I was interviewd yesterday by Web MD (http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20100902/insomnia-death-risk) about an important, a new study published in the journal Sleep, chronic insomnia in men with objectively measured short sleep duration is associated with a risk of death that is four times higher than men who do not suffer from chronic insomnia with objective short sleep duration. Symptoms of [...]
Posts Tagged ‘health risks of poor sleep’
Help Your Kids Succeed in School by Helping Them Get the Sleep They Need
Now that the 2010 school year has begun, you may already be fighting the up-hill battle to get your child to adhere to his or her bedtime. Although sleep schedules tend to be more relaxed during the summer, it is important that children get the sleep they need during the school year. According to ABC [...]
Alcohol Use Tied to Sleep Problems in Teens
A new study published in the journal Alcoholism focused on sleep behaviors and alcohol use in teenagers. Findings show that many children develop sleep problems during or before puberty, and in an attempt to self-medicate, some begin to use alcohol, which can lead to alcohol abuse. The study included 236 girls and 195 boys between [...]
Risk for Stroke Increased by Untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Findings of the Sleep Heart Health Study , published in the April issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine show that people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are at increased risk of stroke, according to NPR. The study shows that they are 3 times more likely to suffer a stroke [...]
Longevity Magazine Interview – The Importance of Sleep
I was recently interviewed by Longevity Magazine about the consequences associated with sleep deprivation. Many people fail to realize that they are putting both their mental and physical health at risk by not getting the sleep they need. Serious health problems such as heart disease, obesity and depression are associated with sleep deprivation. A lack [...]
Insufficient Sleep and Weight Gain in Children
According to WebMD, new research presented at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies in Vancouver, British Columbia also shows that inadequate sleep, particularly for boys, is a risk factor for childhood obesity. The study, which included data from 723 adolescents with a mean age of 14.7, measured how long participants slept on weeknights [...]
Weight Gain and Obesity are Linked to Sleep Apnea and to Poor Sleep
Please see these two articles from the Weight Watchers website that discuss the possible causal connection between inadequate sleep, whether insufficient in duration or quality, and weight gain. http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=69971&sc=3053 http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=58391&sc=3405 Laboratory research, much of which was done at University of Chicago, points to the explanation for this. When your sleep is disrupted or restricted, then your [...]
Fighting Off Sleepiness: Myths and Facts
I was interviewed by Web MD for this article on how to evaluate if your sleepiness is a sign of a serious disorder. If it is not, there are lots of good tips and strategies for how to have more energy during the day. http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/myths-facts?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Sleep and Heart Health Facts
If there is one piece of wisdom that doctors have gained over the past 20 years, it is: that the slower the heart beats, the better. Whenever someone has a heart attack or is diagnosed with coronary heart disease, then a good doctor puts the patient on medications that lower the heart rate (usually drugs [...]
Pilots and Commercial Drivers Should be Screened for Sleep Disorders
The National Sleep Foundation (http://www.sleepfoundation.org/alert/ntsb-makes-recommendations-sleep-apnea?utm_source=NSF+Alert&utm_campaign=3f724bfd5d-NSF_Alert_8_18_098_18_2009&utm_medium=email) is reporting on the recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board (www.ntsb.gov) after they investigated the case of the pilot and co-pilot falling asleep on a flight from Honolulu to Hilo. It was found that likely the pilot’s untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was a major contributing factor as [...]