The link between erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea

Researchers establish a link between sleep disorders, erectile dysfunction and incontinence

If you do not sleep well at night, the consequences can go beyond simple fatigue: two new studies presented on May 14 suggest that sleep disorders may be associated with erectile dysfunction  and incontinence. 

In the first study, researchers established a link between erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea. Men with erectile dysfunction are twice as likely to have sleep apnea, the researchers said. The second study showed that sleep problems of male and female subjects could lead to a greater risk of developing urinary incontinence.

Both studies were presented during a press conference of the American Urological 

Association (AUA) in Washington DC on May 14 "We know that an adequate amount of quality sleep can have animpact on many health problems, including erectile dysfunction and incontinence,” said the spokesman of the AAU Dr. Kevin T. McVaryin a press release. He added: "These data can perhaps help us to better assess how to help our patients to change their sleep patterns to improve their health and quality of life.”

Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to various pathologies. For example, it would increase the risk of developing heart disease or blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. Earlier this month, a study published in the journal Sleep has found that you can make your brain age of seven years in the sleep deprivation but also by sleeping too much.

But what is the right number of hours of sleep? It depends on people, but on average it would take between seven and nine hours of sleep good for the brain can be well rested by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention USA.

Here are some tips from doctors to sleep better:

Stop caffeine - the effects of caffeine can last up to eight hours.

Avoid alcohol to help you fall asleep; it can help you to fall into the arms of Morpheus but leads to less restful sleep.

Relax before bedtime, make a ritual like little stretching or a hot bath to relax after a hard day.

Take regular exercise, preferably in the morning or afternoon. Fatigue helps you sleep at night like a baby.

Make sure your room is dark, comfortable and less noisy as possible.