Sleep complaints are highly prevalent and associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. This is the first prospective study to report the association between commonly reported sleep symptoms and the development of the metabolic syndrome, a key CVD risk factor.

The health of an individual is very important as it helps them to live a long and comfortable life. It is unfortunate that there are some disorders that affect people and they do not know what they are dealing with. This can lead to misdiagnosis or the condition can go untreated which can bring problems later in life. One of the disorders that affect the sleep of a person is known as Sleep Apnea. This is where one experiences repeated pauses when they are breathing as they sleep. These usually last anywhere between 5 seconds to minutes and can go on for an hour or so. Sleep Apnea, Help! Explains all the details that one wants to know on the disorder so that people can be well equipped with the information that is needed. Read the rest of this entry

Notwithstanding previous studies supporting independent associations between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and prevalence of diabetes, the underlying pathogenesis of impaired glucose regulation in OSA remains unclear. The mechanism was explored to find out linking OSA with prediabetes/diabetes and associated biomarker profiles.

The researchers hypothesized that OSA is associated with distinct alterations in glucose homeostasis and biomarker profiles in subjects with normal (NGM) and impaired glucose metabolism (IGM). 

Forty-five severely obese adults (36 women) without certain comorbidities/medications underwent anthropometric measurements, polysomnography, and blood tests. We measured fasting serum glucose, insulin, selected cytokines, and calculated homeostasis model assessment estimates of insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IS) and pancreatic beta-cell function (HOMA-B). Read the rest of this entry

‘Tis the season for holiday stress.  From last minute shopping, to getting less sleep, to making ends meet financially, to consuming more sweets and drinks at holiday get-togethers.  Americans are faced with many more physical and emotional pressures during the holidays. Recent research studies and surveys in the areas of sleep, eating, and finances are shedding some light on actions one can take to lessen the stress load.

The market research firm Harris Interactive recently conducted a “Holiday Stress Index” study. The poll was based on a nationwide sample of 2,173 adults in the U.S. eighteen years and over.  Ninety percent of the respondents said they experience some level of stress and/or anxiety about the holiday season. However this year, more than a third (38 percent) said they expect to feel more stress and anxiety in this holiday season due to the current economy.  Read the rest of this entry

BMI stands for Body Mass Index and is calculated using your height and weight, a screening tool to identify weight problems. BMI is a fairly reliable indicator of body fat for most adults, with the exception of athletes and the elderly.

The formula used is: [weight in pounds ÷ ( height in inches ) x ( height in inches)] x 703. An easier way to calculate is to go to an online calculator such as The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at: nhlbisupport.com/bmi/.

There are four categories to interpret BMI for adults 20 years and older:

· Underweight = less than 18.5

· Normal weight = 18.5 24.9

· Overweight = 25 29.9

· Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

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Restless leg syndrome is often a symptom of conditions or diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, but could also be side effects associated with certain medications. Below is a list of diseases and conditions associated with symptoms like restless leg syndrome, as well as a list of medications related to similar side effects.

We are not medical professionals, and these may not be comprehensive lists. Please contact your doctor if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms or side effects, or similar health issues.

Restless leg syndrome is discomfort in the legs and the strong or irresistible urge to move them. Movement temporarily relieves the discomfort. Restless leg syndrome is often worse at night and can cause sleep deprivation.

Restless Leg Syndrome Could Be A Symptom Of:

Iron Deficiency does not have to be so low as to cause anemia in order to cause restless leg syndrome. It is believed that low iron in brain cells causes signals to get crossed in the central nervous system. Other symptoms of iron deficiency can include weakness, irritability, fatigue, heartburn, abdominal pains, heart palpitations, tingling in the extremities, and soreness in the mouth. Read the rest of this entry

A research was concluded toevaluate the effect of body position on REM-related obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients.

In this Retrospective analysis based research 100 consecutive adult OSA patients (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] ? 5) who had ? 10 min of REM sleep in both supine and lateral postures. REM-related OSA was defined by previously used criteria (REM AHI/Non-REM (NREM) AHI ? 2) and was compared with data from Not–REM-related OSA (REM AHI / NREM AHI < 2).

Most (93%) of the REM-related OSA patients (n = 45) had a mild–moderate syndrome, compared to 50.9% in the Not–REM-related OSA patients (n = 55). REM-related OSA patients had a lower apnea index (AI), AHI, supine and lateral AHI, and NREM AHI, but similar REM AHI compared to the Not–REM-related OSA group. For the entire group, the following sequence was observed:

AHI REM supine > AHI NREM supine > AHI REM lateral > AHI NREM lateral. Also, for the REM-related and Not–REM-related OSA patients, the interaction between supine posture and REM sleep led to the highest AHI. However, the average length of apnea and hypopneas during REM sleep was similar in the supine and lateral postures.

During REM sleep, the supine position is associated with increased frequency but not increased duration of apneas and hypopneas. These body position effects prevail over the differences between REM-related and Not–REM-related OSA patients.

Team of researchers included Arie Oksenberg, Ph.D.; Elena Arons, Ph.D.; Khitam Nasser, PSGT; Tatiana Vander, M.D.; Henryk Radwan, M.D. from Sleep Disorders Unit, Loewenstein Hospital-Rehabilitation Center, Raanana, Israel.

Essential Topics in Dental Sleep Medicine, an all-new Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine and Technology course designed specifically for dentists, will debut on January 14-15, 2011. The course will be held at the school’s facility in Atlanta.

After developing sleep medicine training for physicians, technicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants for more than 18 years, the Atlanta School is now expanding into the world of dental sleep medicine. Led by course directors Russell Rosenberg, PhD, Edward Spiegel, DDS, and Dan Brown, JD, Essential Topics in Dental Sleep Medicine will take a more advanced approach to sleep medicine as it applies to the dental field. Read the rest of this entry

SleepApneaDisorder/[Press Release]/ SPOKANE, WA,/– An estimated 40% of adult men and 24% of adult women suffer from habitual snoring, according to a report by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM). In addition, the AADSM has found that 50% of snorers have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a dangerous, life threatening disorder that affects nearly 20 million Americans.

Fortunately, help is close at hand for the nearly two million people living in the Inland Empire, an area that stretches from Western Idaho through Eastern Washington

Inland Empire Sleep Solutions.com conveniently connects patients with a select group of health professionals who are highly trained in treating OSA and a wide variety of sleep disorders. Read the rest of this entry

UVa Health System, Pulmonary and Critical Care Department seeks healthy children, adolescents, and young adults ages 5 to 20, with snoring and possible sleep-related obstructive breathing disorders for a research study.

The purpose of this study is to find out if an experimental portable device, called SoundTrak, can collect data about your breathing at home while you sleep, and determine whether you stop breathing during sleep (called sleep apnea). This data from the SoundTrak would then be compared to the data collected during a standard overnight sleep study at the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) Sleep Lab. Read the rest of this entry

The Reproductive Endocrine Unit at the Massachusetts General Hospital seeks healthy girls and boys (10-17 years old) with sleep apnea.

 The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of sleep apnea on reproductive hormones.

This study involves a screening visit (1 hour) and two overnight stays at the hospital (from approximately 6pm to 9am). The study will take at most 2 months to complete.

Payment for participation is up to $225.

Call Natalie at 617-726-1895 or email nshaw@partners.org for more information.

Natalie D Shaw, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital
55 Fruit Street
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617 726 1895
EMail: nshaw@partners.org