Monday, November 2, 2009

Shared Bed May Raise SIDS Risk

Title: Shared Bed May Raise SIDS Risk
Category: Health News
Created: 10/14/2009 8:10:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/14/2009 Read more ...

A course of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) may help insomnia patients get a better night's sleep, even long after the treatment ends. Read more ...

Title: Health Tip: Leave Jet Lag Behind
Category: Health News
Created: 10/26/2009 8:10:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/26/2009 Read more ...

Title: World Trade Center Workers Have More Cases of Acid Reflux
Category: Health News
Created: 10/26/2009 2:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 10/27/2009 Read more ...

Title: Drugs May Save Memory of the Sleep-Deprived
Category: Health News
Created: 10/22/2009 11:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/22/2009 11:00:05 AM Read more ...

Title: Health Tip: Signs of an Asthma Attack in Your Child
Category: Health News
Created: 10/22/2009 8:10:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/22/2009 Read more ...

Causes and Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome

Causes and Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome
We started our discussion about restless legs syndrome (RLS) in my recent blog, so let’s continue where we left off.   Mild symptoms of RLS occur in 5-15% of the general population, which makes it the second or third most common sleep disorder.  Of these cases, only about 2-3% are considered clinically severe enough to require treatment.  It appears to occur more commonly in females and can even affect children.  Due...

Relieving Those Restless Legs
Let’s continue talking about restless legs syndrome (RLS).   We reviewed some of the symptoms, causes, and adverse effects of restless legs syndrome in the past two blogs, now let’s talk about how RLS is diagnosed.  Due to the unusual sensations that patients with RLS complain of, it is sometimes difficult for a healthcare provider to determine if these complaints are actually related to RLS.  Contrary to popular...

The Function of Sleep Not Quite Explained
We finished the last blog in mid-thought.  We were talking about REM sleep and the idea of brain plasticity- the rewiring of our brains that take place when we learn new information.   A recent study in rats showed that 4 days of REM sleep deprivation decreased the amount of new cells in the part of the brain that is associated with long-term memory, in other words they did not make those new circuits.   Another study with...

Treating the Winter Blues
In my last blog we began a discussion of seasonal affective disorder or SAD.  We will pick up where we left off.   There is actually some debate in the psychiatric community whether or not SAD is actually a separate diagnosis, apart from general depression.  Those who claim it is not suggest that it is no more than a seasonal coincidence that occurs in someone with recurring episodes of depression.  As support to this idea...

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...

Sleep Deprivation 101: What You Should Know
In my previous blogs I have written about the importance of good sleep, but I don’t think we ever really explained the significance of sleep deprivation and the effects on society and the individual. I thought that it would be a good idea to go over some significant facts and figures to convince you of the importance of getting a good restful sleep and of the need to address sleep problems with your doctor.What is sleep deprivation?It is...