Sleep News and Research

Latest Sleep News and Research

Combination therapy reduces sleep apnea symptoms at altitude

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea can better control their symptoms when traveling to higher altitudes by combining autoadjusted continuous positive airway pressure with acetazolamide, research suggests.

14 Dec 2012

At-home exercise regimen sufficient to increase cancer patients' mobility and reduce fatigue

It has been known for some time that exercise is important for cancer patients, but few studies have looked at the practicality of exercise programs and whether even a minimal workout can help.

14 Dec 2012

Massage could ease distress of brain cancer

Massage therapy can significantly reduce distress levels in individuals with brain tumors, indicating its potential use to improve quality of life in this population, report US researchers.

13 Dec 2012

Skin vibrations convey information to the brain much the same way as auditory system

When you walk into a darkened room, your first instinct is to feel around for a light switch. You slide your hand along the wall, feeling the transition from the doorframe to the painted drywall, and then up and down until you find the metal or plastic plate of the switch. During the process you use your sense of touch to develop an image in your mind of the wall's surface and make a better guess for where the switch is.

12 Dec 2012

Kaiser Permanente suggests simple steps to improve overall health

Kaiser Permanente Southern California wants you to take a 12 minute break and think about how you're going to achieve total health this New Year to become a better you!

12 Dec 2012

Scientists determine specific genetic switches that sync liver activity to the circadian cycle

When it's dark, and we start to fall asleep, most of us think we're tired because our bodies need rest. Yet circadian rhythms affect our bodies not just on a global scale, but at the level of individual organs, and even genes.

12 Dec 2012

Acetazolamide plus autoCPAP may reduce insomnia and control sleep apnea at high altitudes

For individuals with obstructive sleep apnea traveling to higher altitudes (which may exacerbate symptoms), use of a combination therapy resulted in improvement in symptoms including reduced insomnia and better control of sleep apnea, according to a preliminary study published in the December 12 issue of JAMA.

12 Dec 2012

Study identifies KNDy neurons as a likely control switch of hot flushes

Hot flushes affect millions of people, and not just women. Yet, it is still unclear what causes the episodes of temperature discomfort, often accompanied by profuse sweating.

12 Dec 2012

Pay attention to pregnant workers with pelvic girdle pain

Researchers say that clinicians must give more attention to working women who experience pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy to prevent recurrence during the postpartum period.

11 Dec 2012

Text4baby initiative effective service for pregnant women

Following last week's mHealth Summit, the largest event of its kind where leaders focus on how wireless technology can improve health outcomes, text4baby announced results from the first randomized evaluation of its service. The largest mobile health initiative in the U.S., text4baby was found to be an effective service for pregnant women.

11 Dec 2012

Tips to handle unruly kids during holiday season

The holiday season can be particularly over-stimulating for young children, what with more pressure-packed traveling, shopping and even church-going. Boston University child psychologist Dr. Jonathan Comer offers parents these helpful tips on handling those unwanted tantrums and meltdowns by their kids -- or by someone else's.

11 Dec 2012

Strong association between bedroom TV viewing and childhood obesity

The average American child from age 8 to 18 watches about 4.5 hours of TV each day. Seventy percent have a TV in the bedroom and about one-third of youth aged 6-19 is considered obese.

11 Dec 2012

Brain scans could help scientists uncover mechanisms underlying mental fatigue

We all perhaps know the feeling of mental exhaustion, but what does it mean physiologically to have mental fatigue? A new study carried out using brain scans could help scientists uncover the neurobiological mechanisms underlying mental fatigue.

10 Dec 2012

Tips to prevent ‘holiday heart’ syndrome

The holiday season is supposed to be joyous, fun and happy. But it can also be stressful. The nation's emergency physicians want to remind all Americans to keep your stress in check.

10 Dec 2012

Delirium associated with higher mortality rates

A new meta-analysis has found that delirium, a condition developed by many patients in hospital intensive care units (ICU), is associated with higher mortality rates, more complications, longer stays in the ICU, and longer hospitalizations.

10 Dec 2012

Viewpoints: Considering baby boomers' future burden on Medicare; Holtz-Eakin endorses state exchanges; The value (or not) of mammograms

The Congressional Budget Office projects that if current policies continue, total federal spending will rise to 24 percent of gross domestic product in 2022. [Republicans and Washington deficit hawks'] proposed solution is a cap on government spending.

7 Dec 2012

Drug offers alternative treatment strategy for insomnia

Orexin receptor antagonism may offer a novel treatment approach to insomnia, clinical findings suggest.

7 Dec 2012

Boston Scientific’s Precision Spectra Spinal Cord Stimulator System receives CE Mark approval

Boston Scientific Corporation has received CE Mark approval and has begun the European market launch of the Precision Spectra Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) System.

7 Dec 2012

Meda signs agreement to acquire MidNite OTC sleep-aid product

Meda has signed an agreement to acquire MidNite, an OTC sleep-aid product. MidNite is well established in the U.S. and holds a market leading position within a growing category. Annualized revenues for MidNite are approximately 100 MSEK.

7 Dec 2012

Longer looks: The frustrations of academic medicine; Small business owners fear health law changes; A doctor struggles to save his mother

Like many franchisees, Robert U. Mayfield, who owns five Dairy Queens in and around Austin, Tex., is always eager to expand and -; no surprise -; has had his eyes on opening a sixth DQ. But he said concerns about the new federal health care law had persuaded him to hold off.

7 Dec 2012