Sleep Apnea May Affect Stroke Outcome & Recovery

A new study shows that the effects of a stroke may be more severe in people who have obstructive sleep apnea.The study involved 174 people who had a stroke. Their risk for sleep apnea was assessed by questionnaire. Results show that 60 percent had a high risk for sleep apnea. Seven participants had already been diagnosed with sleep apnea.Having a high risk for sleep apnea was a predictor for

More than Insomnia: Other Sleep Disorders Are Common in Older Adults

Many older adults struggle with insomnia. Now a new study shows that in older adults other sleep disorders are common too.The study involved 892 people between the ages of 70 and 89. Results show that 59 percent had signs of at least one sleep disorder other than insomnia.Data were gathered by questionnaire. Symptoms were reported by a person who sleeps in the same room as the

Study Links Sleep Loss to ADHD Symptoms in Children

A new study links sleep loss to behavioral symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children.The study in Finland involved 280 children. They had an average age of 8 years.Results show that children who slept less than 7.7 hours at night had a higher score for hyperactivity and impulsivity. They also had a higher total score on the ADHD Rating Scale.The results were significant.

Morning Larks vs. Night Owls: A Circadian Alertness Advantage?

People who are larks function better in the morning. Night owls are more alert in the evening. But which “chronotype” enables people to function better over the length of a day?A new study in Science takes a look. It involved 16 early morning risers and 15 night owls. They performed alertness tests in a brain scanner after following their normal sleep schedule.Newsweek and Science report that

Valerian Fails to Improve Sleep in Older Women with Insomnia

A new study adds to the evidence that valerian is an ineffective treatment for insomnia.The study involved 16 women with an average age of 69 years. All of the women had insomnia. They were given either 300 mg of valerian extract or a placebo 30 minutes before bedtime for two weeks.The study found that the effect of valerian was no different than the placebo after one dose or after two weeks.

How Children Affect a Mother’s Sleep-Wake Rhythm

Some women may have a natural tendency to be a “night owl.” But a new study shows that their sleep-wake rhythm may change after they have children.The study involved 179 women. Some were mothers, some were pregnant, and some had no children.Results show that women with children are more likely to be “morning types.” This means they would have a stronger tendency to go to bed early and wake up

What’s Your Chronotype? Understanding the “Lark” and “Owl” Circadian Sleep Patterns

A New York Times column examines the factors that contribute to your preferred sleep schedule. This is also called your “chronotype.” It turns out that your DNA has a strong influence on when you like to sleep.Some people have a circadian clock that makes them “evening types.” These “owls” have a natural tendency to stay up late at night and sleep late in the morning. Children tend to become

Sleep Problems Increase Cancer Pain

A new study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine shows that sleep problems may lead to increased pain and fatigue in cancer patients.Previous research has shown that sleep problems are common in people who have cancer. A 2007 study in the journal Sleep found that 41 percent of people with cancer reported having chronic insomnia.So why are the results of this new study surprising? It was

Sleep and Memory: Remembering & Forgetting

A new article in Newsweek provides an overview of how “sleeping on it” improves memory.Forming memories. Consolidating memories. Making connections between memories. Sleep appears to play an important role in all these processes.Another Newsweek article examines whether or not we can learn to forget. New research shows that memory “reconsolidation” may be possible.Being able to change long-term

I Have No Control Over My Racing Mind

Many people with insomnia complain that their thoughts race out of control at bedtime. This complaint is typical of psychophysiological insomnia.This form of insomnia involves a state of “hyperarousal” at bedtime. Often your thoughts focus on your inability to sleep. As a result you may try harder to fall asleep. But this effort may cause you to stay awake even longer.But the belief that you have

NBA Fans Can Get a Little More Sleep

Basketball fans can look forward to an earlier bedtime as they enjoy the 2009 NBA playoffs, which tip off today. But only one hour earlier…and only on Sunday nights…and only during the NBA Finals.Earlier this season the NBA announced a slight change to the playoff schedule. Sunday night games during the Finals will begin around 8 p.m. EDT instead of 9 p.m.First-round games in the Eastern

Research Catching Up to Jet Lag

Results from a new study in Current Biology may lead to more effective treatments for jet lag and shift work sleep disorder.Both sleep disorders involve a disruption to your body’s circadian timing system. This system regulates the timing of when you sleep and wake.The study shows that this disruption occurs in two separate groups of neurons in the brain. It also involves two different sleep

How White Noise & Sound Machines Can Help You Sleep

“White Noise” would have been a great name for an ‘80s rock band. Sort of a cross between Whitesnake and Quiet Riot.Instead it’s music to the ears of many insomnia sufferers. And like a popular rock band, white noise has a large fan base.A recent article from Columbia News Service reports that there are 20 white noise-related groups on Facebook. And demand was so high for the eight-sound White

Melatonin Improves Sleep Problems in Children with Autism

A new study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine shows that melatonin supplements may be helpful for children with autism.The small study involved 12 children between the ages of 2 and 15 years. Each child had either autistic spectrum disorder, fragile X syndrome, or both problems. The children took 3 mg of melatonin 30 minutes before bedtime for two weeks.Results show that melatonin

U.S. Navy Paying Attention to Sleep Cycles & Sleep Deprivation

The dramatic rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips from Somali pirates has focused the world’s attention on the U.S. Navy and the Navy SEALs. The mission exemplified the Navy ethos of being “disciplined and well-prepared.”Does sleep play a role in this preparation of Navy sailors and pilots?An article in the Virginian-Pilot takes a look. It finds that within the Naval ranks awareness of the importance

Sleep Apnea & the Banana “Cure”

A small study has generated some big claims about bananas and obstructive sleep apnea.One news outlet proclaims that the “banana may prove to be a life saver” for people with sleep apnea. Another article states that bananas “may help cure sleep disorders and snoring.”It sounds too good to be true. Is it fact, or online fiction?The source of the buzz is a study from Australia. The results were

In Control of Sleep

An article in the April issue of The Scientist examines how the body controls the sleep/wake cycle. Much is now known about the brain’s “master clock.” But studies are showing that this circadian clock isn’t in complete control of sleep. Other molecular mechanisms can override its signals when we are forced to stay awake.Thus sleep may have biological functions that are beyond the control of

Sleep and Memory: Survival of the Fittest?

An article in the April issue of The Scientist takes an in-depth look at a new theory about sleep and memory.The theory proposes that sleep’s core function is to prune the synapses formed when you are awake. Only the strongest neuronal connections “survive.”Thus the most important connections remain; unimportant connections are eliminated. This pruning process boosts learning and memory.The

Survivor: Reinterpreting Dreams with the Threat Simulation Theory

In 2000 Finnish researcher Antti Revonsuo proposed a new theory for interpreting dreams. It has become known as the “Threat Simulation Theory.”The theory proposes that dreaming is a defense mechanism. It serves a biological function by simulating threatening events. The theory suggests that the brain selects waking events that pose a threat to your safety.Then during the majority of dreams your

Getting Help for Sleep Problems – from a Dentist?

CBS 2 News in Chicago reports that a growing number of dentists are practicing “dental sleep medicine.” What does dentistry have to do with sleep?The most obvious connection between your teeth and your sleep is bruxism. This occurs when you grind or clench your teeth during sleep.Bruxism can damage your teeth and cause jaw discomfort or pain. It also can briefly disturb your sleep – and wake up

Obesity May Increase Your Risk for Restless Legs Syndrome

Over the years research has shown a clear link between obesity and obstructive sleep apnea. USA Today reports that a new study from Harvard also links obesity to restless legs syndrome.The large study involved 65,554 women and 23,119 men. Results show that 6.4 percent of the women and 4.1 percent of the men had RLS.The risk for RLS was increased by 42 percent in obese people. Those with the

Women in the Executive Office: Job Stress & Insomnia

A new study examines the sleep quality of men and women who are executives or managers. Does job stress affect their sleep?Results suggest that female executives may be more prone to sleep problems than male executives. The risk is greatest for women who have isolated, demanding jobs.The study also shows that having a high level of control on the job reduces the risk of poor sleep quality. Social

Ongoing Debate: The Best Way to Get Your Baby to Sleep

What’s the best way to get your baby to sleep through the night?Most new parents are desperate to know the answer. The AASM reports that bedtime problems and frequent night wakings occur in about 20 percent to 30 percent of young children.But the advice that parents receive can be contradictory. And the subject is a source of debate, both in the U.S. and abroad.The Herald Sun reports that recent

Sleep Through the Centuries

Sleep has been around for…well, for centuries. So have sleep disorders. And remedies for sleep problems.An exhibit at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., explores 17th-century beliefs and ideas about sleep. “To Sleep, Perchance to Dream” pulls back the covers on sleep in Renaissance England.Topics include preparing for sleep. (Use a bed and bedding that are less likely to

Why Do We Sleep?

An article from the University of Wisconsin takes a closer look at one of the research teams that just published a new study on sleep and memory.It explains how their research is taking the study of sleep and memory in new directions. It also examines the question that lies at the foundation of their research: Why?Why do we sleep? It’s a simple question. And progress is being made to answer it.

Sleep & Memory: Lessons from Fruit Flies

Two new studies in the journal Science use fruit flies to examine the link between sleep and memory.One study shows that the connections between nerve cells in the brain increase during the day. Then these “synapses” decline during sleep. This reduction of synapses is prevented by sleep deprivation.This suggests that sleep may “prune” less important connections. This may create space for the

Study Links Insomnia with Suicide Risk

Both Reuters and BBC News report that a new study links insomnia symptoms with an increased risk of suicide.The one-year study involved 5,692 adults in the U.S. They had no history of mental health problems. Results show that suicidal thoughts or attempts were more likely in people with symptoms of insomnia. The study controlled for other factors such as depression and substance abuse. The

Insomnia with Objective Short Sleep Duration Linked to Increased Risk of Hypertension

A new study in the Journal SLEEP found that insomnia with objectively short sleep time is a significant risk factor for hypertension.The study involved 1,741 men and women randomly selected from central Pennsylvania. Participants were categorized as normal sleepers, poor sleepers and chronic insomniacs based on symptoms of insomnia and objectively measured sleep