In a new study, researchers found that poor sleep at night may contribute to peptic ulcer disease (PUD) in older people.
PUD is a condition when sores known as ulcers develop on the lining of the stomach or in the first part of the small intestine.
It is a big public health problem that harms the wellbeing of many older adults in the U.S.
The research was conducted by a team from the University of Hong Kong and Shantou University.
Previous research has shown that many factors can lead to poor sleep, including chronic health conditions, medication use, and sleep behavior changes.
In older people, sleep quality often decreases and the PUD risk increases.
In the current study, the researchers found that poor sleep may cause peptic ulcer recurrence.
They tested 1,689 patients with peptic ulcer disease. The participants received a 10-day course of antibiotic treatment, followed by a four-week anti-ulcer therapy. F
our weeks after treatment was completed, they were tested and examined to see whether their ulcers had healed.
About 1,500 patients had their peptic ulcers healed. They were then enrolled in a sleep study.
The researchers found that older people who experienced a recurrence of their peptic ulcer took longer to fall asleep, slept poorly and woke more during the night.
These people also had higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, and excessive alcohol consumption.
The team suggests that poor sleep quality does indeed appear to contribute to the recurrence of peptic ulcers.
Preventing and treating sleep problems in older people may help treat the condition.
The lead author of the study is Boye Fang, Ph.D.
The study is published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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