Sleep Disorders

Primary care physicians need to pay more attention to this common medical disorder that frequently is unrecognized or misdiagnosed.

Asthma may be a risk factor for the development of obstructive sleep apnea, according to the results of a new longitudinal study.

In HIV-infected patients receiving HAART, fatigue and orthostasis are highly prevalent.

Suvorexant would be the first in a new class of insomnia drugs, called orexin receptor antagonists, that work by blocking brain chemicals that keep persons awake.

Resistant hypertension requires aggressive treatment with multiple drugs. Spironolactone is a key addition to the regimen.

Continuous positive airway pressure therapy for OSA reduces serum levels of C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-6.

ASH 2013 has uncovered 2 glaring gaps in the management of people with sleep disorders (OSA as well as others) and appropriate care after a stroke. Both cohorts frequent primary care practice.

Sleep disorders are among the most common medical complaints. To better address the problem, the NSF has launched a comprehensive free online sleep disorders resource.

Shorter sleep is associated with increases in BMI in adolescents aged 14 to 18 years, especially in heavier adolescents.

Young women who report having sleeping difficulties “often” in their early 20s have a 4- to 5-times increased risk of depression within 9 years, according to a new study.

PCPs for sleep apnea?; mental illness and obesity; norovirus on the rise; global sodium overdose

Patients who undergo treatment for sleep apnea show similar improvements in sleepiness scores when treated by one or the other.

Sleep apnea in adults aged 65 years or older posed an increased risk for silent cerebral infarction and lacunar infarction.

Adult sleepwalking can lead to violent behaviors, daytime sleepiness, fatigue and impaired health-related quality of life.

Nocturia was responsible for 54.2% of nocturnal awakenings in community-dwelling older adults.

Choosing Wisely, HIV and MI, anemia drug recalled, artificial pancreas in type 1 diabetes

The prevalence of chronic cough is reported to be 5% to 7% in preschoolers and 12% to 15% in older children. Diagnosis and management can present challenges.

Normal age-related changes in brain structure are found to affect the quality of deep sleep, impairing sleep-dependent memory.

Flavonoid-rich berries; what cause of cerebral infarct; genital lesions; drowsy child; oral lesions. . . . can you answer the 5 quiz questions?

Treatment of women who have preeclampsia with continuous positive airway pressure therapy for mild sleep-disordered breathing reverses low fetal activity levels and may improve fetal outcomes.

The FDA’s recent recommendation that the bedtime dose be lowered came about because new data show that blood levels may be high enough the morning after use to impair activities that require alertness.

The relationship between sleep and exercise is the theme of this year’s National Sleep Foundation Sleep in America poll, an annual checkup on Americans’ sleep health practices.

The FDA requires reductions in recommended doses of zolpidem; update on the flu; new BP goals for patients with diabetes; selective use of D-Dimer for suspected DVT; new food safety standards. . . here: 5 quick summaries of medical news headlines with links out to original sources.

Attention to ADD seems to be escalating. It almost seems to be a fad. Doesn’t everyone want to be able to focus better?

Medication is seldom necessary. Education is the key element of therapy. An explanation of the process and a discussion of possible triggers-lack of sleep, stress, missed meals etc-is the most key intervention.

Go-for-the-Glory Quiz: Pruritic Feet; HTN and Sleep; Red Eye; Dysphagia

Sleep-disordered breathing and behavioral sleep disturbance in young children may lead to learning disabilities.

Recognizing the distribution of adverse effects, drug interaction profiles, metabolism, and cytochrome substrate activity may help clinicians address sleep issues more effectively.

A big concern is that sleep affects memory performance and concentration, much-needed skills in the classroom.

With proper assessment and treatment, primary care physicians can help improve their sleep habits and quality.