Study Examines Aboriginals’ Sleep Disorders
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 14:17
A First Nations researcher from B.C. says it appears on-reserve residents are more likely to suffer from sleep disorders than other members of the population.
Researcher Mary-Anne Speirs says sleep apnea appears to be one of the main culprits.
It’s caused when people, who are usually overweight, wake up suddenly during the night from a lack of oxygen.
Speirs believes the high rate of unemployment is partially to blame.
She explains people with nothing to do often eat, which can then lead to obesity, and a descent into sleep apnea.
Speirs also advises residents to avoid sleeping in the day.
She says those awake at night often have no one to talk to because they sleep when everyone else is up, and subsequently become depressed.