New Evidence On Addiction To Medicines Diazepam Has Effect On Nerve Cells In The Brain Reward System

Addictions to medicines and drugs are thought to develop over a relatively long period of time. The process involves both structural and functional changes in brain nerve cells that are still poorly understood. However, a single drug or alcohol dose is sufficient to generate an initial stage of addiction. More at...

 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... More at...

Many of us are aware that eating or drinking some food products hinders our ability to sleep. Coffee contains caffeine and should be avoided later in the day. Chocolate also contains caffeine and should also be avoided. Spicy foods can cause digestive problems, including heartburn and gas. For a good night's sleep, eat these foods in the afternoon or early evening.   But what about foods that promote sleep? Melatonin is a hormone produced... More at...

A US study that followed a random sample of men and women for 18 years showed that those with sleep apnea, where breathing pauses during sleep, had more than three times the risk of death from any cause compared to those who did not, and the risk went up when the condition was not treated. More at...

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... More at...

Staying awake slows down our brains, scientists have long recognized. Mental performance is at its peak after sleep but inevitably trends downward throughout the day, and sleep deprivation only worsens these effects. For the first time, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found a way to stop this downward slide. More at...