Staying up late on the weekends could make your sleep apnoea worse
An estimated 936 million adults worldwide suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), which is when the airways repeatedly collapse during sleep, causing pauses in breathing, frequent sleep disruptions, loud snoring, and daytime fatigue.
The latest study suggests the sleep disorder's actual toll may be even greater, after researchers identified a spike in severity over the weekends driven by lifestyle choices and irregular sleep.
'Sleep is already a major public health issue, but our findings suggest its true impact may be underestimated,' Lucia Pinilla, one of the study's authors and a sleep researcher at Flinders University in Australia, said in a statement.
'Most clinical diagnostic testing is done on a single night, typically a weeknight, missing the weekend effect we're now calling 'social apnoea,'' she added.
Pinilla's team analysed data for about 70,000 people worldwide whose sleep quality was tracked using a monitor placed under their mattresses.
Sleep disruptions were much more common over the weekends, the study found. People were 18 per cent more likely to have moderate or severe OSA on Saturdays compared to Wednesdays.
Changes to sleep schedules – either staying up late or sleeping in – worsened sleep apnoea.
For example, sleeping an extra 45 minutes on weekends raised the risk of severe sleep disruptions by 47 per cent.
Lifestyle and age-related factors also appear to play a role. Adults ages 60 or older had a 7 per cent higher risk on weekends, compared with 24 per cent of those under 60.
The findings were published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
How sleep apnoea affects health
Sleep apnoea can have more serious consequences than a poor night's rest. If left untreated, the condition may raise the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, depression, and dementia.
Pinilla warned that the weekend spike could raise the risk of these health issues even more.
Many people with OSA use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine when they sleep to ensure regular airflow and prevent breathing interruptions and snoring overnight.
Danny Eckert, one of the study's authors, said people with OSA should also try to maintain a regular sleep routine and get seven to nine hours of sleep per night, even on the weekends.
'Keeping a fixed wake-up time and using your prescribed OSA therapy, even on weekends, and going to bed when you feel sleepy will help ensure you frequently get enough restorative sleep which can help combat the weekend spike in OSA,' Eckert said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Euronews
3 days ago
- Euronews
Staying up late on the weekends could make your sleep apnoea worse
Staying up late over the weekend could make a common sleep disorder worse, a new study has found. An estimated 936 million adults worldwide suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), which is when the airways repeatedly collapse during sleep, causing pauses in breathing, frequent sleep disruptions, loud snoring, and daytime fatigue. The latest study suggests the sleep disorder's actual toll may be even greater, after researchers identified a spike in severity over the weekends driven by lifestyle choices and irregular sleep. 'Sleep is already a major public health issue, but our findings suggest its true impact may be underestimated,' Lucia Pinilla, one of the study's authors and a sleep researcher at Flinders University in Australia, said in a statement. 'Most clinical diagnostic testing is done on a single night, typically a weeknight, missing the weekend effect we're now calling 'social apnoea,'' she added. Pinilla's team analysed data for about 70,000 people worldwide whose sleep quality was tracked using a monitor placed under their mattresses. Sleep disruptions were much more common over the weekends, the study found. People were 18 per cent more likely to have moderate or severe OSA on Saturdays compared to Wednesdays. Changes to sleep schedules – either staying up late or sleeping in – worsened sleep apnoea. For example, sleeping an extra 45 minutes on weekends raised the risk of severe sleep disruptions by 47 per cent. Lifestyle and age-related factors also appear to play a role. Adults ages 60 or older had a 7 per cent higher risk on weekends, compared with 24 per cent of those under 60. The findings were published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. How sleep apnoea affects health Sleep apnoea can have more serious consequences than a poor night's rest. If left untreated, the condition may raise the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, depression, and dementia. Pinilla warned that the weekend spike could raise the risk of these health issues even more. Many people with OSA use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine when they sleep to ensure regular airflow and prevent breathing interruptions and snoring overnight. Danny Eckert, one of the study's authors, said people with OSA should also try to maintain a regular sleep routine and get seven to nine hours of sleep per night, even on the weekends. 'Keeping a fixed wake-up time and using your prescribed OSA therapy, even on weekends, and going to bed when you feel sleepy will help ensure you frequently get enough restorative sleep which can help combat the weekend spike in OSA,' Eckert said.
Euronews
5 days ago
- Euronews
Blowing a conch shell: Could this ancient practice improve your sleep?
For thousands of years, yogis across India have raised a spiralled seashell to their lips, taken a deep breath, and released a resonant, echoing note. This is known as conch or shankh blowing, an ancient ritual believed to purify the environment, boost lung power, and focus the mind. But now, modern science says it might do more than connect you with tradition – it could also help you sleep better. A new study published in ERJ Open Research found that practicing shankh blowing could ease symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a common but potentially dangerous sleep disorder in which blocked airways repeatedly interrupt breathing during the night. In a small study, people with moderate OSA who practiced the technique for six months every day not only slept better, but also felt more alert during the day and experienced fewer breathing interruptions at night. 'The way the shankh is blown is quite distinctive. It involves a deep inhalation followed by a forceful, sustained exhalation through tightly pursed lips," said Dr Krishna K Sharma, who led the study at the Eternal Heart Care Centre and Research Institute in Jaipur, India. That creates "strong vibrations and airflow resistance," he added, which may strengthen the throat and other muscles in the upper airway. In people with OSA, the upper airway often collapses overnight, leading to poor sleep. "The shankh's unique spiralling structure may also contribute to specific acoustic and mechanical effects that further stimulate and tone these muscles," Sharma said. In the trial, 30 people with moderate OSA were randomly assigned either shankh blowing or deep breathing exercises for at least 15 minutes per day, five days a week. Six months later, those in the conch-blowing group were 34 per cent less sleepy during the day. They also had four to five fewer apnoeas per hour on average and higher oxygen levels in their blood at night. How common is OSA and how else can it be treated? Obstructive sleep apnoea is far more common than many people realise. A 2019 study estimated that nearly one billion adults worldwide between the ages of 30 and 69 suffer from the condition. Symptoms can include frequent nighttime awakenings, pauses in breathing during sleep, unusual breathing patterns, daytime fatigue, and loud snoring. For many, the current standard treatment – a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine – works well but can be uncomfortable. That's why researchers are keen to explore non-invasive, low-cost alternatives. Some people opt for oral devices as an alternative to CPAP, especially those with mild to moderate symptoms. These mouthpieces work by keeping the airway open – often by repositioning the lower jaw or tongue – to reduce snoring and breathing interruptions. Potential shortcomings of the shankh study The study has some limitations. In a statement to Euronews Health, Dr Erika Kennington, head of research and innovation at the nonprofit Asthma + Lung UK, welcomed the findings but urged caution due to the study's small sample size. "It's too soon to say for certain that conch blowing can help people manage their obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)," she said, adding that it is not clear exactly why blowing through the shell might help improve symptoms. More studies are needed to understand how alternative treatments might help OSA patients, Kennington said. Previous research, for example, has found that playing wind instruments and singing could have a small but noticeable effect for people with sleep disorders. However, Kennington also emphasised the importance of making treatments of all kinds available to patients. 'Supporting people to manage their lung health in ways that feel accessible to them is incredibly important," she said.
Sustainability Times
29-06-2025
- Sustainability Times
'Toxin-Free Gold Rush Begins': Breakthrough Method Extracts Precious Metals From Ore and E-Waste Without Using Deadly Chemicals
IN A NUTSHELL 🌟 Researchers at Flinders University have developed a toxin-free method for gold extraction from ore and electronic waste. have developed a toxin-free method for gold extraction from ore and electronic waste. ♻️ The innovative method uses trichloroisocyanuric acid to dissolve gold, offering a safer alternative to traditional toxic chemicals. to dissolve gold, offering a safer alternative to traditional toxic chemicals. 🌍 By collaborating internationally, the team aims to tackle the growing issue of e-waste and support a circular economy. and support a circular economy. 🔬 The findings, published in Nature Sustainability, highlight a significant step towards sustainable resource management and environmental protection. Gold has long been a prized element, not just for its beauty and rarity, but for its critical role in various industries such as electronics, medicine, and aerospace. As the demand for gold continues to rise, traditional extraction methods have posed significant environmental and health risks due to their reliance on toxic chemicals. However, a groundbreaking study by researchers at Flinders University in Australia promises to revolutionize the way we recover gold. By introducing a toxin-free method that efficiently extracts gold from both ore and e-waste, this innovative approach could significantly reduce the ecological footprint of gold mining. The Innovative Gold Recovery Method The pursuit of sustainable gold extraction has led researchers to develop a novel method that stands in stark contrast to traditional techniques. Historically, gold extraction has depended on toxic substances like cyanide and mercury. These chemicals, while effective, have caused widespread environmental harm, contaminating water sources and posing severe health risks to both humans and wildlife. The new method developed by the interdisciplinary team at Flinders University utilizes a harmless compound known as trichloroisocyanuric acid, commonly used in water treatment processes. When activated by saltwater, this compound dissolves gold effectively, offering a much safer alternative to conventional methods. The dissolved gold is then selectively captured by a specialized sulfur-rich polymer, which the team designed specifically for this purpose. This polymer not only binds the gold but also allows for its recovery, ensuring that the polymer can be recycled and reused in future extraction processes. This sustainable approach is further enhanced by the use of UV light to create the polymer, minimizing the environmental impact of gold recovery. 'Staggering 20% recycled cathode material goal': Panasonic's bold leap towards the greenest lithium EV batteries ever created Sustainable Solution to Tackle E-Waste Electronic waste, or e-waste, is an ever-growing problem worldwide, with millions of tons generated each year. These discarded electronics contain valuable metals like gold, but traditional recycling efforts have struggled to keep pace with the increasing volume. The innovative method developed by the Flinders University team offers a promising solution to this challenge. By partnering with experts in the US and Peru, the researchers have tested their method on various types of electronic waste, including CPU units and RAM cards. This collaboration aims to provide safer alternatives for small-scale miners who often rely on mercury for gold extraction. The new method not only addresses the environmental concerns associated with traditional mining but also supports a circular economy by enabling the recovery and reuse of valuable metals from e-waste. The findings, published in the journal Nature Sustainability, highlight the potential of this technique to transform waste management and resource utilization on a global scale. 'Soundwaves Turn Trash to Power': Revolutionary Tech Revives Dead Fuel Cells Into Clean Energy Gold Using Sonic Force Collaborative Efforts and Global Impact The success of the Flinders University study is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary and international collaboration. By combining expertise from various fields and regions, the team has developed a method that could set a new standard for gold recovery worldwide. The partnership with experts from different countries not only validates the effectiveness of the method on a global scale but also paves the way for its adoption in diverse mining and recycling contexts. The implications of this research extend beyond gold recovery. By demonstrating a viable, toxin-free extraction method, the study could inspire similar innovations for other metals and materials. As the world grapples with the challenges of resource scarcity and environmental degradation, such breakthroughs are crucial for building a more sustainable and resilient future. Porsche Will Crush Its Old EVs to Give Birth to Faster, Greener Monsters Than Ever Before Future Directions and Potential Challenges While the new gold extraction method holds great promise, several challenges remain. Scaling up the process for widespread industrial use will require further research and development. Ensuring the economic viability of the method is also essential for its adoption by industries and small-scale miners worldwide. Additionally, navigating the regulatory landscape and addressing potential logistical issues will be critical for the successful implementation of this technology. Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of the method are undeniable. By reducing the environmental impact of gold mining and promoting the efficient recycling of e-waste, this innovation could play a significant role in achieving global sustainability goals. As researchers continue to refine and expand upon their findings, the question remains: how will industries and governments respond to this opportunity to revolutionize gold recovery and resource management? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (27)
