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 […]
November 30, 2010

Aggressive Heart Disease Linked to Sleep Apnea

According to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have more “bad” plaque in their coronary arteries.  Obstructive sleep apnea is may be associated with obesity and is caused when the upper airway becomes obstructed during sleep causing the sleeper to stop breathing.  Heavy snoring […]
November 16, 2010

Can Sleep Apnea Change the Brain?

According to Italian researchers people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may have more than being sleep deprived to blame for their daytime lapses.  The challenges in cognition may be actually caused by structural deficits, or changes in the gray matter of the brain that are brought about by the nightly oxygen deprivation that comes with OSA. Dr. Vincenza […]
November 12, 2010

Sleep Apnea Causes Pennsylvania Representatives Death

Untreated sleep apnea linked to death. Treat OSA using oral appliance therapy in Columbus, Ohio.
November 5, 2010

Time Change Gives Little Rest for Sleep Apnea Sufferers

Spring forward, Fall back.  Time once again for the time to change.   On the night of the time change, Saturday, November 6, remember to turn your clocks back one hour. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends using this extra hour of sleep to rejuvenate your physical and mental health. Nancy A. Collop, MD, FAASM, Director of the […]
October 28, 2010

Facial Changes Linked to CPAP Use

A small study out of Japan recently showed that using nasal CPAP for just three years showed changes in the jaws and teeth.  The lead author of the study, Dr. Hiroko Tsuda noted that “the whole front area of the maxilla was pushed back…” and that “these changes may affect the profile, tongue space and OSA symptoms”.  This study has […]
October 20, 2010

Sleep Apnea Treatment Reduces Death

The journal Sleep and Breathing found that sleep apnea treatment reduced the risk of hospitalization and death for advanced heart failure patients.  The study included 18 patients with advanced heart failure and sleep apnea. Eleven patients underwent CPAP therapy using the machine for at least four hours per night, 70% of the nights.  Seven patients tried a two week trial […]
September 17, 2010

Biggest Loser Contestants Linked to Sleep Apnea

This year marks the 10th anniversary for the popular reality television show, The Biggest Loser.  The new season premiers on  on NBC on September 21st.  Last year, SleepEducation blog reported that all 16 contestants on the show suffered from obstructive sleep apnea. Obesity increases the risk for obstructive sleep apnea.  A high BMI (body mass index) and a large neck […]
September 14, 2010

Football, Migraines and Sleep Apnea

Minnesota Vikings player Percy Harvin collapsed on the practice field on August 19th and according to NBC his heart stopped for 10 seconds after he was taken to a hospital.   At first complications from his frequent migraine headaches were suspected. However, a few days after being released from the hospital Harvin underwent an overnight sleep study which he said showed […]