The "Eyes" Have It

The "Eyes" Have It
University of Oxford researchers have discovered that sleepiness is controlled by nerves in the eye. By turning off certain cells in the eyes of mice, the effects of light on sleep and alertness is completely abolished.   "If we can mimic the effect of light pharmacologically, we could turn sleep on and off," lead researcher Russell Foster, of the Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, said.   This discovery could help in the...

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

Rockabye Baby - Pregnancy
We all know, I'm sure, the effects of sleep deprivation, the damage a lack of sleep can do to the body, both mental and physical.   When it comes to sleep deprivation, parents, and in particular, mothers, are high on the list. Babies sleep - well, like babies. The problem is, babies and toddlers may not be on the same sleep schedule as adults.   But the sleep deprivation begins months before baby comes into the world. During the...

The Basics of CPAP
 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...

WARNING: Pillows Recalled
Check your pillows especially if they were purchased between February 2008 and June 2008. If they were purchased at Cosco and have the registration number PA-27156(CA) and Sleep Innovations" printed on the tag, they have been recalled. The following warning was just received:   "Sleep Innovations Recalls Pillows Sold Exclusively at Costco; Metal Fragments Pose Abrasion Hazard The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted...

The Elderly and Sleep
A recent joint study from Elizabeth Klerman of Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Harvard Medical School states that the elderly don't need as much sleep as the general population. Sure, there are lifestyle and medical reasons why the elderly have trouble sleeping, but the real answer lies in changes in the circadian rhythm and REM sleep.   But, even with the results of the study, everybody needs sleep, and the elderly are no exception....

Put sleep on back-to-school checklist, experts say
For teenagers, summer often means staying up to all hours of the night and sleeping in the next day. That will, or should, all come to an end shortly as students head back to school, experts advise.

Teen Lack of Sleep a Growing Problem
It's that time of year again and all over the nation, schools are back in session. Suddenly it all hits you - school, homework, maybe a job, dating, family, sports, and on and on. How on earth can you fit it all in?   Did you notice anything missing in the above list? Right! Sleep. Unfortunately, that one commodity is also often missing from a teen's life. Maybe not entirely, but the majority of teens don't get the hours of sleep they...