stephan
Keep your job, get good sleep!
Untreated Sleep Apnea Affects Job Performance A study in the June 1, 2011 issue of the journal Sleep involved 150 people; they were all referred to a sleep center in for suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Their average age was 44 years; each of them was employed at the time of the study. An overnight [...]
Sleep and your Heart
A recent study of people with chronic heart failure showed that sleep disordered breathing (sleep apnea) significantly increases the patients’ risk of death, while CPAP therapy reduced the risk: “Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) may contribute to disease progression in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF)… After accounting for significant confounding factors (age, NYHA class, cause [...]
Sleep Handbook Preview
I found this great handbook on Google Ebooks. It’s pretty comprehensive! Check it out: http://books.google.com/books?id=89YbKw2XgY8C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Sleep and your Personal Relationships
There are the obvious effects that disorders like sleep apnea may have on relationships: “Another effect of sleep apnea is strain on family relationships. If the sleep apnea sufferer does not seek treatment, the other spouse may eventually grow resentful. When the wakened spouse chooses to sleep in another room each night, the long-term distance [...]
Sleep and your Immune System
The immune system works to protect the body from a myriad of attackers, from the common cold to infections from injuries. Good sleep is vital to a good immune system: “Neurons that control sleep interact closely with the immune system. As anyone who has had the flu knows, infectious diseases tend to make us feel [...]
Sleep and Epilepsy
Getting your REM sleep, which is very hard for people with sleep disorders like sleep apnea, can prevent seizures and widespread effects of seizures: “REM sleep seems to help prevent seizures that begin in one part of the brain from spreading to other brain regions. Sleep deprivation also triggers seizures in people with some types [...]
Sleep and Long Life
Animal studies indicate that more sleep equals a longer life. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke writes, “Although scientists are still trying to learn exactly why people need sleep, animal studies show that sleep is necessary for survival. For example, while rats normally live for two to three years, those deprived of REM [...]
Sleep and Stress
Increased stress which may lead to hypertension is often a result of poor sleep. A business psychologist said: “‘Sleep is one of the key factors to understanding what stresses an individual,’ business psychologist Gary Fitzgibbon told CNN. ‘When somebody’s undergone sleep deprivation … then you are more susceptible to developing stress.’” (“The cost of sleeping [...]
Sleep and Your Brain: Alertness/Focus/Coordination/Control/Ability to complete tasks
The brain is adversely affected by lack of sleep. It has to work harder, while doing less, when it is not refreshed by healthy sleep. A study summary on WebMD says, “A sleepy person’s brain works harder — and accomplishes less. Researchers expected to find only sluggish activity in the brains of healthy young people [...]
Sleep and Your Job
It is well-known that sleepy workers cost employers, along with increasing risk for work-related injuries: “Sleepy workers can have financial implications as well — productivity along with worker health can suffer…” (“The cost of sleeping on the job,” Nick Easen, CNN, May 10, 2004)