
03-04-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Here's why 90% of Americans don't sleep through the night, according to expert
Sleep is of great importance to overall health, but many people struggle to get quality slumber. In an annual survey by U.S. News, which was released in March, thousands of Americans weighed in on their sleep habits. While the National Institutes of Health recommends seven to nine hours of sleep every night, 58% of people reported sleeping six to seven hours a night. Meanwhile, one in five Americans (20%) reported only getting four to five hours. The survey also found that 25% of respondents use over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids. The largest finding revealed that 89% of U.S. adults wake up regularly during the night. More than one in three (40%) Americans said they wake up often, even if it doesn't happen daily. Sleep expert Wendy Troxel, PhD — a RAND Corporation senior behavioral specialist and licensed clinical psychologist in Utah — shared a few reasons Americans aren't sleeping through the night. "Given the stress and uncertainty in today's world, it is not particularly surprising that a striking number of people are facing trouble staying asleep," she said in an interview with Fox News Digital. Other health conditions like chronic pain — or sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or insomnia — can also disrupt sleep, according to Troxel. Environmental factors like pollution and rising global temperatures can also contribute to "fragmented sleep," as temperature can manipulate the circadian rhythm, the expert added. "As part of the circadian rhythm (which regulates sleep-wake cycles among other things), the body's core temperature naturally decreases at night, signaling that it's time to sleep," she said. "If you wake up and can't get back to sleep, get out of bed and do something calming but distracting." "A cooler environment facilitates this temperature drop, promoting deeper and more restful sleep." The recommended temperature for quality sleep is between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit, according to experts. Troxel recommended using breathable bedding, wearing lightweight sleepwear and using fans or air-conditioning to regulate temperature. "Investing in temperature-regulating mattresses or mattress pads can also help maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the night," she advised. Troxel also named menopause as a "significant factor" for sleep disruptions, with about 60% of women experiencing restless nights during this transition. For more Health articles, visit "Hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle and during menopause influence thermoregulation and can contribute to sleep disruptions in women," she said. To prevent waking up in the middle of the night, Troxel shared that "one of the most effective strategies" is stimulus control. "If you wake up and can't get back to sleep, get out of bed and do something calming but distracting, like reading a book or gently stretching," she suggested. "This can help break the habit of being awake and frustrated in bed." "You want your brain to associate your bed as a sanctuary for sleep, not as a place for frustration and worry." Troxel also encouraged people to resist the urge to check the clock in the middle of the night. "Seeing the time at 3 a.m. only exacerbates stress and anxiety," she said.
