General
Sleep Disorders
New Sleep Medicine Research - [10/29/08]
Summary: New research has reversed some doctor’s hypotheses on sleep disorders. Recent discoveries like insomnia not predicting high blood pressure, omega-3 fatty acids may affect sleep apnea, BMI (body mass index) may predict sleep apnea diagnosis in children, mouth injection procedure aids simple snoring, and slow-wave sleep yields fewer apnea events, are among the new discoveries.
Comment: Sleep apnea can be a stressful condition to live with. This new information can help solve myths when it comes to sleep apnea, leading to better treatment and diagnosis which can result in a better overall health.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 29, 2008
Mild Sleep Apnea can Increase Risk of Heart Disease - [10/25/08]
Summary: People with obstructive sleep apnea, even when it is mild, are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This occurs because sleep apnea can cause impaired endothelial function, increased arterial stiffness, and higher blood pressure. The level of arterial stiffness experienced by those with sleep apnea was equal to the decrease in arterial stiffness after six months of CPAP therapy. This suggests that CPAP therapy may be effective to lower the risk of heart disease of those with sleep apnea.
Comment: It as previously known that sleep apnea that disrupts daytime activity can be a risk for heart disease, but this study shows that even mild sleep apnea has cardiovascular risks. Further research is being done to determine the best heart disease prevention methods, such as CPAP, for those with sleep apnea.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 25, 2008
Respiratory Rates can Predict Insomnia - [10/21/08]
Summary: Breathing and heart rates, combined with cortisol levels can help doctors determine the likelihood of patients with metastatic breast cancer developing insomnia. The parasympathetic system is a part of the nervous system that controls breathing. In this study the parasympathetic system was identified as the body's reaction to stress, and as a contributor to sleep disorders. This connection suggests that by using simple breathing exercise patients can avoid insomnia.
Comment: Sleep disorders can be a common complaint of women who have metastatic breast cancer. It can affect their quality of live and ability to recover effectively. By using simple breathing exercises these patients can avoid insomnia and enjoy the benefits from a good night's rest.
Read article - Science Daily October 21, 2008
Patients Misunderstand Written Screening Tests - [10/14/08]
Summary: The majority of physicians require patients to answer written questions while in the waiting room to visit the doctor. However, a new survey has revealed the gap between doctors and patients in the process of answering the written questions. Because of the difference in literacy between patients and physicians, most patients are confused, or don't understand most of the questions. According to Dr. Master, one of the authors of this survey, the predominant reason for this is illiteracy.
Comment: Illiteracy is becoming more common in American which is causing great problems to physicians. Not only is there a problem with illiteracy but also with patients who are innumerate. By answering the surveys to the best of your abilities, you will receive better diagnosis or treatment of sleep disorders.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 14, 2008
Internet Consulted More Often Than Doctors - [10/12/08]
Summary: New market research shows that over the past year more adults went to the internet to get health information than consulted a doctor. This trend may likely be the product of an increasing consumer comfort in using the web to find reliable medical information. In addition, rising costs of healthcare coverage and visits to the doctor may be adding to the preference for first looking for information online.
Comment: The impacts of this trend, as well as others, will be discussed in an online seminar entitled "Is TV Dead? How the New New Media Changes Pharmaceutical DTC Advertising". The event is scheduled for October 14th at 11am EST and October 16th at 3pm EST.
Read article - Medical News Today. October 12, 2008.
Read article - Register for the Seminar
Vitamin D Linked to Overall Health - [10/10/08]
Summary: Vitamin D has been linked to improved overall health. This vitamin affects 36 organ tissues in the body including bone marrow, breast, colon, intestine, kidney, lung, prostate, retina, skin, stomach and uterus tissues. It has also been linked to improving immune systems, insulin secretion, heart health, blood pressure, muscle, brain activity, and decreased risk of cancer. For most adults 200-600 IU of daily vitamin D is recommended, but some experts recommend up to 2000 IU daily.
Comment: Vitamin D has previously been thought to improve bone health, but this study shows that it can affect all areas of health. By increased intake of vitamin D people with sleep disorders can experience improved health.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 10, 2008
Medicare Eliminates Coverage for 10 "Reasonably Preventable" Errors - [10/02/08]
Summary: New regulations, which will take effect next Wednesday, have Medicare halting payment for 10 errors which they have deemed "conditions that could reasonably have been prevented." Expected to affect hundreds of thousands, the new rules will mostly likely not result in a major reduction in expenses.
Comment: This new decision comes on the heels of announcements by four state Medicaid organizations last year in which they eliminated 28 "never events", preventable errors, from coverage. The trend seems to be growing and could have negative ramifications for millions of Americans. Among others, healthcare professionals have begun expressing concern about the decision.
Read article - Medical News Today. October 2, 2008.
Sleep Apnoea Study in Teens - [09/29/08]
Summary: Angeles Sanchez-Armengol (Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, Seville, Spain) and colleagues recently conducted a study on sleep related breathing disorders and other conditions. The concluding results were that 20 percent of 267 teenagers snored frequently or often. Those who snored were more obese than the non-snorers. They also found that sleep-related breathing conditions were often related to obesity. Those who are obese have a fat deposit on their neck, causing breathing conditions.
Comment: Well known disorders such as sleep apnoea, snoring, and sleep related breathing disorders have been very poorly researched thus far. Because conditions that are connected to obesity and poor sleeping often affect a teenager's education, it is important to diagnose and treat any sleep related conditions that are found.
Read article - Medical News TODAY September 25, 2008
Efforts to Reduce Ethnic and Racial Disparities - [09/29/08]
Summary: This article outlines current efforts are being made to reduce racial and ethnic health care disparities. These include the Respira program, which focuses on providing asthma education and outreach to Hispanic communities. Another program is a lecture that seeks to improve knowledge of blood pressure management and diabetes. Other efforts involve grants to increase levels of minority students in medical programs, and campaigns to increase medical literacy in minority communities.
Comment: Racial and ethnic disparities exist in most areas of medical care including sleep disorders. These disparities can often be dangerous to the health of minority people. These programs are aiming to close the gaps in health care, which can result in better care for people with sleep disorders.
Read article - Medical News TODAY September 29, 2008
Sleep Apnea may Prolong Life in the Elderly - [09/23/08]
Summary: Researchers have conducted new studies which suggest that elderly sleep apnea sufferers may have an extended life span. The new research combined with other new findings supports the suggestion that the elderly have a high defense mechanism that is activated because of the condition sleep apnea.
Comment: Sleep apnea is more common in the elderly than in the middle-aged population. This condition effects ten percent of men and five percent of women. Sleep apnea is a serious condition and can affect many other areas of a patients health. It is very important to get the proper treatment for this condition.
Read article - Medical News TODAY September 23, 2008