ScienceDaily: Obstructive Sleep Apnea News

Sleep apnea patients more likely to report nodding at the wheel and fail driving simulator tests

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:48:48 EDT

People with sleep apnea are more likely to fail a driving simulator test and report nodding whilst driving, according to new research.

Children with sleep apnea have higher risk of behavioral, adaptive and learning problems

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:12:12 EDT

A new study found that obstructive sleep apnea, a common form of sleep-disordered breathing, is associated with increased rates of ADHD-like behavioral problems in children as well as other adaptive and learning problems.

Significant link found between daytime sleepiness and vitamin D

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 19:09:09 EST

A new study suggests that there is a significant correlation between excessive daytime sleepiness and vitamin D, and race plays an important factor.

Kids' sleep-related breathing problems

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 12:24:24 EST

Children with sleep-related breathing problems (such as snoring or apnea) frequently have concurrent behavioral sleep problems (such as waking repeatedly).

Women with sleep apnea have higher degree of brain damage than men, study shows

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:00:00 EST

Women suffering from sleep apnea have, on the whole, a higher degree of brain damage than that found in men with a similar sleep disorder, according to a first-of-its-kind study.

Mechanism of breathing muscle 'paralysis' in dreaming sleep identified

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 08:52:52 EST

A novel brain mechanism mediating the inhibition of the critical breathing muscles during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep has been identified for the first time in a new study.

Sleep problems cost billions

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 11:05:05 EDT

Insomnia and sleep apnea are turning us into major health service consumers, causing us to be less productive at work, and may even lead to serious accidents, according to researchers.

Missing link between mental health disorders and chronic diseases in Iraq war refugees

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:18:18 EDT

Researchers may have discovered why people exposed to war are at increased risk to develop chronic problems like heart disease years later. And the culprit that links the two is surprising.

Sleep apnea plays dual role in stroke

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 09:27:27 EDT

Improvements to the diagnosis and screening of sleep apnea are critical to stroke prevention.

Starting to snore during pregnancy could indicate risk for high blood pressure

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 14:25:25 EDT

A sleep-related breathing problem is associated with serious, expensive conditions like preeclampsia, gestational hypertension.

Commercial drivers could be understating sleep apnea symptoms for fear of losing their license

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 14:33:33 EDT

People who drive commercial vehicles, such as buses, taxis, trucks and airplanes, could be incorrectly reporting their symptoms of sleep apnea due to their fears of endangering their employment, according to a new study.

High rates of sleep apnea in women

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 07:54:54 EDT

New research has found high rates of sleep apnea in women, despite the condition usually being regarded as a disorder predominantly of males.

Obesity, depression found to be root causes of daytime sleepiness

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 09:10:10 EDT

Three new studies conclude that obesity and depression are the main culprits making Americans excessively sleepy while awake. Researchers examined a random population sample of 1,741 adults and determined that obesity and emotional stress are the main causes of an "epidemic" of sleepiness and fatigue plaguing the country. Insufficient sleep and obstructive sleep apnea also play a role; both have been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, depression, diabetes, obesity and accidents.

Top risk of stroke for normal-weight adults: Getting under 6 hours of sleep

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 09:23:23 EDT

Habitually sleeping less than six hours significantly increases stroke risk among middle-age to older adults of normal weight and at low risk for sleep apnea, study of 5,666 people followed for up to three years reports. Participants started with no stroke history or high risk for sleep apnea, BMI was adjusted for. First stroke symptoms were measured, along with demographic information, stroke risk factors, depression symptoms, health behaviors. Study found no association among overweight participants.

Obstructive sleep apnea's damage evident after one month

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:17:17 EDT

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects some 1 in 5 US adults. A novel research model finds after just 30 days of OSA exposure, cerebral vessel function is altered, which could lead to stroke.

Sleep apnea linked to silent strokes, small lesions in brain

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:43:43 EST

People with severe sleep apnea may have an increased risk of silent strokes and small lesions in the brain, according to a small study.

Sleep disorders common among police officers

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:26:26 EST

A survey of police officers indicated that about 40 percent have a sleep disorder, which was associated with an increased risk of adverse health, safety and performance outcomes, according to a new study.

Innovative approaches help sleep apnea sufferers benefit from CPAP

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:36:36 EST

People with obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to stick to prescribed treatment when a partner or parent is involved with their treatment, according to a team of sleep researchers.

Mediterranean diet and exercise can reduce sleep apnea symptoms

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:30:30 EDT

Eating a Mediterranean diet combined with physical activity can help to improve some of the symptoms of sleep apnea, according to new research.

Sleep-disordered breathing may increase risk of cognitive impairment, dementia among older women

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:19:19 EDT

Older women with sleep-disordered breathing, as indicated by measures of hypoxia (oxygen deficiency), were more likely to develop cognitive impairment or dementia than women without this disorder, according to a new study.

Simple analysis of breathing sounds while awake can detect obstructive sleep apnea

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:42:42 EDT

The analysis of breathing sounds while awake may be a fast, simple and accurate screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea, new research suggests.

Novel device quantifies the efficacy of oral appliance therapy for snoring and sleep apnea

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 09:40:40 EDT

New research quantified the efficacy of mandibular advancement splints using a self-administered, at-home device to monitor snoring and sleep-disordered breathing.

Screening high-risk employees for sleep apnea could save a corporation millions of dollars

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 09:35:35 EDT

Large corporations could save millions of dollars in lost productivity by screening and treating high-risk employees for obstructive sleep apnea, suggests a new research.

Kids who bully, have aggressive behaviors are twice as likely to have sleep problems

Tue, 31 May 2011 16:21:21 EDT

Children who are bullies or have conduct problems at school, are more likely to be sleepy during the day according to researchers.

Sleepiness in children linked to obesity, asthma

Mon, 16 May 2011 12:17:17 EDT

Obese, asthmatic, anxious or depressed children are more likely to experience excessive daytime sleepiness according to sleep researchers.

CPAP improves daytime sleepiness even in patients with low levels of symptoms

Sun, 15 May 2011 12:24:24 EDT

Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, can increase alertness and even improve quality of life for sufferers of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), even if their symptoms are minimal, according to a new study conducted by researchers in Europe. Patients enrolled in the study reported an improvement in daytime sleepiness within six months of beginning CPAP treatment.

Persons with sleep apnea have twice the risk of suffering a stroke

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:38:38 EDT

New research from Spain finds that those persons with serious cases of sleep apnea have more than twice the possibility of suffering an ischemic stroke.

Risk of death is high in older adults with sleep apnea and daytime sleepiness, study finds

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 08:54:54 EDT

A new study suggests that the risk of death is more than two times higher in older adults who have sleep apnea and report struggling with excessive daytime sleepiness.

Apnea may be cause for awakening and voiding for those with enlarged prostates

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:37:37 EDT

Researchers found that more than half (57.8 percent) of patients with enlarged prostates may in fact have the sleep disorder, and that the awakenings that patients ascribed to their need to urinate at night may be actually caused by their sleep disorders.

Brain can learn to overcome sleep apnea, study suggests

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:23:23 EST

New research could provide some restful nights for the 18 million North Americans who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.

Sleep evaluation may help identify kids at risk for respiratory complications after tonsil surgery

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:14:14 EST

Performing polysomnography (sleep study) prior to pediatric adenotonsillectomy (surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids) may help identify children at a higher risk of developing postoperative respiratory complications, according to a new study.

Sleep-disordered breathing comes at a heavy cost

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:04:04 EST

In one of the largest studies of its kind, Danish sleep researchers have examined the socio-economic consequences of the sleep disorders snoring, sleep apnea, and obesity-related respiratory difficulties (obesity hypoventilation syndrome). These disorders are a serious health and social-economic burden on the individual and on society as a whole.

CPAP therapy reduces fatigue, increases energy in patients with sleep apnea, study suggests

Sun, 02 Jan 2011 20:22:22 EST

Three weeks of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy significantly reduced fatigue and increased energy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Loud snoring and insomnia symptoms predict the development of the metabolic syndrome

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 09:55:55 EST

A new study finds that loud snoring and two common insomnia symptoms -- difficulty falling asleep and unrefreshing sleep -- each significantly predicted the development of the metabolic syndrome. The study emphasizes the importance of screening for common sleep complaints in routine clinical practice.

Women's study finds longevity means getting just enough sleep

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:18:18 EDT

A new study, derived from novel sleep research 14 years earlier, suggests that the secret to a long life may come with just enough sleep. Less than five hours a night is probably not enough; eight hours is probably too much.

CPAP therapy provides a memory boost for adults with sleep apnea

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:32:32 EDT

On an overnight picture memory consolidation task, OSA patients being treated with CPAP therapy outperformed both untreated OSA patients and a control group of people who did not have OSA, suggesting that CPAP is effective at recouping memory abilities that are impaired by OSA. CPAP patients correctly identified more photographs after one night of sleep. The study involved a preliminary sample of 135 adults between the ages of 33 and 65 years.

Sleep apnea in children and teens to linked to lower academic grades

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 09:18:18 EDT

Moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea was linked to lower academic grades and behavioral concerns expressed by parents and teachers. Students with moderate to severe OSA averaged a half-letter grade lower than those without sleep-disordered breathing, and none of the students with moderate to severe OSA had an "A" average. OSA was particularly associated with inattention and poor study skills in real-world situations. Participants were 163 children and adolescents, 10 to 17 years old.

More adults report excessive sleepiness in the US than in Europe

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 09:18:18 EDT

Results indicate that 19.5 percent of US adults reported having moderate to excessive sleepiness, which was comparable between men and women. Furthermore, 11 percent of participants reported severe sleepiness, which was more prevalent in women (13 percent) than in men (8.6 percent). The cross-sectional study involved a representative sample of 8,937 adults. In a previous study the author reported that the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness in five European countries was 15 percent.

Seasonal variance in sleep-disordered breathing in young children, study finds

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 06:56:56 EDT

The prevalence of mild sleep-disordered breathing in young children may fluctuate seasonally, suggests new research.

CPAP therapy restores brain tissue in adults with sleep apnea, study finds

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 06:55:55 EDT

Obstructive sleep apnea patients had reductions of grey-matter volume at baseline but showed significant grey-matter volume increase after three months of CPAP therapy, according to new research.

Sleep-disordered breathing is common but hard to detect in pediatric patients

Sat, 05 Jun 2010 11:25:25 EDT

In a new study, an estimated 18 percent of pediatric patients were found to be at risk for sleep-related breathing disorders. Pediatric risk was not associated with any demographic or craniofacial characteristics, as it is in adults, making it difficult to detect.

US dental schools leave graduates unprepared to screen for sleep disorders, study suggests

Sat, 05 Jun 2010 11:25:25 EDT

The majority of US dental schools have not adequately prepared their graduates to screen for sleep disorders, which affect more than 70 million adults in the US, according to new research.

Sleep disorders common among professional drivers, Swedish study finds

Sun, 09 May 2010 20:26:26 EDT

Sleep disorders are common among bus and tram drivers in Gothenburg, Sweden: a quarter say that they have problems with daytime sleepiness, which could affect safety, according to a new study.

Association between sleep disturbances and reduced quality of life varies by race, study finds

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 08:08:08 EDT

A new study shows that having a sleep disturbance is associated with clinically meaningful reductions in health-related quality of life, and the magnitude of this effect varies by race and sleep disorder.

Sleep apnea tied to increased risk of stroke; Even mild sleep apnea puts men in danger, study finds

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 07:52:52 EDT

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of stroke in middle-aged and older adults, especially men, according to new results from a landmark study.

Sleep apnea linked to hard-to-diagnose eye disorders

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:59:59 EDT

A British study finds that the condition known as floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) is strongly associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), implying that when doctors see FES in a patient, they should also look for OSA, and vice-versa. The study describes factors shared by OSA and FES and specific findings on how FES develops that will help doctors better diagnose and treat patients.

Severe sleep apnea decreases frequency of nightmare recall

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:17:17 EST

A study in the Feb. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine shows that patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) report a significantly lower frequency of nightmares than patients with mild or no sleep apnea, indicating that OSA suppresses the cognitive experience of nightmare recall.

Reduced brain gray matter concentration found in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:16:16 EST

In a study of 36 newly diagnosed men with severe obstructive sleep apnea and 31 healthy controls, significant gray matter concentration deficits were found in multiple brain areas of men with OSA, including limbic structures, prefrontal cortices and the cerebellum. These changes in brain structure may be related to problems such as memory impairment and executive dysfunction that are observed in OSA patients.

Ecstasy use may lead to sleep apnea: Illegal 'club drug' poisons neurons involved in control of breathing during sleep

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:23:23 EST

Repeated use of the drug popularly known as "ecstasy" significantly raises the risk of developing sleep apnea in otherwise healthy young adults with no other known risk factors for the sleep disturbance, a new study suggests. The finding is the latest highlighting the potential dangers of the amphetamine-style chemical, currently used illegally by millions of people in the United States.

Teeth Grinding Linked To Sleep Apnea; Bruxism Prevalent In Caucasians With Sleep Disorders

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:12:12 EST

New research has found that nearly 1 in 4 patients with OSA suffers from nighttime teeth grinding. This seems to be especially more prevalent in men and in Caucasians compared with other ethnic groups.

Sleep Apnea Therapy Improves Golf Game

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:12:12 EST

A new study finds that golfers with obstructive sleep apnea who received nasal positive airway pressure for their disorder improved their daytime sleepiness scores and lowered their golf handicap by as much as three strokes.

Surgery Is An Option For Some Patients Hoping To Get A Good Night's Rest, Study Finds

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:22:22 EDT

According to new research, a form of surgery called uvopalatopharyngoplasty is effective for treating certain patients who suffer from sleep apnea, one of the most common sleep disorders.

Ways To Quiet Ordinary Snoring

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:58:58 EDT

Ordinary, loud snoring doesn't seem to be harmful, but snorers still may want to seek treatment to stop snoring, reduce embarrassment and improve sleep for themselves and their bed partner.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Prevalent In Adults With Down Syndrome

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 10:08:08 EDT

A new study shows that adults with Down syndrome also frequently suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.

Biomarker Of Breathing Control Abnormality Associated With Hypertension And Stroke

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:27:27 EDT

Scientists have identified a distinct ECG-derived spectrographic phenotype, designated as narrow-band elevated low frequency coupling (e-LFCNB), that is associated with prevalent hypertension, stroke, greater severity of sleep disordered breathing and sleep fragmentation in patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.

CPAP Treatment Linked To Lower Mortality In Stroke Patients With OSA

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:15:15 EDT

Stroke patients with obstructive sleep apnea who undergo treatment with continuous positive airway pressure following their stroke may substantially reduce their risk of death.

Sleep Apnea Occurring During REM Sleep Is Significantly Associated With Type 2 Diabetes

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:22:22 EDT

Scientists found a statistically significant relationship between obstructive sleep apnea episodes occurring during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and type 2 diabetes.

Complaints Of Fatigue And Tiredness In People With OSA Improve With CPAP Treatment

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:22:22 EDT

The complaints of fatigue and tiredness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) improved significantly with good adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, suggesting that -- like the symptom of excessive daytime sleepiness -- these complaints are important symptoms of OSA.

Link Found Between Poor Sleep Quality And Increased Risk Of Death

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:12:12 EDT

Quality, in addition to quantity, is important for maintaining health, according to new research.

Study Shows A Bidirectional Relationship Between Chronic Stress And Sleep Problems

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:12:12 EDT

People with chronic stress report shorter sleep duration, worse sleep quality, and more daytime functioning impairments, according to new research. Conversely, daytime functioning impairments and shorter sleep duration demonstrated a predictive relationship with habitual stress complaints.