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 'insomnia'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:51:08 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5094832&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F08%2Fstaying-asleep-other-side-of-insomnia.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5094832 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:45:00 +0100 5094832 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5036280&cid=t_101362_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2FILnQI1hFutw%2F URL: http://www.synergyservices.org/Ending violence in our community requires a comprehensive approach of efforts to provide safe places for victims of violence, to empower survivors to rise above their circumstances and to educate the entire community. Through integrated programs in the areas of residential services, clinical services and community education, Synergy touched more than 40,000 people last year. For: Anyone, ConsumersTopics: Anger, Anxiety, Behaviour Management, Child and Adolescent, Clinical Psychology, Depression, Emotional Health, Insomnia, Life, Lifestyle, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Quality of Life, Self-help, Solution Focused, StressFeatures: Collaborative News, Information Ending violence in our community requires a comprehensive approach of efforts to provide... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5036280 Sat, 16 Jul 2011 17:00:23 +0100 5036280 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008657&cid=t_101362_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FzvMEtESvnWs%2F File this under ‘Only In Your Dreams.’ To promote its Zolfresh sleeping pill in India, Abbott Laboratories has embarked on an advertising campaign that is being harshly criticized for using unproven data and old-fashioned fear in the guise of educating consumers about insomnia. Moreover, critics say the ads may prompt some people to buy potentially harmful pills that are not really needed, Reuters writes in an interesting expose. To wit, a newspaper ad featuring an attractive Bollywood actress warns that “Hard Work Never Kills. Lack of Sleep Can.” The message then says that “Research shows that sleeping less than 6 hours at night leads to (a) 48 percent increase in developing or dying from heart disease.” But the research cited only demonstrates an assoc... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008657 Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:12:36 +0100 5008657 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5007402&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F07%2Ffighting-insomnia-with-your-brain.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5007402 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 21:36:00 +0100 5007402 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992168&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fcooling-cap-could-provide-insomnia.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992168 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:52:00 +0100 4992168 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968487&cid=t_101362_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhy-only-some-people-experience-high-altitude-sickness%2F2011.06.26 Hi! Greetings from Breckenridge, Colorado. At 10,000 feet, I am told it is the highest resort town in North America. The Rocky Mountain scenery is breathtaking. But there’s a problem for about one in four of us who visit here, especially people like me who live at sea level. We can get hit with high altitude sickness and a few days ago, I was one of the unlucky ones. What happens is your body isn’t used to the thin air and your blood has difficulty getting enough oxygen to your body. It usually happens at altitudes over 8,500 feet. You get an ongoing headache, you feel tired, you have insomnia (I was sleepless for two nights!), you could have nausea and certainly fatigue. Drinking lots of water and passing up alcohol can help, but even then some people have problems. When I finally sa... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968487 Sun, 26 Jun 2011 14:00:35 +0100 4968487 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775579&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2FQPuNfogxByQ%2Ften-ways-i-focusing-in-on-my-success.html With a new week ahead of us, today is a perfect day to get started on whatever we've been putting off starting. You KNOW you've been putting off SOMETHING. Isn't that always the case? No? I envy you then. Unfortunately for me, I have too many irons in the fire all the time. I don't actively put anything off; procrastination is just what happens on my way to something new & exciting. This week I am fired up, however. I have decided to finish my first draft at all costs this month. You may recall that I have been confronting my obstacles over the past year in an effort to become an author. I set big goals and made big mistakes, but I learned so much about myself and how to overcome my limitations.Setting big goals is the easy part. To make this new goal happen I am knuckling down on Distract... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775579 Mon, 02 May 2011 20:17:52 +0100 4775579 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592663&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2FAwcHIg9Dsn4%2Fdistracted-how-adhd-almost-kicked-my.html As I wrote before in "Writing and Succeeding Despite My Brain", I planned on writing about how ADHD & Distraction played a part in my writing goals over the year. Then I got distracted. 3. Distractions: Interesting things all around are as kryptonite to the ADHD mind. In hindsight, my focus on finishing a novel or three by my 44th birthday was a highly motivating factor that helped stave off most distractions. I didn't suddenly decide to become a lion tamer, or become convinced that I needed to create a network of blogs about SciFi TV with affiliate links to Amazon to roll in the scores of pennies that were bound to come my way. I said "no" to many new projects and stayed focused. However, my progress wasn't very impressive. I've covered here numerous times since August how I wrote myse... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592663 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 21:15:27 +0100 4592663 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591453&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fwhy-accidents-increase-after-daylight.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591453 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:55:00 +0100 4591453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4575245&cid=t_101362_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F9SFnI_wDtgA%2F If music soothes the savage beast, what could music do for doctors? Back in the 1960’s, at least two drugmakers decided music was a good way to sell their meds to the prescription pad crowd. But there had to be a hook. And so both Merck and Abbott Labs had RCA Victor create custom-made LP’s featuring mood music, and the albums were given to docs in order to promote…mood-altering drugs. Get it? The other day, we wrote about a 1966 Merck LP, which was called ‘Symposium in Blues’ and featured songs by several blues artists in order to pitch the Elavil antidepressant (look here). As it turns out, three years earlier, there was ‘Music to Nudge You to Sleep,’ which featured Arthur Fiedler conducting the Boston Pops Orchestra. This collection was used to ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4575245 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:43:02 +0100 4575245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4565674&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fsleep-in-america-2011-sleep-technology.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4565674 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 22:57:00 +0100 4565674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4482330&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fpoor-sleep-worsens-arthritis-patients.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4482330 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 22:56:00 +0100 4482330 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450028&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fshort-sleep-adds-to-colon-cancer-risk.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4450028 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 20:09:00 +0100 4450028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4424446&cid=t_101362_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F9T5uMwVXXjQ%2F The list of product web sites that manage to get consumers to actually do something contains some very familiar names, such as Viagra, Nexium, Yaz and Lunesta. Of course, these are used to treat rather common concerns and all have, at one time or another, been widely advertised. Yet they also share something else in common - often, coupons are available, according to a recent survey that found, on average, 74 percent of consumers took some type of action after visiting a product web site. In other words, coupons appear to act as a motivator for following up in some fashion. “One thing we see when looking at satisfaction in years past is that there seems to be a high correlation beween satisfaction and a coupon,” says Meredith Ressi, president of Manhattan Research, which canvas... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4424446 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:04:32 +0100 4424446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4411725&cid=t_101362_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fm_6xhh7VWFQ%2F And so another week will soon draw to a close, which means the time has come to daydream, just a little, about the weekend. Anything special planned? We hope to catch up on our reading and spend time with Mrs. Pharmalot. And we also want to kvell since one of our short people is celebrating another milestone. How about you? Will you take in a movie? Find a good restaurant? Buy a new shovel, perhaps? Whatever your fancy, have a great time, and be safe. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits. See you soon… New Cypress Bioscience Owners Oust CEO (San Diego Union Tribune) Glaxo And Actelion End Development Of Insomnia Pill (Bloomberg News) Bayer And Zydus Cadila Form JV To Sell Drugs In India (Business Standard) Sanofi-Aventis Cancer Drug Has Little Effect In Study (Associated Press) Are Cipla... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4411725 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:14:21 +0100 4411725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4337590&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fdid-sleep-deprivation-lead-to-attack-on.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4337590 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:09:00 +0100 4337590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4314228&cid=t_101362_165_f&fid=37959&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthskills.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F06%2Fsleep-posts-from-2010%2F Sleep is so important for wellbeing (ask any young parent!), and yet many people with chronic pain have really poor and unrefreshing sleep, and very poor sleep habits.  Some pain conditions show changes to the quality of the sleep stages (such as fibromyalgia for example), to the point where these changes can almost be diagnostic, while many people with chronic pain also have low mood in which sleep disruption is a common feature. I’ve written about sleep several times over the past year, and today I provide links to some of these posts for your education and enjoyment. Sleep problems in chronic pain and what helps – Pain can be associated with a sense of poorer quality sleep, and could well have been a factor influencing the onset of insomnia, it’s often other factors that ... HealthSkills Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4314228 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:13:48 +0100 4314228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4241479&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Floud-snoring-and-insomnia-symptoms-may.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4241479 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 23:02:00 +0100 4241479 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4232859&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fsleep-suffers-in-wartime-deployment.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4232859 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 20:50:00 +0100 4232859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4196706&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fclock-gene-levels-linked-to-insomnia.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4196706 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:52:00 +0100 4196706 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4081680&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fsleep-complaints-common-for-arthritis.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4081680 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 22:27:00 +0100 4081680 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4036177&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fworkplace-disability-value-of-sleep.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4036177 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 18:40:00 +0100 4036177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031473&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E5%2Fy1OeTdYDbmk%2F My mind has been turning and mulching and plowing and harrowing something I read on Friday. It fit in perfectly with concerns I've been having with my productivity. As you likely know if you've been following this blog, I am trying to overcome my disabilities in order to write a book or three. I've had success. I've had a lot of success, to be honest. However, I haven't met my goals completely. ADHD and Insomnia still remain my greatest hurdles. In addition, my gig at HealthyPlace set me behind further than I had feared. Now I must suddenly not have my problems so that I can meet the goal by December 23rd. Obviously, minds don't work that way. Since I can't wave a magic will-wand to make my disabilities disappear, I have to deal with them the hard way. This calls for lots of thinking and... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031473 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 09:02:10 +0100 4031473 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4003417&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2Fa9I_cs576xw%2Fmy-brain-has-flat-but-im-jammin-tunes.html Since identifying that Depression had sunk its hooks in me, I've been making a transformation in my life. First, I stopped wearing black and listening to The Cure, and I started wearing sepia and listening to Bluegrass & Country tunes about lost dreams to really brighten my day. "Whiskey Lullaby", "I Can't Love You Anymore", "If I Die Young", "Ghost In this House", and "Hurt" gave me that little extra oomph I needed. So bring on the pain, let it kill your memory. Bring on the rain, let it drown what's left of you and me. I know the only way I'm ever gonna make it, is burying the best of us even though it's killing me. 'Cuz I don't love you any less, but I can't love you anymore. Let me tell you. It's the small things that make a BIG difference. Wow. Am I happier… Actually, I am happier... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4003417 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 22:47:21 +0100 4003417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4003092&cid=t_101362_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fachieve-a-deep-uninterrupted-sleep-2%2F This article from Readers Digest may help. Night-time Habits Blessed sleep — the holy grail of health. Lack of sleep can send your blood sugar levels skyrocketing, contribute to weight gain, lead to depression, put you at risk for diabetes, and cause brain damage. Since we’re all in agreement that a good night’s sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health and mood, pick three of these tips to follow each night until you get the night’s sleep you so desperately crave. The article has 24 hints that you can choose from. If your 3 don’t work try others or a different combination. The hints are; Create a transition routine. Figure out your body cycle. Sprinkle just-washed sheets and pillowcases with lavender water Hide your clock under your ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4003092 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 16:06:00 +0100 4003092 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3994369&cid=t_101362_165_f&fid=37959&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthskills.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F23%2Fworking-with-thoughts-habits-take-time-to-change%2F If only there was a magic wand. I could make millions out of a ‘quick fix’ to changing habits! Unfortunately my magic wand is red and glittery – and plastic. I call it my ‘self management’ wand because it reminds me that self management is no quick fix, and a good deal of the work we need to do is about helping people recognize unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that might work in the short term, but not so in the long term. Changing patterns for sleeping well despite chronic pain is no different – what might have been going on for years isn’t likely to change overnight. Some of the thoughts that people have when embarking on cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia can be quite unhelpful. One woman I worked with became despondent and eventually gav... HealthSkills Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3994369 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 18:35:51 +0100 3994369 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993275&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fchildhood-money-troubles-lead-to.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993275 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:11:00 +0100 3993275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3987247&cid=t_101362_165_f&fid=37959&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthskills.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F21%2Fthinking-about-sleep-or-not%2F It’s 3.00 in the morning.  You haven’t slept since you got into bed at 11.00, and the last time you had a full night’s sleep was some months ago.  Every morning you wake up feeling as though you haven’t really slept yet – and every day is just the same. I can understand why people who have sleeping problems (and yes, I’m one of them!) often have quite strong reactions when they’re introduced to some of the concepts that are most successful for restoring a normal sleep pattern.  While the basic principles of sleep hygiene are well-known and reasonably simple, putting them – and other more challenging strategies in place – can be quite a difficult process. It’s what goes through a person’s mind that makes it difficult &#821... HealthSkills Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3987247 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 09:06:04 +0100 3987247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3981965&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fsmall-study-shows-soy-may-help.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3981965 Sat, 18 Sep 2010 12:44:00 +0100 3981965 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3980989&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fsleep-overcome-me.html I just apprehensively drove to my father’s pharmacy feeling it was best to do what I was about to do face to face instead of on the phone. I needed relief and I needed it today. Friday’s are dad’s slow day with a co-pharmacist on duty. Mom says he sits in his office on the Internet and watching TV. I thought it was the perfect opportunity to ask for help in getting some sleep. The Ambien is just not working any longer and my Klonopin are like taking a placebo. “Dad?” I asked as we walked out into the pharmacy away from the busy counter. “Do you have any thing over the counter I can take for sleep?” “We both know you can’t take Benadryl,” dad replied as we surveyed all our options where the OTC medications are kept. “You’ve have addiction issues with it in the past. ... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3980989 Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:03:00 +0100 3980989 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3976304&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fsweating-off-insomnia-works-new-study.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3976304 Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:34:00 +0100 3976304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3976672&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fgoing-to-have-to-quit-driving-soon.html “My new car is making a strange noise when I take the key out of the ignition to get out,” mom said on the phone last night worried, afraid to tell my father. “It’s a buzzing sound. It has been doing it all afternoon. I was almost afraid to drive it all day today.” I was due for work in an hour, but decided to drive over anyway – worried something was bad wrong with mom’s new Civic. Mom had the garage door up and ready for me when I arrived. I immediately knew what the problem was when I pulled up behind mom’s parked car. Her parking lights were on and the buzzing sound was the car telling her she left her lights on when she took her key out. “Don’t tell your father!” mom pleaded with me. “I feel so stupid! I can’t believe I had left the lights on. I don’t remem... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3976672 Thu, 16 Sep 2010 08:23:00 +0100 3976672 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3973094&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fgoing-to-have-to-quit-driving-soon.html “My new car is making a strange noise when I take the key out of the ignition to get out,” mom said on the phone last night worried, afraid to tell my father. “It’s a buzzing sound. It has been doing it all afternoon. I was almost afraid to drive it all day today.” I was due for work in an hour, but decided to drive over anyway – worried something was bad wrong with mom’s new Civic. Mom had the garage door up and ready for me when I arrived. I immediately knew what the problem was when I pulled up behind mom’s parked car. Her parking lights were on and the buzzing sound was the car telling her she left her lights on when she took her key out. “Don’t tell your father!” mom pleaded with me. “I feel so stupid! I can’t believe I had left the lights on. I don’t remem... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3973094 Thu, 16 Sep 2010 08:23:00 +0100 3973094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3965201&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fmany-non-depressed-insomniacs-have.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3965201 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:39:00 +0100 3965201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3942997&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2FSwLTZk1Joto%2Fbehold-i-write-with-words-and-such.html So what have I been doing since August 31st? I've been thinking a lot about what worked and what didn't work for me with my last gig. ADHD occasionally wreaked havoc. Depression reared its mangy head from time to time, but over all my insomnia, health, and tic disorder where the most debilitating. I couldn't do anything about the tic disorder, but I could do something about the other two.  For the past three weeks I've been on a diet of discarded sunflower seeds and distilled water. Yummy! OK, I'm kidding. For the past three weeks I've been following the Forever Fit plan, and I've lost about 16lbs. My goal is to get down to 225lbs by the end of September—only 9.4lbs away. Already I am healthier. I biked 30 miles last week and I'm eating better. In fact, one interesting side-effect of ... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3942997 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:00:05 +0100 3942997 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3938485&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2F-ltplOkWdK0%2Fsordid-details.html If you've been following my escapades over at ADDaboy!, you'll know that I recently quit blogging over there so that I could focus on my book writing. I promised more details later, and now is later. I started off the year with a big goal. I wanted to write a picture book, a chapter book, and a novel by the time I turned 44 in December. I figured this would be a good way to determine which format suited me best. This seemed a fool hearty goal to some, but I knew I would learn important things about myself if I undertook a massive goal. Since being the first 43 year old to travel around the world in an inflatable raft seemed an unlikely goal to achieve, due in no small part to not owning a raft, I opted to pursue the former goal. Then I was given the opportunity to work for HealthyPlace.c... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3938485 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:00:01 +0100 3938485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3924542&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fchronic-insomnia-death-risk-for-men.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3924542 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:32:00 +0100 3924542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3880548&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Finfant-comfort-helps-adults-sleep.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3880548 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:45:00 +0100 3880548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3872521&cid=t_101362_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fnot-sleeping-sucks-could-cherry-juice-help-insomnia%2F photo: Thinkstock What’s the best drink for falling asleep at night? A bottle of red wine, right? Nope, but another red drink might do the trick. Researchers found that adults who drank eight ounces of tart cherry juice every morning and evening for two weeks had a significant drop in insomnia during those two weeks. The reason is the antioxidant melatonin in cherry juice. It is produced naturally by the body, and it helps make you sleepy at night and awake during the day. Would you try this to get better sleep? via Huffington Post Post from: BlissTree Not Sleeping Sucks: Could Cherry Juice Help Insomnia? (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3872521 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:42:45 +0100 3872521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3872238&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fcpap-for-sleep-apnea-obstructed-by.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3872238 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:21:00 +0100 3872238 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3868626&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fsleep-drug-during-depression-treatment.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3868626 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 12:26:00 +0100 3868626 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3848848&cid=t_101362_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2F193772%2F Rock-a-bye…Fully Grown Adult? The best treatment for insomnia may be a gadget about the size of an MP3 player that connects to the mastoid bone behind your ear. It creates the feeling of being rocked, and was found to be very effective at treating insomnia in lab tests. (via The Huffington Post) Post from: BlissTree (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3848848 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 20:10:34 +0100 3848848 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3794395&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fmany-children-in-mental-health.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3794395 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:18:00 +0100 3794395 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3753515&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Ftart-cherry-juice-can-help-but-wont.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3753515 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:47:00 +0100 3753515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3730072&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fcathartic-carts.html Work went well this morning.  I was a little tired from lack of sleep, but I handled it with aplomb. Today, I was quietly left to do my job with no supervision which was very, very nice. I wanted to settle into a regular and normal routine.  I want to know what to expect with each day with little surprises.  I didn’t want the socialization of yesterday that involved my coach showing me the ropes all morning.  I was thrown to the wolves as they say and I did fine.  There were only a few moments of stress when the carts seemed to back up faster than I could gather them, but I would eventually get caught up with persistence.  I kept having to tell myself that I used to be a research technician at a major university so surely I could handle this job.  ... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3730072 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:55:00 +0100 3730072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3724385&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fholiday-humor-goofy-gets-insomnia-in.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3724385 Sun, 04 Jul 2010 13:45:00 +0100 3724385 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3710530&cid=t_101362_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2F186014%2F Before you spend $60,000 on a new bed hoping for a better night’s sleep, check out this Q&A about insomnia in today’s Consults, the New York Times health blog. Post from: BlissTree (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3710530 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 03:00:32 +0100 3710530 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3666075&cid=t_101362_117_f&fid=37824&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.doctorkalitenko.com%2Fblog%2Fgeneral-health%2Finsomnia-keeps-you-from-problem-solving We all know how we get when we don’t have enough sleep. We are cranky and we look terrible. Often, we are too tired to perform our normal daily tasks. But those are just the things we notice right away. Dig deeper and see how having an unhealthy sleep pattern can affect your brain much more severely than you may think. Take for example our ability to make quick and smart decisions, or to solve problems. All of those examples are hindered on even just one night of bad sleep. Imagine how a person with insomnia must feel. Every doctor will stress the importance of good sleeping habits, but a doctor, practicing functional medicine, will get to the root of the problem, find out what it causing your bad sleep, and help you solve it. There could be many reasons why you are not sleeping well. Ev... Doctor Kalitenko antiaging blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3666075 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:50:45 +0100 3666075 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3665752&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fmoderate-aerobic-exercise-can-improve.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3665752 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:42:00 +0100 3665752 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3652124&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fnon-stop-lifestyle-catches-up-with.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3652124 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:12:00 +0100 3652124 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3645056&cid=t_101362_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FNaS_mp6oKTA%2F Top of the morning to you. Hope you feel refreshed and energetic. And why not? As the Morning Mayor used to say: ‘Every brand new day should be unwrapped like a precious gift.’ Nothing like a gentle reminder to look on the sunny side, yes? Meanwhile, here are a few items to keep you moving in the right direction. Have a great day and do stay in touch… FDA To Review New Morning After Pill (USA Today) Regeneron, New Drugs And Big Partners (Bloomberg News) Glaxo Cancer Drug Bounced Again By UK’s NICE (Reuters) Pfizer Halts Sale Of Vaccine Linked To Bleeding Calve Syndrome (Herald Scotland) Charles River Shareholder Opposes WuXi Deal (Outsourcing Pharma) Merck Insomnia Drug Improves Sleep: Study (Reuters) Bayer To Emphasize Sales Growth Over Margins (Reuters) pic courte... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3645056 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:49:24 +0100 3645056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3640626&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fstudy-insomnia-linked-to-earlier-death.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3640626 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:41:00 +0100 3640626 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3629847&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2FQLa88tQb5NE%2Fand-so-began-my-day.html Today was supposed to be my big "writer's escape". We can't afford to send me away to a workshop this year, not with the costs of computers and sudden car repairs being what they are. I can't even afford a weekend retreat locked away in a motel somewhere. But I could, theoretically, get away for a few days as long as I didn't actually go anywhere.The theory was that I would leave in the morning, hide away at Barnes & Noble or the library, and write my fingers off. The kids, the oldest being 15, would fend for themselves and my wife would take over at night more so than she usually does. I'd do it for three days and work exclusively on my work in progress—currently "Sneakers' Secret" (#snkrz). By isolating myself I would be able to immerse into the work. Immersion would allow my ADHD hype... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3629847 Fri, 04 Jun 2010 07:49:47 +0100 3629847 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3625753&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2F0dN76XsNSqE%2Fsixth-time-charm-mental-acuity-all.html    Download now or listen on posterousEE5DDBE3-06BA-4CCF-89BE-E1D3CBBA25A7.wav (1549 KB) via twittelatorPosted via web from splinteredmind's posterous (Source: The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey) The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3625753 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 04:56:46 +0100 3625753 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3618108&cid=t_101362_165_f&fid=37959&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthskills.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F01%2Foh-to-sleep-cbt-for-insomnia-in-chronic-pain%2F This study protocol used an eight-week programme covering the strategies I’ve described above, and I’m immediately jealous because it’s common for me to see people for 12 weeks (once a week) to cover not only poor sleep, but also activity management, understanding chronic pain, developing relaxation responses, communication etc etc!  8 sessions are not a lot of sessions, and by comparison with the short-term effects of taking medication, these skills will last a lifetime. While this study clearly demonstrates that CBT-I is an effective approach for people with chronic pain who also have the common symptom of poor sleep, I wonder whether this will influence the GP or pain physician tendency to prescribe sleep medication.  Taking a medication is a mixed blessing – s... HealthSkills Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3618108 Mon, 31 May 2010 19:35:43 +0100 3618108 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3607789&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2F7afwSxSispg%2Fno-show-at-art-show.html You know that part where the hero is battered, torn, and left for dead, when everyone has given up on him except his childhood sweetheart, and then buoyed by her love he finds the strength within himself to climb to his feet, glibly state, "Stand back, doll. This is gonna get ugly," then lurch stoically forward to stand against the bad guy one last time before ultimately winning because he's just too manly to lose? This is nothing like that. All month long I have known that Conduit was coming up, and a dear friend, whose unquestioning faith in me beings tears to my eyes, bought me a panel to display my art at the art show. I haven't shown at a con in a very, very long time. I haven't produced con art in an even longer amount of time. I had hoped to reward my friend's faith in me by havi... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3607789 Fri, 28 May 2010 13:00:10 +0100 3607789 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3603879&cid=t_101362_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2F7T2VzTYRWbw%2F Does your alcoholic husband suffer from insomnia symptoms? Insomnia symptoms are difficulty falling asleep and/or difficulty staying asleep. Does your alcoholic spouse rely on alcohol to get to sleep? Is he self-medicating insomnia? This is how alcohol dependency may start. Although alcohol is a depressant and makes your alcoholic spouse feel more relaxed, alcohol actually disrupts the sleep cycle. Here are several ways alcohol affects the sleep cycle: Alcohol disrupts chemical messengers in your alcoholic spouse’s brain that are involved in the sleep cycle. Alcohol causes your alcoholic husband to experience more frequent awakenings (restless sleep). Alcohol decreases REM sleep in the first half of the night. Alcohol causes rebound REM in the latter part of the night. Alcohol may w... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3603879 Thu, 27 May 2010 12:44:27 +0100 3603879 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3590277&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fyoga-can-help-cancer-survivors-sleep.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3590277 Sun, 23 May 2010 13:00:00 +0100 3590277 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581823&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2Fl_h7Zcz5BgE%2Fobligations-disability-and-ruined.html I didn't write anything in my novel for Wensday. I'm afraid my motor tic disorder got the better of me. Today's flavor was the slow tic. There was a bit of back ticking, but mostly today just felt like walking through a block of cotton candy wearing a heavy suit of armor in an inflatable moonwalk, but not nearly so fun or festive. Maybe I should just say I sat and processed things slowly all day. I even ruined the spaghetti sauce. I'm Italian. It takes a lot for an Italian to ruin spaghetti sauce, yet I managed it. I should have backed away from the stove when I discovered that when I thought I set the sauce on two notches up from Low it was actually two notches away from High. I barely saved the sauce from scorching, but then I pushed my luck and added the spices. Who knows what I put in ... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581823 Thu, 20 May 2010 13:42:38 +0100 3581823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3585841&cid=t_101362_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fsleep-problems-can-affect-recovery%2F Sleep problems – real and perceived – get in the way of alcoholism recovery Alcoholics should discuss and address sleep issues as part of recovery. The first few months of recovery from an alcohol problem are hard enough. But they’re often made worse by serious sleep problems, caused by the loss of alcohol’s sedative effects, and the long-term sleep-disrupting impact that alcohol dependence can have on the brain. Additionally, many alcoholics have obstructive sleep apnea where the brain wakes up hundreds of times a night due to closing of the airway passages. Typically indicated by heavy, grunting or sudden snores. Now, a new study gives further evidence that insomnia and other sleep woes may actually get in the way of recovery from alcohol problems. In fact, a person’s ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3585841 Wed, 19 May 2010 18:39:00 +0100 3585841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3567857&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fmajority-of-assisted-living-residents.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3567857 Sun, 16 May 2010 13:11:00 +0100 3567857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3563723&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fgreen-light-also-alters-sleep.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3563723 Thu, 13 May 2010 19:24:00 +0100 3563723 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3560333&cid=t_101362_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F05%2F12%2Fdoes-masturbation-work-for-insomnia%2F For the interactive version of this infographic, click here. What? It’s true, folks. Masturbation is both popular and effective for treating insomnia. So say 849 patients who self-reported their Insomnia symptoms and treatments at CureTogether. It doesn’t seem either scientific or appropriate to go into a personal story here, so I’ll spare you the details. But it is interesting to note that for insomnia, some of the pharmaceutical options seem to be quite effective. We saw the opposite with Migraine and Depression, where natural alternatives beat drugs. Where did this data come from? CureTogether members have been anonymously sharing symptoms and treatments for almost 2 years now. To thank everyone for their contributions, we’re releasing this result back to the commu... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3560333 Wed, 12 May 2010 20:33:56 +0100 3560333 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3549020&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fgood-morning-america-dr-cognitive.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3549020 Mon, 10 May 2010 16:28:00 +0100 3549020 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3549547&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2Fy_mce80RuoQ%2Fin-which-douglas-experiences-adhds-up.html I am happy to announce that I've finally moved out of chapter one of my middle grade novel. I was caught in endless revision as I shot out in one direction or another trying to feel where the story was leading me, then scrapping it and starting over again. Finally, I found the proper path. It was sweetly scented and lit with dappled rays of something or other. All of this means that chapter two in "Sneaker's Secret" is coming along nicely. I am working on the story every day. In fact, I am working on the story instead of blogging, another thing I should be delirious about. Except for the not blogging here part. That is obviously bad, and how disappointed you must be in me. I am penitent.By the way, the iPad is working out as a novel writing platform. Last night I could not sleep and gave u... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3549547 Sun, 09 May 2010 21:47:25 +0100 3549547 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3547005&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2Fk8bWDfgJVGY%2Fhealthyplacecom-additude-magazine-still.html I suppose it is high time I wrote something cheery and positive—especially considering the bout of Depression I have been struggling with for the past two weeks. I lost some very important possessions, a lifetime of them actually, and it has hit me quite hard.  So today I will not mention that my insomnia has taken over my life like fire to paper. I will also not mention, even once, that my finances are in such a state of disarray that I could travel the full length of I-40 and never find them.  ADDitude Magazine Instead, I will point out with some degree of pride that I have published a new article in ADDitude Magazine. They recently sent me two complimentary copies and included a note stating about how much they liked working with me. Either somebody is covering for me over there, ... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3547005 Sun, 09 May 2010 09:23:45 +0100 3547005 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533641&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fcbs-2s-sleep-wreckers-are-few-of-common.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533641 Wed, 05 May 2010 14:58:00 +0100 3533641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3526358&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Frunning-on-empty-marathon-runner-tera.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3526358 Mon, 03 May 2010 15:25:00 +0100 3526358 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515606&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2FuVFbuDmFy1c%2Fadhd-insomnia-my-colorful-life.html It is Wensday. I will be writing soon. On a book and everything. Maybe even my current book. The question is what delayed me? After all, the week began three days ago. And Wensday's such an awkward day to begin. The week's half gone & it's not even spelled correctly. Friday, my ADDaboy! writing day, is right around the corner. That means I have to park my novel for another spell of blogging. The more I think about it, the more I realize that I am not happy about this. Wait, wasn't there a question? Right. What delayed me? I think I have the answer. This is a TweetStats chart of my Twitter activity for @SplinteredMind. @DouglasCootey shares similar stats, but is less active. The chart is a great visual record of when I’m awake. In short, I’m working at the ... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515606 Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:00:02 +0100 3515606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3511269&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Ffatal-familial-insomnia-genetic-death.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3511269 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:29:00 +0100 3511269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508478&cid=t_101362_165_f&fid=37959&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthskills.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F28%2Fif-youre-not-asleep-get-out-of-bed%2F If you’ve read the sleep hygiene information I posted yesterday, you’ll read that it’s not a good idea to stay in bed if you’re not asleep.  Here’s another version. Beds are for sleep and sex, not for being awake – because our brains are very good at learning to put two and two together to come up with PING! Bed = Awake.  Much of the sleep hygiene approach involves reducing the association between stimulus and response, and by reducing any influence of stimulants, or factors that interrupt the sleep architecture. For a great review of CBT approaches to sleep problems in people with chronic pain, Nicole Tang has written a nice review looking at various aspects of sleep and pain – and the CBT approaches that have been recommended and studied.   B... HealthSkills Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508478 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:37:48 +0100 3508478 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508479&cid=t_101362_165_f&fid=37959&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthskills.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F27%2Fto-sleep-perchance-to-dream%2F This study found that negative mood may influence pain intensity via poor sleep – meaning that if negative affect is addressed, it may have an influence on pain indirectly. It also suggests that as therapists we may need to move beyond simple sleep hygiene practices. ‘ Sleep restriction temporarily reduces an individual’s time in bed to be consistent with the amount of time that they report actually sleeping (typically via sleep diaries). This reduces the amount of time spent awake in bed and may also result in individuals’ developing a temporary sleep debt, which primes homeostatic mechanisms to promote sleep.’ More on this strategy later this week! O’Brien EM, Waxenberg LB, Atchison JW, Gremillion HA, Staud RM, McCrae CS, & Robinson ME (2010). Negative m... HealthSkills Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508479 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 19:34:11 +0100 3508479 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3504736&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fipad-insomnia-amazon-kindle-better-for.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3504736 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:12:00 +0100 3504736 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486669&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Flike-dream-rockies-pitcher-cant-sleep.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486669 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:54:00 +0100 3486669 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3467462&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fnew-york-times-bloggers-battle-with.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3467462 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:18:00 +0100 3467462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3456527&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=34960&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepdoctor.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fsleeping-pills-and-obstructive-sleep.html This question was recently posted on Medscape's Physician connect:I am treating a man who has sleep apnea and uses CPAP. He is on Trileptal and Lamictal. Recent problems with insomnia has made me suggest Sonata. Are there any concerns about this? Contraindications? This is my answer (which also includes a response to a few of the comments posted on Physician Connect):If a person is on an effective cpap pressure, the adverse effects of hypnotics should be no different than in someone without osa. I have treated thousands of patients with osa; some of them require ambien/lunesta/Sonata. I occasionally use benzodiazepines, especially restoril. There have been several studies showing that moderate doses of alcohol do not effect cpap requirements (not that I recommend alcohol). I do agree with ... sleepdoctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3456527 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:22:00 +0100 3456527 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3453859&cid=t_101362_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2F173880%2F Sleep Deprivation to Cure Postpartum Depression: The New York Times reports that researchers find insomnia can lead to faster recovery from certain types of depression. Post from: BlissTree (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3453859 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:00:20 +0100 3453859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3435232&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fmy-thoughts-for-blogging-day.html Mental Illness Strikes Overnight... I was so disheartened when I woke up in the middle of the night with a severe anxiety attack.  I had never had that happen before.  My heart was racing wildly. I felt mentally discombobulated.  I was drenched wet in sweat.  My eyesight was all askew.  I lay in the bed scared to death and it took two hours to pass.  I don't know what I am going to do.  I am so scared of these attacks.  They are agony.  I wouldn't wish them upon my worst enemy. Charlie Arrives... Charlie arrived last night bearing lots of gifts.  He brought me two Big Macs, a large fry, a regular cup of Coke, and then six diet Cokes for tomorrow.  I took all my medications and we sat down to talk.  Charlie is Maggie's favorite pe... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3435232 Sat, 03 Apr 2010 08:08:00 +0100 3435232 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3395258&cid=t_101362_122_f&fid=34736&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FChannelN-PodcastsPoweredByOdiogo%2F%7E3%2F82JOzEZV68o%2Fhow-much-sleep-do-you-really-need.html [Image by B*2.] Catching Up on Sleep From the Waking Up To Sleep 2007 conference, a renowned sleep expert discusses how much sleep is optimal. He presents correlative population studies on mortality rates and performance measures in a 15 minute talk, followed by another quarter hour of very good Q&A. See also: Sleeping Pills: More Harm Than Good, another compelling talk by Dr. Kripke. (Source: Channel N) Channel N blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3395258 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:30:47 +0100 3395258 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3385241&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fis-acupuncture-safe.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3385241 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:08:00 +0100 3385241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3383084&cid=t_101362_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FbE0Kh-Z1OvI%2F And so another working week will soon draw to a close. Although several more hours of deadlines and meetings may lie ahead, the time has come to think dreamy thoughts about what you will do this weekend. We, for instance, will tidy up the Pharmalot corporate campus, take a long walk and happily watch one of our short people in a school performance. While you ponder your own possibilities, here are a few items to help speed things along. Whatever you do, have a great time… Pfizer CEO Kindler Named PhRMA Chairman (press release) Somaxon Wins FDA Approval For Insomnia Drug (Associated Press) Florida Limits Foster Care Reliance On Psychotropics (Tampa Bay Tribune) New Attack On EU Plan For Patient Drug Info (PharmaTimes) photo thx to tipiro on Flickr creative commons (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3383084 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:58:21 +0100 3383084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3370473&cid=t_101362_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F03%2F16%2F7-ways-to-beat-depression-for-seniors%2F Roughly a quarter of people age 65 or older suffer from depression. More than half of doctor’s visits by the elderly involve complaints of emotional distress. Twenty percent of suicides in this country are committed by seniors, with the highest success rate belonging to older, white men. According to a recent report in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, depression is one of the major causes of decline in the health-related quality of life for senior citizens. Why all the depression? Rafi Kevorkian, M.D. calls them the five D’s: disability, decline, diminished quality of life, demand on caregivers, and dementia. To combat senior depression, then, requires coming up with creative methods to counter the five D’s. Here are 7 strategies to do just that, to help pe... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3370473 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:09:10 +0100 3370473 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3362565&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2F6sav-cEmr84%2Fcoming-up-for-air.html There are really only a few things I accomplished this week. I spent my mornings with my newly graduated eighteen year old, spent the afternoons driving kids about, and spent the time in between being sick & exhausted.It all started when I replaced my CPAP with a bright, shiney new one on Tuesday. The old one was ten years old and occasionally failing. One would think that I would be happy. Unfortunatley, it appeared that my new CPAP was trying to kill me.Oh, I know it's supposed to help me breathe, but it was doing the polar opposite. Perhaps I offended it in a previous life when I was incarnated as a tempermental electrical outlet. All I know is that I'm waking up each morning feeling like I have been scaling a glass building all night long with nothing but a suction cup and my tongue.I'... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3362565 Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:48:39 +0100 3362565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3359250&cid=t_101362_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F6B79y3J8Bbc%2F Ever wonder why it seems your dog is in a good mood all the waking hours of the day?  Perhaps adopting a dog’s sleep habits might help you emulate the feeling. A bad night’s sleep is the worst when it comes to getting things accomplished and feeling good during what should be a great day.  The effects due to lack of sleep on mood, productivity, creativity, and even the quality of our relationships take a bigger toll on our health than most realize. Anyone who does have trouble sleeping most likely have read all the “regular” things to do in order to get better sleep.  The concept becomes nothing more than a repeated set of rules that get ignored, similar to the simple rules of training a well behaved dog. Finding a new outlook and different perspective is the answer to changing ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3359250 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:45:23 +0100 3359250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3346711&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2FgZPUVBx-iGQ%2Fsleepy-thoughts-that-keep-me-up.html Errands, ADDaboy! & family claimed Monday. Even with a good night's sleep I will have my work cut out for me with this project. I continue to maintain a diurnal schedule. This is odd, yet pleasing. Funny to me is how few people in my online life realize what a monumental change this has been for me. In fact, my online life has lost its savor of late. I am writing more frequently, and more successfully, than ever before with fewer comments and feedback. Many people turn their nose up at Facebook, but I have received far more support there than on Twitter where I am one voice of many, and an insignificant voice at that. Over 870 followers there, and over 530 subscribers here, yet only a miniscule amount of people are inspired to comment. I can't help but think this is ... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3346711 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:18:34 +0100 3346711 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3335551&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2FCpVg6rc6mOk%2Fsplintered-books-project-update-1.html I’ll go ahead and refer to this as the first very most official update for my Splintered Books Project. I have been a busy boy this year. So busy that I don’t even recognize myself. If you have been following me from the beginning of this blog, have you ever known me to write so much? I am determined to succeed despite myself, however, so onward I press and to Outer Darkness with the hang-ups I’ve been held back by. Let’s take each item one by one: ADDaboy! After a somewhat rough beginning, and a video blog that was two weeks late, I seem to have discovered a rhythm. I produce the following week’s articles each Friday. I write them up, edit them, photograph or add a graphic, add the tags & SEO goodness, then schedule them to publish at their appointed hour and day. I’ve do... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3335551 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:27:23 +0100 3335551 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3306491&cid=t_101362_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=3302652&cid=t_101362_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fsex-after-menopause-2%2F Is there Sex after Menopause? Many women come into recovery from alcoholism or addiction having passed through menopause or in the middle of it. As this article discusses menopause can be a traumatic experience for any women; and even more so for women undergoing profound changes to their social life through recovery. New treatments offer ways to treat symptoms and improve sexual function Nothing strikes fear in the hearts of women like the thought of menopause. The shifting hormone levels that are associated with “the change” can lead to everything from mood swings, insomnia and weight gain to decreased sex drive. However, despite the common dread most women have for this time, the truth is that menopause does not have to be the end of the world … or the end of a woman’s sexualit... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302652 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:11:10 +0100 3302652 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3291834&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fchronic-pain-cognitive-behavioral.html A new study found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can significantly improve sleep for people with chronic neck or back pain.Many people living with chronic pain have poor sleep hygiene. Common mistakes include sleeping when they are not tired, sleeping in places other than the bedroom and watching TV in bed. These habits may lead to insomnia.People taking medicine for their pain may be unwilling or unable to use sleep aids to treat their sleep problems. CBT provides a safe and effective alternative.The study involved 28 people who experience chronic pain. Participants received eight weeks of therapy from a trained nurse therapist.Therapy sessions established a set number of hours in bed, focused on negative thoughts about sleep and addressed unhealthy sleep behavior. Sleep diaries ... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3291834 Sun, 21 Feb 2010 12:03:00 +0100 3291834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3290985&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2FKV5hnPI2zAA%2Ftime-to-sleep-dream-of-writing.html I had a mixed day today. Some ups; some downs. I finally got over the sickness that's been pounding me down like a tent peg. I had a wonderful conversation with my oldest daughter about her college opportunities. Then I forgot to pick up my second oldest daughter because I was talking with the oldest daughter. I guess that's what they call a wash.I spent my writing time in Barnes & Noble struggling with their WiFi and then writing a flippant letter in reply to a sarcastic one I received from some customer support worker bee. On the surface, not such a great day. There were other failures as well.But I don't care about any of that. I worked in my chapter book today(!) and pulled myself out of the bog of revision I had been stuck in for weeks. I wrote new material and became excited about th... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3290985 Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:39:16 +0100 3290985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3283850&cid=t_101362_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F02%2F18%2Fnatural-strategies-for-individuals-who-have-difficulty-falling-asleep-at-night-and-getting-up-in-the-morning%2F Sleep has important benefits for health and wellbeing, but not everyone is able to get as much sleep as they’d like. For some individuals, sleep does not come easy. One particular problem encountered by a few unfortunates is what is termed ‘delayed sleep phase syndrome’ (DSPS). Here, individuals can take hours (literally, hours) to get [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3283850 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:44:56 +0100 3283850 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3271185&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2FCL4H_0nDyjs%2Farose-by-any-other-name-would-still-be.html Clearer and clearer I am seeing my sleep difficulties as my greatest obstacle towards reaching my writing goals. Although I accomplished much last night, I am paying the cost today.I missed attending Life, the Universe, and Everything this year. I missed seeing friends, old and new. I missed great discussions and fascinating presentations. I may even miss the date tonight with my wife. Beyond just being upside down from the rest of the world, I am fatigued and listless—ill equipped to fight off illness, both physical & mental.I sit here absolutely loopy, unable to do much more than interact with family as they buzz around me while I pour thoughts out into my Twitter timeline. How did I get to this pitiful state?In brief, I was up until 6am because I watched Groundhog Day, Smallville, rea... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3271185 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 01:29:57 +0100 3271185 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3262872&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fsleep-eluded-me-last-night.html I am lucky on nights like last night when I can’t sleep that I don’t have to work the next day.  It is truly a blessing and lately my sleeping habits have been so erratic that I don’t know what each night will bring sleep wise.  I slept for four hours and awoke wide awake around 2 AM.  As if I had drank a quart of caffeine, I was buzzed and ready to start my day.  I drove over to get my cokes after letting my car warm up and settled in my command center to begin watching the weather, writing, reading, and twittering.  It is 7:00 AM and I am beginning to feel winded from my post midnight Internet marathon.  Maybe I will sleep soon after I procure more cigarettes before the snow starts.  I am obsessing about that this morning.  Charlie came over... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3262872 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:52:00 +0100 3262872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3236074&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2F67niC_FY5Eg%2Fenough-is-enough.html Last night at this time I was standing in line to get a burger. Tonight I'm lying down in bed trying to turn my sleep schedule around.If you follow me here or on Twitter, you know what a raving insomniac I am. After a bout of sickness last December, my schedule was flipped far out of control—even worse than the moon in Space: 1999. Without the benefit of a cute Mia with mannish sideburns to magically fix things, I've been left to my upside down fate. I've worked hard on the project this month, and that has only made the schedule worse as I did all my heavy writing in the still hours of the night and made a habit of it. But I can't keep on this way. This is why I've stayed up for 26 hours. I'm finally tired and ready to crash. It seems to me that I will need to make flipping my sched... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3236074 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:01:18 +0100 3236074 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3231179&cid=t_101362_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=3225002&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2FoPEh6pH8Bsk%2Fspitting-in-eye-of-morpheus.html Although it is 6:30am now as I write this, yestermorn's insomnia was worse. I retired to bed at 9am and lay there awake and unsleepy. The CPAP mask hugged my face with its life-giving embrace. A dark blindfold was tied around my head to thwart the sun's purpose. The sounds of brown noise ebbed in the background, while my headphones were sounding the lilting oddness of binaural beats. Yet, sleep still eluded me. After twenty minutes of lying there trying to think of sleepy thoughts, I suddenly realized how to fix my easy reader manuscript. ADHD had struck. Off came the blindfold, and up came the iPhone. Held over my head in the air as I lay on my back, my thumbs pounded away at my new idea. Just as my triceps and shoulders began to burn with the strain, I typed my last word. The manuscri... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3225002 Sun, 31 Jan 2010 13:59:36 +0100 3225002 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3223481&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2F0y9FUu8-JYE%2Fdivine-book-launch-party.html Here's something I forgot to blog about. My friend, Bree Despain, had a book launch party in the beginning of January for her paranormal romance, The Dark Divine. You may recall that I put together a silly video for her a few months ago to help promote her book. I can't say the video had much impact, but the launch party was packed with eager readers, surprising the staff and Bree with the turnout. You can see photos of the event below. In fact, King's English Bookshop sold out of Bree's book quickly. Almost makes me feel guilty that I bought three copies. Maybe I'll have to give one of them away?Bree's launch was important to me for a few reasons. First of all, I was very excited for her. In the past I would not have enjoyed myself because I would have felt diminished by the success of ot... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3223481 Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:41:30 +0100 3223481 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3223079&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fchronic-insomnia-less-brain-gray-matter.html A new study from The Netherlands examined regional brain volume in people with insomnia.The study involved 24 adults with chronic primary insomnia. They were between the ages of 52 and 74 years. Seventeen of them were women. They were compared with 13 people who had no sleep problems.Results show that people with insomnia had a smaller volume of gray matter in the left orbitofrontal cortex. This reduction in gray matter was strongly correlated with the severity of insomnia.The NINDS reports that “gray matter” refers to the cerebral cortex. This is where the brain does most of its information processing. The cortex is a layer of tissue with a gray-colored appearance.The study also found reduced gray matter volume in the precuneus. This cortical area may have a central role in tasks such... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3223079 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:00:00 +0100 3223079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3220175&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fhow-does-yoga-help-you-sleep.html Yesterday the Globe and Mail examined how yoga helps you sleep.Harvard assistant professor Sat Bir Khalsa, PhD, told the Globe and Mail that yoga helps reduce the stress that can hinder sleep.“With time and practice, the stress system begins to quiet down,” he said.What changes occur in the body during yoga? The NCCAM reports that it is unclear. But there is growing evidence that yoga enhances stress-coping mechanisms.One study by Khalsa used yoga to help people with chronic insomnia. They had one in-person training session. Then they practiced yoga on their own for eight weeks. They also had brief follow-ups by phone and in person.Results show that sleep improved in 20 people who completed the study. They fell asleep faster and slept longer.A review he published found that most yoga r... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3220175 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:19:00 +0100 3220175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3216221&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fcan-yoga-help-you-sleep-better.html The show eightWest on WOOD TV8 in Grand Rapids, Mich., did a feature on “Yoga for Better Sleep.” The five-minute segment shows some yoga moves that can help you relax for bedtime.So can yoga really help you sleep better?Last year the Sleep Education Blog reported on a small study from Northwestern University. It involved 11 adults with chronic primary insomnia. Sleep improved for those who practiced yoga and meditation for two months.A recent study from India evaluated “cyclic meditation.” This technique combines yoga postures with periods of lying down on your back to rest.Thirty men practiced cyclic meditation twice during the same day. On another day they had two sessions of rest without the yoga postures.The study found that the men had more deep, slow-wave sleep after cyclic m... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3216221 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:28:00 +0100 3216221 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3166779&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fsleep-traumatic-injuries-mental-health.html A new study evaluated how sleep problems prior to a traumatic injury may affect mental health. The results were published in the Jan. 1 issue of the journal Sleep.The study was performed in Australia. It involved 1,033 people who had a traumatic injury. They spent an average of 12.5 days in the hospital.About 65 percent were hurt in a motor-vehicle accident. Fifteen percent were injured in a traumatic fall. Seven percent had an industrial accident. And six percent were victims of assault.An initial assessment took place during their hospital admission. This included an evaluation of sleep disturbance in the two weeks prior to the injury. They were re-assessed three months later.Results show that mental health problems were common at the three-month follow-up. Thirty percent of people who h... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3166779 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:35:00 +0100 3166779 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3153425&cid=t_101362_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2FmZ814SwzSHk%2F URL: http://www.siop.org/default.aspxWelcome to the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology’s (SIOP) Web site. For: Anyone, Clinicians, Researchers, Students, TeachersTopics: Abnormal, Academia, Bipolar, Chronic Disease, Health Psychology, InsomniaFeatures: Welcome to the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology’s (SIOP) Web site.  We are pleased to introduce you to the field of industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology.  SIOP is the premier membership organization for those practicing and teaching I-O psychology.  While an independent organization with its own governance, SIOP is also a division within the American Psychological Association and an organizational affiliate of the Association for Psychological Science. (Source: PsychSplash) PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3153425 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:59:09 +0100 3153425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3153613&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2FmOPjiPcC2Xs%2Fup-and-about-early-for-change.html If I could characterize my week so far with three words, they would have to be "ticking" and "sleep deprivation". When I set out to reinvent my life by blogging with a goal in mind instead of just mirthfully writing about anecdotal episodes of disability, I had visions of hitting the ground running, filling digital folders with reams of virtual story pages, and impressing millions by my dedication. Well, maybe not the last one, but I certainly didn't expect to spend my time ticking, twitching, and moving in slow motion. Still, I laid out quite the list of obstacles the other day and my tic disorder & insomnia were two of them. Either I learn to work around them, or I won't reach my birthday goal. One cannot ever underestimate the impact that sleep deprivation has on the mind. I simply don'... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3153613 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:00:19 +0100 3153613 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3149295&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fsleep-wonderful-sleep.html “What’s worrying you?” my psychiatrist asked yesterday upon telling him I have terrible insomnia these days. I thought for a long second. “My computer,” I finally replied. “Dad ordered me a new 2 Terabyte hard drive and it still hasn’t come in.  I am very anxious about it.” My psychiatrist smiled telling me how much he loves to work on his home computers as well.  “A man of my own heart,” I thought. “I’m hesitant to prescribe any more medications,” he told me. “You are already on so many.  I am going to give you some relaxation CDs and I want you to listen to them before bed.” I was extremely dubious of these CDs.  I scoffed internally.  How can a mere compact disc of a lady talking and music help you sleep eight hours?  I was w... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3149295 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:32:00 +0100 3149295 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3146197&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2FUgpTF7-mH2Q%2Fstage-doi.html Long before there was Homer, there were the kids of Cape Cod, circa 1984. Every goof you made in school was greeted with a chorus of "Doi!" from helpful peers. ADHD + Klutzy Teenager = Chorus of Doi I heard that word an awful lot. It seemed then to be the corollary of my life. Last night I was so focused on getting the new blog design up that I forgot one teeny, little detail: to check the site on PCs. Remember that bicycle incident I wrote about earlier today? Doi. Well, this is not really a big deal. I'll just revert to the old design until I bang the bugs out of the new one. It does show me, though, the importance of getting my sleep under control if I want to make progress on this goal. I spent yesterday in a bit of a mental fog. The holidays take their toll on all, and I was no... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3146197 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:02:11 +0100 3146197 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3146193&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Flets-all-pile-on.html It’s only been a day since I’ve been recovering from my close call with my mental illness.  I was sitting here yesterday obsessing over the supposed snow we are getting when my psychiatrist’s office called. “Just wanted to remind you you have an appointment with Dr. Kern in the morning at 8 AM,” she said perkily. “F.!” was the exact word I muttered after hanging up.  Sorry to sensitive eyes and ears! I called dad and he wasn’t too happy about it.  He had forgotten as well. “I was hoping to have a day off,” he told me sounding disappointed. I told him to look on the bright side.  We could get some of those delectable sausage biscuits at Hardee’s afterwards in the morning.   I plan on talking to my psychiatrist about my insomnia.  I ... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3146193 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:47:00 +0100 3146193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142818&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2FxnSUlnyGumg%2Fsplintered-books-project.html The Goal:To finish a picture book, a chapter book, and a novel by December 23, 2010 and submit them to a publisher. Each project has its own unique challenges, not the least of which is actually reaching the end after the beginning has been written.The Writer:A sad, sap of a guy. Douglas Cootey is a married, full-time dad raising four girls in the Salt Lake Valley of Utah who has long ago overcome his aversion to the color Pink. Until this point, Douglas has blogged about overcoming AD/HD & Depression with humor & pluck, but now he wonders if there is something else out there for him—something more noble than telling the world how he forgot to put his pants on one day when stepping outside. Can he set a goal, give himself an entire year to meet it, and remember to stay on track?The Obsta... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142818 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:03:57 +0100 3142818 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3136519&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Finsomnia-cookies-for-college-students.html Late nights will be common as college students head back to campus for the winter semester. Whether studying or partying, sleep is often put on hold.Hungry students typically have to choose from the three late-night food groups: pizza, burgers and tacos. But on some campuses a company is delivering cookies and milk for students who crave something different after dark.The idea began in 2003 when some students at the University of Pennsylvania began baking cookies for their friends. Soon other students started calling.So they began delivering late-night cookies and milk across campus. Insomnia Cookies was born.Now the company has expanded to nearly 20 campuses. Cookies and milk are being delivered to night owls at schools such as Cornell, NYU, Purdue and South Carolina.But hunger isn’t th... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3136519 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 11:53:00 +0100 3136519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3135388&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fcelebrities-were-sleepless-in-2009.html Michael Jackson’s struggle with insomnia made headlines in 2009. But he wasn’t the only celebrity to wrestle with sleepless nights.Miley Cyrus told fans about her sleep problems on her Twitter page. “I have just diagnosed myself. I am an insomniac,” wrote the teen star of Hannah Montana. “I hate when I can’t sleep.”Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz battled insomnia as he struggled to find his swing in 2009. He finished the season with a disappointing .238 batting average and a career-high 134 strikeouts."My body is resting every night, but my mind is spinning," he said. "It's hard to sleep.”New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was another athlete looking for sleep. He’s been doing fine on the field with more than 4,000 yards and 28 touchdown passes. But it’s his ... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3135388 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 12:01:00 +0100 3135388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3108550&cid=t_101362_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FXouGhPFmqxc%2F Welcome to the working week. We hope your weekend was pleasant, although there was a great deal of shoveling in some parts. Good exercise, yes? Meanwhile, this is a short week for many due to the pending holiday. Nonetheless, this means a flurry of year-end deadlines and meetings. So as you brace yourself for the rush, here are a few items to ease the way. Have a good day, everyone… Sanofi-Aventis Buys Chattem For $1.9 Billion (Reuters) Sanofi-Aventis Stops Development Of Two Meds (Bloomberg News) Actelion Sleep Drugs Has Safety Issues (The Wall Street Journal) Pfizer Acquires A Stem Cell Therapy (The New York Times) Glaxo Considers Building UK Facility (Teesdale Mercury) Pfizer Gives Update On Contaminated Site (The New Haven Register) Coffee courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons chic... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3108550 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:23:27 +0100 3108550 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3104740&cid=t_101362_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=3092479&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Finsomnia-headaches-in-young-children.html A new study links insomnia symptoms with headaches and gastrointestinal regurgitation in young children. The results were published yesterday in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.The study involved 700 children. They were between 5 and 12 years of age. Parents completed sleep and development questionnaires for their child. Results show that 19 percent of children had parent-reported insomnia symptoms. These children had trouble falling asleep and/or woke up often in the night.Headaches were reported in about 24 percent of children with insomnia. About 13 percent of children without disturbed sleep had headaches. Statistical analysis found that insomnia was 2.3 times more likely in children with headaches. Gastrointestinal regurgitation was reported in 7.5 percent of children with inso... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3092479 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:26:00 +0100 3092479 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3061539&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2Fm6UkaGAu5s0%2Feyelids-opened-wide.html Family drama from the other night knocked my fresh, new sleep schedule out of bed and onto the floor. Here I am two mornings later at 6:08am, tired but unable to let go. Awake, but too tired to do anything productive. There's no way I'm going to make it to church this morning. Since my daughter gave us an appendicitis scare last night at Primary Children's hospital, I will need to stay home and miss church anyway so that I can be on hand if she needs me. She'll likely sleep the morning away, but it would be more of a noble sacrifice if I was actually awake during those hours instead of sucking air through a CPAP. Fortunately, I can finally feel the weight of "Nature's soft nurse" on my eyelids, but 6am is such a ghastly hour to fall asleep. The sun, that evil ball of "You think I'll let yo... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3061539 Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:28:15 +0100 3061539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3061435&cid=t_101362_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2FEYaNlTaSWE4%2F URL: http://www.psywww.com/books/interp/toc.htmThe Interpretation of Dreams is a book by Sigmund Freud. The book inaugurated the theory of Freudian dream analysis. For: AnyoneTopics: Clinical Psychology, Common Factors, General Psychology, General Science, History of Psychology, Insomnia, Life, Self-helpFeatures: Books, Information The Interpretation of Dreams is a book by Sigmund Freud.  The book inaugurated the theory of Freudian dream analysis. (Source: PsychSplash) PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3061435 Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:46:18 +0100 3061435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3052374&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2F_3E7ggARF7g%2Fwhere-have-i-been-living-but-in-half.html There's been a lot of drama in my life lately like a storm front moving over my life. I haven't chronicled even a tenth of it here. Some of it is very personal; some of it very boring. What I can tell you is that aside from dealing with AD/HD and Chronic Motor Tic Disorder, organizing the holidays, carting kids around, and working on my children's book, my biggest project recently has been turning my sleep schedule around. Insomnia is a problem for me, but I've been making progress. I can happily say that it's 3:30am and I'm feeling tired, which is regrettably an unusual situation for me. However, I'll take progress where I can. Incidentally, I must now retire to bed in order to continue turning my schedule around. In the meantime, take a look at this photo and decide for yourself if y... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3052374 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:00:03 +0100 3052374 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3045030&cid=t_101362_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fachieve-a-deep-uninterrupted-sleep%2F This article from Readers Digest may help people in recovery from addiction, alcoholism, gambling or co-dependency. Night-time Habits Blessed sleep — the holy grail of health. Lack of sleep can send your blood sugar levels skyrocketing, contribute to weight gain, lead to depression, put you at risk for diabetes, and cause brain damage. Since we’re all in agreement that a good night’s sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health and mood, pick three of these tips to follow each night until you get the night’s sleep you so desperately crave. The article has 24 hints that you can choose from. If your 3 don’t work try others or a different combination. The hints are; Create a transition routine. Figure out your body cycle. Sprinkle just-washed shee... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3045030 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:27:00 +0100 3045030 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3026752&cid=t_101362_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FI5SRXWimUSw%2F With the stress of cancer and its treatments, it’s not surprising to hear that people with cancer may experience insomnia, difficulty sleeping. But, there’s more to it than just the cancer. It could be the treatment itself for many. It’s well known that insomnia is a troubling problem. Not being able to sleep can cause a host of other health problems, such as depression, anxiety, accidents due to fatigue, inability to fight off infections, and even a decrease in ability to regain health if already ill. Therefore, studying what may cause insomnia in different patient groups is quite important. Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center studied 823 people who had cancer, looking at their sleeping patterns and how well they were able to sleep. What they foun... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3026752 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:42:15 +0100 3026752 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3026412&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fcancer-chemotherapy-insomnia.html A new study examined the link between insomnia and cancer.The study involved 823 people with cancer; all of them were receiving chemotherapy. Their average age was 58 years; about 73 percent were women.Results show a high rate of insomnia in people with cancer. Forty-three percent had insomnia during day seven of cycle 1 of chemotherapy. Another 37 percent reported insomnia symptoms.“Our research shows that insomnia is very common among patients undergoing cancer treatment,” lead author Oxana Palesh, PhD, said in a news release. Insomnia persisted during the first two cycles of chemotherapy. Sixty percent of participants reported that their insomnia symptoms remained unchanged from cycle 1 to cycle 2. People who were younger than 58 years were more likely to have insomnia. Participants... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3026412 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:09:00 +0100 3026412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3022741&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Finsomnia-depression-in-women.html A new study examined why insomnia is more common in women than men.The study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The survey is unique in that it combines interviews and physical exams.The sample involved 5,469 young adults; their age ranged from 20 years to 39 years.Results show that 16.7 percent of women reported insomnia symptoms; 9.2 percent of men had an insomnia complaint.Why are women more likely than men to have insomnia? The study suggests that mental health is a key factor.The gender difference in the odds of insomnia was no longer significant after adjusting for history of mental health conditions. The authors concluded that the higher rate of insomnia in women may be linked to mental health problems such as depression.The NIMH reports that de... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3022741 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:26:00 +0100 3022741 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3012045&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Finsomnia-paradox.html A new study from Italy investigated paradoxical insomnia.What’s the paradox? Some people perceive that they have severe insomnia; but their sleep appears to be normal when measured by a sleep study.The study involved 20 people with paradoxical insomnia and 20 controls. They were monitored during an overnight sleep study.Results show that the people with paradoxical insomnia estimated that they slept for less than five hours; but the sleep study found that they slept for about 7.75 hours.They perceived that it took about 51 minutes to fall asleep; but they actually fell asleep in about nine minutes.The authors suggest that the problem may have to do with “arousal instability.”The people with paradoxical insomnia estimated that they woke up four times during the night; but the sleep st... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3012045 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:49:00 +0100 3012045 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3003546&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fwork-insomnia-sleepless-off-job.html A new study from Japan shows that insomnia may be linked to your job.The study involved 1,022 workers; they had an average age of 39 years. They were evaluated across two years.Results show that some workers were more likely to have insomnia for the length of the study. Employees with low social support at work were twice as likely to have persistent insomnia. Those who had an “effort-reward imbalance” also were more than two times as likely to have ongoing insomnia.The study also found that some workers were more likely to develop insomnia by the end of the study. The risk of having a new case of insomnia was 75 percent higher in people who were overcommitted to work. Good sleepers were 72 percent more likely to develop insomnia if they had high job strain.In September the Sleep Educa... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3003546 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:32:00 +0100 3003546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2958931&cid=t_101362_109_f&fid=38950&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shockmd.com%2F2009%2F11%2F04%2Finsomnia-and-depression%2F patients with depression often complain of difficulty getting to sleep, frequent awakenings during the night, early morning awakening, or nonrestorative sleep patients with mood disorders exhibit higher rates of sleep disturbance than the general population, and sleep disturbance can continue even during periods of remission patients with insomnia are up to 10 times more likely to have depression than normal sleepers individuals with persistent insomnia have a significantly higher risk of developing new-onset depression than those who have no sleep complaints 14% of patients with persistent insomnia had concurrent depression whereas depression occurred in less than 1% of patients who had no sleep complaints patients with persistent insomnia had a substantially higher risk of developing a n... Dr Shock MD PhD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2958931 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:41:06 +0100 2958931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954581&cid=t_101362_109_f&fid=38950&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shockmd.com%2F2009%2F11%2F03%2Fsleep-changes-with-aging%2F Aging is associated with well described changing in sleep patterns. Total sleep time decreases, elderly sleep less It takes longer before falling a sleep Elderly go to bed earlier and they awake earlier There sleep architecture has changed, the slow wave sleep on EEG is reduced, REM sleep is reduced They’re easier aroused from sleep They sleep fragmented with many arousals Daytime napping In case of primary insomnia, that is sleeplessness that is not attributable to a medical, psychiatric or environmental cause. In that case the general principles of sleep hygiene are applicable. Fundamentals of good sleep hygiene What to do Use your bed only for sleep and sexual activities. If you cannot sleep, get out of bed and read or do other relaxation activities before attempting to sleep a... Dr Shock MD PhD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954581 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:39:55 +0100 2954581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2946995&cid=t_101362_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2F30%2Fdepression-insomnia-link-reported-at-curetogether%2F CureTogether Data Finds Link Between Self-Reported Depression and Insomnia Patients at CureTogether (http://www.curetogether.com) who report depression are twice as likely to report insomnia than patients with no depression. This is among the first self-reported data that reproduces findings previously done in slow, expensive clinical research. It comes from an analysis of 761 patients, and is being released in conjunction with the TEDMED and BIL:PIL conferences this week – please see the chart, and details below. . Chart: Patients with depression are more likely to report insomnia than patients with no depression. From patient self-reported data at CureTogether. . Details of the CureTogether Finding Among 533 people reporting depression, 384 (72%) reported also having insomnia, and the... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2946995 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:08:14 +0100 2946995 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2923146&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fbiofeedback-to-treat-insomnia.html A recent article from Health magazine describes the use of “biofeedback” to treat insomnia.What’s biofeedback? It’s a form of therapy that gives you visual or auditory feedback for certain body signals. Cues may give you details about your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing or body temperature. Then you learn to control the body in a way that promotes sleep.Author Leslie Goldman describes how for eight years she struggled with sleep. Then she gave biofeedback a try.“The change has been dramatic,” she writes. “After nearly a decade of sleeping for no longer than two hours at a time, I can sleep for four hours straight and doze off again after I wake up.”The AASM recommends biofeedback as an effective treatment for chronic insomnia.Often biofeedback will be combined with o... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2923146 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:16:00 +0100 2923146 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2902736&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fuse-bedtime-routines-and-relaxation.html A new study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine examines the strategies people use to reduce daytime sleepiness.Taking a bath was the most common sleep management practice for both men and women; 59 percent of men and 64.4 percent of women used it. Keeping a regular sleep schedule was the second most popular tactic.People also wound down for the night by listening to music, snacking and exercising.The results show that taking a bath and going to bed at the same time every night were the best ways to decrease daytime sleepiness. Snacking at night made people feel sleepier the next day.One of the study’s authors said that culture influences the way people manage their sleep.The study, conducted in Japan, includes data from 24,686 adults who completed a national health survey.Don’t ... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2902736 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100 2902736 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2862735&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E5%2F8qRRvvF3Pe8%2FSplinteredNarrative015.m4a Hear this article read to you: Non-working relic, but delightful find nonetheless Originally uploaded by Darkstream. Unlike when I took this photo a few weeks ago, I was unusually in bed by 3:30am last night. Four and a half hours later I’m up for the day at the unholy hour of 8am. What do you people do with yourselves when you wake at this hour? There’s that awful ball of light in the sky that hurts my eyes. I might actually be able to get to church for the first time since Jesus walked the Earth. I suppose I’m going to have to shave. Obviously, I kid, but Sleep and I haven’t been getting along for sometime. Take an insomniac and saddle him with more family drama than can be found on Melrose Place and you get a bleary eyed guy one donut shy of a full box. I won’t coun... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2862735 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:33:05 +0100 2862735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2851967&cid=t_101362_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F4lh20j6D4h4%2F A good eight hours of sleep really does our life good, well into the twilight years! A new study has found that sleep abnormalities in midlife may be linked to the onset of Alzheimer’s later in life. Chronic sleep abnormalities include  insomnia, late-night habits, sleep deprivation and irregular sleep habits. Alzheimer’s is triggered as the peptide amyloid-beta transforms into plaque in the brain’s fluid, and amyloid-beta naturally increases during the day and decreases at night. Published in Science Express, neurologist Jae-Eun Kang and her colleagues found, in both men and mice, that concentrations of amyloid-beta increases during periods of sleep deprivation. When the researchers kept mice awake for an extra 6 hours, the levels of amyloid-beta spiked. So the scientists are ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2851967 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:13:00 +0100 2851967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2851932&cid=t_101362_129_f&fid=36036&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fkelly-building-a-crohns-disease-community%2Fprednisone-sleepless-nights-and-wistful-thoughts%2F I have sleeping problems as I am sure that many of you have, especially those of you who are on prednisone.  I have been taking sleeping pills for years but I am trying to get off them.  So far it is going pretty slowly because I work full time and need sleep to function and to keep healthy.  I listen to this CD called sound healing to help me relax and have this whole unwinding routine that I try to do in order to get my mind and body relaxed enough to go to sleep. I was very anxious last night so I checked my blood pressure and it was 133/90 which I guess is not that bad but not perfect.  So, I was laying in our bedroom listening to my CD and thinking about the melody and how my interpretation of it changes each time that I listen to it.  Tonight I close my eyes and drift away in th... Life with Crohn's blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2851932 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:25:32 +0100 2851932 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2836328&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2FOSQ5eMcwGBs%2Fsleep-my-greatest-enemy.html Non-working relic, but delightful findnonetheless Originally uploaded by Darkstream. Unlike when I took this photo a few weeks ago, I was unusually in bed by 3:30am last night. Four and a half hours later I’m up for the day at the unholy hour of 8am. What do you people do with yourselves when you wake at this hour? There’s that awful ball of light in the sky that hurts my eyes. I might actually be able to get to church for the first time since Jesus walked the Earth. I suppose I’m going to have to shave.Obviously, I kid, but Sleep and I haven’t been getting along for sometime. Take an insomniac and saddle him with more family drama than can be found on Melrose Place and you get a bleary eyed guy one donut shy of a full box. I won’t count those proverbial chicks, but usually epoc... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2836328 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:00:09 +0100 2836328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2834177&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fwilliam-wordsworths-sleepless-nights.html It seems that William Wordsworth was well acquainted with insomnia. His poem “To Sleep” describes how he wrestled sleep – and lost – across three restless nights.Poet Christopher Nield recently wrote an essay about the poem for the Epoch Times. It’s the latest in his series on “Classic Poetry for Modern Life.”In the opening lines of the poem Wordsworth describes the futility of his attempts to capture sleep “by any stealth.” Counting sheep. Listening to the imaginary sound of rain. Visualizing a pleasant scene.“He looks for that elusive key to rest,” comments Nield.The result? “Still I lie sleepless.”With dread Wordsworth anticipates hearing the sounds that will signal day’s return. For him the blessing of sleep has become a curse.He concludes with a desperate, ... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2834177 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:30:00 +0100 2834177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2831885&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Finsomnia-sleep-loss-diabetes-risk.html A new study suggests that people suffering from chronic insomnia and sleep loss may be at risk for type 2 diabetes.The study involved 1,741 men and women from central Pennsylvania. They were randomly selected for the study. Their sleep was monitored by overnight sleep study in a sleep lab.Results show that having chronic insomnia for a year or longer was associated with a higher risk for diabetes; the risk was not increased in people with milder insomnia.The highest risk of diabetes was in people with chronic insomnia who slept for five hours or less; they were almost three times more likely to have diabetes. People with chronic insomnia who slept five to six hours were two times more likely to have diabetes.The research team also has performed other analyses of this group of people. Their... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2831885 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:27:00 +0100 2831885 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2859061&cid=t_101362_136_f&fid=39025&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Feverythingchangesbook%2F%7E3%2F1lwhDdrJzXE%2Fcancer-sleep-insomnia I keep waking up at 4:48 AM.  Sometimes a few minutes earlier or later.  I hate it.  But I know I’m not alone.  I’ve talked with a handful of breast cancer bloggers this week and discovered we all use blogging as a great way to deal with being awake at night. Sometimes I can clearly identify what is keeping me awake: a doctor’s appointment or test on the horizon.  Sometimes even good events:  my excitement a few weeks ago about being interviewed as a young cancer patient on Fresh Air with Terry Gross (she is my #1 role model/heroine.)  But, often I’m just up for reasons I can’t figure out and I don’t particularly feel like scavenging the back of my mind to find the answer. When I’m up, I get out of bed, go to my laptop, and work.  Lately it’s the only thing that... Everything Changes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2859061 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:58:52 +0100 2859061 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2785660&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Faromatherapy-insomnia-good-bad-and.html Yesterday the Sleep Education Blog reported that smells can affect the emotional content of dreams. What about insomnia – can smells improve the quality of your sleep?Aromatherapy is one form of complimentary and alternative medicine - or CAM. It involves the use of fragrant, essential oils from plants. Most often the essential oils are inhaled or applied to the skin; they may be added to bathwater or to a lotion.How does aromatherapy work? The National Cancer Institute reports that there are different theories. One theory involves smell receptors in the nose; these receptors may respond to the scent by sending chemical messages to the brain.A 2006 review reported that essential oils may enter the bloodstream; it suggested that aromatherapy may act like a drug.Is sleep-related aromathera... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2785660 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:02:00 +0100 2785660 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782304&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E5%2FTGkEzW0hGKQ%2FSplinteredNarrative011.m4a Hear this article read to you: Bunny Doll Study - Step Four Originally uploaded by Darkstream. As I type this it is 3:16am and I am sitting outside my front yard along the wall that divides our yard from our neighbor’s. The weather is a balmy 77°F and a warm breeze teases a wind chime somewhere out in the night. The occasional car drives by, but otherwise I sit here alone with no soundtrack other than the sound of crickets playing their syncopated symphony. I still have yet to begin a very difficult article, but I know I will manage it very soon. First, though, I wanted to declare victory over my ADHD. The blasted bunny doll drawing is done. I began it years ago when aliens where busy organizing tribes of men into pyramid building communities. Every once in a while, a drawin... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782304 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:54:26 +0100 2782304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2757405&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fchemotherapy-causes-sleep-problems-in.html A study published this week shows that chemotherapy for Breast Cancer, a disease with which approximately 210,000 women are diagnosed each year, impairs sleep-wake cycles in patients. Sleep disturbances can negatively affect treatment and increase risks for other health and mental problems. Results indicate that chemotherapy patients switched from low to high activity about 30 minutes later in the day and decreased their level of activity about 50 minutes earlier at night during their first round of chemotherapy, suggesting that their days were shorter. The study involved 95 women with an average age of 51 years, who were scheduled to receive chemotherapy for stage I-III Breast Cancer. Of the participants, 75 percent were Caucasian, 69 percent were married, 77 percent had at least som... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2757405 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:54:00 +0100 2757405 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2757406&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Funexpected-workplace-hazard-bullying-is.html A study published today shows that workplace bullying, one of the leading job stressors and major causes of suicide, is also related to sleep disturbances. Findings of the study are important, as people who do not get enough sleep are at a higher risk for developing health and psychological problems. The study, performed in 2004 in southeast France, included a random sample of 3,132 men and 4,562 women with an average age of 40 years. Participants reported whether or not they believed they had been exposed to bullying over the past 12 months. Results showed a high prevalence of workplace bullying, with 11 percent of women and nine percent of men experiencing “hostile behavior” at their jobs at least weekly and for at least six months during the past 12 months. Sleep disturbances ... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2757406 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:29:00 +0100 2757406 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2859069&cid=t_101362_136_f&fid=39025&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Feverythingchangesbook%2F%7E3%2FYgPLhTi08js%2Fwidowed Rick Gribenas is an artist and lymphoma patient quoted throughout my book Everything Changes. I’ve become friends with his wife Charissa since Rick’s death this past spring.  In addition to starting an organization, BRICKS, she’s been writing about her real time experience as a young adult widow.  Her first guest post was “How To Be A Widow on Myspace”, here’s more from Charissa: “‘There are no rules for this,’ a very wise friend told me. And by ‘this’ she meant my mourning. She’s not a widow herself, but a level headed, tough-as-nails lady who knows a little bit about a thing or two. She’s the one who hopped in her car minutes after my frantic text message alerting her to the passing of my husband, and drove from ... Everything Changes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2859069 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:22:58 +0100 2859069 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2748131&cid=t_101362_140_f&fid=35443&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheSplinteredMind%2F%7E3%2FhSc52BRLSRQ%2Fstupid-adhd-impulses-i-kind-of-like.html Fast Food Originally uploaded by Darkstream. Considering what I've been through this summer (something I hope to write about this week), and how hard I've been pushing myself to finish a certain web project, I'm not really surprised that I was up the other night walking around trying to find something interesting to photograph. I took this particular series of photographs right after I went out for a bike ride. Somehow the irony that the empty fast food patio meant I should be in bed, too, escaped me.Most people need a break when they work hard. They'll get up, stretch their back, and maybe go for a walk to change the scenery. I'm no different than any one of them. It's just that my walks are at 3am. That's probably not a good walking-about-the-town time. It's probably even worse to race ... The Splintered Mind by Douglas Cootey blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2748131 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:35:09 +0100 2748131 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2745426&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fdoes-childhood-insomnia-exist.html As children begin to attend school regularly, many become involved in extracurricular and social activities that cut into their sleep time, which may result in insufficient sleep. Although children at any age can have anxiety that affects their ability to sleep, school-age children can develop what may be thought of as "pseudo-insomnia." Parents may worry if their child is having a hard time falling asleep; however, it may be a problem that is fixed simply by adjusting bedtime. For instance, parents may set a bedtime that allows for 12 hours of sleep for a 7 to 8 eight year old child, who only needs 10 to 11 hours of nightly sleep. Pushing bedtime back by an hour may eliminate the child’s inability to fall asleep. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, children’s nigh... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2745426 Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:00:00 +0100 2745426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2741426&cid=t_101362_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2FSYUSouYcfuo%2F URL: http://www.sleepnet.com/ Sleepnet.com has updated its homepage trying to consolidate all the information available by disorder to make it easier to find the information you are looking for. The size of the site keeps growing and with over 250,000 pages it needs a total reorganization. Hope this helps and I will keep working to make the site’s navigation easier. Hope all is well with everyone. For: Anyone, StudentsTopics: Academia, Behaviour Management, Depression, General Psychology, General Science, Health Promotion, Health Psychology, Health and Social Services, Insomnia, Life, LifestyleFeatures: Articles, Clinical Tools, Databases, Forums, Information, Links, e-learning Sleepnet.com has updated its homepage trying to consolidate all the information available by ... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2741426 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:00:22 +0100 2741426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2730160&cid=t_101362_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F3e-9AycxFgg%2F News came down today that Michael Jackson officially died from an overdose of propofol. This wasn’t a huge surprise, but now that more information from the autopsy has been released, it does confirm what officials had originally believed. It also gives them more incentive to talk to Michael Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray. Murray gave a statement that confirmed he had been giving Jackson medication to help with insomnia for as long as six weeks prior to the singer’s death. He said “each night he gave Jackson 50 mg of propofol, also known as Diprivan, diluted with the anesthetic lidocaine via an intravenous drip.” He was concerned that Jackson was becoming addicted to the drug, and tried to wean him off of it by combining the drug with different types of medic... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2730160 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:45:37 +0100 2730160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2724476&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Ffive-risk-factors-for-insomnia.html A study in the Aug. 1 issue of the journal Sleep examined potential risk factors for insomnia.The study from Quebec involved 464 adults who were good sleepers; they had an average age of 45 years. Participants completed a variety of surveys that evaluated their sleep, mental health and physical well-being. Then they were followed up after six months and again after 12 months.Results show that more than seven percent of the good sleepers developed insomnia syndrome during the one-year follow-up period; they were troubled by a sleep problem at least three nights per week for a month or longer.Another 31 percent of the good sleepers reported having insomnia symptoms. They also had trouble sleeping at least three nights per week; but their sleep problem caused less distress or lasted less than... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2724476 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:23:00 +0100 2724476 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2719519&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Falcohol-sleep-nix-nightcaps.html A new survey by the Department of Health in England shows that many people fail to realize that alcohol can have a negative effect on sleep; 58 percent of surveyed drinkers were unaware that drinking can cause sleep problems.One problem is that drinking alcohol may force you to go the bathroom more often during the night. The Department of Health reports that alcohol stops the brain from releasing vasopressin; this chemical helps regulate the amount of water in your body.Dehydration also can occur during the night as your body gets rid of too much water; this can cause sleep-disrupting headaches.According to a 2005 review by the AASM, decades of studies also show that alcohol disrupts your natural sleep cycle. These disruptions tend to be dose dependent; they increase as the amount of alco... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2719519 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:49:00 +0100 2719519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2708732&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fosteoarthritis-cbt-for-insomnia.html A study in the Aug. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine involved 51 older adults with osteoarthritis and insomnia.Twenty-three people received cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia; they had an average age of 69 years. Each of the eight weekly CBT sessions lasted two hours; class sizes ranged from four to eight people.CBT uses a variety of methods to help you develop positive attitudes and habits that promote a healthy pattern of sleep. One common technique is relaxation training. Results show that CBT improved self-reported sleep quality in people with osteoarthritis and insomnia. After treatment they fell asleep faster; they also spent less time awake during the night. Overall their sleep was much more efficient. CBT also had a long-term effect; they were still sleepin... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2708732 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:53:00 +0100 2708732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2703778&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fcognitive-behavioral-therapy-for.html A recent article in the Louisville Courier-Journal reminded readers that medications aren’t the only insomnia treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a safe and effective treatment option for people who are struggling with ongoing insomnia.CBT uses a variety of methods to help you develop positive attitudes and habits that promote a healthy pattern of sleep. One common technique is relaxation training.“We teach people how to sleep again,” sleep specialist Ryan Wetzler told the Courier-Journal. He has a doctorate in psychology and is certified by the AASM in behavioral sleep medicine. “We want to just figure out why somebody is not sleeping and get them sleeping again as soon as possible.”Wetzler recently led a study of 115 people with insomnia; he presented a study abstract in... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2703778 Sun, 16 Aug 2009 10:36:00 +0100 2703778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2691281&cid=t_101362_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fback-on-campus-stress-sleep-college.html A new study shows that sleep problems will be common as college students return to campus for the fall semester.The study involved 1,125 students at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. They completed an online survey about their sleep habits, mood, health and related factors.Results show that more than 60 percent were poor sleepers; these students were much more likely to have problems with their physical and mental health. Taking medications to sleep better also was common.What was the primary cause of sleep problems? The authors report that students “overwhelmingly stated that emotional and academic stress negatively impacted sleep.” Data analysis revealed that tension and stress were significant predictors of sleep quality.The study also shows that students were sleep de... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2691281 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:38:00 +0100 2691281