by Rachael Herman Over the last several decades, scientists have debated about whether rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is directly linked to the formation of memories. REM sleep is the phase of the cycle when dreams appear. It is also the restorative phase of sleep. Researchers from the Douglas Mental Health University Institute and University…
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…
The Mapping of Our Internal Clock
by Rachael Herman The SCN (suprachiasmatic nucleus) makes the body run properly and on time. It acts as the control center for our genetic clock and the circadian rhythm, which regulates multiple functions including insulin sensitivity, hunger, sleep, body temperature, hormonal levels, cell cycles, etc. The suprachiasmatic nucleus has been extensively studied, but its neural…
Mobile App Helps Scientists Determine Sleep Patterns
By: Rachael Herman A new study combining mobile apps, big data, and math modeling of sleep patterns around the world has analyzed the roles of biology and society in the setting of sleep schedules. Led by mathematicians out of the University of Michigan, this study utilized a smartphone application at no charge that would reduce…
Why am I always tired?
“Why am I always tired?” is one of the most frequently asked questions on the internet. There are several potential causes for ‘being tired’. Here, we will discuss the causes of being tired. First, it is important to determine what is meant by ‘being tired’. Let’s first discuss the word ‘Tired’. The word “tired” can…
ADHD Children Sleep Less and More Poorly
by Rachael Herman Parents of ADHD children have claimed for years that their children have more trouble falling and staying asleep and have poorer quality sleep than other children. A study out of Aarhus University has found that there is some truth behind this claim. Recent studies have reported that approximately 70% of parents with…
To Sleep Train or Not To Sleep Train, That is the (Ongoing) Question
Whitney Roban PhD As a Pediatric Sleep Specialist, I am often confronted by parents with the question of whether they should sleep train their children. These parents express a strong desire and need for sleep for themselves and their children, but they are confused and overwhelmed as to how to proceed (if, at all). Sleep…
How Lack of Sleep Affects Cholesterol
by Rachael Herman In previous studies, it has been found that sleep deprivation can negatively affect the immune system, metabolism, inflammatory process, and regulation of the hormone that controls appetite. In a recent study out of the University of Helsinki, scientists have discovered that lack of sleep can also lead to problems with cholesterol metabolism.…
Risk of Metabolic Syndrome due to Daytime Sleepiness and Long Naps
by Rachael Herman A study scheduled to be reviewed at the 65th Annual Scientific Session for the American College of Cardiology reports that long naps and daytime sleepiness put an individual at higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a collection of conditions that put an individual at risk for developing…