Myth 1: Sleep is a time when your body and brain shut down for rest and relaxation. No evidence shows that any major organ (including the brain) or regulatory system in the body shuts down during sleep. Some physiological processes actually become more active while you sleep. For example, secretion of certain hormones is boosted,…
Central Sleep Apnea
Central sleep apnea (CSA) or central sleep apnea syndrome (CSAS) is a sleep-related disorder in which the effort to breathe is diminished or absent, typically for 10 to 30 seconds either intermittently or in cycles, and is usually associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation.[1][2] CSA is usually due to an instability in the…
Snoring
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia “Snore” redirects here. For other uses, see Snore (disambiguation). For the villages in Norfolk, England, see Little Snoring and Great Snoring. Snoring is the vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting sound due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping. In some cases, the sound may be soft, but…
Sleep Apnea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Sleep apnea Synonyms Sleep apnoea, sleep apnea syndrome Obstructive sleep apnea Pronunciation /æpˈniːə/, /ˈæpniə/ Specialty Otorhinolaryngology, sleep medicine Symptoms Pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep, snoring, tired during the day[1][2] Complications Heart attack, stroke, diabetes, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, obesity, motor vehicle collisions[1] Usual onset 55–60…
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
by Rachael Herman Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea. It is characterized by frequent starts and stops in breathing while asleep. This type of apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax and block the airway. These muscles help to support oral and pharyngeal structures…
Higher Risk of Complications in Heart Failure Patients with Central Sleep Apnea
by Rachael Herman Patients with central sleep apnea (CSA) and chronic heart failure (CHF) have a higher risk of being hospitalized and higher mortality rates than people with both obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and CSA. This is true whether or not they get adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) therapy. These results were determined in a French prospective…
The Common but Fixable Problem of Sleep Disorders in Athletes
by Rachael Herman Sleep disorders are more of a problem in professional athletes than many people believe; however, individual counseling, treatment planning, and examination has been shown to help improve their sleep quality. A new Finnish study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences reported, for the first time, that systematic measures can improve the…
Sleep Apnea Left Untreated Can Make Melanoma More Aggressive
by Rachael Herman A new multicenter prospective study on the relationship between cancer and sleep-disordered breathing has shown that severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), if left untreated, may be linked to more aggressive malignant cutaneous melanoma. Sleep-disordered breathing is in reference to frequent starts and stops in breathing throughout the night. This study was presented…
New OSA Treatment for Pediatric Patients with Down Syndrome
by Rachael Herman Massachusetts General Hospital for Children and Massachusetts Eye and Ear have begun a new FDA-approved clinical trial recently. Researchers will test and review the use of a hypoglossal nerve stimulator in a group of adolescents with Down syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A hypoglossal nerve stimulator is currently a technology available…
Time Zone Tips for Traveling with Children: Easy Ways to Help Reset Their Clocks
By: Rebecca Kempton Traveling with kids can be tiring for the whole family. One major culprit is crossing time zones; it can wreak havoc not only on sleep routines, but general behavior as well. As I mentioned in 11 Sleep Tips for Traveling with Children, you have two options: if you are only crossing one…