New Insights Into Restless Legs Syndrome

For the millions who suffer from Restless Legs Syndrome, sleep can be exceedingly difficult and disrupted. RLS is a neurological disorder and a sleep disorder, a condition that causes tingling, twitching, “creepy-crawly” feelings in the legs. These uncomfortable sensations bring about an often-urgent need to move the legs. The symptoms of RLS are most often felt when a person is lying still for a period of time, and are frequently experienced at bedtime. People with RLS commonly experience symptoms of ...

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The Link Between Abdominal Fat and Sleep Apnea

Obesity has long been considered one of the most important risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults. In particular, visceral fat—a type of fat that collects in the abdomen—is increasingly regarded as a particularly significant risk factor for sleep apnea. Visceral fat in the abdomen is located within the abdominal cavity, around the body’s organs. Visceral fat itself is considered an important risk factor for a number of serious medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Although both ...

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Work-Linked Sleep Loss May Harm Police Officers’ Health

Getting less than 6 hours increases risk of chronic fatigue, obesity and diabetes, researchers say.

Police officers who get less than six hours of sleep per day are at increased risk for chronic fatigue and health problems such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease, a new study finds.

The University of Iowa researchers also found that officers working the evening or night shifts were 14 times less likely to get restful sleep than those on the day shift. These officers also had ...

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A Good Night’s Sleep

What you need to know to get a good night’s sleep:

We know that 30% of the American population is sleeping less than six and one-half hours a night. We also know that 15% of Americans suffer from chronic insomnia. So what can we do to improve our sleep?

First, we need to come to the realization that we need at least seven to eight hours of sleep a night. If we don’t accept that then we are very ...

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The Afternoon Slump

Why is it that so many people complain of sluggishness after lunch? What is it about this particular time of day that makes some of us so vulnerable to fatigue and sleepiness? Why is it so common to have trouble concentrating and paying attention during this period? It really has to do with a balancing act between our intrinsic biorhythms and our environment.

As soon as we awaken, the pressure to fall asleep gradually develops in the form ...

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Sleep Can Impact a Man’s Fertility

Sleep is important for overall rest and well-being, but a new study shows it might also impact a man’s fertility.

The value of a good night’s sleep cannot be overstated, especially in today’s hectic society. Research has shown that most Americans aren’t getting enough rest, even when it comes to teenagers and kids. Now, a new study finds that chronic sleep issues might actually lead to fertility problems down the road.

Danish researchers examined over 950 men over the course of three ...

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PTSD and Sleep Disorders Often Go Together

John, a 25-year-old combat veteran of Afghanistan, was sent to me for sleep apnea by the local VA hospital. He was somewhat withdrawn and unemotional. As we spoke, I discovered that he had severe insomnia and recurrent nightmares. He was becoming progressively more withdrawn and there were certain places like shopping malls that he absolutely refused to go to as crowds and noise brought back stressful emotions and even flashbacks of the war. John had PTSD ...

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How Sleep and Alcohol Are Linked

Sleep and alcohol use are firmly intertwined. We know that 30% of people with insomnia turn to alcohol to help them sleep. We also know that insomnia is one of the greatest predictors of relapse in alcoholics. So what is the problem with alcohol and sleep?

Initially, alcohol induces sleep. It does this by acting on areas of the brain in a fashion similar to sleeping pills. In the first half of the night it increases ...

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Alzheimer’s and the Sleep Cycle

It is well-known that people with Alzheimer’s have difficulty with sleep. One of the areas the disease attacks is the sleep/wake center of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus. This results in severe problems with the timing of falling asleep and waking up – thus the link between Alzheimer’s and the sleep cycle. This can become maddening for family members and caregivers trying to cope with nighttime wanderings and people who sleep most of the day.

Interestingly, several recent ...

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Vacation Travel Tips for Better Sleep

Whether you are traveling a hundred miles by car or across many time zones by plane, your sleep is very important. Here are some tips that might help.

If you are traveling by car, make sure you get a good night’s sleep before the journey.

Stop every two hours to stretch and relax.

Avoid alcohol consumption the night before. This can cause problems with remaining sleep and may leave you dangerously sleepy the next day.

If traveling by plane, consider noise-canceling headphones ...

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