An asthma program specifically tailored to teens could help those in rural areas manage their disease and avoid potentially fatal complications, Medical College of Georgia researchers say. Black males have a death rate from asthma that is six times greater than their white counterparts, and Dr... more >>
The largest ever study to investigate whether its possible to prevent children with hay fever going on to develop asthma is now underway at UHSM (University Hospital South Manchester)... more >>
A hiccup, also known as hiccough, synchronous diaphragmatic flutter (SDF), or singultus is a common condition that probably affects every human, in which there is an involuntary esophageal contraction of the diaphragm that recurs several times per minute. The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen - it is underneath the ribcage - and has a key function in breathing... more >>
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suffer from chronic inflammation of the gut leading to gastrointestinal motility alterations with symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhea that profoundly affect their quality of life... more >>
The Canadian Lung Association is pleased that today's Speech from the Throne demonstrated a continued commitment to health and the environment... more >>
Pfizer's Prevnar 7 vaccine, which protects against pneumonia and meningitis, has been shown to reduce the risk of recurrent pneumococcal infection in patients living with HIV in Malawi, according to a study published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine, Reuters reports... more >>
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently developing guidance for the NHS on the use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation for people with motor neurone disease. The draft recommendations are now available on the NICE website for public consultation... more >>
Researchers at the Medical Research Council (MRC) have discovered a new type of immune cell which could eventually lead to new preventative treatments for asthma. These newly-discovered cells, called 'nuocytes', have been found to be responsible for producing a chemical, known as Interleukin 13 (IL-13), designed to help the immune system fight against certain parasites... more >>
ImmuneRegen BioSciences Inc.®, a wholly owned subsidiary of IR Biosciences Holdings Inc. (OTCBB: IRBS), today announced the submission of an application for Orphan Drug Product Designation for the company's lead compound, Homspera®, for the application of treating Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a deadly pulmonary disease with no FDA-approved treatments... more >>
The March 2010 edition of Australian Family Physician, the flagship journal of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), features a range of articles and research focusing on key issues in general practice today... more >>
PREGNANT SMOKERS WITH ASTHMA HAVE INCREASED HEALTH RISKS Pregnant women with asthma who smoke have an increased risk for asthma symptoms and fetal growth abnormalities. Researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina observed 2,210 pregnant women with asthma to determine the effect of active and passive household smoking on asthma severity and obstetric/neonatal outcomes... more >>
Tobacco smoking is a practice in which tobacco is burned and the smoke inhaled or tasted. Smoking is primarily practiced as a route of administration for nicotine through the lungs; it is a way of getting nicotine into your system rapidly. The most popular current method of smoking is through cigarettes, mainly industrially manufactured ones... more >>
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have found that using high-resolution CT-scans to screen for lymphangioleiomyomatosis, or LAM, is cost-effective in non-smoking women between 25 and 54 who come to the emergency room for the first time with a collapsed lung... more >>
Researchers have demonstrated the safety of a potential vaccine against mesothelioma, a rare cancer associated primarily with asbestos exposure. The vaccine, which infuses uses a patient's own dendritic cells (DC) with antigen from the patient's tumor, was able to induce a T-cell response against mesothelioma tumors... more >>
Dozens of National Jewish Health faculty presented their latest research findings at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology in New Orleans Feb 27-March 2, 2010. Below are several noteworthy presentations... more >>
Bystanders who perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a child with cardiac arrest increase the child's likelihood of survival, according to the largest pediatric study to date. The outcomes are similar for both chest compression alone (hands-only) CPR and CPR with chest compression and rescue breathing... more >>
Baxter Healthcare Corporation announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified Baxter's recent Urgent Product Recall regarding Increased Intraperitoneal Volume (IIPV), or overfill of the abdominal cavity, associated with HomeChoice and HomeChoice Pro peritoneal dialysis cyclers as a Class I recall... more >>
For children whose asthma is not well controlled and on low doses of inhaled corticosteroids, a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) may be the most effective of three possible step-up treatments... more >>
Poor air quality apparently affects the running times of women in marathons, according to a study by Virginia Tech civil and environmental engineer Linsey Marr. Marr's findings come from a comprehensive study that evaluated marathon race results, weather data, and air pollutant concentrations in seven marathons over a period of eight to 28 years... more >>
California's dirty air caused more than $193 million in hospital-based medical care from 2005 to 2007 as people sought help for problems such as asthma and pneumonia that are triggered by elevated pollution levels, according to a new RAND Corporation study... more >>
Newly published data shows using a Respiratory Modulation Response (RMR) is a novel, non-invasive measure to quickly and accurately detect the presence of significant coronary artery disease (sCAD). Patients in the study with sCAD had a lower RMR compared to patients without, regardless of their risk factors or clinical history of angina, previous myocardial infarction (MI), or angioplasty... more >>
InterMune, Inc. (Nasdaq: ITMN) announced that it has submitted a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) seeking approval to market pirfenidone for the treatment of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in the European Union (EU). Currently, there are no EMA-approved treatments for IPF in the EU... more >>
Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) encourages patients to make informed decisions about recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendations affecting patients using asthma medications known as long-acting beta agonists (LABAs) or 12-hour bronchodilators: Advair, Foradil, Serevent and Symbicort... more >>
Patients hospitalized with even mild to moderate community-acquired pneumonia who develop acute kidney injury (AKI) are more likely to die after discharge than pneumonia patients whose kidneys remain healthy, according to a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study in the February issue of Kidney International... more >>
Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia News From Medical News Today
The 2010 Sleep in America poll released by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) reveals significant differences in the sleep habits and attitudes of Asians, Blacks/African-Americans, Hispanics and Whites. It is the first poll to examine sleep among these four ethnic groups... more >>
Children with insomnia and shorter sleep duration had impaired modulation of heart rhythm during sleep, Pennsylvania researchers reported at the American Heart Association's 50th Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention. In a study of young children, researchers showed that insomnia symptoms were consistently associated with impaired heart variability measures... more >>
Not getting enough sleep does more damage than just leaving you with puffy eyes. It can cause fat to accumulate around your organs - more dangerous, researchers say, than those pesky love handles and jiggly thighs... more >>
With pressure from the tough economy to bring in extra dollars, more people are sacrificing sleep to work night shifts or two jobs in order to make ends meet, says Raman Malhotra, M.D., assistant professor of neurology at Saint Louis University and director of the SLU Sleep Disorders Center... more >>
If you aren't getting a good, consistent and regular night's sleep, a new study suggests it could reduce your ability to handle oxidative stress, cause impacts to your health, increase motor and neurological deterioration, speed aging and ultimately cut short your life. That is, if your "biological clock" genes work the same way as those of a fruit fly. And they probably do... more >>
A study in the March 1 issue of the journal Sleep shows that frequent napping is associated with an elevated prevalence of type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in an older Chinese population. Results show that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 36 percent higher (adjusted odds ratio = 1.36) in participants who reported napping four to six times a week and 28 percent higher (OR = 1... more >>
A study in the March 1 issue of the journal SLEEP shows that African-American and Hispanic young adults with short or long sleep durations had greater increases in belly fat over a five-year period compared with those who reported sleeping six to seven hours a night... more >>
Are you often very sleepy throughout the day? And do others tell you that you snore or have short pauses in your breathing while you sleep? Do you get a full night's sleep most nights but still wake up tired? You may have sleep apnea, a serious breathing problem that interrupts your sleep. These breathing pauses called "apneas" can last for 10 to 30 seconds or longer... more >>
Why can't I fall asleep? Will this new medication keep me up all night? Can I sleep off this cold? Despite decades of research, answers to these basic questions about one of our most essential bodily functions remain exceptionally difficult to answer. In fact, researchers still don't fully understand why we even sleep at all... more >>
Researchers in the US found that napping boosts brain power by clearing out the brain's temporary storage space so it can absorb new information: they also propose that this clearing out process happens during a specific stage of sleep... more >>
Marcos Frank, PhD, associate professor of Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, presented information on early brain development and the importance of sleep during early life when the brain is rapidly maturing and highly changeable. Building on his research that the brain during sleep is fundamentally different from the brain during wakefulness, Dr... more >>
Anyone who grew up in a large family likely remembers hearing "Don't wake the baby." While it reinforces the message to older kids to keep it down, research shows that sleep also is an important part of how infants learn more about their new world... more >>
If you see a student dozing in the library or a co-worker catching 40 winks in her cubicle, don't roll your eyes. New research from the University of California, Berkeley, shows that an hour's nap can dramatically boost and restore your brain power. Indeed, the findings suggest that a biphasic sleep schedule not only refreshes the mind, but can make you smarter... more >>
GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) and XenoPort, Inc. (Nasdaq: XNPT) Wednesday received a Complete Response letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the New Drug Application (NDA) for Horizant™(gabapentin enacarbil) Extended-Release Tablets, an investigational non-dopaminergic treatment for moderate-to-severe primary Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)... more >>
"Designed by a Doctor for a Doctor" TRACH-AIDE™ offers medical professionals and patients an effective, cost saving solution to minimize the discomfort and irritation caused by the inserted tracheostomy tube... more >>
UroToday.com - Research concerning natural history and quality of life among patients with Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS) has shown that self-reported sleep disturbance is common and affects more than 80% of BPS patients. Patients with BPS also commonly experience depressive symptoms. Anxiety, insomnia, and poor sleep quality are significantly more common than in controls. Dr... more >>
There is evidence to suggest that flexible working might be beneficial for employees' health if they are allowed to have input into their own working patterns, a review by Cochrane Researchers suggests. The study may throw some light on potential health benefits associated with current trends towards more flexible working in the UK and Europe... more >>
The first field study on the impact of light on teenagers' sleeping habits finds that insufficient daily morning light exposure contributes to teenagers not getting enough sleep. "As teenagers spend more time indoors, they miss out on essential morning light needed to stimulate the body's 24-hour biological system, which regulates the sleep/wake cycle," reports Mariana Figueiro, Ph.D... more >>
Individuals with the sleep disorder narcolepsy suffer with excessive daytime sleepiness and attacks of muscle paralysis triggered by strong emotions (a condition known as cataplexy). It is thought that narcolepsy is an autoimmune disorder - that is, it is caused by the individual's immune system attacking certain cells in the body - but this has not yet been proven definitively... more >>
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) continues to be the third leading cause of infant death, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), despite a decline in SIDS that is associated with a rise in safe-sleep practices for newborns and infants. A new study by Barbara M... more >>
A study in the Feb. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine shows that sleepiness at the wheel and poor sleep quality significantly increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents in adolescents. Results indicate that adolescent drivers were twice as likely to have had a crash if they experienced sleepiness while driving (adjusted odds ratio = 2.1) or reported having bad sleep (OR = 1... more >>
A study in the Feb. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine shows that patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) report a significantly lower frequency of nightmares than patients with mild or no sleep apnea, indicating that OSA suppresses the cognitive experience of nightmare recall... more >>
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia significantly improved sleep for patients with chronic neck or back pain and also reduced the extent to which pain interfered with their daily functioning, according to a study by University of Rochester Medical Center researchers... more >>
What goes on in your brain when you're sleep deprived and how does it affect your ability to process information and make decisions? A research study conducted at Washington State University into the effects of sleep deprivation on executive functioning the ability to initiate, monitor and stop actions to achieve objectives has yielded surprising results and caused a shift i... more >>
WASHINGTON (MedPage Today) -- The FDA approved the first platelet additive solution (InterSol) for replacing a portion of plasma to store blood platelets for up to five days. more >>
NEW YORK (MedPage Today) -- Cutting out just five cigarettes a day after an acute MI was associated with an 18% decrease in mortality, researchers found. more >>
Researchers in Vietnam have reported a cluster of seven cases of pandemic H1N1 flu that were resistant to the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu). more >>
There's not enough evidence to conclude that the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu) has any benefit for the complications of influenza in otherwise healthy patients, according to a Cochrane review. more >>
Cancer incidence and mortality continue to decline, with the most dramatic decreases in lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers among men, and breast and colorectal cancers in women, according to the latest national report card. more >>
Asthmatic smokers who quit the habit can reverse lung damage that exacerbates their breathing difficulties, regardless of how long and how often they smoked in the past, a new study found. more >>
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) -- Pandemic H1N1 influenza appears to be especially severe in children and young adults with sickle cell disease, a researcher reported here. more >>
A low-calorie diet can reduce the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea in obese patients and in some cases cure the condition, Swedish researchers said. more >>
Smokers who light up shortly after waking up have greater exposure to nicotine than those who wait until later in the day (MedPage Today) -- regardless of how many cigarettes they smoke, researchers found. more >>
Children exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke are at increased risk for lung cancer later in life (MedPage Today) -- even if they never smoke themseves, researchers said. more >>
Incorporating volumetric data on noncalcified lung nodules from CT scans may improve screening strategies for patients at high risk for lung cancer, data from a large randomized trial suggest. more >>
The FDA is seeking advice this week from two of its advisory committees on how manufacturers of a major group of asthma drugs should study their potential risks. more >>
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) -- Why some patients with hereditary angioedema have suffered severe reactions to ecallantide (Kalbitor) in treating acute attacks remains a mystery, frustrating patients and physicians who had hoped the drug could be used at home. more >>
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) -- Asthma patients who will be unlikely to gain control of symptoms with inhaled corticosteroids might be identified with a blood test, a researcher suggested here. more >>
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) -- The monoclonal antibody omalizumab (Xolair) appears to mitigate asthma patients' reactions to cat allergens, researchers reported here. more >>
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) -- Children whose mothers avoided potentially allergenic foods during late pregnancy and lactation were less likely to develop asthma symptoms and allergic sensitization at age 3, a researcher reported here. more >>
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) -- Nearly half of nursing home residents in Taiwan with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may be sensitized to a mold mite, researchers found. more >>
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) -- An aberrant gene identified in people with a primary immune deficiency disorder may explain one more piece of the autoimmunity puzzle, researchers said. more >>
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) -- A simple tablet placed under the tongue helped North Americans avoid the runny nose and watery eyes associated with grass pollen allergy, a researcher said here. more >>
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) -- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients treated with formoterol-containing treatments appear to significantly reverse airflow obstruction, even with severe cases of COPD. more >>
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) -- Almost everyone who died from an out-of-hospital acute asthma attack in Milwaukee over a four-year period had one thing in common: they weren't using inhaled corticosteroids, a researcher said here. more >>
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) -- Air pollution may raise the risk of asthma through epigenetic changes to a gene involved in immunity and inflammation, researchers found. more >>
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) -- High folate levels in utero may increase a child's future asthma risk, while those in the child's early years make little difference, according to two studies reported here. more >>
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) -- Short-term opportunities to reduce asthma prevalence and improve symptom control in the disease with current therapies are the topic of this exclusive InFocus™ video report. more >>
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) -- Preclinical experiments indicate that a new phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor may have potent effects on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Indian researchers reported here. more >>
The FDA is seeking advice this week from two of its advisory committees on how manufacturers of a major group of asthma drugs should study their potential risks. more >>
Nearly a third of children with special healthcare needs are underinsured, and where a child lives strongly influences whether he or she will have adequate healthcare coverage, a new study found. more >>
MIAMI BEACH (MedPage Today) -- Patients with psoriasis have multiple comorbid conditions that tend to worsen over time, data from a review of medical records showed. more >>
Cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce tobacco smoke exposure among pregnant African-American women and subsequently improve birth outcomes, researchers have found. more >>
MIAMI BEACH (MedPage Today) -- Methotrexate appears to pose only a small risk of serious infection with long-term use, according to results of a meta-analysis reported here. more >>
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) -- Asthma patients who will be unlikely to gain control of symptoms with inhaled corticosteroids might be identified with a blood test, a researcher suggested here. more >>
Patients with severe acne had significantly greater improvement when topical adapalene/benzoyl peroxide (Epiduo) was added to oral doxycycline, according to results of a randomized clinical trial. more >>
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) -- Children whose mothers avoided potentially allergenic foods during late pregnancy and lactation were less likely to develop asthma symptoms and allergic sensitization at age 3, a researcher reported here. more >>
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) -- Almost everyone who died from an out-of-hospital acute asthma attack in Milwaukee over a four-year period had one thing in common: they weren't using inhaled corticosteroids, a researcher said here. more >>
Ethosuximide (Zarontin) edged two competing drugs in a randomized trial comparing three common treatments for childhood absence epilepsy, researchers found. more >>
NEW ORLEANS (MedPage Today) -- Air pollution may raise the risk of asthma through epigenetic changes to a gene involved in immunity and inflammation, researchers found. more >>
Principles of shared decision-making should guide a man's decision about screening for prostate cancer, according to updated guidelines from the American Cancer Society. more >>
Drinking four or more cups of java per day is associated with an 18% lower risk of hospitalization for arrhythmias, new research shows. While the data are observational and researchers don't advocate for greater consumption, they say it is good news that coffee doesn't appear to be harmful to the heart's electrical system. Heartwiremore >>
In one survey, practice administrators said complying with meaningful-use standards would slow physicians down - read, "lower their income." Medscape Medical Newsmore >>
Why is there disparity in screening and outcome of breast cancer for US white, black, and Asian women? In light of the recent USPSTF recommendations, how can the data be put into context? Medscape Family Medicinemore >>
The risk of postoperative complications is not exacerbated by cholinesterase inhibitor therapy in elderly adults with dementia who receive general anesthesia during hip fracture surgery. Medscape Medical Newsmore >>
Europe is unlikely to see another wave of pandemic H1N1 flu soon but local epidemics are likely as winter returns to the Northern hemisphere, health officials said on Monday. Reuters Health Informationmore >>
U.S. and Iranian officials, whose relations are normally fraught over Tehran's nuclear program, held a rare meeting at which a U.S. official told Iran they were ready to cooperate on fighting drugs. Reuters Health Informationmore >>
An initiative to get sugary drinks out of U.S. schools has begun to work, with diet beverages and smaller portions replacing some full-size, full-calorie varieties in school vending machines, organizers said on Monday. Reuters Health Informationmore >>
Fears of an outbreak of malaria, which is endemic in Haiti, may become reality, as CDC officials report new cases among persons living in temporary shelters. Medscape Medical Newsmore >>
A genomewide association study shows that the TSLP gene plays a role in asthma, atopic dermatitis, and extensive food allergies. Medscape Medical Newsmore >>
New research shows psychotropic medications, specifically antidepressants and antipsychotics, are linked to increased rates of obesity. Medscape Medical Newsmore >>
Golfers playing in Vail, Colorado, at 2500 meters (roughly 8200 feet) above sea level, got significantly more burn protection from sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 70+ compared to one with an SPF of 15. Reuters Health Informationmore >>
In a prospective cohort study, normal-weight women drinking light to moderate amounts of alcohol appeared to gain less weight and have less risk for overweight and obesity than nondrinkers. Medscape Medical Newsmore >>
PET studies show that signals from a novel imaging molecule significantly increase over time in mild cognitive impairment but not in normal aging controls. Medscape Medical Newsmore >>
In a longitudinal study, extremes in sleep duration were related to increases in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue in minority young adults. Medscape Medical Newsmore >>
A study shows that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and statins can nearly halve the risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma in patients taking proton-pump inhibitors for Barrett's esophagus. Reuters Health Informationmore >>
Nearly two months after Haiti's earthquake a shocking number of people lack shelter because aid groups are slow to deliver tents and tarpaulins, the international medical relief organization Medecins Sans Frontieres said on Friday. Reuters Health Informationmore >>
Diabetics who wear insulin pumps appear more likely to experience problems from improper use than a device defect, members of a U.S. government advisory panel said on Friday. Reuters Health Informationmore >>
In one survey, practice administrators said complying with meaningful-use standards would slow physicians down - read, "lower their income." Medscape Medical Newsmore >>
Infliximab is effective, safe, and reasonably well tolerated in patients with plaque psoriasis who previously had a poor response to etanercept, according to results from the new PSUNRISE study. Medscape Medical Newsmore >>
Analysis of IgE to peanut allergen components may be helpful in identifying peanut-sensitized subjects who are at risk for severe symptoms, according to a report in the February 8th issue of Allergy. Reuters Health Informationmore >>
A genomewide association study shows that the TSLP gene plays a role in asthma, atopic dermatitis, and extensive food allergies. Medscape Medical Newsmore >>
The FDA has approved the first 20% subcutaneous formulation of immune globulin liquid to prevent infection in patients diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency. Medscape Medical Newsmore >>
Thanks in part to federal incentives, roughly 1 in 4 office-based prescribers now transmits scripts from their computer to the pharmacy's computer. Medscape Medical Newsmore >>
Oral immunotherapy against grass allergy resulted in an approximate 3-fold increase in IgG4 levels and a nearly 5-fold increase in IgE-blocking factors, although oral pruritus occurred in 40% of patients. Medscape Medical Newsmore >>
A study shows that asthma severity during pregnancy is similar to severity in the previous year if women continue to take their prescribed medication but is more severe if they discontinue it. Medscape Medical Newsmore >>
A new vaccine against Mycobacterium tuberculosis was safe and immunogenic in healthy adults in a phase 1 study in South Africa. Reuters Health Informationmore >>
By 3 years of age, children born to mothers in the highest quintile of plasma folate during pregnancy had a risk for asthma that was 66% higher than that in children of mothers in the lowest quintile. Medscape Medical Newsmore >>
As the diversity of the U.S. workforce increases, employers need to recognize that there is no"one-size-fits-all" approach to employee health benefits. Quality Interactions®: A Patient-Based Approach to Cross-Cultural Caremore >>
The 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine cuts the risk of recurrent invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in HIV patients, according to a study from Malawi. Reuters Health Informationmore >>
The president's remarks signal a Democratic plan to bypass a Republican filibuster in the Senate if needed with a budget reconciliation vote. Medscape Medical Newsmore >>
CPSC urges parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs, wait for the free repair kit, and do not attempt to fix the cribs without the kit. more >>
New labelling describes reports of complex sleep-related behaviours that have occurred while patients using sleep aid drugs were not fully awake. more >>
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first generic versions of Requip (ropinirole hydrochloride) tablets for the treatment of moderate to severe restless legs syndrome (RLS). more >>
U.S. adults who usually slept less than 6 hours were more likely than adults who slept 7 to 8 hours to be obese, to smoke cigarettes, to have five or more drinks a day, and to be inactive. more >>
New findings from an NHLBI-supported urban community-based study of teens indicate that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome. more >>
Adults who lost weight in a six-month program were able to keep at least some of the weight off for 2.5 years with the help of brief monthly personal counseling. more >>
After a thorough review and discussion of the published scientific evidence, an expert Working Group convened by the IARC Monographs programme has concluded that shiftwork that involves circadian disruption is probably carcinogenic to humans. more >>
The FDA's pediatric program has helped propel more clinical trials to be conducted in children. And more parents may be considering whether to enroll a child in a clinical trial. more >>
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Lyrica (pregabalin), the first drug to treat fibromyalgia, a disorder characterized by pain, fatigue and sleep problems. more >>
Health Canada is advising consumers not to use Optimum Health Care SleePlus TCM or BYL SleePlus, because the products contain the undeclared drug clonazepam. more >>
The anticonvulsant medication gabapentin, which is used for certain types of seizures, can be an effective treatment for the pain and other symptoms associated with the common, often hard-to-treat chronic pain disorder, fibromyalgia. more >>
ResMed today announced a worldwide voluntary recall of approximately 300,000 of its early production S8 flow generators used for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). more >>
Health Canada is advising consumers not to use a product called Eden Herbal Formulations Serenity Pills II because it contains the undeclared drug estazolam, which can be habit-forming when used for as little as a few months. more >>
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has requested that all manufacturers of sleep disorder drug products strengthen their product labeling to include stronger language concerning potential risks. more >>
Study finds that black cohosh alone or with other herbs does not reduce menopausal hot flashes. Women using menopausal hormone therapy, however, receive significant relief from their hot flashes and night sweats. more >>
Survey results show that over 17 percent of adults reported trouble sleeping or insomnia in the past 12 months. Of those with insomnia or trouble sleeping, 4.5 percent — more than 1.6 million people — used some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat their condition. more >>
This is among the first studies of humans to examine the effects of ketamine on depression, a debilitating illness that affects 14.8 million people in any given year. more >>
Sleep medications are effective and safe treatments for insomnia when used properly under the supervision of a sleep medicine or primary care physician. more >>
The major financial impact of sleep disorders results from the role they play in motor vehicle accidents, work-related injuries and loss of productivity. more >>
Nighttime exposure to artificial light stimulated the growth of human breast tumors by suppressing the levels of a key hormone called melatonin. The study results might explain why female night shift workers have a higher rate of breast cancer. more >>
Results of a study show an increased prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) among patients with idiopathic central sleep apnea in the absence of congestive heart failure. more >>
Simulated driving produces slower average reaction times, higher self-reported sleepiness scores, and a higher number of inappropriate line crossings than real driving. more >>
The reaction times of internal medicine residents who have on-call responsibilities are significantly worse than those of a control group of residents from other specialties who do not take in-house call. more >>
The limited, short-term use of stimulants may benefit sleep-deprived but otherwise healthy adults who must stay awake for an extended period of time. more >>
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, sleep will play an important role in helping people handle the emotional stress and physical exhaustion caused by the storm. more >>
This is the final statement from the independent panel of health professionals and public representatives who participated in the conference from June 13 - 15, 2005. more >>
Results of a study show that a targeted form of cognitive therapy designed to prevent suicide helps reduce the likelihood of repeat suicide attempts. more >>
Children with frequent loud snoring, learning problems, or excessive daytime sleepiness are more likely to have sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). more >>
First-year cadets at the U.S. Military Academy get an average of about five hours of sleep on school nights and about 6.5 hours of sleep on weekends. more >>
Expert panel declares that many of the medications widely used to manage chronic insomnia have not yet been rigorously evaluated for long-term use. more >>
Patients with sleep problems are more likely to be prescribed a drug when they are older, a female, or White, according to a study in the journal Sleep. more >>
Only two nights of bright light therapy exposure can improve the sleep of people with early-morning awakening insomnia, according to a study in the journal Sleep. more >>
Study results show that the steep decline in the adolescent years of the intensity of delta brain waves during slow-wave sleep begins earlier in girls than in boys. more >>
A new mouse study suggests that a brain system that controls the sleep/wake cycle might also play a role in regulating appetite and metabolism. more >>
The impact of sleep deprivation has been well documented in many industries, but two new studies tracking medical interns in the healthcare field provide clear evidence essential to improving patient safety. more >>
Two new studies show that children who have problems breathing during sleep tend to score lower on tests of mental development and intelligence than do other children their age. more >>
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death in babies from one month to one year old. Know the facts about SIDS and how to help your baby sleep safely. more >>
Placing infants to sleep on their backs does much more than just reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). It also makes them less likely to get fevers, stuffy noses, or ear infections. more >>
Infants who share a bed with other children are at a higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) than are other infants. Sleeping on soft bedding and sleeping on the stomach are also much more dangerous when they are done together. more >>
Sleeping only four to six hours each night can have a serious effect upon your ability to think and act properly. You may not even be aware of how tired you are, thinking that there is nothing wrong. more >>
"Bed Sharing" between parents and their infants appears to be growing in popularity. While the practice has its supporters, it also raises concerns among some doctors. more >>
New research confirms that sleeping on the stomach increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in U.S. children. The study focused primarily on African Americans, a group at roughly twice the risk for SIDS as Caucasians. more >>
Evidence shows that a nap in the middle of the day can reverse "burnout." Some early risers may also miss a late stage of sleep that helps them to learn. more >>
People with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are much more likely to develop high blood pressure. This puts them at risk of cardiovascular disease. more >>
