Researchers from Hasbro’s Children’s Hospital in Providence say that their sleep prescriptions for children range from antihistamines to sedative medicines. In select cases, the doctors also prescribed anti-psychotics and anti-convulsants.

The study, which was published in Sleep Medicine, indicates that more than 90 percent of clinicians recommend prescription drugs for insomnia in a month, and more than 80 percent prescribe over-the-counter medication for sleeplessness.

“The most important rationale for the use of sleep medication among child psychiatrists is to manage the effects of sleep disruption on daytime functioning,” stated lead researcher Dr. Judith Owens in a press statement. “It is important to note, however, that concerns about side effects and the lack of evidence regarding their effectiveness were cited as significant barriers to their use.”

Source: UPI

“Goodall-Witcher Medical Center in Central Texas is very pleased to be able to offer sleep studies locally.  Previously patients would have to travel to Waco or other distant areas for these services,” commented Clarence Fields, Jr., FACHE, President/CEO.  “Not only will Goodall-Witcher Medical Center be able to serve patients locally for these tests, but it will also service patients referred by physicians and providers located in surrounding areas,” Fields added.

“It is amazing how many individuals I see on a regular basis with sleep disorders,” said Dr. Kenneth Lowrance, APRN, FNP-BC, Family Nurse Practitioner/Vice President at Goodall-Witcher.  “Once diagnosed with sleep apnea, treatment has resulted in almost miraculous changes in many patients’ lives.  One cannot underestimate the value and importance of high quality sleep in optimizing one’s ability to function and in improving their overall quality of life.”

“Graymark Healthcare is honored to create an alignment with Goodall-Witcher Medical Center and Henderson Community Hospitals to provide sleep diagnostic and treatment services,” said Stanton Nelson.  “The Graymark Healthcare Comprehensive Care Model for Sleep Disorders including obstructive sleep apnea complement the care offered by hospitals and medical centers and allow them to provide state-of-the-art sleep disorder services in a high quality, affordable manner,” Nelson continued.

The management agreement between these Medical Centers and Graymark Healthcare become effective in July; the sleep centers will begin seeing patients in August.

Graymark Healthcare, Inc. is a diversified medical holding company that owns and operates diagnostic sleep centers that treat a wide range of sleep disorders; independent pharmacies that serve the needs of local markets; and a medical equipment company that provides both disposable and durable medical equipment. Graymark plans to continue its growth both internally and through strategic acquisitions within the medical industry.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements which are based on the Company’s current expectations, forecasts and assumptions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations, forecasts and assumptions. These risks and uncertainties include risks and uncertainties not in the control of the Company, including, without limitation, the current economic climate and other risks and uncertainties, including those enumerated and described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Unless otherwise required by law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

New professional guidelines have provided further support for what both Dr. Sullivan and his patients already know: oral appliances, which are similar in appearance to an orthodontic retainer or a sports mouthguard, are an excellent treatment option for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea.

The practice parameters, which were created by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and published in the journal SLEEP, were written by an expert task force and were based on an accompanying review of scientific evidence. Although the parameters recommend continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as the first line of treatment for patients with severe cases of OSA, they state that oral appliances may benefit a percentage of patients with more severe levels of airway obstruction. The task force also concluded that it is appropriate to use oral appliances to treat snoring patients who do not respond to behavioral interventions such as losing weight or changing sleep positions.

“These guidelines support what I have seen first-hand in my practice,” said Dr. Sullivan. “A professionally fitted oral appliance can be the best treatment option for many people who suffer from sleep-disordered breathing. Oral appliances are less expensive and more convenient than other available treatments, and they have a high rate of success in mild and moderate cases of sleep apnea.”

While snoring is common and often harmless, it can also be a warning sign for OSA, a serious medical condition that affects an estimated 18 million people in the United States. Dangers related to OSA include severe daytime sleepiness, an increased risk of high blood pressure, and higher rates of heart attack and stroke.

“Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat collapse and block the airway during sleep, which produces pauses in breathing that prevent air from getting to the lungs,” explained Dr. Sullivan. “These pauses can occur a few times or several hundred times per night.”

When worn during sleep, an oral appliance maintains an open and unobstructed airway in the throat by repositioning or stabilizing the lower jaw, tongue, soft palate or uvula. There are many types of oral appliances, with some designed only to treat snoring and others for both snoring and sleep apnea therapy.

The new practice parameters recommended that patients with mild to moderate OSA use an oral appliance when they prefer it to CPAP, which is the most effective treatment for sleep apnea. An oral appliance should also be considered by patients who are unable to successfully use CPAP or who fail surgical intervention. Patients with severe cases of OSA may also benefit from an oral appliance when either CPAP or surgery is unsuccessful.

According to Dr. Sullivan, the most common warning signs for OSA are frequent and loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, and waking up during the night with a choking sound or gasping for breath. Often it is the bed partner of a person with OSA who first recognizes these symptoms. Men and women who are obese are also at a higher risk for this sleep disorder. Medical treatment is necessary to prevent OSA from having a detrimental impact on an individual’s physical health.

“Anyone who suspects that he or she might have sleep apnea should consult a sleep specialist right away,” said Dr. Sullivan. “If testing reveals that sleep apnea is present, then the Northern California Dental Sleep Therapy Center can work with the sleep specialist to determine which treatment option is best for that person.”

Dr. Sullivan is a 1985 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. After graduation Dr. Sullivan spent two years in the US Navy Dental Corps where he practiced all aspects of general dentistry. Dr. Sullivan has attended hundreds of hours of advanced postgraduate continuing education courses throughout the country. He has a special interest, expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of facial pain and TMJ disorders as well as in the field of sleep dentistry. He currently limits his practice TMJ disorder diagnosis and therapy and oral appliance therapy for Snoring and Sleep Apnea. He really understands your sleep apnea and snoring problems because he also suffers from obstructive sleep apnea.

The new research says that the symptoms could anticipate serious risks 50 years prior to diagnosis.

Researchers are now linking rapid eye movement and sleep behavior disorders to future brain conditions.

REM disorders are found in people who act out what the dream of through violent movements and actions. People with this sleep disorder often hurt themselves and the people they sleep beside with.

The research, which was published in the Medical journal of Neurology, builds on the theory that some sleep disorders can predict the occurrence of brain diseases.

“Our findings suggest that in some patients, these conditions have a very long span of activity within the brain and they may also have a long period of time where other symptoms aren’t apparent,” stated Dr. Bradley Boeve, author of the study.

Research found that 27 people, who experienced REM sleep disorders for at least 15 years, developed Parkinson’s, dementia, and other similar conditions.

However, more research and study need to be performed to solidify the claim.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

The Full Breath Solution is a dental mouthpiece invented by Dr. Bryan Keropian. While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is the most commonly recommended treatment for sleep apnea, some people find the machine to be very invasive—it uses a mask that can be obstructive for some individuals.

The dental mouthpiece, on the other hand, is worn by sufferers whenever they sleep and is said to be an effective solution for snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea.

“Rather than pulling the tongue forward by advancing the jaw, the Full Breath Solution works by utilizing a tail that restrains the tongue from moving upward and backward,” said Dr. Keropian. “The tail lightly depresses the tongue and prevents its movement backward, keeping the airway unblocked. The length of the tail is custom-fitted to each person [by] using advanced 3D dental imaging for precise diagnostics to ensure the most comfortable and effective placement.”

The device does not open the jaw of the individual wearing it, which removes most of the associated side effects of other devices.

Source: FleetOwner

The site contains articles on symptoms, treatment, surgery, equipment, and testing. An excellent overview of sleep apnea is included in the site. The public will continue to be educated with frequent blog posts and an ever expanding library of information on apnea related issues. Multimedia is included to enhance the user experience and transference of knowledge to the reader.

Dr. Michael Twery, director of the National Sleep Center on Sleep Disorders Research at NIH’s National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, OSA is caused by temporary obstructions in a person’s airway during sleep.

It is also linked to weight gain, because the airway becomes narrower among obese individuals.

When left undiagnosed and untreated, the condition can result in diabetes and heart complications. What’s worse is everyone is at risk, even children.

The most common treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask. This device blows air inside the throat to prevent airway obstruction. There are also other available treatments at sleep centers.

If you are experiencing sleep problems, get yourself checked at your nearest sleep center. Diagnosis is of utmost importance when it comes to sleep disorder solutions.

Source: techcombo

The facility aims to help people who have sleep disorders.

Sleep disorders are characterized by many symptoms, including depression, short-term memory loss, obesity, high-blood pressure, and heart disease.

“Moses Lake really needed a sleep lab,” commented Kelly Kane, marketing coordinator for the center. “The need was here, the demographic was here.”

Kane says that the opening of the center has been well-received by physicians and facilities.

The center will offer sleep studies to diagnose the patient’s sleep problem.

Source: Columbia Basin Herald

If you don’t know Paul, you can watch him sleep on Thursday.

The Ballard resident will be a sleep study subject on Thursday at the Swedish Medical Center’s Sleep Medicine Associates.

Doctors and sleep specialists will analyze Balcerak’s sleep patterns to determine if his condition requires treatment.

Viewers will be able to observe technicians as they analyze Balcerak’s sleep behavior, and they can even direct their questions and comments on the lab’s profile on Twitter.

“It’s definitely a little weird,” describes Balcerak about the set up. “I mean, I volunteered — so I can’t say I’m too weirded out by it.”

He continues: “To tell you the truth, the whole social media aspect of it is pretty cool.”

A spokesperson for Sleep Medicine Associates explained, “It’s a public health issue that really doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves. Sleep disorders are a little more serious than just snoring.”

Source: Seattlepi.com

The drug is restricted to treating narcolepsy because its risks outweigh the benefits of the medicine for other uses.

According to the European Medicines Agency, doctors and patients should not use medicines that contain modafinil—which is an active ingredient of Provigil—for treating sleep disorders other than narcolepsy.

Cephalon will request a re-examination from the regulator.

Cephalon representatives say that the restriction of Provigil’s application will have minimal impact on the company’s earnings.

Analysts say that Cephalon will still meet its forecast for the year.