Sleeping the day away can lead to insomnia, and that can be costly to treat. “This can be fairly common when people don’t have a regular schedule, if they’re on vacation, or unemployed,” says Dr. Michael J. Breus, WebMD’s sleep expert and author of the Sleep Doctor’s Diet Plan.

The insomnia borne of oversleep can lead to obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension; co-payments for related medications run $30 to $40 per month. Sleep aids like Tylenol PM run another $15 a month. And being up all night in the Internet age can lead to torching an extra few dollars on books at Amazon.com or downloads at Apple’s iTunes store. [ Read Complete Post at FORBES ... ]

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a major but not universally present feature of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The latter has been associated with glucose dysmetabolism and insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to examine the role of EDS by investigating potential differences between somnolent and non-somnolent OSAS patients in glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and levels of cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods Included were 25 newly diagnosed otherwise healthy OSAS patients, reporting EDS and 25 age- and BMI-matched, non-somnolent OSAS patients, who served as controls. Fasting glucose and insulin levels, as well as homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR) index, levels of hs-CRP, and lipidemic profile were measured. Read the rest of this entry

Dr. Jin Zhou, DC, is now accepting new patients with sleep apnea who is unable to tolerate CPAP or any device and/or failed to benefit from standard surgeries, with a possible conservative approach by ZHT (Zhou’s Hypoxicology Therapy), a natural therapy with seven year clinical observations. Sleep Apnea is a well-known deadly disease, if without proper clinical management, among increasing population.

CPAP is the Gold Therapy for sleep apnea, in addition to standard surgeries, but a significant number of sleep apnea patients failed to tolerate or benefit from standard CPAP or any device, and/or standard surgeries. ZHT therapy may provide an alternative natural approach for those sleep apnea patients without any available choices or clinical results from standard medical treatment. As an alternative chiropractic care, ZHT is not covered by most health plans. ZHT therapy costs may range from about $200-$350 for the initial visit and $57 – $150 for the subsequent visits. ZHT Appointments are available to patients nationwide without any need for referral. Read the rest of this entry

ImThera Medical, Inc. today announced that it has concluded its Phase I and Phase II protocols for the European Pilot study of the aura6000, a neurostimulation device for treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).Clinical trial results from the study will be announced at the American Thoracic Society’s International Conference on May 16, 2011 in Denver, CO.

Principal investigator Dr. Daniel Rodenstein, who helmed the clinical trials, will deliver the results, including significant improvements to   patient’s Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI), Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI), as well as improvements in sleep quality.

“ImThera’s Therapy is safe and shows substantial OSA reduction and sleep improvement in a majority of patients,” said Dr. Rodenstein. “I am  looking forward to the American Thoracic Society’s International Conference and the opportunity to share the substantial patient improvements that resulted from the clinical trial.” Read the rest of this entry

SleepApneaDisorder/[ Press Release ]/ FRAZER, Pa./ May 6, 2011 / At the Society of General Internal Medicine’s 34th Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Ariz. today, Cephalon, Inc.  presented positive results from a phase IV trial of nearly 400 people with excessive sleepiness associated with shift work disorder. In the trial, NUVIGIL® (armodafinil) Tablets [C-IV] improved shift-workers’ overall clinical condition late in their shifts (i.e., 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.), including the commute home, compared to placebo. The key secondary endpoint of the study was to assess global function, as measured by the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), and patients taking NUVIGIL experienced a greater improvement in GAF score compared to those patients taking placebo. Shift work disorder occurs when the body’s internal sleep-wake clock is out of sync with the individual’s work schedule – their bodies tell them to go to sleep when their work schedule needs them to stay awake. The primary symptoms of shift work disorder are excessive sleepiness and insomnia. Read the rest of this entry

The CPAP Shop is announcing the launch of their new FREE eBook for CPAP machine users.

Being diagnosed with sleep apnea can be a difficult transition. It also requires a lifestyle change. Their goal is to make the purchase of CPAP supplies, accessories and equipment convenient and as easy as possible by providing knowledge and awareness to all current and potential customers.

The 2011 “Sleep in America” poll reported approximately two-thirds of Americans do not get enough sleep. The CPAP Shop experts have compiled a free 25 page eBook guide to CPAP machines, complete with descriptions, pictures, and useful information for people with sleep apnea.

This eBook covers topics from ”, “Treating Sleep Apnea” to “CPAP Machine Comparison Guideside Effects” and “Best Practices” and is meant to serve as an overall guide for CPAP novices or anyone wanting to stay current with the latest CPAP industry trends. The CPAP Shop’s new eBook launch aligns with their mission to provide customers with the best service possible and offer assistance and innovative products to improve lifestyle. Read the rest of this entry

Graymark Healthcare, Inc. the nation’s second largest provider of diagnostic sleep services and an innovator in comprehensive care for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), entered into subscription agreements with insiders and existing accredited investors to sell $3 million of newly issued shares of its common stock and warrants in a private placement.

Under the terms of the transaction, Graymark will sell 5,172,411 million shares for $0.58 per share, a 29% premium to Friday’s consolidated closing bid price of $0.45 per share. The purchasers will also receive warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of approximately 5,172,411 million shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.45 per share. The warrants may be exercised beginning 6 months after the closing date and will expire in 3 years. The closing of the transaction is expected to take place on or about May 6, 2011, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

No investment banking or advisory fees were paid by the company.The company intends to use the proceeds of this private placement to pay down its short-term debt obligations with Arvest Bank as well as for general corporate purposes.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and increased sympathetic activity is considered to be a causative link in this association. Higher levels of sympathetic activity have been reported in children with Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Sympathetic predominance is indicated on heart rate variability (HRV) analysis by increased heart rate (HR) and a higher ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency band power (LF/HF). Improvement in Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) after adenotonsillectomy (AT) in children with Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) could, therefore, be associated with reduced HR and reduced LF/HF.

At the 8th Otolaryngology Exhibition and Conference, Royal Philips Electronics is demonstrating, for the second year in a row, its most recent innovative range of Sleep Diagnostics and Therapy Solutions. The event will take place in Dubai from the 8th – 10th of May at the Joharah ballroom in Madinat Jumeirah.

“There are a number of potential causes for a disturbed night’s sleep. These include sleep disorders such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which affects approximately 4% of the adult population,” says Diederik Zeven, General Manager of Philips Healthcare Middle East. “It’s a disorder characterized by airway collapse behind the tongue during sleep, which obstructs breathing. If untreated, it can contribute to the development of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes,” he adds.

As a global leader in the management of sleep disorders, Philips Healthcare has developed a wide range of products and solutions, from diagnostic tools through patient-centered sleep therapy devices, to help enhance the quality of sleep and thereby improve the health and well-being of people around the world. Read the rest of this entry

Waikato District Health Board, An international sleep research study that requires at least 350 New Zealand volunteers, some at Waikato Hospital and some at Hutt Hospital, may lead to a new medical approach for the treatment of sleep apnea.

The study, known as Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular Endpoints Study (SAVE), is attempting to discover if the use of continuous positive airway pressure can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke or heart failure in patients with sleep apnea.

Michael Hlavac, New Zealand SAVE Coordinator said, “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is a common treatment for sleep apnea but we don’t know if it can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke or heart failure which is associated with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

“Some research has shown that there may be a relationship between untreated sleep apnea and heart disease, stroke and impaired glucose metabolism (pre-diabetes).”

There are five sites in New Zealand looking for volunteers:

1. North Island: Waikato Hospital, Tauranga Hospital and Hutt Hospital.
2. South Island: Otago Respiratory Research Unit and Canterbury Respiratory Research Group.

5000 people from China, Australia, Brazil and India will be involved in study. Read the rest of this entry

Complex sleep apnea syndrome (CompSAS) is a form of sleep apnea specifically identified by the presence or emergence of central apneas or hypopneas upon exposure to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or a Bi-level positive airway pressure (BIPAP) device when obstructive events have disappeared.

These patients have predominantly obstructive sleep apnea or mixed sleep apnea during the diagnostic sleep study occurring at greater than or equal to 5 times per hour. Read the rest of this entry

[Associated Press ] /European Union antitrust regulators said Thursday they are investigating whether drugmakers Cephalon and Teva were working to keep a generic version of sleep-disorder drug Provigil out of the European market.

Cephalon Inc., based in Fraser, Pa., and Israel-based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., one of the world’s largest generic drugmakers, in 2005 settled patent disputes relating to Provigil — which is also known as Modafinil — in the U.K. and the U.S. Teva agreed not to sell its generic version of Provigil in the EU as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway before October 2012, the EU’s competition watchdog said. Read the rest of this entry

Research has shown that approximately 10 to 20 percent of pregnant women develop obstructive sleep apnea in pregnancy. The risk increases as the pregnancy progresses. The characteristic symptoms of daytime sleepiness and fatigue are often overlooked both by the patient and her doctor because, as I discussed above, there are a number of reasons why a pregnant woman would have disrupted sleep and would feel sleepy during the day. The hallmark symptom that should be a clue to pregnant women and their doctors is the development of snoring.

There are many factors that increase the likelihood of sleep apnea in pregnant women. It is not all mediated by weight gain, although pre-gestational obesity significantly increases the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with one study showing that nearly 40% of obese pregnant patients developed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by the third trimester. [ Read Complete Post By Lisa Shives, M.D At CNN Health  ... ]

Sleep apnea is one of the worst kinds of disease that affects many people in US. If you have a sleep apnea this does not mean that you are denied from getting a proper health insurance. As per the surveys conducted in U.S alone approximately 20 million people have this disease this number is aggressively increases on a daily basis all over the world. The main symptoms of this disease include high blood pressure, insomnia, morning headaches etc.

This is not a simple health condition that you can avoid and live at ease. If you are not giving much of attention to this disease it will slowly get worst over time. So it is required that you get proper medication on time and you must get the right sleep apnea insurance to cure this disease. Read the rest of this entry