A new study shows that the effects of a stroke may be more severe in people who have obstructive sleep apnea.
The study involved 174 people who had a stroke. Their risk for sleep apnea was assessed by questionnaire. Results show that 60 percent had a high risk for sleep apnea. Seven participants had already been diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Having a high risk for sleep apnea was a predictor for having a worse stroke outcome. People at risk for sleep apnea also were more disabled at the point of discharge from the hospital. The seven people with confirmed sleep apnea had a higher risk of death in the first month after the stroke.
"In the context of recovering from a stroke, sleep apnea can have a serious impact,” study author Dr. Latha Stead said in a University of Rochester Medical Center statement.
A stroke is a “brain attack” that occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. It can result from either a blood clot that blocks an artery or from a broken blood vessel.
A recent study found that people with sleep apnea have decreased blood flow velocity in the brain’s arteries. Their brains’ blood vessels also have a lower rate of recovery when blood pressure drops. Other studies have shown that sleep apnea increases your risk of death from heart disease or stroke.
Stead added that it is harder for the brain to heal from a stroke when the blood has low oxygen levels. People also do not respond well to stroke rehab programs when they are sleep deprived.
Are you at risk for sleep apnea? Answer these questions to find out.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
More than Insomnia: Other Sleep Disorders Are Common in Older Adults
Many older adults struggle with insomnia. Now a new study shows that in older adults other sleep disorders are common too.
The study involved 892 people between the ages of 70 and 89. Results show that 59 percent had signs of at least one sleep disorder other than insomnia.
Data were gathered by questionnaire. Symptoms were reported by a person who sleeps in the same room as the participant.
Sleep-related leg cramps was the most common sleep disorder. Symptoms were present in 32 percent of participants.
The second and third most common sleep disorders were obstructive sleep apnea and periodic limb movements in sleep. Other common sleep disorders were REM sleep behavior disorder, restless legs syndrome and sleepwalking.
“All of these sleep disorders can disrupt a person’s quality of life, because they affect sleep,” lead researcher Dr. Jennifer Molano said in a Mayo Clinic statement. “But if these problems are recognized, an accurate diagnosis could lead to successful treatment.”
Older adults can get help for sleep problems at an AASM-accredited sleep center. Get sleep tips for older adults on SleepEducation.com.
The study involved 892 people between the ages of 70 and 89. Results show that 59 percent had signs of at least one sleep disorder other than insomnia.
Data were gathered by questionnaire. Symptoms were reported by a person who sleeps in the same room as the participant.
Sleep-related leg cramps was the most common sleep disorder. Symptoms were present in 32 percent of participants.
The second and third most common sleep disorders were obstructive sleep apnea and periodic limb movements in sleep. Other common sleep disorders were REM sleep behavior disorder, restless legs syndrome and sleepwalking.
“All of these sleep disorders can disrupt a person’s quality of life, because they affect sleep,” lead researcher Dr. Jennifer Molano said in a Mayo Clinic statement. “But if these problems are recognized, an accurate diagnosis could lead to successful treatment.”
Older adults can get help for sleep problems at an AASM-accredited sleep center. Get sleep tips for older adults on SleepEducation.com.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Study Links Sleep Loss to ADHD Symptoms in Children
A new study links sleep loss to behavioral symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children.
The study in Finland involved 280 children. They had an average age of 8 years.
Results show that children who slept less than 7.7 hours at night had a higher score for hyperactivity and impulsivity. They also had a higher total score on the ADHD Rating Scale.
The results were significant. But they did not confirm that sleep loss causes ADHD symptoms.
“Intervention studies are needed to confirm the causality,” study author Dr. Juulia Paavonen said in a University of Helsinki statement.
Another recent study found that children with ADHD get about 33 minutes less sleep per night than other children. The AASM reports that children between the ages of 7 and 12 need about nine to 10 hours of sleep per night.
The study in Finland involved 280 children. They had an average age of 8 years.
Results show that children who slept less than 7.7 hours at night had a higher score for hyperactivity and impulsivity. They also had a higher total score on the ADHD Rating Scale.
The results were significant. But they did not confirm that sleep loss causes ADHD symptoms.
“Intervention studies are needed to confirm the causality,” study author Dr. Juulia Paavonen said in a University of Helsinki statement.
Another recent study found that children with ADHD get about 33 minutes less sleep per night than other children. The AASM reports that children between the ages of 7 and 12 need about nine to 10 hours of sleep per night.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Morning Larks vs. Night Owls: A Circadian Alertness Advantage?
People who are larks function better in the morning. Night owls are more alert in the evening. But which “chronotype” enables people to function better over the length of a day?
A new study in Science takes a look. It involved 16 early morning risers and 15 night owls. They performed alertness tests in a brain scanner after following their normal sleep schedule.
Newsweek and Science report that both groups performed well when they took the test 1.5 hours after waking. But the night owls pulled ahead when both groups were tested after being awake for 10.5 hours. They were more alert and had faster reaction times. Overall their performance improved by about 6 percent.
So do night owls have a natural alertness advantage over morning larks? Not necessarily.
Health News points out that an advantage in the lab may not translate to the workplace. A person who is a “morning type” will be alert during the hours of a normal workday. But “evening types” may struggle to align their natural sleep-wake pattern with their work schedule.
A new study in Science takes a look. It involved 16 early morning risers and 15 night owls. They performed alertness tests in a brain scanner after following their normal sleep schedule.
Newsweek and Science report that both groups performed well when they took the test 1.5 hours after waking. But the night owls pulled ahead when both groups were tested after being awake for 10.5 hours. They were more alert and had faster reaction times. Overall their performance improved by about 6 percent.
So do night owls have a natural alertness advantage over morning larks? Not necessarily.
Health News points out that an advantage in the lab may not translate to the workplace. A person who is a “morning type” will be alert during the hours of a normal workday. But “evening types” may struggle to align their natural sleep-wake pattern with their work schedule.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Valerian Fails to Improve Sleep in Older Women with Insomnia
A new study adds to the evidence that valerian is an ineffective treatment for insomnia.
The study involved 16 women with an average age of 69 years. All of the women had insomnia. They were given either 300 mg of valerian extract or a placebo 30 minutes before bedtime for two weeks.
The study found that the effect of valerian was no different than the placebo after one dose or after two weeks. The women were unable to fall asleep faster.
Their wakefulness during the night actually increased after two weeks of nightly valerian. They woke up for about 18 minutes more during the night after first falling asleep.
Other studies of valerian have found similar results. A recent review analyzed the findings of 37 studies. The authors concluded that valerian is “safe but not effective” for insomnia.
Learn more about valerian on SleepEducation.com.
The study involved 16 women with an average age of 69 years. All of the women had insomnia. They were given either 300 mg of valerian extract or a placebo 30 minutes before bedtime for two weeks.
The study found that the effect of valerian was no different than the placebo after one dose or after two weeks. The women were unable to fall asleep faster.
Their wakefulness during the night actually increased after two weeks of nightly valerian. They woke up for about 18 minutes more during the night after first falling asleep.
Other studies of valerian have found similar results. A recent review analyzed the findings of 37 studies. The authors concluded that valerian is “safe but not effective” for insomnia.
Learn more about valerian on SleepEducation.com.
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