Sleeping too long or too much causes cancer? (and other questions)

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    Cancer
In summary, there is no clear causal relationship between sleeping too much or too little and the risk of cancer. Lack of sleep is associated with various health problems, but it is not a major risk factor for cancer. Additionally, the effects of citrus acid fruits on teeth and enamel are still unclear and there are conflicting opinions on the matter. It is important to consult reliable sources and not rely on popular beliefs when it comes to health information.
  • #1
timeuser84
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Hi, just wanted to know does sleeping to much or to long cause cancer? Does not sleeping enough cause cancer? does not sleeping enough or to much raise blood pressure and possibly give me diabetes? Does all citrus acid fruits like lemons bad for the teeth and damage tooth enamel?
 
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We are often led to believe that certain activities or habits cause cancer but in fact all that these studies show is that those who do these activities or have these habits have a larger number of cancer cases than those that don't. Causal relationship is not demonstrated. People who don't get enough sleep do so for some reason that in fact may be the cause of cancer but what?
 
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  • #3
Please do not spam us with multiple very general and somewhat problematic questions.
Cancer question (but the same applies to the other questions about diabetes and tooth enamel) answered:

First off, consider that you probably got this idea from a non-science based popular source like the health column in a newspaper, or facebook, or whatever. Mostly likely poor to awfully poor information.

So, short answer = No.

@Ygggdrasil has posted on the subject. He is a cancer researcher.
Code:
1. Go to the top bar
2. click search,
3  go into advanced search
4 cancer is the keyword you want
5 posted by Ygggdrasil
6. run the search
You will find lots of good links to cancer causes and unproven causes.

More generally ---
Consider going to WebMD or NIH and search there, you'll find white papers there that are meant for people with modest science backgrounds. Start there for very general health questions like the one you just asked.

Here is a great one from NIH on your question i.e., "cancer risk":
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk
 
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In general, lack of sleep is associated with increased risk of a number of health problems such as obesity and heart disease. However, as @gleem noted, these studies are subjected to interference from many confounding factors. Lack of sleep can stem from number of different causes and it is not clear whether it is these underlying issues (and not lack of sleep per se) that are associated with increased risk of health problems

For some good information about the health problems associated with a lack of sleep see:
http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/consequences/sleep-and-disease-riskhttps://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/why-lack-of-sleep-is-bad-for-your-health/
In terms of cancer, sleep is generally not thought of as a major risk factor for cancer. Research suggests that those who work night shifts may have an increased risk of cancer, though whether this is due to disruption of sleep cycles/biological clocks/light exposure or some other factors (e.g. people who work night shifts are likely lower on the socioeconomic scale) is still not clear. Here's a page discussing some research connecting sleep and cancer:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/hea...ack-of-sleep-and-cancer-is-there-a-connection
 
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  • #5
@Jim and everyone else. thanks for the info as well as help.

@Jim I was not spamming or if I was, it was not my intent, sorry. I posted this here so I could weed out or sift pass the BS to find out the truth and facts about this stuff. for example, I found contradictions on the web about citrus acid fruits like lemons, 1 source saying its good for teeth, gums and great for teeth animal while another says the opposite, that its bad for the teeth, makes it rot or damages tooth enamel. Just to double check, when you say the short answer is no, do you mean that NO, citrus acid fruits do not do anything bad to the teeth/gums OR do not damage teeth enamel?
 

1. Does sleeping too long or too much really cause cancer?

There is no definitive scientific evidence that directly links sleeping too long or too much to an increased risk of cancer. While some studies have shown a correlation between prolonged sleep and certain types of cancer, the causality is still unclear and more research is needed to establish a concrete connection.

2. How much sleep is considered too much?

The recommended amount of sleep for adults is 7-9 hours per night. Sleeping for more than 9 hours may be considered excessive, but it is not necessarily harmful. The amount of sleep needed varies from person to person and can also change depending on age, health, and lifestyle factors.

3. Can sleeping too much or too long be a symptom of cancer?

In some cases, excessive sleep or prolonged sleeping patterns can be a symptom of an underlying health condition, including cancer. However, it is important to note that there are many other factors that can contribute to changes in sleeping patterns, and a medical professional should be consulted for a proper diagnosis.

4. What other health risks are associated with sleeping too much?

While there is no direct link between sleeping too much and cancer, there are other potential health risks associated with excessive sleep. These include an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and depression. It is important to maintain a balanced and healthy sleep schedule to reduce these risks.

5. Is it better to sleep for a longer period of time or to take naps throughout the day?

It is generally recommended to have a consistent and uninterrupted sleep schedule of 7-9 hours per night. While napping can be beneficial for some individuals, it should not be used as a substitute for a good night's sleep. Prolonged napping or frequent naps throughout the day may disrupt the body's natural sleep-wake cycle and lead to sleep deprivation, which can have negative impacts on overall health.

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