Preventing Parasomnias: Get Plenty of Sleep

Parasomnias such as sleepwalking involve actions over which you have no deliberate control. You remain asleep or in a sleep-like state during an episode. As a result you are unaware of what is taking place. You are unable to make conscious decisions during the event.This makes it important for you to act before an episode occurs. Preventing parasomnias will reduce unwanted sleep disturbances for

Obstructive Sleep Apnea & Daytime Sleepiness

Excessive daytime sleepiness is a common warning sign for obstructive sleep apnea. But not everyone with sleep apnea feels sleepy during the day.Sleep apnea involves a wide range of severity levels. A person with mild sleep apnea may stop breathing five or ten times an hour during sleep. In contrast a person with severe sleep apnea may stop breathing 30 or more times per hour.Each breathing pause

Insomnia: When Should You Get Help?

Insomnia is the most common sleep complaint; everyone has trouble sleeping at times. So how do you know when your insomnia is severe enough that you should seek help?This is what sleep specialist Dr. Donna Arand told the AASM:“You should seek help when these three statements all describe your insomnia:1. The insomnia has lasted more than three weeks.2. It is not improving.3. It is interfering

Violent Dreams: Who Has REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?

People who have REM sleep behavior disorder act out vivid, action-packed dreams as they sleep. Who is likely to have RBD?It is most common in men over the age of 50. But a new study from London confirms that it can occur in other people as well.The study reviewed a sleep center’s case files from the previous seven years. Ninety-one people had been diagnosed with RBD during that time: 62 men and

Wired: Technology, Caffeine Keeping Teens Awake at Night

Technology-savvy teens can excel at multi-tasking. They can send text messages, surf the Internet and watch their favorite TV show all at the same time.But a new study shows that technology may be taking a toll on their sleep. Many teens are staying up too late and consuming too much caffeine. As a result, they’re not getting enough sleep to remain alert during the day.The study involved students

House Resolution Raises Awareness of Sleep Apnea

Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., recently introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives to raise awareness of sleep apnea. The resolution “encourages all Americans to educate themselves and others about the consequences of sleep apnea and its potential treatments.”What are these consequences? The resolution points out that “untreated sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, heart

People with Kidney Failure Get Help While They Sleep

Treatment for renal failure – kidney failure – can be exhausting. Blood is drawn from the body, cleaned and pumped back into the body.This grueling process is called dialysis. It can take three to four hours and can cause severe fatigue. Then the treatment has to be repeated three times each week.But ABC 7 in Denver reports that some dialysis clinics now offer to perform the treatment while

Restless Legs Syndrome in the “Phantom” Leg of an Amputee

A recent report provides an unusual look at restless legs syndrome. The report describes an amputee who developed RLS in his “phantom” leg.The 54-year-old man had his left leg amputated 22 years ago. He developed RLS in his remaining leg. Episodes of RLS also occurred to the leg that had been amputated.Treatment with medication improved his symptoms. Movement of his leg and “phantom movement” of

Sleep & Memory: “That Face Looks Familiar”

Studies show that there is a strong link between sleep and memory. A new study even examines how sleep affects memory for face identity. Does sleep help you recognize a familiar face?The study involved 112 volunteers; their average age was 25 years. Each participant was shown 60 computer-generated faces in random order. The heads were bald, and the faces had no unique features such as a mole

Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea is Common in People with Diabetes

A new study confirms that undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea is common in people with type 2 diabetes.The study involved 306 obese adults with type 2 diabetes. Each participant was monitored during an overnight sleep study.Results show that almost 87 percent of participants had undiagnosed sleep apnea. Almost 23 percent of participants had severe sleep apnea; they stopped breathing at least 30

Losing Weight with CPAP for Sleep Apnea

Excess body weight is a major risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea. Treating sleep apnea with CPAP helps some people bring their weight under control.In some cases the change is dramatic. NorthWest Cable News in Seattle reports that CPAP helped one woman lose more than 100 pounds in a little more than a year. She used to weigh more than 300 pounds.Then she was diagnosed with sleep apnea and

Combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a Medication to Treat Insomnia

For people with insomnia, taking a medication can help break the cycle of sleepless nights. And cognitive behavioral therapy can lead to long-lasting improvements with little risk of side effects. But what happens when you combine these two treatments?A new study helps to answer this question. The results were published today in The Journal of the American Medical Association.The study involved

Do the Babies of Depressed Moms Have More Sleep Disturbances?

A small study in the journal Sleep examined the sleep of babies born to mothers who struggle with depression.Results show that these babies are more likely to have disturbed sleep at 2 weeks of age. These sleep problems remain present at the age of 6 months.The study involved 18 healthy, full-term babies. Seven “low-risk” infants were born to women with no history of depression. Eleven “high-risk

Study Links ADHD to Sleep Problems in Older Children & Teens

A study in the journal Sleep examines sleep problems in older children and teens with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Results show that older children and teens are more likely to have a variety of sleep problems if they were diagnosed with ADHD when they were younger. These problems include insomnia, sleep terrors, nightmares, bruxism and snoring.Study author Dr. Susan Shur-Fen Gau told

Treating Nightmares with Imagery Rehearsal Therapy

It’s bad enough to have your sleep disrupted by a nightmare. It’s even worse when recurring episodes of disturbing dreams turn into a nightmare disorder.This is a common problem for soldiers and other people who have post-traumatic stress disorder. Their dreams often replay a disturbing event in a way that seems shockingly real.But the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that treatment can help break

Do Dentures Affect Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is common at all ages. But it occurs even more often in the transition from middle-aged to older-aged adults. For older adults with sleep apnea, do dentures affect their breathing during sleep?A new study from Japan found mixed results. The study involved 34 adults who wear complete dentures. Their average age was 72.5 years. Twenty seven of the participants had at least

STOP to Find Out if You Are at Risk for Sleep Apnea

A new study confirms that the "STOP questionnaire" is a useful tool for predicting your risk of obstructive sleep apnea. So what’s your risk?To find out, answer these four simple, yes or no “STOP” questions:S: Do you SNORE loudly (louder than talking or loud enough to be heard through closed doors)?T: Do you often feel TIRED, fatigued, or sleepy during daytime?O: Has anyone OBSERVED you stop

How Sleep Disorders May Affect Your Dreams

Sleep disorders can reduce both the quantity and quality of your sleep. Can they also affect your dreams?A new review examined the current research. Only a small number of studies have focused on this subject. But results suggest that a couple of common sleep disorders may have an impact on your dreams.People with insomnia are more likely to recall their dreams. The content of their dreams tends

The “Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite Act of 2009”

Earlier this year the Sleep Education Blog reported on the recent resurgence of bed bugs. Now Rep. G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina is sponsoring federal legislation to fight back.H.R. 2248 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on May 5. It is called the “Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite Act of 2009.” The bill would “establish a grant program to assist States in inspecting hotel rooms

“Brain Music”: Sleeping Better by Listening to the Music of Your Mind

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, your brain has its own music soundtrack. And this “brain music” just might help you sleep better.The DHS wants to help emergency responders sleep well when they end a stressful shift. So it is studying the use of “brain music.”How is this music recorded? The Loudoun Times-Mirror in Virginia reports that you wear a skullcap that contains EEG

Can You Treat Sleep Apnea with Tongue and Throat Exercises?

Obstructive sleep apnea involves pauses in breathing during sleep. These breathing pauses occur when the tongue and soft tissue of the throat collapse and block the airway.What if you exercised the tongue and the throat muscles each day? Would strengthening and toning these muscles prevent your airway from collapsing?This idea gained support from a small study in 2006. Sleep apnea severity

Mother’s Day: Restless Legs, Sleepless Moms

Every mom deserves a good night of sleep for Mother’s Day. But good sleep can be especially hard to come by for women with restless legs syndrome.RLS involves a strong, almost irresistible urge to move your legs. This urge gets worse at night and eases in the morning. The need to move your legs increases when you lie or sit still. Temporary relief can be found by walking or moving the legs.Often

NHL Playoffs: Is Sleep the Secret to Vancouver’s Success?

The NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers weren’t the only pro sports team getting advice from a sleep doctor this year. Canada’s CBC Sports reports that the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks followed a similar sleep strategy this season.The results for both teams were positive. The Blazers took a 54-28 record into the first round of the playoffs. The Canucks finished the regular season 45-27-10. Then they swept

New Study Suggests that Narcolepsy is an Autoimmune Disorder

Scientists have made another major breakthrough in understanding the sleep disorder narcolepsy. A new study suggests that it is an autoimmune disorder.Results show that people with narcolepsy are more likely to have a unique variant of a specific gene belonging to T cells. These cells play an important role in the response of the immune system.“Our discovery clearly shows narcolepsy is an

Sleep Around the World: What about Children?

As the Sleep Education Blog reported, the OECD recently compared the sleep times of people in 18 countries. It found that people in Korea and Japan get the least sleep; people in the U.S. have the second-highest daily sleep time. The U.S. time use survey involved people who were 15 years of age and older.But what about children? Are there differences around the world in how long children normally

Sleep in America: A Closer Look at the Time Use Survey Data

Yesterday, the Sleep Education Blog described a new OECD report. It states that the U.S. ranks second in the world in average daily sleep time. Today, let’s take a closer look at the survey data.The OECD report states that survey methods may vary to some degree between the 18 participating countries. In the U.S., the American Time Use Survey includes people 15 years of age and older.The survey is

Sleep Around the World: France Ranks First, U.S. Second

A new OECD report compares 2006 time use surveys from 18 countries. Results show that people in France report getting the most sleep at about 8.8 hours per day.The U.S. ranks second, just 12 minutes behind at about 8.6 hours of sleep per day. People in Korea and Japan get the least sleep at about 7.8 hours per day.Why do the French get more sleep than Americans? One reason may be that they work

Sleep & the H1N1 “Swine Flu” Virus

The H1N1 flu virus, or “swine flu,” has infected people in 20 countries. This includes people in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. How can you protect yourself from this new virus?The CDC advises you to get plenty of sleep. This will help your body to maintain a strong immune system.In January the Sleep Education Blog reported on a study linking sleep and the immune system. Participants were exposed

An Early Bedtime May Improve Your Heart Health

A new study shows that going to bed before midnight may be good for your health. You may be less likely to have hardened arteries.The study involved 251 healthy men. They were all younger than 61 years of age. They had an annual check up to measure their health. They also reported their typical bedtime and sleep duration.The men were put into three groups based on their self-reported sleep

Violent Sleep: Acting Out Dreams & Nightmares

CBS 2 News in Los Angeles reports on REM sleep behavior disorder, or RBD. Note: Parents should be aware that the video on the CBS Web site may not be appropriate for children.People who have RBD act out vivid dreams and nightmares as they sleep. The dreams tend to be action-packed. The dreamer may punch, kick, jump or get out of bed and run. All of this occurs while he or she is still

Help Your Infant or Toddler Sleep with This Simple Bedtime Routine

The solution to your child’s sleep problems might be a bedtime routine. A new study in the journal Sleep shows that a nightly routine helps young children sleep better.What was the routine? The first step was for mothers to give their child a bath. The second step was to give a massage to infants or apply lotion to toddlers. The third step was to engage their child in quiet activities. This might