Health & Medicine
Yoga Reduces Insomnia During Menopause
Benita Matilda
First Posted: Sep 28, 2013 06:56 AM EDT
Yoga, an ancient Indian practice is getting the attention of clinicians for its myriad health benefits not only for a healthy life but for diseases like cancer, arthritis and even mental disorders.
Latest studies reveal that yoga is beneficial for insomnia in both pre and post menopausal women. A recent study documented in the Journal of Clinical Oncology revealed the benefits of yoga on cancer survivors
A study led by researcher Katherine Newton, PhD, a senior investigator at Group Health Research Institute claims that taking a 12-week yoga class and practicing the same at home resulted in reduced insomnia. But yoga practice during menopause did not reduce hot flashes or night sweats.
During menopause twice as many women suffer from insomnia that not only affects the quality of life but also lowers a person's memory and concentration. Insomnia, depression and sleep apnea are common problems that women start facing before the onset of menopause.
The MsFLASH (Menopause Strategies: Finding Lasting Answers for Symptoms and Health) Network randomized controlled trial revealed the link between yoga and improved sleep.
"Many women suffer from insomnia during menopause, and it's good to know that yoga may help them," said Dr. Newton. "Hormone therapy is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for hot flashes and night sweats, and fewer women are opting for hormone therapy these days."
Researchers concentrated on the effects of three natural approaches namely yoga, fish oil and exercise on menopausal symptoms.
The study was conducted on 249 healthy women divided into three groups -one who performed yoga, a moderate aerobic exercise program group and one control group, which did no exercises. The groups were also randomly given omega-3 fatty acid supplement or a placebo.
The researchers noticed that exercise slightly improved sleep, insomnia and depression whereas yoga was associated with better sleep quality and less depression but the effects were not statistically significant. The intake of omega 3 did not improve hot flashes, night sweats, mood and sleep.
A recent study on the benefits of yoga for cancer survivors suffering from sleep deprivation has also been documented. The study claims that practicing yoga helped cancer survivors improve their quality of sleep. This study was basically focused on women with a history of breast cancer.
Similar to the latest finding, a previous study published in the journal Menopause revealed that a couple of yoga sessions a week ease sleeping problems and associated climacteric problems (Symptoms associated with menopause) in postmenopausal women insomnia.
The findings were published in journal Menopause.
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First Posted: Sep 28, 2013 06:56 AM EDT
Yoga, an ancient Indian practice is getting the attention of clinicians for its myriad health benefits not only for a healthy life but for diseases like cancer, arthritis and even mental disorders.
Latest studies reveal that yoga is beneficial for insomnia in both pre and post menopausal women. A recent study documented in the Journal of Clinical Oncology revealed the benefits of yoga on cancer survivors
A study led by researcher Katherine Newton, PhD, a senior investigator at Group Health Research Institute claims that taking a 12-week yoga class and practicing the same at home resulted in reduced insomnia. But yoga practice during menopause did not reduce hot flashes or night sweats.
During menopause twice as many women suffer from insomnia that not only affects the quality of life but also lowers a person's memory and concentration. Insomnia, depression and sleep apnea are common problems that women start facing before the onset of menopause.
The MsFLASH (Menopause Strategies: Finding Lasting Answers for Symptoms and Health) Network randomized controlled trial revealed the link between yoga and improved sleep.
"Many women suffer from insomnia during menopause, and it's good to know that yoga may help them," said Dr. Newton. "Hormone therapy is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for hot flashes and night sweats, and fewer women are opting for hormone therapy these days."
Researchers concentrated on the effects of three natural approaches namely yoga, fish oil and exercise on menopausal symptoms.
The study was conducted on 249 healthy women divided into three groups -one who performed yoga, a moderate aerobic exercise program group and one control group, which did no exercises. The groups were also randomly given omega-3 fatty acid supplement or a placebo.
The researchers noticed that exercise slightly improved sleep, insomnia and depression whereas yoga was associated with better sleep quality and less depression but the effects were not statistically significant. The intake of omega 3 did not improve hot flashes, night sweats, mood and sleep.
A recent study on the benefits of yoga for cancer survivors suffering from sleep deprivation has also been documented. The study claims that practicing yoga helped cancer survivors improve their quality of sleep. This study was basically focused on women with a history of breast cancer.
Similar to the latest finding, a previous study published in the journal Menopause revealed that a couple of yoga sessions a week ease sleeping problems and associated climacteric problems (Symptoms associated with menopause) in postmenopausal women insomnia.
The findings were published in journal Menopause.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone