Sleep problems are higher amongst smokers - study

Wednesday 19th September 2012

Smoking is renowned for fuelling a string of health problems and now a connection with sleeping problems has been revealed in a new study. These studies indicate that smokers encounter greater sleep problems than non-smokers after a survey was conducted upon 2,300 volunteers from both of these groups. Stefan Cohrs, of Charite Berlin medical school in Germany was the lead researcher in this study.

Researchers surveyed 1,100 smokers of which they found that 45% of these people noted down they had either 6 hours or less sleep at night, or felt their sleep quality was poor due to disturbances. Amongst the 1,200 non smokers surveyed this figure totalled to 26%. These statistics indicate non-smokers experience a healthier sleep and have better sleep quality than smokers.

However after conducting his research, Cohrs does not certify that smoking is the root cause of a smokers sleep problems as other contributing factors also play a crucial role. Additional factors consist of insufficient exercise, staying up late and increased exposure to electronic devices such as TVs. Health risks that can arise in relation to sleep deficiency include increase risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

In this study a sleep gauging questionnaire was also distributed to participants, amongst which one quarter of smokers answered they were suffering from ‘’disturbed sleep’’. This is known for increasing the probability of the risk of insomnia.

Cohrs has suggested to smokers that poor sleep quality is partially as a result of nicotine’s stimulating effects. He says this should further a smoker’s motive to quit smoking once and for all as nicotine could be the main culprit for impaired sleep.
 

Tags: sleep problems smoking disease

Category: Sleep Research

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