Lack of Energy in Old Age May Foretell Illness

Anergia not just a part of advancing years but could be tied to severe problems, death Read more ...

Let us continue talking about pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).  We have covered its background and complications, now its time for us to talk a little about treatment.   As we explained in previous blogs, as opposed to adults where OSA is most often related to being overweight, in otherwise healthy kids the most common cause of OSA is enlarged tonsils and adenoids (glands located at the exit of the nose canal as it... Read more ...

  I would like to continue answering some of your very interesting questions.  As before, in the interests of brevity some of the questions will be shortened.   Question:   I've been using CPAP for the past 8-9 years and have now become dependent on it to sleep.  I've lost more than 40 pounds and wonder how and if I will know that I no longer need the machine?  Am I now dependent upon it for life? ... Read more ...

 Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Except for tracheotomy, it is also the most effective treatment for OSA. CPAP is basically a computerized air pump that delivers pressurized air through a hose and then through a nasal interface into the patient's throat. The pressurized air splints open the upper airways, preventing the airflow pauses (apneas) and airflow... Read more ...

I’d like to continue on the topic of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children.   As we mentioned OSA is the repetitive stopping of breathing due to an obstruction in the child’s airway.  OSA can occur in children of all ages, but is probably more common in pre-school children.  As we explained, in most children the main reason for their OSA is not obesity, which is the main risk factor in the adult population,... Read more ...

Do you snore? Do you have trouble sleeping because your spouse "rattles the walls" with their snoring? Are you are a little overweight and not fully refreshed by your sleep? Do you doze off a lot and just feel like you lack energy during the day? Then maybe the best holiday "gift" you can give yourself or significant other is an evaluation for sleep apnea.   Ironically, we haven't really talked much about the most common sleep disorder -... Read more ...

Some possible reasons Read more ...

Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling or staying asleep, or the complaint of unrestorative/unrefreshing sleep. Most people experience short-term insomnia from time to time, but when insomnia lasts for more than several weeks, it is considered chronic and should be evaluated by a physician. Insomnia used to be classified by sleep specialists as either primary or secondary insomnia. Secondary insomnia was insomnia that was due to an... Read more ...

Interrupted Night Sleep Worse for Cognitive Function

Title: Interrupted Night Sleep Worse for Cognitive Function
Category: Health News
Created: 8/9/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/11/2008 Continue reading ...

Young people who sleep less may be more likely to be overweight, especially if they spend less time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, according to a report released on August 4, 2008 in Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. The obesity epidemic in the United States is well recognized, and has been occurring even in children. Continue reading ...

Bladder problems may leave a mark on the brain, by changing patterns of brain activity, possibly contributing to disrupted sleep and problems with attention. For one in six Americans who have overactive bladder, the involuntary bladder contractions that often trigger more frequent urges to urinate, such mind-body connections may be of more than academic interest. Continue reading ...

Neurogen Corporation (Nasdaq: NRGN) announced that, as planned, it commenced a Phase 2/3 clinical trial in chronic insomnia patients with the Company's insomnia agent, adipiplon and that, based upon reports from initial dosing of a higher than anticipated rate of unwanted next day effects, the Company has suspended dosing in the study. Neurogen believes that the bilayer tablet formulation of adipiplon being used in the study may not be performing as expected. Continue reading ...

An independent link between sleep apnea and mortality has been discovered by a group of Australian researchers, suggesting the prevention and treatment of this condition should be a higher priority for government bodies working to improve community health. The study conducted by the Continue reading ...

To help prescribers and pharmacists counsel patients concerned about the sleep-related adverse effects associated with zolpidem (Stilnox), the National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) has released a position statement on the drug and sleep-related behaviours. Continue reading ...

I previously posted about the diagnosis of insomnia, the difference between primary and secondary/comorbid insomnia, and the importance of evaluating for and treating any underlying causes of insomnia. I encourage you to read my Secondary Insomnia post before reading any more of this post. Today I will be talking more about medication treatment options for secondary (comorbid) insomnia. Although persons with primary insomnia (insomnia not... Continue reading ...