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Lack of Sleep Could Slowly Kill You

时间:2012-10-22 05:08:28

(单词翻译:单击)

 Lack of Sleep Could Slowly Kill You

You know the old adage1 “You can sleep when you’re dead?” Turns out you just might get to terminal dreamland a lot faster if you don’t get a regular good night’s sleep. New research suggests that your risk of developing diabetes2 and heart disease may be tripled if you get fewer than six hours of sleep a night. The study has linked short sleep duration with an elevated risk of a condition called impaired3 fasting glycaemia (IFG), which is a pre-diabetes state.

In a person with IFG, glucose4 isn’t regulated the way it should be in the body. This leads to an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, a chronic5 disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. IFG also increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The researchers analyzed6 six years of data from 1,455 participants in the Western New York Health Study. Each participant completed a clinical examination and provided a blood sample after fasting. Additionally, they completed questionnaires regarding their general health and sleeping habits.
Follow-up exams showed that 91 of the subjects’ fasting blood glucose levels had risen. Those getting fewer than six hours of sleep were three times as likely to develop IFG, as compared to those who received six to eight hours of shut-eye each night. This study is the first to examine the link between sleep and IFG.
What explains the relationship between short sleep and this pre-diabetic state? According to researchers, sleep loss could lead to a higher risk of disease in several ways. In response to stress, lack of sleep can increase production of the hormone7 cortisol in our bodies. At the same time, glucose tolerance8 is decreased. These changes interfere9 with the mechanisms10 that keep us in balance.
In the U.S., sleep habits have changed over the years. In the mid-1900s, people got an average of nine hours of sleep a night. Now, we get an average of seven hours. The importance of sleep is often overlooked, but it’s essential to quality of life. We’re still learning about how sleep affects our general health. If you think you’ve got more than just an occasional bout11 of insomnia12, seek help from a health professional who can help you reclaim13 the night.

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1 adage koSyd     
n.格言,古训
参考例句:
  • But the old adage that men grow into office has not proved true in my experience.但是,根据我的经验,人们所谓的工作岗位造就人材这句古话并不正确。
  • Her experience lends credence to the adage " We live and learn!"她的经验印证了一句格言: 活到老,学到老!
2 diabetes uPnzu     
n.糖尿病
参考例句:
  • In case of diabetes, physicians advise against the use of sugar.对于糖尿病患者,医生告诫他们不要吃糖。
  • Diabetes is caused by a fault in the insulin production of the body.糖尿病是由体內胰岛素分泌失调引起的。
3 impaired sqtzdr     
adj.受损的;出毛病的;有(身体或智力)缺陷的v.损害,削弱( impair的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • Much reading has impaired his vision. 大量读书损害了他的视力。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • His hearing is somewhat impaired. 他的听觉已受到一定程度的损害。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
4 glucose Fyiyz     
n.葡萄糖
参考例句:
  • I gave him an extra dose of glucose to pep him up.我给他多注射了一剂葡萄糖以增强他的活力。
  • The doctor injected glucose into his patient's veins.医生将葡萄糖注入病人的静脉。
5 chronic BO9zl     
adj.(疾病)长期未愈的,慢性的;极坏的
参考例句:
  • Famine differs from chronic malnutrition.饥荒不同于慢性营养不良。
  • Chronic poisoning may lead to death from inanition.慢性中毒也可能由虚弱导致死亡。
6 analyzed 483f1acae53789fbee273a644fdcda80     
v.分析( analyze的过去式和过去分词 );分解;解释;对…进行心理分析
参考例句:
  • The doctors analyzed the blood sample for anemia. 医生们分析了贫血的血样。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The young man did not analyze the process of his captivation and enrapturement, for love to him was a mystery and could not be analyzed. 这年轻人没有分析自己蛊惑著迷的过程,因为对他来说,爱是个不可分析的迷。 来自《简明英汉词典》
7 hormone uyky3     
n.荷尔蒙,激素,内分泌
参考例句:
  • Hormone implants are used as growth boosters.激素植入物被用作生长辅助剂。
  • This hormone interacts closely with other hormones in the body.这种荷尔蒙与体內其他荷尔蒙紧密地相互作用。
8 tolerance Lnswz     
n.宽容;容忍,忍受;耐药力;公差
参考例句:
  • Tolerance is one of his strengths.宽容是他的一个优点。
  • Human beings have limited tolerance of noise.人类对噪音的忍耐力有限。
9 interfere b5lx0     
v.(in)干涉,干预;(with)妨碍,打扰
参考例句:
  • If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话,可能弊多利少。
  • When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件,棘手的事情就来了。
10 mechanisms d0db71d70348ef1c49f05f59097917b8     
n.机械( mechanism的名词复数 );机械装置;[生物学] 机制;机械作用
参考例句:
  • The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms. 这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He explained how the two mechanisms worked. 他解释这两台机械装置是如何工作的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
11 bout Asbzz     
n.侵袭,发作;一次(阵,回);拳击等比赛
参考例句:
  • I was suffering with a bout of nerves.我感到一阵紧张。
  • That bout of pneumonia enfeebled her.那次肺炎的发作使她虚弱了。
12 insomnia EbFzK     
n.失眠,失眠症
参考例句:
  • Worries and tenseness can lead to insomnia.忧虑和紧张会导致失眠。
  • He is suffering from insomnia.他患失眠症。
13 reclaim NUWxp     
v.要求归还,收回;开垦
参考例句:
  • I have tried to reclaim my money without success.我没能把钱取回来。
  • You must present this ticket when you reclaim your luggage.当你要取回行李时,必须出示这张票子。