MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'duration'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:29:21 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5158997&cid=t_115165_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-athletic-heart-how-it-functions%2F2011.08.24 It may seem a little formal to say this, but I would like to start by stating my goals for today’s post: Introduce the concept of the athletic heart; Touch upon the notion of sudden death of the athlete; Explain what an ECG really is, and how it may help diagnose heart disease; Review a recent study about the common ECG variant seen in athletes…Early repolarization. Intro: The adaptations of the human heart never cease to amaze me. Physical training transforms our hearts into high performance engines. Repeated sessions of interval training, combined with longer aerobic efforts, and sprinkled with adequate rest maximize our ability to keep pressure on the pedals, or run the sixth mile of the 10k at the same pace as the first, or for you swimmers, to keep getting back to the wall on th... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5158997 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:00:14 +0100 5158997 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3812564&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fsleep-7-hours-to-avoid-cardiovascular.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3812564 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:47:00 +0100 3812564 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3545313&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Flong-sleepers-at-risk-mortality-study.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3545313 Sat, 08 May 2010 13:00:00 +0100 3545313 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3403646&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fsleep-iq-are-kids-smarter-if-they-sleep.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3403646 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:53:00 +0100 3403646 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3398582&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fsleep-parenting-across-cultures.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3398582 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:05:00 +0100 3398582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3389207&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fsocial-networks-teen-drug-use-sleep.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3389207 Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:17:00 +0100 3389207 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3342283&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fsleep-race-in-america.html Author Studs Terkel called race “the American obsession.” In the U.S. race colors almost everything we do – even sleep.Today the National Sleep Foundation released the results of the 2010 Sleep in America Poll. It focused on the relationship between sleep and race.Telephone interviews were conducted with 1,007 adults between the ages of 25 and 60. The sample was equally divided among four groups: Asians, blacks, Hispanics and whites.Results show that the average reported nightly sleep time on workdays or weekdays was less than seven hours in each group. Blacks had the lowest average of 6.2 hours, and whites had the highest average of 6.9 hours.About 60 percent of blacks were “short sleepers” who reported sleeping less than seven hours per night during the week. Fifty percent of H... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3342283 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:37:00 +0100 3342283 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331057&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fsleep-loss-weight-gain-genetic-or.html There is growing evidence linking chronic sleep loss with an increased risk of obesity. Short sleep durations are associated with higher body mass index (BMI) scores.What is the nature of this relationship? Is it genetic? Environmental? Behavioral?A new study provides some intriguing insight. The results were published last month in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.The study surveyed 612 pairs of twins. Each pair was raised together in the same household.They had an average age of about 37 years. They reported their height, weight and habitual sleep duration.Results show that 25 percent of participants reported sleeping less than seven hours per night. These short sleepers had a higher average BMI (26.0) than those with a typical sleep duration of seven to 8.9 hours per night (24.8).... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331057 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:40:00 +0100 3331057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3322007&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fsleep-weight-abdominal-fat.html A new study examined the relationship between sleep duration and abdominal fat in a group of Hispanic and African-American young adults. The results were published today in the journal Sleep.The study involved 1,107 adults between 18 and 81 years of age. Data were collected from 332 African-Americans and 775 Hispanics. Sixty-two percent of participants were female.Body mass index (BMI) and abdominal fat were measured at a five-year interval. Belly fat was measured using abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans.Results show that the mean self-reported nightly sleep duration was 6.7 hours at baseline. Seventeen percent of the sample reported sleeping five hours or less per night.There was no link between sleep duration and abdominal fat change in people older than 40 years of age. But short ... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3322007 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:24:00 +0100 3322007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3306491&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Finsomnia-sleep-duration-risk-of-death.html A new study examined the relationship between insomnia, sleep duration and the risk of death. The results were published this month in the journal Sleep.The study involved 3,430 ethnic Chinese adults in Taiwan. They answered questions about lifestyle and sleep in 1990 – 1991.They reported their habitual sleep duration. They also answered the question, “How frequent is your insomnia complaint?” The four response options ranged from “no insomnia” to “insomnia nearly every day.”The median follow-up period was 15.9 years. Deaths were identified from official death certificates. Home visits also confirmed the deaths.Results show that 901 participants died, and 420 developed heart disease. The relative risk of death for people who reported sleeping five hours or less was 15 percent... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3306491 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:40:00 +0100 3306491 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302014&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fsleep-weight-gain-obesity.html A large Japanese study examined the relationship between sleep duration, weight gain and obesity. The results were published this month in the journal Sleep.The study involved 35,247 employees of an electric power company in Japan. They were evaluated at an annual health checkup in 2006 and 2007. Usual sleep duration was self-reported.Typically obesity in adults is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. But in this study a BMI of 25 or higher was considered to be obese. This criterion has been proposed for Asia-Pacific populations.Results show that about 36 percent of men and 12.5 percent of women were obese. About six percent of the non-obese men were obese at the one-year follow-up.Short sleep duration was associated with both weight gain and the development of obesit... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302014 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:56:00 +0100 3302014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3298021&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fsleep-work-worst-sleeping-jobs.html No one wants to have a bad-paying job. But what about a “bad-sleeping” job? Are employees in some industries more likely to be sleep deprived?A new study examined the data. The results were published this month in the journal Sleep.The study involved 66,099 employed workers in the U.S. They answered questions for the National Health Interview Survey between 2004 and 2007.Participants were asked, “On average, how many hours of sleep do you get in a 24-hour period?” Short sleep duration was defined as six hours of sleep or less in a 24-hour period.Results show that an estimated 28.4 percent of U.S. workers had a short sleep duration in 2007. This was lower than the rates of short sleep from 2004 to 2006. But comparisons with older data suggest that the average sleep duration has decl... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3298021 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:20:00 +0100 3298021 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3290666&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fbill-clinton-importance-of-sleep.html Former President Bill Clinton again emphasized the importance of sleep at a Clinton Foundation event earlier this week.Clinton was speaking about being admitted to the hospital to have a clogged artery opened. He placed part of the blame on his lack of sleep after responding to the recent earthquake in Haiti.“I didn’t sleep much for a month,” he said. “And that probably accelerated what was already going on with this failing vein.”Research does show that sleep can improve your heart health. Last year a study reported that men who went to bed before midnight had more relaxed arteries. Another study found that longer sleep duration was associated with a lower rate of coronary artery calcification. This is a predictor of coronary heart disease.This wasn’t the first time that Clint... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3290666 Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:38:00 +0100 3290666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3287452&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fone-more-hour-of-sleep-could-change.html ABC World News with Diane Sawyer reports that getting one more hour of sleep each night could improve your health, and change your life.The report cites a study of heart attacks in Sweden. It found that heart attacks rose by five percent in the week after the spring shift to daylight saving time. The researchers suggested that the results are related to sleep deprivation caused by the time change.ABC cites another study from the University of Chicago. It found that longer sleep duration was associated with a lower rate of coronary artery calcification. This is a predictor of coronary heart disease."Most of these findings are so recent that the average physician is unaware of the link between chronic sleep deprivation and cardiovascular disease," AASM member Dr. Charles Czeisler told ABC.So... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3287452 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:07:00 +0100 3287452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258603&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Flets-sleep-preventing-obesity-in.html Yesterday first lady Michelle Obama introduced the new “Let’s Move” campaign. She is taking on the issue of childhood obesity.The campaign is backed by a presidential memorandum signed by President Obama. It establishes a task force on childhood obesity.One key component of the Let’s Move campaign is to help parents make healthy choices. How can parents help their children maintain a healthy weight?A new study suggests that one way it to make sure that children get enough sleep. This is one of three household routines that may help prevent obesity in children.The study involved 8,550 children who were born in the U.S. in 2001. They were a part of the birth cohort of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study. Data were collected in 2005 when the children were 4 years old.Obesity was de... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258603 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:50:00 +0100 3258603 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3231179&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fyou-may-need-less-sleep-as-you-get.html A new study suggests that healthy older adults without sleep disorders may have a reduced "sleep need." The results were published in the Feb. 1 issue of the journal Sleep.The U.K. study involved 110 healthy adults. They had no sleep disorders or sleep complaints. Their sleep was evaluated during an overnight sleep study.Results show that total sleep time decreased with age. Older adults between 66 and 83 years of age slept about 20 minutes less than middle-aged adults and about 43 minutes less than young adults.The study also found that the sleep of older adults was more fragmented and less intense. Awakenings during the night increased. And time spent in deep, slow-wave sleep decreased.But it was younger adults who were sleepiest during the day. Older adults took longer to fall asleep du... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3231179 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:39:00 +0100 3231179 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3175602&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fsleep-performance-cost-of-sleep-debt.html A new study shows that chronic sleep loss has lasting effects on performance even after attempts to “catch up” on sleep.The study involved nine healthy volunteers. For three weeks they kept to a strict sleep/wake schedule. They remained awake for 33 hours at a time. Then they slept for periods of 10 hours.Results show that 10 hours of sleep always produced initial performance benefits. But performance quickly fell apart the longer they stayed awake.“One long night of sleep can restore performance to normal levels for about six hours after waking,” lead author Dr. Daniel Cohen said in a press release. “However, the lingering effect of chronic sleep loss causes performance to deteriorate dramatically when these individuals stay awake for an extended period of time.”The study foun... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3175602 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:50:00 +0100 3175602 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171585&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fwork-sleep-are-adults-sleeping-less-in.html Have adults in the U.S. been getting less sleep over the past three decades? A new study examined time-use surveys to find out. The results were published in the Jan. 1 issue of the journal Sleep.The study analyzed data from eight time-use surveys. The earliest survey was conducted in 1975. The most recent data came from the 2006 American Time Use Survey.Surveys were completed by more than 73,000 adults. They were at least 18 years of age. “Short sleep” was defined as less than six hours of sleep, nap or rest in a 24-hour period.Results show that the overall odds of being a short sleeper have not increased over the past 31 years. The highest proportion of short sleepers was 11.8 percent in the 1998-99 survey. The lowest proportion was 7.5 percent in the 1992-94 survey. The proportion w... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171585 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:07:00 +0100 3171585 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142237&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fteen-depression-suicide-sleep-early.html A new study shows that teens who go to bed early and get enough sleep may be less likely to suffer from depression and have suicidal thoughts. The results were published in the Jan. 1 issue of the journal Sleep.The study involved 15,659 adolescents in grades seven to 12. Data were collected from the teens and their parents.Teens who reported that they usually sleep for five hours or less per night were 71 percent more likely to suffer from depression. They also were 48 percent more likely to think about committing suicide than teens who reported getting eight hours of nightly sleep. Both depression and suicidal thoughts were less likely in teens who reported that they “usually get enough sleep.”Teens were more likely to have problems if their parents set a weeknight bedtime of midnight... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142237 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:23:00 +0100 3142237 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3104740&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Flife-death-sleep.html This week the CDC reported that in 2007 life expectancy at birth reached a record high of 77.9 years in the U.S.Women (80.4 years) had a longer life expectancy than men (75.3 years). There also was a gap between the life expectancy of whites (78.3 years) and blacks (73.7 years).Hawaii had the lowest age-adjusted death rate of all the states. West Virginia had the highest rate. In general, states in the Southeast had higher death rates than those in other regions of the country.The three leading causes of death were heart disease, cancer and stroke. This order has not changed since 1980. But it is likely that cancer will overtake heart disease as the leading cause of death in the U.S. at some point in the near future.Does sleep have anything to do with life expectancy? Research has found so... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3104740 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:31:00 +0100 3104740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3078994&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fsleep-hyperactive-boys.html A new study examined the link between sleep duration and hyperactivity in preschool children.The study involved 2,057 mothers in Quebec. They answered annual questionnaires until their child reached 5 years of age.Results show that nightly sleep duration and hyperactivity were significantly associated. Highly hyperactive children were five times more likely to have a short sleep duration. Short sleepers were four times more likely to have high hyperactivity.Boys were more likely than girls to be a hyperactive, short sleeper. Other risk factors included living in a low-income home and having a mother with a low education.“Hyperactivity problems may interfere with night-time sleep,” senior author Jacques Montplaisir said in a news release. “We found that children who didn't sleep long ... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3078994 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:21:00 +0100 3078994 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2980867&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fsleep-may-help-you-eat-healthier.html A new study examined the relationships between sleep, job strain and food choices.The Harvard study involved 542 men; their average age was 49 years. They were all motor freight workers who often work long hours and have irregular shifts.Results show that 51 percent reported getting adequate sleep. Almost 88 percent were satisfied with their job; about 30 percent reported job strain.Statistical analysis found that adequate sleep was associated with lack of job strain and healthful eating choices. Work experiences also were related to healthful food choices; but the effect was no longer significant when adequate sleep was included in the model.The authors concluded that adequate sleep is associated with more healthful food choices; sleep also may mediate the effects of workplace experiences... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2980867 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:14:00 +0100 2980867 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2943432&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fsleep-duration-obesity-in-children.html A new study examined the relationship between sleep duration and obesity in children.The study involved 5,159 children from 13 schools in Hong Kong; they had a mean age of 9 years. Sleep times and other data were collected using questionnaires.Results show that children with shorter sleep durations had higher body mass index scores. Children slept for more than 10 hours at night on weekends and holidays; but they slept for only a little more than nine hours on school nights.Children who slept less than eight hours during weekdays were more than two times more likely to be overweight or obese. The risk was highest in children who did not compensate for weekday sleep loss by sleeping longer on weekends and holidays.The Sleep Education Blog has reported on a variety of factors that contribute... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2943432 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:46:00 +0100 2943432 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2702058&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fshort-sleep-gene-when-six-hours-is.html A new study reports the discovery of the first gene involved in regulating the length of human sleep. A rare mutation in the “DEC2” gene enables some people to function well on only six hours of sleep per night.“Subjects with the mutation are able to live unaffected by shorter amounts of sleep throughout their lives,” senior author Ying-Hui Fu, PhD, said in a UC San Francisco statement.Researchers identified the gene mutation in a mother and daughter; both women go to bed around 10 or 10:30 p.m. and wake up at 4 or 4:30 a.m. without an alarm, reports the New York Times."It's not like they have sleep problems, they just don't sleep as much," Fu told NPR.But do people with the mutated gene really need less sleep? Or does the mutation prevent them from getting enough sleep?“Right no... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2702058 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:41:00 +0100 2702058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2699423&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fdaytime-sleepiness-can-be-pain.html A study in the Aug. 1 issue of the journal Sleep reports that healthy people may be more sensitive to pain if they are sleepy.The study involved 27 healthy, pain-free adults between 18 and 35 years of age. A physical exam, drug screening and lab tests confirmed that they were in good health. An overnight sleep study verified that they didn’t have a sleep disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea.Participants were grouped as “sleepy” or “non-sleepy” based on the results of a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT). The 14 people in the sleepy group fell asleep after an average of less than five minutes during the four daytime nap sessions; it took an average of about 13 minutes for the 13 non-sleepy people to fall asleep.All participants then spent eight hours in bed during a night at a... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2699423 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:30:00 +0100 2699423 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2695034&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fsleep-loss-type-2-diabetes-risk.html A new study adds to the evidence that links ongoing sleep loss with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.The small study involved 11 healthy volunteers; they had a mean age of 39 years. They were slightly overweight with an average body mass index (BMI) of 26.5.The volunteers spent two, 14-day periods in a sleep lab. The two studies were conducted at least three months apart, reports MedPage Today. During one study period participants spent 8.5 hours in bed each night; during the other two-week study period their nightly time in bed was restricted to only 5.5 hours. In both studies their daytime activities were limited; but they were able to eat as much and as often as they wanted.Bedtime restriction reduced their nightly sleep duration by more than two hours; during those two weeks they s... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2695034 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:06:00 +0100 2695034 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2678464&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fchild-sleep-problems-may-begin-in-womb.html A study in the Aug. 1 issue of the journal Sleep examined prenatal factors that are related to sleep problems in children.The study involved 289 children born in Finland in 1998; each child was born at term from 37 to 42 weeks of gestation. Sleep was measured by actigraphy for one week when the children were 8 years of age. Parents reported sleep problems and sleep disorder symptoms.Results link prenatal alcohol exposure to an increased risk of sleep problems in childhood. Alcohol "exposure" was defined as a mother drinking more than one alcoholic beverage per week during pregnancy.Children exposed to alcohol before birth were 2.5 times more likely to have a “short” sleep duration of 7.7 hours or less per night. The AASM reports that at 8 years of age children need about nine to 10 hou... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2678464 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:36:00 +0100 2678464 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2569850&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fsleep-duration-risk-of-death.html The AASM reports that most adults need about seven to eight hours of nightly sleep to feel alert and well rested during the day. But is it dangerous if you regularly get less sleep or more sleep? Does “short sleep” or “long sleep” increase your risk of death?A new study took a look at the evidence. The systematic review analyzed data from other studies. In each study sleep duration was measured by self-report.Sixteen studies measured short sleep and mortality. The combined results show that having a short sleep duration was associated with a 10 percent increase in the risk of death.Why? Other research offers possible explanations. Studies have linked short sleep to an increased risk of diabetes, obesity and hypertension.What about long sleep duration? Seventeen studies reported dat... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2569850 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:17:00 +0100 2569850 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2550162&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fbonne-nuit-sleep-lessons-from-france.html In May the Sleep Education Blog reported that people in France rank first in the world in getting the most sleep. One reason they get more sleep than Americans may be that they work four fewer hours per week.Author Mireille Guiliano recently offered her own perspective on the sleeping prowess of the French. Guiliano grew up in provincial France and was educated in Paris. Currently she resides in Manhattan.She has observed that Americans “seem to think it’s a badge of honor to sleep five or six hours a night.” As a result, she believes that, “Sleep…is the most neglected state of being in American life.”How do people in France get more sleep than Americans? One key difference Guiliano noted has to do with TV.“The French don’t watch much television,” she wrote. So while Amer... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2550162 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 10:15:00 +0100 2550162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2507270&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fsleep-improves-sports-performance.html A study that was presented last week at SLEEP 2009 in Seattle, Wash., adds to the evidence that sleep can improve sports performance.The ongoing study at Stanford involved five members of the women’s tennis team. They maintained their regular sleep routine for two to three weeks during the season. Then they extended their sleep to 10 hours per night for five to six weeks. Performance was measured after ever practice.Results show that sleep extension was associated with significant performance improvements. The athletes were faster during sprinting drills; their hitting accuracy also improved.Sleep extension also led to changes in mood. Daytime sleepiness and fatigue decreased, and energy increased.“Many do not realize that optimal or peak performance can only occur when an athlete’s ... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2507270 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:30:00 +0100 2507270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2507274&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Frace-sleep-obesity.html A study that was presented this week at SLEEP 2009 in Seattle, Wash., examined the link between race, sleep and obesity. The study involved 29,818 U.S. adults. The data came from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey. Information was collected during face-to-face interviews. Results show that 52 percent of blacks and 38 percent of whites were obese. Only 23 percent of blacks and 30 percent of whites reported sleeping seven hours per night. Blacks also were more likely than whites to have a “short sleep” duration of five hours or less per night. So was there a connection between race, sleep and obesity? Statistical analysis showed that blacks had a 78 percent increased risk of obesity related to short sleep; the risk of obesity related to short sleep in whites was increased by ... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2507274 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:15:00 +0100 2507274 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2463633&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Finsomnia-linked-to-increased-risk-of.html A study being presented today at SLEEP 2009 in Seattle, Wash., links insomnia with short sleep duration to increased mortality. This risk was found in men. The study also found an increased risk in women; but it was not statistically significant.The study involved 1,741 adults. Their sleep was monitored in a sleep lab. Then they were followed up for 10 to 14 years.Results show that the highest risk of dying was in men with chronic insomnia who slept five to six hours in the sleep lab. They were five times more likely to die during follow-up; men with insomnia who slept five hours or less were 4.5 times more likely to die. Controlling for depression and sleep-disordered breathing did not change the pattern.The same research team published a related study in the April 1 issue of the journal ... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2463633 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:01:00 +0100 2463633 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2397601&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fsleep-around-world-what-about-children.html As the Sleep Education Blog reported, the OECD recently compared the sleep times of people in 18 countries. It found that people in Korea and Japan get the least sleep; people in the U.S. have the second-highest daily sleep time. The U.S. time use survey involved people who were 15 years of age and older.But what about children? Are there differences around the world in how long children normally sleep?A study abstract presented last June at SLEEP 2008 provided some insights. It focused on 17 countries that were primarily Asian or Caucasian.The study involved parents of more than 21,000 infants and toddlers; the age range of the children was from newborn to three years of age. The parents completed a questionnaire about their child’s sleep.The study found a pattern that is similar to the... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2397601 Thu, 07 May 2009 15:23:00 +0100 2397601 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2397602&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fsleep-in-america-closer-look-at-time.html Yesterday, the Sleep Education Blog described a new OECD report. It states that the U.S. ranks second in the world in average daily sleep time. Today, let’s take a closer look at the survey data.The OECD report states that survey methods may vary to some degree between the 18 participating countries. In the U.S., the American Time Use Survey includes people 15 years of age and older.The survey is conducted by telephone. Respondents report how long they slept between 4 a.m. on the previous day and 4 a.m. on the day of the survey.So the survey doesn’t measure a person’s typical sleep duration. And “sleep time” includes both nighttime sleep and daytime naps.The average self-reported sleep times in the survey vary by age. The 2007 American Time Use Survey shows that teens and older a... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2397602 Wed, 06 May 2009 14:21:00 +0100 2397602 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2397603&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fsleep-around-world-france-ranks-first.html A new OECD report compares 2006 time use surveys from 18 countries. Results show that people in France report getting the most sleep at about 8.8 hours per day.The U.S. ranks second, just 12 minutes behind at about 8.6 hours of sleep per day. People in Korea and Japan get the least sleep at about 7.8 hours per day.Why do the French get more sleep than Americans? One reason may be that they work less.The report indicates that Americans work an average of 41.3 hours per week. People in France work an average of 37.3 hours per week.A 2007 study in the journal Sleep analyzed data from previous American Time Use Surveys. Results suggest that work time is the strongest indicator of sleep time.Tomorrow we’ll take a closer look at the survey data. We’ll see what it does and doesn’t tell us a... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2397603 Tue, 05 May 2009 17:53:00 +0100 2397603 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2387680&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fsleep-h1n1-swine-flu-virus.html The H1N1 flu virus, or “swine flu,” has infected people in 20 countries. This includes people in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. How can you protect yourself from this new virus?The CDC advises you to get plenty of sleep. This will help your body to maintain a strong immune system.In January the Sleep Education Blog reported on a study linking sleep and the immune system. Participants were exposed to a “rhinovirus” – the common cold.People who reported sleeping less than seven hours per night were three times more likely to develop a cold. The AASM recommends that adults get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.To keep from getting the flu, the CDC also recommends that you wash your hands often. Keep active, eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid close contact with... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2387680 Mon, 04 May 2009 16:53:00 +0100 2387680 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2387681&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fearly-bedtime-may-improve-your-heart.html A new study shows that going to bed before midnight may be good for your health. You may be less likely to have hardened arteries.The study involved 251 healthy men. They were all younger than 61 years of age. They had an annual check up to measure their health. They also reported their typical bedtime and sleep duration.The men were put into three groups based on their self-reported sleep duration: less than six hours, six to seven hours, and seven hours or more. In each of these groups, the men who reported going to bed before midnight had more relaxed arteries.“We speculate that going to bed late somehow disturbs our habitual, biological sleep patterns,” study author Dr. Yu Misao said in a prepared statement. “We should consider getting our sleep habits as close to what our bodies... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2387681 Sun, 03 May 2009 11:05:00 +0100 2387681 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2375328&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fstudy-links-sleep-loss-to-adhd-symptoms.html 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... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2375328 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:35:00 +0100 2375328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2299067&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Finsomnia-with-objective-short-sleep_01.html A new study in the Journal SLEEP found that insomnia with objectively short sleep time is a significant risk factor for hypertension. The study involved 1,741 men and women randomly selected from central Pennsylvania. Participants were categorized as normal sleepers, poor sleepers and chronic insomniacs based on symptoms of insomnia and objectively measured sleep duration. Results indicated that the people at highest risk for hypertension were those with insomnia and less than five hours of sleep per night. Lead author of the study Alexandros N. Vgontzas of Penn State College of Medicine said that both quality and quantity of sleep play a role in determining the risk for high blood pressure. This means that not every person suffering from insomnia is at an increased risk for hyper... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2299067 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:06:00 +0100 2299067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2207955&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fto-sleep-or-to-wake-drowsy-driving.html Today Boston Globe writer Geoff Edgers shares some interesting insights from his recent episode of drowsy driving.It wasn’t quite a near-death experience. But it was enough to destroy his tire. And put a scare into the friend who was riding with him.It also caused him to question his priorities. Where exactly is sleep supposed to fit in his busy schedule? It seems like the need for sleep is a frustrating nuisance that prevents him from getting more done.One of Edgers’ main complaints is that he feels like he doesn’t have time to sleep. In a competitive workplace he can’t get by on talent alone. He has to put in more time than the next person.On top of that there are other obligations that demand his time. Family. Hobbies. Other projects.Is it worth it to cut back on something he va... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2207955 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:17:00 +0100 2207955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2207958&cid=t_115165_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fcan-sleep-diet-really-help-you-lose.html Research has linked your risk of obesity to how long you normally sleep. So can you lose weight by getting more sleep?Seven women decided to take the challenge. Their story is told in Glamour magazine and on the Today show.They practiced a specially designed “Sleep Diet” for 10 weeks. They were told to refrain from making any other changes to their eating or exercise habits.The results? Six of the seven women stuck to the sleep plan and lost weight; one woman was unable to follow the plan because of her work schedule. The women lost six to 15 pounds each.Here’s the sleep plan they followed:Get at least 7.5 hours of sleep each night.Go to sleep and wake up at the same times every day. A one or two-hour change was allowed on weekends, as long as they still slept for at least 7.5 hours.... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2207958 Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:52:00 +0100 2207958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1865455&cid=t_115165_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F10%2F09%2Ftms-treatment-for-depression-gains-fda-approval%2F For anyone looking for an alternative to medications or ECT for the treatment of depression, there’s a new FDA-approved option: transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). NeuroStar TMS Therapy® is specifically indicated for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in adult patients who have failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from one prior antidepressant medication at or above the minimal effective dose and duration in the current episode. In clinical trials with NeuroStar TMS Therapy, these patients had been treated with a median of 4 medication treatment attempts, one of which achieved criteria for adequate dose and duration. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) utilizes an electromagnet placed on the scalp that generates magnetic field pulses roughly the strength o... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1865455 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:43:05 +0100 1865455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1128841&cid=t_115165_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F210628376%2F How many times before have I mentioned the importance of sleep and your bodies ability to regulate glucose? A few at least. There is yet further proof to this theory and I have been holding off writing about it due to it being somewhat repetitive, but I have seen it so frequently that I think it is worth another mention. The US team discovered that volunteers who were roused whenever they were about to fall into the deepest sleep developed insulin resistance. This inability of the body to recognize normal insulin signals leads to high blood sugar levels, weight gain and, eventually, even type 2 diabetes. Personally, I have been in trouble from the start. My kids are such horrible sleepers and my hubby and I have not slept through the night in 7 years. Not to mention that a pin drop wakes ... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1128841 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:33:21 +0100 1128841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=975027&cid=t_115165_107_f&fid=36585&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHighlightHealth%2F%7E3%2F174153061%2F This article was published on Highlight HEALTH. (Source: Highlight HEALTH) Highlight HEALTH blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=975027 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 05:23:26 +0100 975027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=569556&cid=t_115165_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F25%2Fthought-for-the-day-shielding-astronauts-from-cancer%2F Filed under: All Cancers, Research, Environment, Products, Daily news, Thought for the DayThose venturing into space face a very serious occupational hazard -- cancer. The disease can be caused by radiation from the cosmic rays and solar flares astronauts encounter when they travel beyond the Earth's protective magnetic layer or magnetosphere.British scientists are working on rectifying this problem by creating a Star Trek-style deflector shield to protect astronauts from radiation.Think about this:Scientists wish to mimic the magnetic field that protects the Earth with shields deployed around spacecraft and on the surfaces of planets to deflect harmful energetic particles. Details, presented at the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy Meeting in Preston, UK, include the followi... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=569556 Wed, 25 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 569556