In all, yawning is not something done because a person is bored. It serves as a cooling agent of sorts as far as medical implications are concerned. Doctors may be able to use excessive yawning as a way to identify patients with conditions that affect temperature regulation.

“The brain is exquisitely sensitive to temperature changes and therefore must be protected from overheating,” they said in a University of Maryland news release. “Brains, like computers, operate best when they are cool.”

So now you know!

Via

a

Soft is not safe as far as Dr. Rachel Moon is concerned. This conclusion however is not a new one. If you recall, pillows or cushions have been found to be dangerous for babies who sleep. Issues such as SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) or accidental suffocation therein have become key problems which make them hazards for babies.

Having pillows and cushions do indeed make sleeping comfortable for babies, in the same way that we adults find comfort in them. However, as far as babies are concerned, doctors recommend the use of “firm sleep surfaces” which really means a bed with a sheet that is put over the pillows and tucked tightly.

This is another study you may have come across, so just consider it a reminder that whatever we think that is comfortable may not necessarily be hold true all the time. Babies deserve all the comfort of course but looking out for the realities as far as their manner of sleeping is another.

Via

a

To help him out, girlfriend Nikki Alexander wooed the big man to take part in a sleep apnea study being sponsored by Harvard University. Sleep apnea has become a growing problem for Americans and sadly, even the Boston Celtic big man who has been absent in the NBA scene for some time now is not exempted from it.

The consequences of sleep apnea, as described by the litany of doctors early in the video embedded below, is pretty frightening. That and of course frequent reminders of what sleep apnea can bring should be immediately brought to the attention of specialists, O’Neal included.

Via

a

As far as figuring out what is ailing Minnesota Vikings Percy Harvin regarding his constant migraines is concerned, all that may finally be resolved. This is after doctors diagnosed Harvin as suffering from sleep apnea after a harrowing incident during the Viking’s practice last August 19.

Doctors believe the disorder was responsible for the headaches that caused Harvin to lose consciousness and leave the practice in an ambulance. Sleep apnea causes gaps in a person’s breathing while sleeping.

Image Credits

Read

a

Somaxon has gotten a big boost after Proctor & Gamble promised to help them sell Silenor to thousands of U.S. doctors and pharmacies. Both companies have agreed in principle to start the marketing efforts for the new sleep drug this September.

The deal also places Procter & Gamble first in line to negotiate for the rights to develop and market an over-the-counter version of Silenor in the United States. However, Somaxon would have to win FDA approval first before the drug could be sold without a prescription.

Read

a

This apparently has something to do with the ongoing Augusta Masters where as we all know is the comeback tourney of the disgruntled Tiger Woods. And whether you consider it a marketing ploy or not, Sleep Apnea Therapy can reportedly help increase golf scores.

Of course it does make sense. Sleeping well and being able to carry full concentration and strength can help a lot for you golf game.

Doctors at the Morristown Memorial Hospital in New Jersey found treating sleep apnea in 12 golfers actually improved their game by up to three strokes off their handicap in 20 rounds of golf when they underwent the sleep apnea therapy, according to a presentation today at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians.

(Source) Fox News

a

Based on a study conducted by the Shanghai Institution of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Sleep Disorders, about 7 million Chinese suffer from tossing and turning. Additionally, women were found to be suffering 1.5 times more than men.

In those numbers too, children are included. China has a population of 19 million and you can just imagine a percentage of that having to deal with such issues. Doctors have warned about the side effects of sleep deprivation, which can cause car accidents, depression, anxiety and cardiovascular problems. Studies also show that sleep disorders affect people’s memory, emotions and learning ability.

The report was shared in relation to the celebration of World Sleep Day which fell on a Sunday.

(Source) China Daily

a

Just when you thought that actress Gwyneth Paltrow has everything in order, she reveals that she too has been having problems with sleeping comfortably. Paltrow admits that she doesn’t get enough sleep and has even turned to a book, “Light’s Out: Sleep, Sugar and Survival” by T.S. Wiley to get some sensible shuteye.

Some of Paltrow’s health concerns she discussed with her doctor include aging and hormonal imbalances, something that affects some women in their mid to late 30s. Paltrow’s doctors advised her to get some natural sunlight everyday, relaxation techniques before bed, eliminating caffeine and an adequate fitness regime to help her get at least eight hours of solid sleep per night.

Image Credits

(Source) My Fox Nepa

a

You can add another issue to highlight among teens if they lack sleep. A study showed that lack of sleep could become a high risk issue for teens who lack sufficient shuteye. Teens who go to be after midnight are more likely to experience depression, especially the ones who get less than 5 hours of sleep. Worst, 50% of those sleep-deprived teens may even commit suicide!

Doctors recommended that parents remove television sets and video games from teenagers’ rooms to help them get nine hours of sleep each night. Make sure they get sufficient sleep to avoid falling into these sleep issues and trauma.

(Source) Foxreno

a

You would think that insomnia would hit only the adults no thanks to their own doing. Some inherit them due to their preference to stay awake and sleep when they feel like it. However it seems that this is not the true case of where insomnia originates.

In fact a 4 year old girl has been discovered to be suffering from insomnia in Britain, often awake by midnight despite a structured bedtime routine. And while many would say that parents or specialists could teach their kids how to practice sleeping patterns but apparently the case is a lot serious than that.

Doctors discovered the reason for Jess Tinsley’s problem. It was all tied up to acting out her dreams, a lot of what she has done for the day. This ability to conjure up accurate mental images is known as eidetic imagery. It generally only affects children, as they tend to grow out of it. So technically, some psychological factor was associated with it which the Tinsley’s acted upon.

Sleep is important particularly for Jess’ age of four. And the solution? The psychologist suggested that rather than having her bedtime story in the sitting room, she would have it in bed, so that she knew that was where she had to stay.

And apparently it worked and results were seen after three days.

(Source) The Daily Mail

a

This should be good news for people who doubt the ability of sleep centers in helping fight off obstructive sleep apnea. Based on an internal study that SleepQuest made, they found that their patients comply with the Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment at a rate nearly twice the industry average.

“Compliance is dependent upon the caregiver’s expertise with the many different complications that might occur with PAP treatment,” said Robert Koenigsberg, SleepQuest President/CEO. “Our resolute focus is to troubleshoot problems that patients may experience and to find the right solutions for them.”

“Our Sleep Care Specialists work directly with patients and their doctors to find the solution that works best and is easiest to sustain,” said Koenigsberg. “We help our patients feel better as they continue their treatment. That’s why our rates are so high.”

Now this development should be great news for people who want to resolve their sleeping problems. With the specialists and professional help that SleepQuest has been providing, Obstructive Sleep Apnea patients may have better sleeping days ahead.

(Source) Press

a

If you want to achieve a lot, let this be a warning; don’t sacrifice sleep. It is not easy for sure. Thinking of what to do or how to address a current issue, chances are you may be lying on your bed but will not be sleeping at all.

Oprah Winfrey is a clear example. Outside that of a hectic schedule, her frustrations on how to address her weight problem and arrange her busy schedule is taking its toll. They are making life miserable for this popular talk show host and unless she addresses these calmly and with proper rest, she may be among the high risk people the world has today.

With a crazed schedule, Winfrey began suffering sleep issues and heart palpitations. Four doctors and several prescriptions later, the sleep Winfrey craved didn’t come. But the added pounds did.

(Source) Chicago Sun Times

a

Today, you are no longer blessed in choosing the right career for you. In fact we have seen the growing need for shift workers, most of which have trouble adjusting to new sleeping patterns brought about by the need to perform round the clock jobs. Among the notable workers we know who are shift workers include:

1. Nurses
2. Call Center Agents
3. Customer Service Representatives
4. 24/7 Convenience Store Attendants
5. Gasoline Station Personnel
6. Policemen
7. Firemen
8. Doctors/ Physicians
9. IT Personnel
10. Airlines Personnel

Most of these people have to adjust to the sleeping patterns that come with their job and here are some ways they can go about it:

Try to have a predictable schedule of night shifts.

During the shift, keep the lights bright to trigger wakefulness.

For daytime sleeping, eliminate as much noise and light as possible.

(Source) The News International

a

To avoid the pain when we visit our dentist for possible tooth extractions or even root canals, we would normally be given anesthesia or sedatives so we can sleep through the pain. With that in mind, would we dare use it when we cannot sleep ourselves?

Of course, there is no pain involved in this case. Perhaps the only pain we may have in mind is the after-effect to which no sleep may result in probable health risk events.

But going back, Dex (Dexmedetomidine) has been found to be a natural way of putting patients to sleep for possible dental procedures. Makes you wonder if they can do the same for normal sleeping wants.

Then again, that would need medical clearance to which doctors are sure to evaluate you if and when it can be used as a natural sleep sedative outside dental procedures.

According to the bispectral index, which measures sedative state, patients remained in a sedative state even when they appeared to be clearly conscious. Thus, discontinuing the Dex infusion approximately 15 minutes before the end of the procedure is recommended to minimize recovery time.

It should also be noted that patients in this study were relatively young and healthy; higher doses and differences in age and health may affect the performance of Dex.

(Source) Dental Economics

a

Sleep Deprived Medical Interns

While most of the world may be seeking treatment for their various sleep issues, the growing number of patients may soon include interns who look after these medical seeking individuals. Just like the patients diagnosed with various sleeping irregularities like sleep apnea and insomnia, if the proper volume of patients to be handled is not normalized, chances are these medical interns may also need sleep solutions similar to this post two months ago for doctors.

The relationship is quite similar. People cure people but in the process, while most of them want to help as many people as they can, it still remains that they have to consider the fact that these interns have to look after themselves as well.

Interns were on-call for about 30 hours, getting an average of 2.8 hours of sleep. Early in the academic year, every patient admitted while they were on-call reduced their sleep by an average of about 10 min and increased shift duration by about 13 min. Being on-call at night and early in the academic year was linked with the most sleep deprivation and longest work hours. The higher the number of previously admitted patients in the interns’ care during a shift, the less likely they were to participate in educational activities.

(Source) Insider Medicine

a

Tonsillectomies do not only limit itself into treating adults. There are children who have their share of this discomfort. A trip to the family doctor can assess the situation and perhaps when advised to take them out, they can see more progress which includes better sleeping habits to look forward to.

Caitlin is among a growing number of kids getting tonsillectomies to treat sleep disorders. Doctor Stephen Landers, an ear, nose and throat specialist, is seeing a sharp increase in surgeries, and says many of these kids are misdiagnosed with learning disabilities. “They’re not getting restful sleep at night so they are having trouble behaving during the day,” he explained.

Post surgery, Caitlin’s energy level has skyrocketed. She can focus, and most importantly she can breathe and sleep more easily. Doctors say this is quite common. Kids with learning disabilities or behavioral problems are often found to be suffering from sleep apnea.

(Source) WBIR

a

But the issues surrounding the sleep disorders that most kids have today are for real. Normally, parents would let it go and consider it as part of some reaction towards medicine or hereditary behavior. Not all parents are doctors or sleep specialists to conclude such things and it would be best to seek the advice of specialists who know more about this sleep dilemma that often bugs us.

(Source) The Arizona Republic

a

There are communication gaps every time a patient sees his physician. It all lies in the area that people sometimes take for granted the importance of being detailed with every illness or happening that comes their way. This in turn moves towards an incomplete scenario to which proper diagnosis of the whole problem may come up short. Hence it is best to tell everything rather than leave out the supposedly unimportant things which may eventually be the critical causes of the issue at hand.

Source: Docs failing to treat sleep problems?

a