It seems that there is an A/H1N1 vaccine being sold around which brings more misery rather than resolve it. The vaccine has been found to increase the risk of sleep disorder in children but if there is one country that is not affected, it is Vietnam.

The vaccine is currently used in Vietnam is a “three-in-one” kind, covering the A/H3N2, B and A/H1N1 influenza viruses. The vaccine is reportedly from GlaxoSmithKline. According to reports, the children injected with Pandemrix were nine times more likely to contract narcolepsy than those who were not vaccinated.

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New York Harbor Healthcare System will officially open a new Sleep Center this September 27, Monday. Now, veterans of all ages will be able to be diagnosed and treated for various sleep issues like obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, central sleep apnea syndromes, narcolepsy, as well as sleep problems associated with traumatic brain injury.

The new Sleep Center will be armed with a four-bed, state-of-the-art sleep laboratory that will provide advanced diagnostic sleep studies and therapies such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Also, the center will be conducting home sleep studies for sleep apnea testing. Having poor sleep quality is more than just feeling tired. A lack of sleep can lead to other health problems, productivity problems at work and accidents.

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A swine flu vaccine is in the hot seat for reportedly rendering some rare and dangerous sleep disorder. Pandermix from GlaxoSmithKline is now undergoing testing by the European Medicines Agency after cases of narcolepsy came up.

Pandermix was used in the UK sometime last year to address the H1N1 epidemic that came out last year. The cases of narcolepsy, in which a person to fall asleep suddenly and unexpectedly, have been reported largely in Sweden and Finland.

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On a scientific note, the trigger behind the dreaded Narcolepsy has been discovered by some Swiss scientists. Apparently it was all traced to the protein called Trib2, something that is produced by neurones that also secrete the substance which helps keeps people awake.

The researcher team concluded that narcolepsy was the result of an attack by the body’s own immune system, after they found high levels of Trib2 antibodies amongst a sample of 120 narcoleptic patients. The antibodies end up destroying the hypocretic neurones.

(Source) AFP

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We see some people who suddenly get sleepy even if they have claimed that they have had a good night’s sleep. While this may be debatable, assuming that his claims are true, one has to wonder why a person would still be sleepy despite a full sleep taken.

But thanks to some researchers in Japan, it has been discovered that Narcolepsy and genes known as singe nucleotide polymorphisms or SNP. SNP is a DNA sequence variation between members of a species.

During the research, researchers discovered a genetically mutated fragment of chromosome 22 which increased subjects’ vulnerability to the disease by 1.8 times. Researchers also discovered that the mutation causes a malfunction of the gene CPT1B, which is linked to sleep. Researchers also found that a link between the genetic mutation and narcolepsy was also found in South Koreans.

(Source) Top News

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Apparently, some scientists from Wake Forest University have been able to determine another area of sleep deprivation. This largely deals with the brain secretions called Orexin-A. Whenever we are asleep, it usually follows that there are certain internal human body processes that occur and from the looks of it, this identified secretion of hypocretin-1 may yet help solve the growing issue of sleep deprivation and narcolepsy.

(Source) Orexin-A, also known as hypocretin-1, is a naturally occurring peptide produced in the brain that regulates sleep. It’s secreted by a small number of neurons but affects many brain regions during the day and people who have normal amounts of orexin-A are able to maintain wakefulness. When people or animals are sleep-deprived, the brain attempts to produce more orexin-A, but often without enough success to achieve alertness past the normal day-night cycle.

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At least this is what the sleeping drug is showing as far as progress for Vanda Pharmaceuticals is concerned.

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. will continue human testing of its experimental treatment for a sleep disorder, even though the drug showed little difference from a placebo in a recent study.

Vanda, based in Rockville, said late Tuesday that VSF-173, its treatment candidate for excessive sleepiness related to conditions including narcolepsy and sleep apnea, had failed to meet its primary goal in a Phase II trial.

Read more: Vanda’s sleep drug suffers setback

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Provigil has been found to be harmful rather than helpful for sleep deprived patients. Serious skin problems and psychiatric issues have been found to suffice.

A warning is being added to Cephalon Inc’s (CEPH.O: Quote, Profile, Research) drug Provigil for excessive sleepiness because of the risk of serious skin rash and psychiatric symptoms, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Wednesday.

Provigil is used to treat adults with narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea who have difficulty staying awake. Provigil is one of Cephalon’s biggest-selling products with global sales of $415 million in the first half of 2007.

Read more: FDA adds warning to Cephalon’s Provigil sleep drug

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Ordinarily, people who tend to fall asleep during the day would be immediately associated with Narcolepsy. But wait, there is more to this than the usual sleep disorder we might deem it to be. Body framework such as our spine may also have something to do with the whole issue as discovered by a study on the low levels of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) for some people today.

People suffering from this illness called cataplexy are more likely to have issues with regards for people who can control on their ability to stay awake and sleep as well.

The study can be viewed in full here – Spinal Fluid Holds Clues to Rare Sleep Disorder

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Getting enough sleep is something that will always vary, especially dependent on the person seeking quality rest at most times. Some say the recommended sleeping time is 8 hours. Some would say it would be 6 hours. Between the two, the longer hour of sleep which is 8 hours is of course the more desired. Sleeping at 6 hours is perhaps something that would best fit people who are always in a hurry, with special mention to working professionals who are always on the go.

Realistically though, taking sleep for granted may come back at some point later on in the life of a person and collect its dues. Health is still a concern to be considered. It is not all about eating the right food and taking in vitamins and health supplements. The natural way of living and resting the human body is still the best way to keep a healthy body.

Thus, it all boils down on how long a person would sleep. It is indeed a fact that most people must always be on the go. But making wise career moves also has to consider making wise health moves as well. Ignore one and the whole purpose is defeated.

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The picture of a person or animal suffering from narcolepsy is not at all comforting. People who want to stay awake yet are deprived to do so find themselves sleeping at the most inappropriate moment. Just take a look at this poodle who is suffering from this dreaded narcolepsy syndrome.

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The best way to find out if anyone is suffering from such an illness is to see the specialists. It is best to look ahead rather than rely on assumptions. Sleep is more than relaxing and taking it easy. It is also about becoming aware of what may be overlooked.

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Here is a good site to know more about Narcolepsy Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment.

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