Snoring, Sleep Apnea and Pregnancy

It's common knowledge that snoring is both annoying and dangerous. Loud snoring is a sign of a much more serious sleep disorder - sleep apnea. A person suffering from sleep apnea stops breathing hundreds of times a night only to start again with a loud gasp. This puts a strain on the entire body, and especially on the heart. It also decreases the amount of oxygen in the blood stream and in the brain.   Anyone can become a victim of sleep... More at...

There is no cure for the common cold, or so we've been told. But a recent study led by Sheldon Cohen of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg suggests that if you can't cure it, then find a method of preventing it.   The study, which appeared in the January 12, 2009, issue of Archives of Internal medicine, shows that, of the 153 volunteers, those who slept fewer than eight hours a night were more likely to contract a cold. For two... More at...

Could sleep be a critical component to maintaining a healthy body weight? According to new research presented on Sunday, May 17, at the American Thoracic Society's 105th International Conference in San Diego, body mass index (BMI) is linked to length and quality of sleep in a surprisingly consistent fashion. More at...

It's common knowledge that obesity is one of the main causes of sleep apnea. How, the, do we account for the 40 to 60% of sleep apnea victims who are not obese?   Enlarged tonsils or adenoids, a deformed uvula or soft palate - These conditions  can be the culprits in some cases. So can liver disease. But this still leaves many cases of apnea unaccounted for.   Researchers at the University of Toronto Center for Sleep... More at...

"You'll feel better after a good night's sleep." We've all heard those words, but have we ever stopped to wonder about the mental health of people who just aren't able to sleep well? Rachel Manber has, and the Stanford University School of Medicine researcher is trying to identify the best way to treat patients suffering from both depression and insomnia. More at...

The European Medicines Agency has been formally notified by Sepracor Pharmaceuticals Ltd of its decision to withdraw its application for a centralised marketing authorisation for the medicine Lunivia (eszopiclone), 2 and 3 mg tablets. Lunivia was expected to be used for the treatment of insomnia, including difficulty falling asleep, nocturnal awakening or early awakening in adults, usually for short-term duration. More at...