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AADSM Blog

Sleep apnea treatment improves bed partner's depression

10/11/2011 -

A study from the journal Sleep and Breathing found that treating primary snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can improve your bed partner’s depression. OSA is known to influence mood and daytime sleepiness in patients, but this study confirms its impact on bed partners.

The study included 36 participants who snored or had OSA. They were 24 to 63 years of age. Each person had a full-night sleep study. They had two sessions of radio-frequency tissue ablation (RFTA). This surgery tries to shrink the palate or tongue with microwaves.

Results indicated that treatment improved depression scores for the bed partners of snoring and OSAHS patients during a short follow-up period. A follow-up PSG was given within two to three months after the second RFTA session. AHI decreased from 13.16 to 10.69 for the entire group of patients. Participants also took the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II) to assess the changes in emotional state of patients’ bed partners. The average BDI-II scores decreased from 12.69 to 9.17 for the entire group of bed partners, indicating improved mood.

Obstructive sleep apnea treatment improves body’s ability to fight acid reflux

10/06/2011 -

A study in the journal Sleep and Breathing found that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment may reduce gastroesophageal reflux (GER) by decreasing strain where the esophagus and stomach meet.

GER is characterized by symptoms such as heartburn and acid reflux. When awake, GER events are usually brief because of powerful mechanisms like swallowing. When patients are asleep, these protective mechanisms end, resulting in longer GER events that increase risk of esophageal injury. People with OSA exhibit an increase in both daytime and nighttime GER symptoms and events.

GER is usually prevented by the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is located between the esophagus and stomach. Baseline LES barrier pressure was low in these OSA patients. The results indicated that OSA may increase GER events as it strains the LES. CPAP treatment seemed to reduce this strain, consequently decreasing the events.

The study included eight patients with OSA and nocturnal GER. They each took a sleep study. The first half of the night was spent without treatment. The second half was spent with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

When patients were off CPAP, they experienced an average of 2.7 GER events per hour and 70 obstructed respiratory events per hour. There was no direct relationship between the occurrence of GER and OSA events.

Sleep apnea disguised as dementia

10/06/2011 -

In a New York Times blog post the dangers of obstructive sleep apnea masquerading as dementia was discussed. Last year, Alzheimer’s specialist Dr. Ronald Petersen met a new patient at the Mayo Clinic. She was only in her 60s but had trouble concentrating. “She couldn’t follow a television program or stay focused during a conversation,” said Dr. Petersen. What first seemed like early symptoms of dementia, soon indicated a sleep disorder. Although she was unaware of having any sleep problems, her son reported that “she was snoring like a freight train.”

The patient was sent for an overnight sleep study. The results indicated that she had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This condition causes pauses in breath during sleep. These pauses prevent oxygen flow and REM sleep. Risk for OSA increases with age and weight gain. Symptoms can exacerbate or mimic dementia symptoms.

There are several successful treatment options including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and oral appliance therapy. Treating sleep apnea often reduces the feeling of excessive daytime sleepiness.

Within a year of starting CPAP treatment, the patient’s scores on neuropsychological tests were normal range.

Dr. Sonia Ancoli-Israel has studied OSA for 30 years. She noted that almost half of older adults experience apnea to some degree, with even higher rates among those with dementia. Seniors who live alone may not know they snore. They may also think it’s normal to feel sleepy during the day.

It’s important to know the signs of OSA. Unfortunately, 80 to 90 percent of people with sleep apnea are unaware of their condition. Untreated OSA is frequently linked to cognitive decline. It also raises the risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and driving accidents. “If you’re waking up hundreds of times a night and you’re not getting enough oxygen to the brain, of course you’ll see the effect,” said Dr. Ancoli-Israel.

She and her team, in a study published in 2008 in The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, found that treating sleep apnea with CPAP improved attention, judgment and decision-making.

Doctors combine CPAP treatment with oral appliance therapy

10/06/2011 -

Doctors recommend continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as the gold standard of sleep apnea treatment. But 25 to 50 percent of patients do not use the treatment on a regular basis because they can’t tolerate the pressure produced by CPAP. To increase compliance and effectiveness of CPAP, some doctors are combining CPAP treatment with oral appliance therapy.

Research in the journal Sleep and Breathing shows that combination therapy normalized breathing disturbances in sleep apnea patients who were otherwise intolerant to CPAP. When CPAP was used with an oral appliance, patients were able to tolerate their treatment better than CPAP by itself.

Typically, the two treatments are given separately. Oral appliances are fitted by dentists trained in dental sleep medicine. These devices fit like sports mouth guards and move the jaw and tongue forward to open the airway. Oral appliances are most effective with mild to moderate sleep apnea patients.

This study included 10 OSA patients who didn’t tolerate CPAP. They were using oral appliance therapy but still experiencing pauses in breath during sleep. The patients were taken off oral appliance therapy for one week. They then wore CPAP and an oral appliance together for three nights. Oxygen levels were recorded during a sleep study and patients took the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

Results show that the oral appliance/CPAP combination was well tolerated by all participants. The number of times patients stopped breathing per hour of sleep was reduced from 11 times per hour to three times per hour after combination therapy.

Before treatment, the average sleepiness score was 12. After oral appliance therapy, their average score was reduced to 9. After combination treatment, the score was further reduced to 7. This decrease shows that they had more energy during the day due to combination therapy.

Putting a name to sleep apnea

10/06/2011 -

Sleep experts estimate that 80 to 90 percent of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients are undiagnosed and untreated. Many patients do not know they have a problem because they are unaware that they wake up throughout the night to breathe. Bed partners often detect OSA because of the loud snoring that can accompany the breathing disorder.

Because dentists see patients on a regular basis, they frequently screen patients for sleep apnea. If screening shows the patient is at risk for OSA, he or she will then go to sleep physician for a diagnosis and treatment.

A study in the journal Sleep and Breathing examined a new screening method that combined symptoms with a physical exam to predict the presence of sleep apnea. The NAMES assessment looked at neck circumference, airway classification, related diseases, Epworth scale, and snoring. By including self-reported historical factors with physical exam findings, researchers were able to better screen for OSA.

The study included 150 adult subjects. They had never been diagnosed with sleep apnea but were referred to sleep center because they showed signs of the condition. The study results indicate that the NAMES assessment is an effective, inexpensive screening strategy for screening patients for moderate to severe OSA

Chinese anesthesiologists score low on OSA knowledge

10/06/2011 -

A study in the journal Sleep and Breathing found that the majority of surveyed anesthesiologists lacked knowledge of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Serious and life-threatening complications may occur in patients with OSA and unrecognized OSA during medical procedures. Anesthetists should be able to identify OSA patients and feel confident in their ability to deal with a difficult airway.

The Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitude Questionaire (OSAKA) was translated into Chinese and distributed to 321 anesthesiologists from Shandong Province. The questionnaire contained 18 knowledge items and five attitude items.

The mean total knowledge score was 11, with the scores ranging from 2 to 17. The total correct score ratio was 62 percent. Knowledge level corresponded with the participants' job titles and attitude scores. Age, sex, education, and hospital level did not affect the scores.

The survey found that when managing OSA patients, the positive attitude score was mostly below 50 percent. “Attitude” assessed the importance of the disease as a clinical disorder. It also evaluated the importance for anesthesiologists identifying OSA patients before anesthesia. Lastly, it examined the self-confidence of anesthesiologists in the management of OSA patients. With a score below 50 percent, their confidence could use a boost.

The researchers suggested that it is necessary to develop OSA training programs on OSA for Chinese anesthesiologists.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) recommended the guidelines for difficult airway management 20 years ago, and they were revised in 2003. In addition, ASA published the guidelines for screening surgical patients with OSA preoperatively and managing OSA perioperatively in 2006.

Heavyweight tag-teamed by sleep apnea's partners

10/06/2011 -

A study in the journal Sleep and Breathing shows that people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may pit themselves against more than just a breathing disorder.

OSA occurs when a person’s throat collapses during sleep, disrupting their breath and repeatedly arousing them from sleep. It is associated with snoring and daytime sleepiness. OSA affects approximately four percent of men and two percent of women in the U.S.

A group of India-based researchers found that OSA patients were three times more likely to experience obesity, hypertension, diabetes, mellitus and hyperlipidemia (HLP). People with HLP have high blood cholesterol and triglycerides.

The study included 234 adults 54 years of age or more who tested positive for OSA. Compared to members of the 56 control group, who demonstrated an average of one pause in breath per hour, members of the OSA group experienced 31 pauses in breath per hour.

Body weight also varied between the control group and OSA patients. The body mass index was 36 among OSA patients in contrast to 29 for the control group.

Of the OSA group, 30 percent of patients had HLP, 59 percent were diabetic and 86 percent were hypertensives. Nonrestorative sleep, awakening with choking, nocturnal dyspnea, insomnia with frequent awakenings, nocturia, and diaphoresis were observed in more than 80 percent of patients.

Results indicate that sleep-disordered breathing syndrome was strongly associated with the metabolic syndrome.

Weight loss has been shown to reduce OSA severity. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends weight loss, oral appliance therapy, and CPAP for OSA treatment.

Reversing infertility with sleep apnea treatment

10/05/2011 -

Couples who are having trouble getting pregnant should consider their sleep health. A study in the journal Sleep and Breathing found that treating sleep apnea may help reverse infertility. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with numerous health problems. Changes in the serum prolactin (PRL) secretion, which affects fertility, is one of these issues.

This study examined the effect of CPAP therapy on the serum PRL in patients with OSA. The study included 10 men. Seven men were obese and three were overweight. The men were 57 years of age on average. They experienced five to 28 pauses in breath per hour of sleep. Each man received an overnight sleep study. Serum PRL was measured at 7:00 a.m. after the sleep study, and again after 11 to 39 months of CPAP therapy.

The results found that CPAP therapy was associated with a significant decrease in serum PRL levels. It lowered and, in some cases, normalized the serum PRL in OSA patients. Several studies have investigated this topic in the past but have had mixed results.

The ABC's of Snoring and Childhood Cognition

09/29/2011 -

Snoring kids can be cute, but snoring may reflect a serious problem. New research in the journal Sleep and Breathing found that primary snoring is associated with neurocognitive impairments in children.

The community-based study included 1,114 primary school children. The researchers identified 410 children who never snored, and 92 children who habitually snored.

Polysomnogram (PSG) scores distinguished children with primary snoring from those with upper airway resistance syndrome or obstructive sleep apnea. Children with upper airway resistance syndrome and sleep apnea experience pauses in breath that can prevent restorative sleep.

Neurocognitive impairments and poor school performance were compared between children who never snored, those with PS, and those with upper airway resistance syndrome or sleep apnea.

Of the 92 snorers, 69 had primary snoring while 23 had upper airway resistance syndrome or obstructive sleep apnea.

Compared to children who never snored, children with primary snoring demonstrated significantly more hyperactive and inattentive behavior. They also had a higher risk for poor school performance in mathematics, science and spelling. The risks for primary were on par for children with upper airway resistance syndrome or sleep apnea.

These results show that children with non-apneic primary snoring may exhibit significant neurocognitive impairments. Consequences may be similar to those associated with upper airway resistance syndrome or sleep apnea. If confirmed, primary snoring is not “benign” and may require treatment.

Gotta Go? Frequent Nighttime Urination May Indicate Sleep Apnea

09/21/2011 -

Nocturia, which causes people to wake up during the night to urinate, has been linked to sleep apnea but is not currently used as a screening tool. New research investigated whether nighttime urination frequency can help physician screen for this serious medical condition that causes a person to stop breathing during sleep.

The study determined the predictive power of nocturia for OSA and compared findings with other markers of OSA commonly used to screen for this disease, such as snoring. The study was a retrospective chart review. It included 1,007 adult patients who were seeking diagnoses and treatment at one of two New Mexico sleep centers.

Patients completed detailed medical and sleep history questionnaires and took a PSG to determine their apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), which indicates OSA severity. Some of the measurements included nocturia, snoring, body mass index (BMI), sex and age. Snoring was reported by 77 percent and nocturia was reported by 83 percent. Eighty percent of the patient sample demonstrated OSA.

Results indicated that patient-reported nocturia predicted OSA severity more than body mass index, sex, age, and self-reported snoring. Nocturia was very similar to snoring in regard to predictive power for clinical OSA with a comparable sensitivity of 84 percent. Snorers had a higher mean AHI than non-snorers, and patients with nocturia had an elevated BMI.

Researchers found that nocturia appears comparable to snoring as a screening tool for OSA. Research in urology and primary care clinics is needed to clarify the use of nocturia as a screening tool.

View the Pierre Robin Reinactment from the AADSM 20th Anniversary Meeting

09/08/2011 -

A theatrical production of Pierre Robin's original research on oral appliance therapy was among the many highlights at the AADSM 20th Anniversity Meeting. The annual meeting was held at the Hilton Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minn. on June 10-12, 2011.

The reinactment featured Pierre Robin, played by veteran Minneapolis stage actor Bob Davis, reading the paper that he presented to the French Academy of Medicine in 1923. This paper was among the first to reference oral appliances and was instrumental in the inception of Dental Sleep Medicine.

The 21^st Annual Meeting will take place in Boston, Mass. Thursday, June 7, 2012 - Saturday, June 9, 2012 at the Sheraton Boston Hotel.

Sleep-disordered breathing and asthma go together, study shows

08/29/2011 -

One of the most recognized symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is snoring. Similarly, wheezing is the most common sign of asthma in potential asthma patients. In a recent study of sleep-disordered breathing and asthma, it was found that both of these disorders can go hand-in-hand, influencing sleep quality.

Arousals, daytime sleepiness and hyperactivity are some of the symptoms of sleep apnea. Patients with a history of wheezing are at risk for sleep disturbances and limited daytime function. Children with asthma more often have snoring and apnea during sleep. Early evidence suggests that treating sleep apnea with adenotonsillectomy improves asthma as well.

High levels of leukotrienes, inflammatory cells associated with asthma, have been found in the breath samples of children with asthma. Children with sleep apnea also have elevated levels of the inflammatory cells. Viral respiratory infections can lead to inflammation in the airway, which can then lead to enlarged adenoids and tonsils as well as sleep apnea.

Because of the link between sleep-disordered breathing and asthma, if one of the disorders is diagnosed, it would be beneficial to test for the other as well.

To find out if your child has a sleeping disorder, visit an AASM accredited sleep center near you.

OSA could contribute to poor asthma control in obese patients

08/10/2011 -

Obesity contributes to asthma; quite often, asthmatics who are obese cannot control their asthma properly and do not respond well to therapy. Factors like reflux disease and obstructive sleep apnea could be contributors to obese patients having bad asthma control. Researchers conducted a study to see if reflux and the symptoms of OSA do actually play a part in bad asthma control in obese patients.

Researchers studied patients taking part in a reflux treatment trial. They looked for asthma symptoms and lung function as well as sleep apnea symptoms. There were 402 patients in the overall trial. Of those patients, 51% were obese.

The study found that patients with a higher body mass index (BMI) had a higher occurrence of reflux symptoms. However, reflux was not linked with asthma control in the obese patients. Obstructive sleep apnea was more common among high BMI subjects and was linked to worse asthma control. In the end, the data suggests that sleep apnea, not reflux disease, could contribute greatly to bad asthma control in obese patients.

Image by net_efekt

Bouncing off the walls: Obstructive sleep apnea could contribute to ADHD

08/05/2011 -

Can’t focus. Can’t pay attention. Can’t sit still. These are some of the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Does obstructive sleep apnea contribute to ADHD? A new review of OSA and ADHD examined the evidence. It was published in the August issue of Annals of Clinical Psychiatry.

The reviewers found that six studies have observed the effects of OSA treatment on ADHD. Up to 95 percent of people with OSA had attention deficits. In those with full-blown ADHD, 20 to 30 percent had OSA.

ADHD symptoms improved after the treatment of OSA in all six studies. Patients saw improvement in their behavior, attention span, and overall ADHD symptoms.

More studies are needed to further clarify the relationship between OSA and ADHD. But treating OSA appears to have a positive effect on the symptoms of ADHD.

A Good Night's Rest Could Help Keep Weight Down

07/21/2011 -

A good night’s sleep is beneficial to your health and a new study shows it may also help you with keeping unwanted weight down. The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, shows that sleep deprived people consume more food, but don’t burn the extra calories.

The study involved about 30 middle-aged men and women, all with about the same height and weight. They slept and lived in a research center for two separate five-night stints. During one of the visits, the researchers let the participants sleep for nine hours each night. On the other visit, they had only four hours of sleep. Both times, the participants had a strict diet for the first four days and then had permission to eat whatever they wanted on the final day.

The test showed that it didn’t matter which sleep schedule was in effect, a similar amount of calories were burned per day. The participants consumed about 2,500 calories when they were well-rested and could eat much as they wanted. After a week of sleep restriction, they consumed 2,800 calories on the final day – a 300 calorie increase.

Several recent studies have examined the relationship between sleep deprivation and weight gain. The findings show there is a possibility that amount of sleep can cause influence weight.

Marie-Pierre St-Onge, principle researcher at the New York Obesity Research Center at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, suggests you should get lots of rest if you are trying to maintain your weight. Schedule at least 7 to 8 hours per night for sleep and make sleep a priority and you may gain an edge against weight gain.

Breathing Test Potential Alternative to Sleep Study

06/27/2011 -

The main way to find out if a person has a sleep disorder is an overnight sleep study at an AASM-Accredited Sleep Center. For those who might have severe obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep study is critical. New research suggests that these patients may soon have an alternative method of diagnosis.

At SLEEP 2011, the 25^th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, a research abstract suggested that analyzing the breathing sounds individuals make while awake could be a useful tool in discovering if a person has sleep apnea. The purpose of the research was to find a fast, easy way to diagnose a patient without an overnight sleep study.

The test patients (35 with sleep apnea, and 17 controls) were told to breathe in two different body positions: sitting up and lying down. The patients were to do this five times each. The study was able—with 84% accuracy—to separate those who had sleep apnea and those who did not have the disorder. It was also able to show the different levels of sleep apnea severity that the patients had.

These findings show potential in diagnosing sleep apnea. However, the research is a work in progress. Contact an AASM-Accredited Sleep Center if you suspect that you have a sleep related breathing disorder. Nearly a third of patients who receive a sleep study discover they have severe sleep apnea.

Study Recommends Sleep Studies for Patients Considering Gastric Bypass

06/07/2011 -

A new study in the journal Sleep and Breathing assessed the risk factors for the presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Participants were severely obese patients being evaluated for gastric bypass surgery.

Sleep studies were performed in patients undergoing gastric bypass from January 2004 to January 2007. Sleep apnea was noted as present or absent. The OSA was graded from mild to severe according to the apnea hypopnea index (AHI). The AHI is the average number of pauses in breathing that occur per hour of sleep.

The researchers also recorded patient gender, age, weight, height, body mass index, neck circumference, and waist circumference.

A total of 132 patients were involved. Sleep study results indicated that 64 percent of patients had a confirmed diagnosis of OSA. The prevalence of moderate or severe sleep apnea was 71 percent in men and 31 percent in women

In OSA patients, body mass index, neck circumference, and age were higher than with obese patients without OSA. No differences were found in waist circumference between groups. Body mass index, age, and male gender were independent predictors of sleep apnea.

In the female group, age greater than 49 years was the only significant predictor of moderate or severe OSA. Results indicate that men and women more than 49 years of age have the greatest risk for OSA. The researchers recommend mandatory preoperative sleep studies for this group of severely obese patients.

Find out your risk for sleep apnea here.

Common Symptoms of OSA Patients Vary By Age and Gender

05/13/2011 -

A new study in the journal Sleep and Breathing examined obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) symptoms common to different age and gender groups. The study used demographic, subjective complaints and medical history.

Data was collected from 23,806 patients. Patients ranged from 21 to 80 years of age. The group was divided into 24 groups by gender and 5-year age intervals. Each patient took an overnight sleep study between the years 2000 and 2009.

The researchers found the gender-specific relationship between AHI and age. They then used this data to determine the best fitting AHIs for each age and gender group.

The study showed that OSA characteristics are not uniform across gender and age. They may also vary between obese and non-obese patients. These findings should be taken into account in the clinicians’ diagnosis of OSA.

Seventy percent of patients had an AHI greater than 10, indicating the presence of at least mild OSA. Men had consistently higher AHI than women. The best fitting AHI cutoff point increased with age in both genders. Results showed that in obese men, AHI increased from age 20 to 40 years and remained stable thereafter. Alternatively, there was a linear increase in AHI with age in both obese and non-obese women.

The results indicate that OSA severity varies with age and gender, with women having less severe syndrome in all ages. Obesity and snoring are OSA predictors in men and women of all ages. Excessive daytime sleepiness and hypertension were OSA predictors all participants except for women 21 to 40 years of age.

Read more about age and OSA here.

President Obama Calls Attention to Air Traffic Safety

04/15/2011 -

President Obama drew attention to the issue of air traffic safety today on Good Morning America. The dangers of shift work is receiving growing awareness as several air traffic controllers have fallen asleep on the job recently. The effects of shift work, and sleep disorders like insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea, can cause dangerous working situations. Sleep deprivation has been found to increase the risk of work-related accidents in transportation and medical industries.

Pediatric Sleep Apnea Treatment Effective Two Years Later

04/04/2011 -

A new study in the journal Sleep and Breathing found that rapid maxillary expansion (RME) was effective in treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children. The results of the treatment were apparent two years after treatment ended. RME involves widening the jaws using oral appliances.

The researchers evaluated the objective and subjective data over a 36-month follow-up period to determine whether RME is effective in the long-term treatment of OSA. The study included 14 children. The children's mean age was 6.6 years at entry and 9.7 years at the end of follow-up. Each child underwent an orthodontic assessment to detect possible jaw deviation from normal occlusion: deep bite, retrusive bite and crossbite.

A high angle face can cause breathing problems for children. Another common cause of OSA is large tonsils or adenoids. Removing the tonsils or readjusting the jaw line can help children breathe more easily during sleep.

All 14 children completed a 12-month therapeutic trial using RME and 10 enrolled in the follow-up study. Of the 10 children, five were male and five were female. The ten children took an overnight polysomnography (PSG) to test for the presence of OSA at baseline, after one year of treatment, and two years after treatment completion.

Results show that the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) decreased and the clinical symptoms had resolved by the end of the treatment period. Twenty-four months after the end of the treatment, no significant changes in the AHI or in other variables were observed.

The researchers concluded that RME may be a useful approach in children with malocclusion and OSA, as the effects of such treatment were found to persist 24 months after the end of treatment.

Learn more about children and sleep here.

Driver Fatigue Investigated After NYC Bus Crash

03/21/2011 -

In Dr. David Volpi's recent Huffington Post article, he writes that last week's bus accident that killed 15 people after crashing near the Bronx, NY, has raised multiple questions for federal investigators. The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate if the bus driver was so fatigued he was incapable of driving properly.

Dr. Volpi notes that there is no question that fatigue might have contributed to this crash since it is a major cause of crashes -- not just for buses, but for trucks, airplanes, trains and boating accidents, as well.

Drowsy driving is more prevalent than previously expected. Last fall, the American Automobile Association (AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety polled 2,000 drivers. One-third of them admitted to either nodding off or completely falling asleep while they were driving in the past year.

More than half of those polled by AAA reported they fell asleep on a high-speed highway. Although it might seem more common to doze off during long car rides, 59 percent said they'd been driving under an hour before they had fallen asleep. Drowsy driving can happen at any time. Twenty-six percent reported that it happened in the middle of the day, between noon and 5 p.m.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving "results in 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and more than 100,000 accidents each year" and that 57 percent of driving crashes caused by fatigue involved the driver drifting into other lanes or even off the road.

Motor vehicle accidents due to “drowsy driving” account for $48 billion in medical costs each year.

To prevent drowsy driving, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends the following tips:

Get a full night of seven to eight hours of sleep before driving.
Avoid driving late at night.
Avoid driving alone.
On a long trip, share the driving with another passenger.
Pull over at a rest stop and take a nap.
Use caffeine for a short-term boost.
Take a short nap after consuming caffeine to maximize the effect.
Arrange for someone to give you a ride home after working a late shift.

Learn more about drowsy driving here.

Can Sleep Apnea Jeopardize Brain Power?

03/16/2011 -

The association between moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and impaired neurocognitive function is well established. It is unclear whether this association is related to low oxygen levels or the repeated arousals during sleep.

A new study in the journal Sleep and Breathing examined the association between cogitative function and OSA.

Researchers aimed to describe verbal memory and executive function in adults using the Berlin Questionnaire. It also investigated the relationship between cognitive function and OSA severity. .

They study included 290 adults with an average age of 48 years. Fifty-five percent of participants were female. They received the Berlin Questionnaire by mail and demonstrated a high-risk for OSA. Participants’ verbal memory was assessed by Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test and executive function by the Stroop test. OSA severity indicators were measured by polysomnography (PSG).

Results show that average oxygen saturation was the indicator of OSA severity most strongly associated with cognitive function. Researchers found that adults at high risk of OSA demonstrated verbal memory and executive function impairments.

Find out if OSA is affecting your brain power.

Image by Rich Lyons

CDC Finds 1 in 20 Drivers Nod Off at the Wheel!

03/04/2011 -

This ABC video reports on the new Center for Disease Control (CDC) study examining American's sleep habits. It was the first time they looked at drowsy driving. One in twenty Americans admitted to nodding off at the wheel in the past month! The Department of Transportation estimates that drowsy driving accounts from more than 1,500 deaths and 40,000 injuries per year.

The report also found that 1/3 of Americans report getting less that the recommended 7 hours of sleep. Forty percent said they fell asleep unintentionally in the past month.

The Institute of Medicine estimates that 50 to 70 million Americans have a sleep disorder.

To date, there are about 90 official sleep disorders, the three most common being insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening disorder in which people stop breathing during sleep, Dr. Philip Westbrook, former president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, recently told Women’s Health.

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