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...

Driver Fatigue: The Dangers of Driving Sleepy

Driver Fatigue: The Dangers of Driving Sleepy
Driver fatigue and driving sleepy or drowsy can cause car accidents and crashes. Keep reading to learn about driver fatigue as well as truck driver fatigue.

S.A.D. and Circadian Rhythms
“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”   - Anne Bradstreet, British poet   It’s that time of the year again.  Especially for those of us not fortunate enough to live in warmer climes- the winter is coming.  As we all know, along with the season comes shorter days and longer nights.  Some of us may...

Drugs and Sleep Deprivation
Drugs and sleep deprivation go hand in hand. Keep reading to learn more about drugs that cause sleep deprivation.

The Effects of Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation, caused by sleep disorders has a number of physical and mental effects. Keep reading to learn more about the effects of sleep deprivation.

Diagnosing Restless Leg Syndrome
You’ve all seen the ads.  You might have even heard about the charges of “disease mongering” that have been bandied about, specifically about this disorder.  We are going to start covering the topic of restless legs syndrome (RLS).  (By the way, disease mongering is when someone with a financial interest in a disease, like a pharmaceutical company with an effective medicine, publicizes a disorder with the sole...