Bethesda Home and Retirement Center has begun a revolution in nursing home care. The first major step involved in the cultural change was allowing its residents to sleep in, according to the Chicago Tribune. While some nursing homes continue to keep patients on a strict daily schedule, some are drastically changing the way they manage [...]
Posts Tagged ‘Insomnia’
Chronic Insomnia and Objective Short Sleep Duration Associated with Increased Mortality in Men
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 [...]
How Your Brain Determins if you are a Heavy or Light Sleeper
I was recently quoted by USA Today in an article that discusses how the amount of sleep spindles you produce each night determines if you will be a light or heavy sleeper. According to a study published in Current Biology, sleep spindles, or bursts of brain activity protect your brain from noise disruptions while you [...]
Drinking Cherry Juice May Improve Insomnia in Older Adults
A new study shows that drinking cherry juice is a natural way to ease insomnia symptoms in older adults, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Because cherries contain melatonin, consistently consuming tart cherries may help regulate the body’s natural sleep cycle and increase sleep efficiency. Although drinking cherry juice is not as effective as prescription [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
President Obama Needs Medication to Combat Jet Lag Syndrome
I was interviewed by The Daily Beast (see link below) to comment on which medications the President might be taking to deal with his, at times, grueling travel schedule. The article discusses the use of wake-promoting agents such as Provigil and Nuvigil which can be used responsibly and effectively by patients who are carefully screened [...]
Natural Sleep Aids
I was interviewed by Web MD for this piece on natural sleep remedies. This will give useful information to those who struggle with insomnia and especially those who wish to avoid prescription hypnotics and sedatives. We need more research into the effectiveness of these herbal and natural sleep aids, but most can’t hurt you if [...]
