Rise in ER Visits Related to Sleep Medications

There’s more news about complications that can arise from prescription sleep medication: Side effects from a common prescription sleep aid are sending increasing numbers of people to emergency departments.

The number of people seeking emergency medical treatment for the adverse effects of sleep medications containing zolpidem has risen dramatically in recent years, according to a new federal report. Zolpidem is the active ingredient in several of the most commonly prescribed sleep medications, including Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, and Zolpimist.

The report was ...

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1
JAN
0

Doctors Orders

Insomnia Could Increase Risk of Heart Failure

There is an abundant—and ever-growing—body of evidence that indicates sleep plays an important role in cardiovascular health. Poor sleep is associated with a range of heart problems, including high blood pressure and increased risk of heart attack. Now, new research shows a link between insomnia and heart failure. Nearly 6 million adults in the United States suffer from heart failure, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Heart failure is directly responsible for more than 55,000 deaths every year, and ...

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15
DEC
0

Insomnia

New Insights on Sleepwalking

New research about sleepwalking has raised questions about several common beliefs regarding this frequently misunderstood sleep disorder. Researchers at the University of Montreal conducted a comprehensive review of more than 15 years of study on the topic of sleepwalking. Their analysis produced what may be a clearer picture of the sleep disorder, its possible mechanisms, and its risk factors. Their analysis also challenges some common beliefs about sleepwalking—beliefs that, if outdated, could interfere with diagnosis and treatment.

What are these views ...

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1
DEC
0

Other Sleep Disorders

Sleep Less, Weigh More

Calories in, calories out. We’ve all heard this basic, fundamental calculation regarding weight loss and weight gain. To lose weight, we must expend more calories than we take in. Consume more than you need, and the result? The pounds go on. Turns out, lack of sleep may increase daily calorie consumption, and contribute to weight gain.

There is a tremendous amount of evidence that sleep plays an important role in weight management. Insufficient sleep is strongly linked to obesity and metabolic ...

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15
NOV
0

Doctors Orders

Is Asthma a Risk Factor for Sleep Apnea?

There are several risk factors associated with obstructive sleep apnea that are long-standing and well known. They include lifestyle and health factors such as obesity or excess body weight, high-blood pressure, and alcohol and tobacco use, as well as genetic and demographic factors such as family history of the disease, being older, and being male. Now, thanks to new research, we may have a new OSA risk factor to add to this list: asthma.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin investigated ...

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1
NOV
0

Sleep Apnea

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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15
OCT
0

Restless Legs Syndrome

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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1
OCT
0

Sleep Apnea

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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15
SEP
0

Sleepless Dangers

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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15
SEP
0

Tips and Tricks

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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1
SEP
0

Tips and Tricks

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