August 4, 2011

Weight Loss Linked to Sleep

Trying to lose weight and it just isn’t working? The reason could be the amount of time you are sleeping. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that people who didn’t get enough sleep ate more but they didn’t burn off the extra calories. The study took a group of middle-aged men and women of similar […]
July 26, 2011

Memory Impaired by Sleep Interruptions

People with medical conditions that interrupt their sleep often experience memory problems. Scientists using new technology have concluded that sleep discontinuity does impair memory according to a report in the Proceedings of the national Academy of Sciences. One of the conditions that causes sleep disruption is obstructive sleep apnea. Scientists have long suspected that sleep and memory are connected but […]
July 13, 2011

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Linked to Blood Vessel Changes

New research reported in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association shows that obstructive sleep apnea may cause changes in blood vessel function that reduces blood supply to the heart. Treating the obstructive sleep apnea for 26 weeks improved blood supply. This study is the first to show blood vessel changes in sleep apnea patients. Researchers looked for changes in […]
June 29, 2011

People with Sleep Problems Use More Healthcare

Findings presented at the Associated Professional Sleep Societies 25th Annual Meeting showed that sleep problems are linked to increased utilization of health care and work absenteeism. The findings come from a review of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2005-2006. Compared with good sleepers, people who have trouble sleeping were more likely to have had […]
June 17, 2011

Severe Sleep Apnea Treated with Combined CPAP and Oral Appliance

Research presented at the recent meeting of the American Academy of Dental Sleep medicine showed that patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea were improved more with a combination of a mandibular advancement splint (a type of oral appliance) and positive airway pressure (CPAP) than by CPAP alone. The results of the study showed that patients were better able to tolerate […]
June 3, 2011

Men With ED Should Be Screened for Sleep Apnea

Researchers presenting at the American Urological Association meeting in Washington, D.C. suggest that men with erectile dysfunction should be tested for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study found a link between the two disorders in 870 middle-aged men who are part of the Law Enforcement Cardiac Screening Program. According to lead researcher Dr. Boback Berookhim “The study is the largest […]
May 17, 2011

Add Impotence to List of OSA Symptoms

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has now been linked to erectile dysfunction. Researchers at Mount Sinai in New York conducted a study of 870 men. The average age was in the late 40’s and their body mass index average was in the obese range. Sixty-three percent of the men had OSA and once the researchers adjusted for other health issues and […]
April 28, 2011

Sleep Difficulties Linked to Metabolic Syndrome

Snoring, trouble falling asleep and feeling tired upon waking are all signs that may predict the development of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a medical condition linked to weight gain, heart disease and stroke. According to a study published a few months ago in the journal Sleep loud snoring was associated with more than twice the risk of developing metabolic […]
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 […]
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 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 […]