Physical Activity & Improved Sleep in Children

Do children really sleep better if they’ve been more active during the day? A new study from New Zealand may confirm what parents have long suspected.The study involved 519 children who were 7 years old. Their activity was measured for 24 hours by an actigraph that they wore on their waist.Results show that children who were more active during the day fell asleep faster at night. As their mean

Sleep Apnea & Bariatric Surgery Risk

Last week the Sleep Education Blog reported that bariatric surgery may reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea; but it doesn’t cure the problem.What about safety? Is weight-loss surgery a risky procedure?A study published today examined the short-term risks of bariatric surgery. It measured adverse outcomes in the 30 days after surgery.People in the study had an average age of 44.5 years;

Sleep Paralysis: The Devil, the Ghost & the Old Hag

You’re waking up or falling asleep, and suddenly you’re unable to move. Your body becomes paralyzed as if an unseen weight is upon you.You may be unable to move your arms or legs, body and head. You can breathe and think, but you may be unable to speak. The paralysis may last for only seconds or a few minutes. Then it disappears and you are able to move again.This describes a typical episode

Sleep in Space

Space shuttle Endeavour launched on Wed., July 15, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Today the shuttle undocked from the International Space Station.After 13 days in space, how has the shuttle’s crew been sleeping? Surprisingly well, MSNBC reports."We sleep very well in space,” Endeavour astronaut Julie Payette told reporters. “Can you imagine? We have a sleeping bag each, and when you

Child Sleep Problems & Early Substance Use

Are children with sleep problems more likely to begin drinking, smoking or using drugs? A new study provides some insight.The ongoing, longitudinal study involved children selected from a community sample of “high-risk” families; 292 boys and 94 girls participated.Results show a gender difference; childhood sleep problems were more likely to predict early onset of substance use in boys than

How to Help Your Child Sleep Better

A new study confirmed that poor “sleep hygiene” has a negative effect on the sleep patterns of young children.The study analyzed data from a national poll of 1,473 parents and caregivers; their children ranged in age from newborns to 10-year-olds. The poll included questions on sleep habits and sleep patterns.Having a late bedtime after 9 p.m. was associated with sleep problems across all ages.

A Gluten-Free Diet for Restless Legs Syndrome?

A small study reports that celiac disease is a possible cause of low iron levels in some people who have restless legs syndrome.The study involved four people with RLS and low iron stores in the body. They also tested positive for celiac disease.Results show that a gluten-free diet reduced RLS symptoms in all four people. Two of the people were able to stop taking their RLS medication; the other

High Blood Pressure & Obstructive Sleep Apnea

A new study adds to the evidence linking obstructive sleep apnea to an increased risk of high blood pressure.The study involved 529 men and 207 women with OSA. The severity of their sleep apnea varied widely.Their average apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ranged from five to 197 breathing pauses per hour of sleep; the mean AHI was 36. An AHI of more than 30 is considered “severe” OSA.Participants with

Acupuncture for Insomnia: Another Review

Is acupuncture an effective treatment for insomnia? In February the Sleep Education Blog reported on a scientific review of the evidence.The researchers were from Emory University; they found that acupuncture has potential as an insomnia treatment. But there is only limited evidence to support its use.A new review from Hong Kong provides another perspective. The review looked at both Chinese

Regular Exercise & Teen Sleep

A new study suggests that regular exercise can lead to multiple improvements in the sleep of teens.The study involved 12 teen athletes who got about 14 hours of vigorous exercise per week. They were compared with 12 controls who exercised for only 1.5 hours per week. Their sleep was evaluated following a day without exercise.Results show that the athletes took less time to fall asleep. They also

Obstructive Sleep Apnea & Depression

A new study examined the rate of obstructive sleep apnea in people with major depressive disorder and insomnia.The study involved 51 people with both depression and insomnia; they were evaluated by an overnight sleep study.Results show a high rate of OSA in people with depression and insomnia; 39 percent of the people had an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 15 or more breathing pauses per hour of

Do All Animals Sleep?

Over the weekend a New York Times editorial longingly observed how “effortlessly” farm animals seem to sleep. In contrast, people seem to work at sleeping – or at avoiding sleep as much as possible.“What a lot of shut-eye all the other species get, and how sleep-deprived humans seem in comparison!” the editorial lamented. “To grasp the force of human culture, all you have to do is consider how

Does Bariatric Surgery Cure Sleep Apnea?

In February the Sleep Education Blog reported on the use of bariatric surgery to treat obstructive sleep apnea. A small study found that surgery did provide some benefits; but it wasn’t a cure for OSA.Now a new study takes a broader look at the evidence. The systematic review analyzed 12 studies involving 342 people.Bariatric surgery did reduce the severity of obesity; the average body mass index

Sleep Music: A Jewel “Lullaby” & Relaxation CDs

The new 15-track CD “Lullaby” from three-time Grammy nominee Jewel is an acoustic ode to sleep.Released in May, the self-produced release features 10 original songs such as “Sweet Dreams.” The other songs are classic lullabies such as “Twinkle, Twinkle” and “Brahms’ Lullaby.”“This isn’t just a ‘kids’ album, it’s really a mood album – perfect to relax to at the end of a long day,” Jewel said in a

A Melatonin Patch May Help Shift Workers Sleep During the Day

A nicotine patch is commonly used by people who want to quit smoking. A small dose of nicotine enters the blood by being absorbed through the skin.Can this method of “transdermal delivery” be used for a sleep aid such as melatonin? A new report provides positive results from a small study.The study involved eight people. They were given an eight-hour opportunity to sleep during the daytime. This

Understanding Unusual Ambien Side Effects

A new study may help explain why some people have unusual side effects when taking the sleep aid zolpidem – also known as Ambien.Reuters reports that the drug can shut down brain circuits that normally inhibit some activity. This may release the brakes on other brain circuits while you sleep.“In a way, Ambien is awakening other circuits because the brakes are not in place," study co-author Molly

George Dawes Green’s Free-Running Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder

What would life be like if your sleep and wake times drifted later every day? How hard would it be if you began falling asleep in the morning, then in the afternoon, then in the evening as weeks went by?Just ask George Dawes Green, best-selling author of The Juror. USA Today describes how he sleeps around the clock because of this rare sleep disorder.It is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder that

Obama White House: No Time for Sleep?

An important speech in Russia on Tuesday. The G-8 Summit in Italy on Wednesday. A visit to the Vatican in Rome on Friday. Another speech in Ghana on Saturday. Back to the White House to introduce the nominee for the U.S. Surgeon General yesterday.Keeping up with President Obama is no easy task. It requires a pace that often leaves little time for White House staffers to sleep, the Washington Post

Sleep Apnea: Microsoft Developing a Diagnostic Device

The 10th annual Microsoft Research Faculty Summit is taking place today and tomorrow in Redmond, Wash. The summit brings leading academic researchers and educators together with Microsoft® researchers.The theme of the 2009 summit is “Addressing World-Scale Challenges.” One of the challenges on the agenda is the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.Tomorrow from 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. there will

Untreated Sleep Apnea Affects Job Performance

Two new studies show that untreated obstructive sleep apnea can have a negative impact on job performance.A study in the June 1 issue of the journal Sleep involved 150 people; they were all referred to a sleep center in California for suspected sleep apnea. Their average age was 44 years; each of them was employed at the time of the study.An overnight sleep study confirmed the presence of sleep

Craig David: “Insomnia” from a Broken Heart

British R&B star Craig David is in love, and he can’t sleep – at least in his song lyrics. His single “Insomnia” spent nine weeks on the Billboard Pop 100 Airplay chart, peaking at #62.In 2000 the 19-year-old David became the youngest British male solo artist to have a number-one single. But he’s still trying to build momentum for his music in the U.S.“Insomnia” describes what happens to his

Regis Philbin’s Sleep Study Results: It’s Sleep Apnea

Who wants to feel like a millionaire? Talk show and game show host Regis Philbin says that he does.The Emmy Award-winning TV personality can’t get a good night’s sleep. Regis said that he wakes up multiple times during the night.And after waking up it can be a struggle to get back to sleep. As a result he rarely feels his best during the day.For years he’s been complaining about his sleep

Drowsy Driving: Mercedes, SAAB Develop Prevention Systems

Car makers Mercedes-Benz and SAAB are both using high-tech systems to help prevent drowsy-driving accidents.Mercedes introduced its Attention Assist system as a standard feature of the 2010 E-Class. Sensors measure more than 70 parameters to monitor your alertness.They keep track of your speed and acceleration. The sensors record your use of turn indicators and pedals. They even take into account

Drowsy Sailing: Sleep Deprivation & the U.S. Navy Port Royal Accident

The Honolulu Advertiser reports that sleep loss and fatigue may have been factors in the Feb. 5 grounding of the USS Port Royal, a guided-missile cruiser.The ship’s captain told the Navy Safety Investigation Board that he was tired when the ship got under way. He got less than five hours of sleep in the previous 24 hours; in the three days leading up to the incident he slept for a total of only

Online CBT for Insomnia: Using the Internet to Get Some “SHUTi”

Research continues to show that online cognitive behavioral therapy may be an effective treatment for adults with ongoing insomnia.A new study involved 44 people with an average age of 45 years. They had struggled with insomnia for an average of more than 10 years; most of the participants were women.Half of the group was put on a wait list as a control; the other half completed a nine-week,

Bedwetting & Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children

A new study shows that “nocturnal enuresis” – bedwetting – is common in children with obstructive sleep apnea.The study involved 149 children with some degree of sleep apnea – from minimal to severe. They were compared with 139 children in a control group. All children were between 5 and 15 years of age.Results show that 80 percent of children with a bedwetting problem had some degree of sleep

Sleep Duration & Risk of Death

The AASM reports that most adults need about seven to eight hours of nightly sleep to feel alert and well rested during the day. But is it dangerous if you regularly get less sleep or more sleep? Does “short sleep” or “long sleep” increase your risk of death?A new study took a look at the evidence. The systematic review analyzed data from other studies. In each study sleep duration was measured

Brain Activity & Muscle Force in Morning and Evening Types

A new study measured changes in brain activity and muscle force from morning to night in morning and evening types.The study involved 18 people. Nine were “evening types” who prefer to stay up late at night and sleep late in the morning; nine were “morning types” who prefer to go to bed early and wake up early. Data were collected four times in one day: at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.Results

Michael Jackson’s Struggle with Insomnia

The Associated Press reports today that Michael Jackson struggled with severe and chronic insomnia. A nurse told the AP that he wanted to obtain the drug propofol - also known as Diprivan - to help him sleep.Diprivan is a powerful sedative that is injected into a vein. It is given to patients before an operation or medical test.Jackson’s insomnia may have had a variety of causes.The AP reports