Older frequent binge drinkers more apt to have insomnia

BALTIMORE, July 27 (UPI) -- Older frequent binge drinkers are more likely to have sleep problems, researchers at The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore said.

Sarah Canham and colleagues analyzed data on almost 5,000 people ages 55 and older.

"Frequent binge drinking -- on an average of more than two days per week -- was associated with increased odds of reporting at least one insomnia symptom," Canham said.

Insomnia symptoms include difficulty falling or staying asleep, waking too early, or feeling unrested in the morning, Canham said.

Canham said she couldn't tell from her study whether binge drinking caused insomnia, but older alcoholics might have sleep problems, or some people with sleep problems might self-medicate with alcohol.

The study was presented at a meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies.