Scientists Say Sleep Frequency, Stroke Directly Related

Sleep frequency may increase the risk of suffering a stroke according to a new study. Too much sleep or too little of it may raise the risk of the disease, where the blood supply is cut-off. The study also finds a growing evidence of other sleep disorders such as restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea that are related to stroke and recovery from the disease.

The findings suggest that people who have had a stroke or a mini-stroke should be screened for sleep disorders. Dr Dirk Hermann of University Hospital Essen who authors the study said that sleep disorders are common after a stroke but only a few are being tested for them. Evidence shows that people with sleep disorders are more likely to have another stroke and other complications than people without sleep problems, Daily Mail reported.

The researchers examined a number of studies which looked at the link between sleep disturbances and stroke and combined the data of multiple studies into a meta-analysis. It is then found that sleep disorders generally fall into two categories such as sleep breathing problems and sleep-wake disorders. Sleep apnea and other sleep breathing problems disrupt breathing while asleep. The research shows evidence that links sleep breathing problems with the risk of stroke and recovery from the disease, WebMD reported.

The researchers recommend that sleep apnea where the throat constricts during sleep which in turn restricts breathing should be treated with CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure machine. This findings reveal that the use of CPAP can improve a person's recovery after a stroke. Sleep-wake disorders such as insomnia and restless leg syndrome, on the other hand, affect the time spent asleep. Sleep-wake disorders may also increase the risk of stroke and harm stroke recovery, although there is less evidence to prove so.

Sleep-wake disorders are not recommended to be treated with drugs according to the researchers. They are cautious in drug recommendation due to the lack of evidence linking the disorder to stroke and recovery and the possible drug side effects.