April 19, 2011

Sleep Deprivation Dangers in the News

From the tragic bus accident in the Bronx that killed 15 people to the continued reports of air traffic controllers falling asleep on duty, the dangers of going without proper sleep have been making news. Last year AAA polled drivers and found that one third of them admitted to falling asleep or nodding off while driving in the past year. […]
April 13, 2011

Summertime Sleep Issues

Summer will be here before we know it – even if it did feel like Winter would never end! Summer tends to bring changes in our regular routines. The kids are out of school, your favorite shows are off for the summer or maybe you like the summer replacements better, and there is always vacation time. These changes all add […]
April 6, 2011

Sleep Apnea Especially Dangerous for Diabetics

A study from the University of Birmingham in the UK reported that people with obstructive sleep apnea that also have Type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of losing their sight and increased foot problems. The study looked at a group of people who had type 2 diabetes, out of that group more than half also had obstructive sleep apnea. […]
March 24, 2011

Diagnose Sleep Apnea at Home

It is a life threatening medical condition that effects millions. But many people are going without getting diagnosed for the sleep apnea because of the hassle and the expense. Almost 20 million American’s may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, in part due to the growing obesity problem. The rise in sleep apnea cases is also adding to our national […]
March 17, 2011

Could Be Sleep Apnea Waking You Up, Not Prostate

A study completed by Ben-Gurion University has shown that many patients that blame enlarged prostates for their nighttime awakenings may actually be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. The study compared randomly selected men between 55 and 75 years of age who were diagnosed with benign prostate enlargement and reported waking to use the toilet at least once per night. They […]
March 11, 2011

Spring Forward Time Change Makes Me Tired

Daylight Savings Time is set to return again – along with the annual  sleep disruptions that most of us experience following the changing of the clocks. The National Sleep Foundation suggests several steps to reduce the sleep loss and the grumpiness that “losing” that one hour of sleep brings for most Americans. The first step to any easy transition – […]
March 4, 2011

Dear Abby Readers Want Info on Snoring

A recent Dear Abby column printed a letter from “Seeking Slumber in Santa Barbara” who complained about one spouse’s snoring keeping the other spouse from a good night’s sleep. This writer was begging for solutions to her problem. The columnist rightly suggested visiting his or her physician to discover the cause of the snoring rather than relying on suggestions passed […]
March 3, 2011

Sleep Apnea Can't Be Treated Over the Internet

The L.A. Times recently had an article about treating sleep apnea with oral appliances instead of surgery or CPAP therapy. The article outlines the two options for oral appliances that are on the market – prescription devices that are obtained from a specially trained dentist or mass-market items purchased from the internet. The prescription devices which are designed to move […]
February 25, 2011

Getting Diagnosed – Is It Really Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is very common but most people suffering from the disease have not been diagnosed. New studies are proving that anyone, including children, can have sleep apnea. So how do you know if you have sleep apnea? Most people discover their disease because their bed partner complains about their loud snoring and gasping noises all night long. This […]
February 16, 2011

Snorers in the Majority

Three out of every four Americans snore or suffer from some other form of sleep disorder. Depression, heart disease, fatigue, high blood pressure and weight gain are common effects. For the partner that lives with the snoring the lack of sleep is almost equally dangerous to their health. Most people don’t realize that loud snoring can be a sign of […]
February 10, 2011

Sleep Problems a Risk for Colon Cancer?

The February issue of the journal Cancer published a study which found that individuals who averaged less than six hours of sleep per night experienced an almost 50% increase in the risk of colorectal adenomas compared to individuals who slept at least seven hours each night. The adenomas can become malignant tumors if left untreated. Dr. Li Li of the […]
February 4, 2011

Sleep Apnea and Your Brain

A recent study in the Journal of Neuroscience demonstrated that the repeated airway obstruction that occurs during obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) causes the brain to release a certain chemical. This chemical, called noradrenaline, helps the brain to learn to breathe more effectively. According to University of Toronto researcher Dr. John Peever “What we showed is that the repeated disruptions of […]
January 25, 2011

Boost Your Immune System With Sleep

Lots of good things happen while we’re sleeping. Our skin repairs itself, memories are fixed in our minds, new learning is placed in long-term storage in our brains and deep sleep energizes our immune systems. Being deprived of deep sleep has just the opposite effect on the immune system. Even just a few days of sleep deprivation, total or partial, […]
January 21, 2011

Nighttime Bathroom Breaks Linked to Sleep Apnea

Frequently waking up during the night to urinate may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea. While the condition, known as nocturia has previously been linked to sleep apnea it is not currently used as a screening tool. New research may change this. The research study looked at patients seeking diagnosis and treatment at two New Mexico sleep centers. The […]
January 19, 2011

Do You Have Sleep Apnea?

Millions of people suffer from obstructive sleep apnea but are unaware they have the condition. The three main warning signs of sleep apnea are: Loud snoring Pauses in breathing during sleep Frequently waking, gasping for air Extreme tiredness during the day – even after a full night of sleep Not everyone who snores needs to visit a sleep specialist but […]
January 12, 2011

Sleep Apnea Patients and Surgery

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that severely complicates the lives of those who suffer from the disease.  Just getting a proper diagnosis and finding a method of treatment that is effective and can be tolerated by the patient is difficult as well.  While CPAP is the first therapy prescribed to patients, over half cannot tolerate sleeping with the masks, […]
December 28, 2010

Implant for Sleep Apnea Being Tested

Obstructive sleep apnea typically occurs because the tongue and throat muscles relax during sleep, collapsing and blocking the airway.  The sleeper then awakens, gasps and falls back asleep.  This cycle keeps repeating, sometimes 30 or more times per hour.  The sleeper is left exhausted, but usually with no memories of the events. Scientists are now beginning tests to see if […]
December 23, 2010

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Asthma

Dr. Fulvio Braido of the University of Genoa in Italy made a presentation at the World Allergy Organization 2010 International Conference that explored the link between asthma and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).    Dr. Braido suggests that one disease may cause the other or that they may share a common cause.  He also feels that asthma complicates the treatment of OSA […]
December 14, 2010

Snoring – Just Annoying or Something Serious?

There was a terrific article on NYTimes.com a few days ago about the trial and error method that most people go through trying to put an end to their snoring.  Many people who snore are pressured by their sleep-deprived bed-mates to discover a solution. Lifestyle and sleep hygiene solutions for reducing snoring include: Weight Loss Sleep on your side, not […]
December 3, 2010

Falling Asleep at the Wheel

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety surveyed drivers in the US and an astounding two out of every five drivers (41%) admitted falling asleep behind the wheel.  Ten percent of drivers said they had done so during the past year.  These are frightening statistics when crash data shows that one in six fatal crashes involve drowsy driving. There are many […]