Veterans are more susceptible to sleep disorders, according to new findings. The study suggests the risk of sleep disorders among veterans is six times greater than in the general public. The prevalence is highest among veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The study involved over 9.7 million veterans, mostly males (93 percent). Just over 750,000 of them were diagnosed with at least one sleep disorder.
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The researchers witnessed the rate of sleep disorders rise from one percent to six percent over the course of 11 years, with sleep disorders being most common among those with PTSD.
Senior author James Burch said, “Veterans with PTSD had a very high sleep disorder prevalence of 16 percent, the highest among the various health conditions or other population characteristics that we examined.”
The most commonly diagnosed sleep disorder was sleep apnea, followed by insomnia.
Veterans suffering from chronic health issues were also more likely to experience sleep disorders, compared to other participants.
The findings were published in the journal Sleep.
Also, read Bel Marra Health’s article: Yoga may help combat depression, PTSD, and anxiety in seniors.
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
