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Sleep Disorders News
Close Bond Between Kids, Parents Has Long-Term Health Benefits
Posted 5 days ago by Drugs.com
TUESDAY, Sept. 20, 2016 – A strong and loving bond with parents may help protect kids' health for decades, a new study suggests. A well-off home also benefits their long-term health, but only if children also have a warm and healthy relationship with their parents, the Baylor University study found. "Previous research has associated high socioeconomic status with better childhood nutrition, sleep, neighborhood quality and opportunities for exercise and development of social skills. But good parent-child bonds may be necessary to enforce eating, sleep and activity routines," researcher Matthew Andersson said in a university news release. Andersson is an assistant professor of sociology in Baylor's College of Arts & Sciences, in Houston. In 1995, he asked more than 2,700 adults between the ages of 25 and 75 how their parents had treated them during childhood. Roughly a decade later, ... Read more
Related support groups: Sleep Disorders, Obesity, Anxiety and Stress, Insomnia, Fatigue, Sleep Apnea, Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome
Sleep Troubles, Heart Troubles?
Posted 6 days ago by Drugs.com
MONDAY, Sept. 19, 2016 – Sleep disorders – including too little or too much sleep – may contribute to heart disease risk factors, the American Heart Association said in its first statement on the risks of sleep problems. But, the heart group stopped short of recommending a certain amount of sleep per night. "We know that short sleep, usually defined as under seven hours per night, overly long sleep, usually defined as more than nine hours per night, and sleep disorders may increase some cardiovascular risk factors, but we don't know if improving sleep quality reduces those risk factors," Marie-Pierre St-Onge said in a news release from the heart association. St-Onge is an associate professor of nutritional medicine at Columbia University in New York City. At the request of the heart association, St-Onge and her colleagues reviewed research into sleep and heart health. Much of the ... Read more
Related support groups: Sleep Disorders, Insomnia, Fatigue, Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
Study Sees Link Between Long Naps, Type 2 Diabetes Risk
Posted 10 days ago by Drugs.com
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 14, 2016 – Could long afternoon naps raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes? It's possible but not yet proven, according to new research out of Japan. The study found that, compared with short naps or no napping at all, the risk for the blood sugar disease may be 45 percent higher if your naps last an hour or more. But if you nap less than an hour, the risk disappears, the researchers suggested. Dr. Joel Zonszein is director of the Clinical Diabetes Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. He said the possible connection between long daytime naps and a risk for type 2 diabetes is interesting. But, added Zonszein, who had no part in the study, "People need to be aware that this study, and these findings, are just associations or markers of lifestyles rather that the cause of diabetes." The results of the study were to be presented Wednesday at the ... Read more
Related support groups: Sleep Disorders, Diabetes, Type 2, Fatigue
Health Tip: Relax With Music Before Bed
Posted 12 days ago by Drugs.com
-- A relaxing lullaby may be just what you need to help you get a good night's sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recommends: Calm, soothing music should help both your mind and body relax. For best results, opt for favorite songs with a rhythm of 60 beats to 80 beats per minute. Consider jazz, classical, folk and other easy-listening music. Read more
Related support groups: Sleep Disorders, Anxiety and Stress, Insomnia, Fatigue
Why Some Women Find Good Sleep Tough to Get
Posted 12 days ago by Drugs.com
MONDAY, Sept. 12, 2016 – Some women have trouble staying asleep, and a new small study may shed light on why. Women's internal, or circadian, body clocks run at a faster pace than men's, according to the research. It's as if women operate in a different "internal time zone," said study lead author Dr. Diane Boivin, professor of psychiatry at McGill University in Montreal. "They go to bed at a later biological time because their clock is shifted earlier, eastward," Boivin said. Boivin also directs the Centre for Study and Treatment of Circadian Rhythms at Douglas Mental Health University Institute in Montreal, a McGill affiliate. The way women sleep throughout the 24-hour circadian day also outpaces men, the study showed. Boivin said these two findings explain why women's sleep-wake cycle runs about two hours ahead of men. Women are more likely than men to report insomnia at least a few ... Read more
Related support groups: Sleep Disorders, Insomnia, Fatigue, Sleep Apnea, Shift Work Sleep Disorder, Diagnosis and Investigation, Non-24-Hour Sleep Wake Disorder
For Those With Sleep Apnea, Maybe It's Time for a Driving Test
Posted 18 days ago by Drugs.com
TUESDAY, Sept. 6, 2016 – Erratic driving may be a problem for people with sleep apnea. People with the sleep disorder were more likely to fail simulated driving tests than people without the disorder (a "control" group). Lane deviation, in particular, was a serious problem for those who failed the tests, a new study found. "Worse lane position deviation is a marker of poor driving performance and this is significantly worse in [sleep apnea] patients who fail the simulator as compared to controls," wrote Dr. Akshay Dwarakanath and colleagues at St. James' University Hospital in Leeds, England. Sleep apnea is characterized by periods of disrupted breathing throughout the night. This can lead to daytime sleepiness. The study included 129 adults with untreated sleep apnea and 79 adults without the disorder. All completed a questionnaire about their driving and were tested on a driving ... Read more
Related support groups: Sleep Disorders, Sleep Apnea, Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome
Health Tip: Find a Fun Alarm Clock
Posted 19 days ago by Drugs.com
-- If you have a tough time getting out of bed in the morning, a fun alarm clock that eases the transition into your day may help. Try these suggestions from the National Sleep Foundation: Look for an alarm clock that's functional, not just pretty. Make sure the buttons are easy to find when you're groggy first thing in the morning. Skip alarm clocks that emit bright blue light that can interfere with sleep. Opt for one that uses softer amber, orange or red to help you sleep more soundly. Choose an alarm clock that wakes you with a sound that you enjoy, whether that's the news, your favorite music or nature sounds. Consider one that gradually increases the volume to gently rouse you. Look for fun features that make sure you won't oversleep. Some alarm clocks have a light that turns on slowly at the time you should wake. Others vibrate the bed to help wake you. Read more
Related support groups: Sleep Disorders, Insomnia, Fatigue, Narcolepsy, Nightmares, Sleep Apnea, Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome, Shift Work Sleep Disorder, Drowsiness, Hypersomnia, Non-24-Hour Sleep Wake Disorder, Jet Lag, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Mouse Study Suggests Brain Circuit Involved in Sleep-Wake Cycle
Posted 20 days ago by Drugs.com
MONDAY, Sept. 5, 2016 – Scientists say they've identified a brain circuit in mice that plays a key role in the sleep-wake cycle. The circuit is a key component of the brain's reward system, according to researchers from Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif. The investigators saw that as the mice ramped down for sleep, activity in this brain circuit decreased. The researchers also saw that activating this circuit could rouse the animals from sleep. These findings could potentially lead to new treatments for sleep problems, the researchers said. "This has potential huge clinical relevance," senior author Luis de Lecea, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, said in a university news release. "Insomnia, a multibillion-dollar market for pharmaceutical companies, has traditionally been treated with drugs such as benzodiazepines that nonspecifically shut down the entire brain," ... Read more
Related support groups: Sleep Disorders, Insomnia, Fatigue, Drowsiness, Hypersomnia
Health Tip: Chatting Before Bed Can Help You Sleep
Posted 2 Sep 2016 by Drugs.com
-- A little bedtime conversation can be just the time couples need to catch up and have some quiet time together, but make sure it's not wrecking your sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recommends: Avoiding all technology, including TVs, smartphones and tablets, in the bedroom. It can wake you up and distract your valuable quiet time together. Talking about the events of your day or other lighthearted topics. Avoid emotional conversations that will just get you worked up. Putting off disagreements until the next day if you do start arguing about something. It's no good to discuss when you're tired, so agree to bring it up again at a better time. Don't worry if you don't feel like talking. Sometimes just lying quietly next to each other and cuddling provides just the sense of safety you need to get to sleep. Read more
Related support groups: Sleep Disorders, Insomnia, Fatigue, Drowsiness, Hypersomnia
Unhappy at Work in Your 20s, Unhealthy in Your 40s?
Posted 22 Aug 2016 by Drugs.com
MONDAY, Aug. 22, 2016 – Millennials, take heed: Job dissatisfaction in your 20s or 30s can undermine your health by mid-life, new research suggests. But really rewarding work may pay health dividends. "Those who are, on average, very satisfied versus satisfied tend to have better health in their 40s," said study lead author Jonathan Dirlam. He is a doctoral candidate in the department of sociology at Ohio State University. By their 40s, disenchanted workers had worse mental health. They were more likely to suffer from routine sleep trouble and anxiety compared with satisfied or increasingly satisfied participants, the study found. Seth Kaplan, an associate professor in industrial/organizational psychology at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., said, "We know that there are some major job-related factors that contribute to poor psychological health." According to Kaplan, who wasn't ... Read more
Related support groups: Anxiety, Depression, Sleep Disorders, Anxiety and Stress, Prozac, Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia, Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
Health Tip: Early to Bed Before Back to School
Posted 22 Aug 2016 by Drugs.com
-- The first days back to school are a tough transition for many kids and parents. Making sure they are well rested before the first day can help. The National Sleep Foundation recommends: Returning to the normal school-year sleep and wake schedule about two weeks before the start of school. Back up bedtime by about 15 minutes each night and wake time about 15 minutes each morning. Maintaining the same sleep schedule throughout the school year, even on weekends. Promoting quiet time for relaxing, including books, soft music and a bath or shower before bed. Limiting screen time, heavy meals and caffeine before bed. Making sure your child's bedroom is cool, quiet, dark and free from distractions. Following these rules yourself to set a good example. Read more
Related support groups: Sleep Disorders, Insomnia, Fatigue, Nightmares
Health Tip: Squash Stress Before Bed
Posted 19 Aug 2016 by Drugs.com
-- Stress can keep you awake at night, even if you feel tired. The National Sleep Foundation suggests: Practice yoga, meditation or deep breathing before bed, to help you feel more relaxed. Avoid TV or computers before bed, These devices can stimulate your brain and make it more difficult to fall asleep. Enjoy a soothing mug of chamomile tea. Take a shower or bath. Perform leg exercises, such as squats, to promote blood flow to the legs. Count sheep or breathe deeply. Or imagine yourself already asleep. Earlier in the day, make time to exercise. If there's something you're worried about it, think through it during the day. Read more
Related support groups: Sleep Disorders, Anxiety and Stress, Insomnia, Fatigue, Nightmares
Early to Bed, Early to Rise a Back-to-School Challenge
Posted 19 Aug 2016 by Drugs.com
FRIDAY, Aug. 19, 2016 – It's time to start getting children and teens into their school-year sleep routine, an expert says. School-aged children need nine to 12 hours of sleep a night, according to sleep specialist Dr. Susan Manganaro. And teens need eight to 10 hours. "It may take a few weeks for your child to get adjusted to an earlier bedtime," said Manganaro, an assistant professor of pediatric neurology at Stony Brook University Children's Hospital in Stony Brook, N.Y. Two to three weeks before school begins, she suggests moving bedtime back by 15 minutes each night and waking your child 15 minutes earlier each morning until the desired waking time is reached. "It is important to remember that sleep promotes well-being and counteracts childhood obesity. Sleep (is) essential during these school-aged years to ensure attentiveness and concentration during learning," Manganaro said in ... Read more
Related support groups: Sleep Disorders, Insomnia, Fatigue
Sleep Is Key to College Success
Posted 17 Aug 2016 by Drugs.com
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 17, 2016 – It can be hard for college students to get enough sleep, and that can affect their physical and mental well-being, a sleep expert says. "A bad night's sleep or chronically not getting enough sleep can affect every aspect of our lives," said Dr. Aneesa Das, assistant director of the sleep medicine program at Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center. "It can affect how we perform in school, our immunity and our emotions. When we're tired, we're more prone to infections, more likely to get into arguments and less likely to participate in activities we enjoy," she said in a university news release. One important tip is to keep up with schoolwork so you don't have to pull all-nighters. "When you are sleep-deprived, you don't think as clearly. Staying up all night to study can backfire and affect performance on exams. If you can't avoid an all-nighter, do it ... Read more
Related support groups: Sleep Disorders, Insomnia, Shift Work Sleep Disorder, Insomnia - Stimulant-Associated, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Don't Lose Sleep Over Screentime at Night
Posted 16 Aug 2016 by Drugs.com
TUESDAY, Aug. 16, 2016 – Daytime exposure to bright light may reduce the sleep-disrupting effects of blue light from smartphones and tablet computers, a new study suggests. Previous research has shown that evening use of devices that emit blue light interferes with sleep. In the new study, researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden assessed how evening use of a tablet computer affected 14 young people who had been exposed to bright light during the day. "Our main finding was that following daytime bright light exposure, evening use of a self-luminous tablet for two hours did not affect sleep in young healthy students," study first author Frida Rangtell said in a university news release. She is a doctoral student in neuroscience at Uppsala. Senior author Christian Benedict, an associate professor of neuroscience, said the results suggest that daytime exposure to bright light through ... Read more
Related support groups: Sleep Disorders, Insomnia, Fatigue, Shift Work Sleep Disorder, Drowsiness, Hypersomnia, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
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Insomnia, Narcolepsy, Sleep Apnea, Hypersomnia, Drowsiness, Shift Work Sleep Disorder, Jet Lag, Sleep Paralysis, Non-24-Hour Sleep Wake Disorder, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, Alcohol-Induced Sleep Disorder
