Diagnosing Restless Leg Syndrome

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 - Too Little? Too Much?
Sleep is one of the necessities of life along with water, food and air. But just how much sleep do we need? What is too much? What is too little, and how does sleep affect our health?A new study, reported in Science News, explains that Alzheimer's is linked to lack of sleep. Plaques of Alzheimer's increase in the brains of mice and also in  the spinal fluid of people during wakefulness. These plaques destroy brain cells and lead to...

When Clocks Change, Body May Need Time to Adjust
Title: When Clocks Change, Body May Need Time to Adjust
Category: Health News
Created: 10/30/2009 8:10:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/30/2009

Health Tip: Signs of an Asthma Attack in Your Child
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

All Sleep is Not Created Equal
In my last blog we were reviewing the fundamental question of why we sleep.  We left off trying to sort out the level of activity of the brain and body during different stages of sleep (i.e. Non-REM and REM).    During non-REM the body and brain are at their most relaxed state.  Ironically, most people think of REM as deep sleep, but actually during REM the level of brain activity resembles the awake state.  Our most...

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

Did Diprivan Lead to Michael Jackson's Death?
It's no surprise to hear that Michael Jackson suffered from insomnia. According to an Associated Press news release, he'd been plague with insomnia as far back as 1989 and the "Bad" tour.   Sleep problems are common among celebrities, and, no matter your personal opinion of Michael Jackson, there's no doubt he was a celebrity - a super nova of the music world. Can you imagine the stress and pressure of most of life? Then add to that his...