Lack of Federal Oversight on Supplements Endangers Lives, Wastes Money
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced its intent to hold a meeting in late March to discuss changes in how it regulates over-the-counter drugs. Although this could be a welcome change, it is clear that a lack of federal oversight regarding other supplements continues to endanger lives.
The current review system for over-the-counter medications has been in place since 1972. It is painstakingly slow, with many products on the shelves that are still, technically, under FDA review. This process is nowhere near as strict as the guidelines and requirements in place for prescription medications. So-calle...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - February 21, 2014 Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news
New Sleep Articles Available from January
As we welcome 2014, it is a great time to expand your knowledge of sleep apnea and the most common treatment, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Take a few minutes to learn about the anatomy associated with the incidence of sleep apnea, as well as factors that might make it worse. Discover how menopause increases the risk of sleep apnea in women. If you are using CPAP, consider what might happen if you don't use it one night. Is it possible to travel with CPAP? Finally, if you are thinking about using CPAP, you might wonder what should be done if you consistently breathe through your mouth at night. Finally, expan...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - January 28, 2014 Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news
Jahi McMath Died and What Followed Has Been Tragic
This afternoon the latest chapter in the demise and subsequent saga of 13-year-old Jahi McMath has been started when a judge granted an extension of life support through Jan. 7. Since her surgery and subsequent cardiac arrest on Dec. 9, this case has become the topic of conversation throughout the nation. The unusual situation has attracted the commentary of medical providers, lawyers, ethicists, public relations agents, and religious figures. It has sparked an intense, emotional debate across water coolers and dining room tables. It deserves our considerate reflection for what it can teach us about medical science, the en...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - December 31, 2013 Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news
New Sleep Articles Available from December
As we close out 2013, check out some of the latest sleep articles from December. Review what your goal apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) should be when you use CPAP or BiPAP to treat sleep apnea. If you are new to using CPAP, you may want to learn about how much you are required to use the device so that insurance will pay for it. Learn how often you should replace each of your CPAP supplies, including the mask, headgear, tubing, filters, and humidifier tank. Discover how Zzoma Positional Therapy may help to treat mild to moderate sleep apnea and snoring. Expand your vocabulary by learning the definition of glutamate. Consider so...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - December 29, 2013 Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news
More Extensive Sleep Apnea Surgery Revealed in Girl with Brain Death
In a court hearing Friday, further details were revealed in the case of 13-year-old Jahi McMath, the teenager who suffered complications leading to brain death after surgery to treat sleep apnea.
While awaiting the opinion of an independent neurologist as ordered by the court, additional information about the procedures preceding the tragic turn of events has been disclosed. She did not have a routine tonsillectomy. Rather, she had three procedures to treat her condition: adenotonsillectomy, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), and turbinate reduction.
Tonsillectomy with or without removal of the adenoids is commonly perfor...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - December 21, 2013 Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news
Teenage Girl Suffers Brain Death After Tonsillectomy
By now you may have heard about the unfortunate story involving a teenage girl in Oakland, Calif. who suffered brain death after a routine tonsillectomy to treat her sleep apnea. This tragic story tugs at heartstrings and may raise concerns among parents seeking treatments for their own children.
First, tonsillectomy is routinely indicated for the treatment of sleep apnea in children and adolescents. When tonsils or adenoids are enlarged, these tissues can obstruct the airway. During sleep, this may lead to interruption of breathing and pauses that characterize sleep apnea. This can have serious consequences, including im...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - December 17, 2013 Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news
New Sleep Articles Available from November
This month's articles include content on treatments for insomnia, including how to stop racing thoughts at night and the treatment called cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI). Consider why older people may not want to use over-the-counter sleeping pills that contain diphenhydramine. You can learn how to change filters on your CPAP machine. Discover the relationship between the sudden painless vision loss of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) and obstructive sleep apnea. If you are pondering a job change, review 10 reasons to consider a career in sleep medicine. Finally, continue to expand your vocabulary...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - November 30, 2013 Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news
New Sleep Articles from October
It was another busy month with plenty of new information available about sleep disorders. Review some of the new sleep articles available from October. Discover surprising signs of obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia, as well as indications that your continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is not working properly. Expand your vocabulary by learning about three important neurotransmitters: GABA, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Consider some reasons why you may wish to avoid using sleeping pills altogether. Finally, learn about the use of the prescription medication amantadine to treat fatigue in multiple sclerosis.
Re...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - October 30, 2013 Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news
Why You Don't Need Those Sleeping Pills
It's an easy trap to fall into. You have a bad night of sleep and before you know it, this stretches into a run of bad nights. You try to observe good sleep hygiene, making a few changes to make things better, but your insomnia persists. You mention it to your doctor and you receive a prescription for a sleeping pill. Then the real trouble begins.
Sleeping pills are one of the most widely prescribed medications in the world. In a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it was estimated that between 2005 and 2010 about 4 percent of U.S. adults aged 20 and older used sleeping pills in the previous m...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - October 8, 2013 Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news
New Sleep Articles Available from September
This month was an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge of sleep and sleep disorders. Learn some new vocabulary about important structures and chemicals in the brain, including: pineal body, dopamine, serotonin, and tryptophan. Better understand the causes and treatment of CPAP-related gas and how to keep your CPAP mask on at night if you find yourself removing it unconsciously. Consider whether CPAP pressure directly correlates to the degree of sleep apnea severity and what other factors might be involved. Finally, discover 10 surprising signs of sleep apnea as it occurs in children.
Read More:
The Causes and...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - September 29, 2013 Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news
Beauty Sleep? Study Suggests CPAP Therapy May Lead to More Alert, Youthful, and Attractive Appearance
This study may add to the motivation of patients to find ways to make it work for them.
Follow me on Twitter or Facebook to receive notice of all the latest updates to this site.Beauty Sleep? Study Suggests CPAP Therapy May Lead to More Alert, Youthful, and Attractive Appearance originally appeared on About.com Sleep Disorders on Friday, September 13th, 2013 at 12:00:49.Permalink | Comment | Email this (Source: About Sleep Disorders)
Source: About Sleep Disorders - September 13, 2013 Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news
New Sleep Articles Available from August
Explore the latest articles on sleep-related topics for August. Consider the long-term prognosis of common sleep disorders, including insomnia, restless legs syndrome (RLS), and sleep behaviors called parasomnias. Learn the definition of tachyphylaxis and tolerance and how these concepts relate to the use of sleeping pills. Moreover, what is dependence? Discover what it means to become physically and psychologically dependent on sleeping pills and which ones carry higher risks. How does the effectiveness of sleeping pills change over time? Finally, review the most common side effects associated with the use of Ambien for i...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - August 31, 2013 Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news
New Sleep Articles Available from July
Check out some of the latest articles that have been published on the site in July. Learn about rapid maxillary expansion and how it might be used to treat sleep apnea in children. Review some of the most common misunderstandings about parasomnias like sleepwalking and night terrors. Better understand the meaning of apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in both adults and children. Consider the reasons why insomnia may happen and whether narcolepsy and sleep apnea ever go away. Finally, expand your sleep vocabulary and learn the definition of micrognathia.
Read More:
What Is Rapid Maxillary Expansion?
Misunderstandings about Par...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - July 20, 2013 Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news
New Sleep Articles Available from June Focus on Sleep Eating
Explore some of the latest sleep articles from June, many of which focus on sleep-related eating. Learn about night eating syndrome and what distinguishes it from sleep eating disorder. Discover the causes of sleep eating, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment options that are available. Review information about the medication Topamax, one of the treatments available for sleep eating, including the possible side effects. Finally, learn how to get used to using CPAP and how to adjust to a new time zone to avoid jet lag.
Read More:
What Is Night Eating Syndrome?
What is the Difference Between Sleep Eating Disorder and ...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - June 30, 2013 Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news
SLEEP 2013: Melatonin May Improve Sleep and Cognition at High Altitudes
According to a new study conducted at Mt. McKinley, the highest peak in North America with a summit height of 20,320 feet, melatonin may help to improve sleep and even cognition at high altitudes.
The study, conducted by Christopher Jung, PhD from the University of Alaska at Anchorage, demonstrated that after taking melatonin, subjects fell asleep faster and experienced less wakefulness during the night. In addition, the average reaction times the next day were improved, as measured by the Stroop test, which could aid safety in the dangerous environment.
"Many high altitude climates are extreme and dangerous, often requi...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - June 4, 2013 Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news
