A symposium taking place until 10 a.m. and being led by chair Dr. Antonio Culebras is focusing on “Sleep and Hypertension.” Topics being discussed include the relationship between sleep, sleep disorders and high blood pressure, as well as how to manage patients with high blood pressure through the identification of these sleep disorders.
Sleep disorders that will be prominent in this discussion include obstructive sleep apnea, periodic limb movements and insomnia. A study in the April 1 issue of the journal SLEEP reported that the risk of hypertension associated with insomnia and a short sleep duration is comparable to the risk associated with obstructive sleep apnea.
Culebras was one co-author of a scientific statement published last summer that focused on the growing evidence linking sleep apnea to cardiovascular disease. The statement reported that about 50 percent of OSA patients are hypertensive, and an estimated 30 percent of hypertensive patients also have OSA, often undiagnosed.
Showing posts with label insomnia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label insomnia. Show all posts
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Sleep & Women: Rheumatoid Arthritis
A study (#1007) that will be presented later this morning as a poster indicates that women with rheumatoid arthritis report poor sleep quality.
The study involved 133 women with RA; their average age was 56 years and they had RA for an average of almost 15 years.
Results show that 71 percent of the women had poor self-reported sleep quality. Pain, depression and poor adherence to RA medications also contributed to impaired sleep.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine reports that many medical and neurological disorders may give rise to chronic insomnia. Disorders that cause pain, breathing problems, limited mobility, and central nervous system (CNS) symptoms are the major ailments that cause difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep. Find more about insomnia due to medical condition on SleepEducation.com.
You can download the SLEEP 2009 abstract supplement as an 11 MB file in PDF format.
The study involved 133 women with RA; their average age was 56 years and they had RA for an average of almost 15 years.
Results show that 71 percent of the women had poor self-reported sleep quality. Pain, depression and poor adherence to RA medications also contributed to impaired sleep.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine reports that many medical and neurological disorders may give rise to chronic insomnia. Disorders that cause pain, breathing problems, limited mobility, and central nervous system (CNS) symptoms are the major ailments that cause difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep. Find more about insomnia due to medical condition on SleepEducation.com.
You can download the SLEEP 2009 abstract supplement as an 11 MB file in PDF format.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Increased Brain Activation Helps Insomniacs Maintain Daytime Performance
A study (# 0779) being presented this afternoon as an oral presentation used functional MRI to show that adults with primary insomnia have increased cerebral activation relative to good sleepers during a working memory task.
Differences appeared particularly in areas responsible for visual-spatial attention and coordination of cognitive processes. Compared with good sleepers, people with primary insomnia also showed significantly faster reaction times for correct responses and no difference in the number of errors committed.
Results suggest that people with primary insomnia may compensate for the detrimental effects of poor sleep to maintain adequate daytime performance.
You can download the SLEEP 2009 abstract supplement as an 11 MB file in PDF format.
Differences appeared particularly in areas responsible for visual-spatial attention and coordination of cognitive processes. Compared with good sleepers, people with primary insomnia also showed significantly faster reaction times for correct responses and no difference in the number of errors committed.
Results suggest that people with primary insomnia may compensate for the detrimental effects of poor sleep to maintain adequate daytime performance.
You can download the SLEEP 2009 abstract supplement as an 11 MB file in PDF format.
The Genetics of Insomnia: Stress & Intrusive Thoughts
A study (# 0781) being presented this afternoon as an oral presentation examines the underlying genetics of insomnia. Results of the twin study show that sleep reactivity to stress may mediate the genetic relation between insomnia and intrusive thinking/ruminative thoughts. The study also found an environmental variance in intrusive thinking that predicts insomnia; this suggests that behavioral treatments could be designed to target specific environmental triggers that promote rumination.
A clinical workshop relevant to this study will take place today from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Pacific Time. “Arousal-reducing and Cognitive Techniques in the Treatment of Insomnia” will include discussions on progressive relaxation techniques for insomnia and constructive worry treatment strategies for intrusive thinking.
You can download the SLEEP 2009 abstract supplement as an 11 MB file in PDF format.
A clinical workshop relevant to this study will take place today from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Pacific Time. “Arousal-reducing and Cognitive Techniques in the Treatment of Insomnia” will include discussions on progressive relaxation techniques for insomnia and constructive worry treatment strategies for intrusive thinking.
You can download the SLEEP 2009 abstract supplement as an 11 MB file in PDF format.
Treating Insomnia without Drugs
Two studies being presented as posters later this morning show that non-pharmacological treatments for insomnia can be effective.
One study (#0821) concludes that when applied in a “real world” clinical setting, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia appears to be an effective treatment approach for various types of chronic insomnia such as sleep-onset insomnia and sleep-maintenance insomnia. Treatment produced significant improvements on presenting complaints as well as other measures such as sleep efficiency, average nightly awakenings, total sleep time and average nights of sleep medication use per week.
A small pilot study (#0874) involving 11 adults with chronic primary insomnia shows that another effective behavioral intervention may be Kriya Yoga – a type of meditation that combines different yoga techniques. Results indicate that sleep latency, total sleep time, total wake time, wake after sleep onset, sleep efficiency, sleep quality and depression improved in patients who practiced meditation for two months.
In 2006 the American Academy of Sleep Medicine published, “Practice Parameters for the Psychological and Behavioral Treatment of Insomnia: An Update” in the journal SLEEP. View the practice parameters online.
You can download the SLEEP 2009 abstract supplement as an 11 MB file in PDF format.
One study (#0821) concludes that when applied in a “real world” clinical setting, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia appears to be an effective treatment approach for various types of chronic insomnia such as sleep-onset insomnia and sleep-maintenance insomnia. Treatment produced significant improvements on presenting complaints as well as other measures such as sleep efficiency, average nightly awakenings, total sleep time and average nights of sleep medication use per week.
A small pilot study (#0874) involving 11 adults with chronic primary insomnia shows that another effective behavioral intervention may be Kriya Yoga – a type of meditation that combines different yoga techniques. Results indicate that sleep latency, total sleep time, total wake time, wake after sleep onset, sleep efficiency, sleep quality and depression improved in patients who practiced meditation for two months.
In 2006 the American Academy of Sleep Medicine published, “Practice Parameters for the Psychological and Behavioral Treatment of Insomnia: An Update” in the journal SLEEP. View the practice parameters online.
You can download the SLEEP 2009 abstract supplement as an 11 MB file in PDF format.
Primary Insomnia Linked to a Neurochemical Abnormality
A study (#0768) being presented this afternoon as an oral presentation demonstrates a specific neurochemical abnormality in adults with primary insomnia, providing greater insight to the limited understanding of the condition’s pathology.
Results indicate that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the most common inhibitory transmitter in the brain, is reduced by nearly 30 percent in individuals with primary insomnia. These findings suggest that primary insomnia is a manifestation of a neurobiological state of hyperarousal. Approximately 25 percent of people suffering from insomnia are considered to have primary insomnia, which is defined as a difficulty falling asleep or maintaining sleep in the absence of coexisting conditions.
The research team also published their study results in the November 1, 2008, issue of the journal SLEEP. Read the AASM press release.
The principal investigator of the study, Dr. John Winkelman of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass., will chair a related symposium later this morning at 8 a.m. Pacific Time. The symposium, “Neurobiological Correlates of Insomnia,” will explore the neurophysiologic features of insomnia.
You can download the SLEEP 2009 abstract supplement as an 11 MB file in PDF format.
Results indicate that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the most common inhibitory transmitter in the brain, is reduced by nearly 30 percent in individuals with primary insomnia. These findings suggest that primary insomnia is a manifestation of a neurobiological state of hyperarousal. Approximately 25 percent of people suffering from insomnia are considered to have primary insomnia, which is defined as a difficulty falling asleep or maintaining sleep in the absence of coexisting conditions.
The research team also published their study results in the November 1, 2008, issue of the journal SLEEP. Read the AASM press release.
The principal investigator of the study, Dr. John Winkelman of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass., will chair a related symposium later this morning at 8 a.m. Pacific Time. The symposium, “Neurobiological Correlates of Insomnia,” will explore the neurophysiologic features of insomnia.
You can download the SLEEP 2009 abstract supplement as an 11 MB file in PDF format.
Insomnia Linked to Diabetes Risk
A study (#0866) being presented later this morning as a poster indicates that insomnia with short sleep duration is associated with an increased risk of diabetes. Yesterday the same research team presented an abstract (#0868) showing that chronic insomnia with objective short sleep duration in men also is associated with an increased risk for mortality.
In the April 1 issue of the journal SLEEP, the researchers also published a study showing that chronic insomnia with objectively measured short sleep time is an independent and clinically significant risk factor for hypertension. Read an AASM press release about the study.
According to the authors, these results indicate that objective sleep duration may predict the medical severity of chronic insomnia, and they suggest that the medical impact of insomnia has been previously underestimated.
You can download the SLEEP 2009 abstract supplement as an 11 MB file in PDF format.
In the April 1 issue of the journal SLEEP, the researchers also published a study showing that chronic insomnia with objectively measured short sleep time is an independent and clinically significant risk factor for hypertension. Read an AASM press release about the study.
According to the authors, these results indicate that objective sleep duration may predict the medical severity of chronic insomnia, and they suggest that the medical impact of insomnia has been previously underestimated.
You can download the SLEEP 2009 abstract supplement as an 11 MB file in PDF format.
Monday, June 8, 2009
The Genetics of Insomnia in Children & Teens
A study (#0808) being presented later this morning as a poster examined the genetic heritability of insomnia in a sample of twins. Results show a moderate heritability in children between 8 and 16 years of age, with significant genetic effects shared between insomnia, depression and anxiety. This suggests that overlapping genetic mechanisms may underlie these three disorders and may help explain why insomnia is so common in people who have depression and anxiety.
You can download the SLEEP 2009 abstract supplement as an 11 MB file in PDF format.
You can download the SLEEP 2009 abstract supplement as an 11 MB file in PDF format.
Insomnia Linked to Mortality
A study (#0868) being presented later this morning as a poster reports that insomnia with short sleep duration in men is associated with increased mortality. In women with insomnia and short sleep duration, the mortality risk was increased but not statistically significant.
In the April 1 issue of the journal SLEEP, the same research team also published a study showing that chronic insomnia with objectively measured short sleep time is an independent and clinically significant risk factor for hypertension. Read an AASM press release about the study.
You can download the SLEEP 2009 abstract supplement as an 11 MB file in PDF format.
In the April 1 issue of the journal SLEEP, the same research team also published a study showing that chronic insomnia with objectively measured short sleep time is an independent and clinically significant risk factor for hypertension. Read an AASM press release about the study.
You can download the SLEEP 2009 abstract supplement as an 11 MB file in PDF format.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Insomnia Linked to Increased Risk of High Blood Pressure
“The medical impact of chronic insomnia has been underestimated,” said researcher Alexandros Vgontzas at the conclusion of his oral presentation this afternoon at SLEEP 2008.
In a study (ID# 685) of 1,741 men and women from Central Pennsylvania, Vgontzas and colleagues found that having insomnia and a short sleep duration of less than or equal to five hours increased the risk of high blood pressure by five times. Having insomnia and sleeping for five to six hours made individuals three times more likely to have high blood pressure. Without a complaint of insomnia, short sleep duration of less than or equal to five hours increased the risk of high blood pressure by only 1.5 times.
Sleep time was recorded during one night in a sleep laboratory. “Insomnia” was defined as a complaint of insomnia for more than or equal to one year.
Vgontzas, of Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pa., indicated that these results show that insomnia with a short sleep duration may raise the risk of high blood pressure at a rate that is similar to obstructive sleep apnea.
The SLEEP 2008 abstract book is available online at http://www.journalsleep.org/PDF/AbstractBook2008.pdf.
In a study (ID# 685) of 1,741 men and women from Central Pennsylvania, Vgontzas and colleagues found that having insomnia and a short sleep duration of less than or equal to five hours increased the risk of high blood pressure by five times. Having insomnia and sleeping for five to six hours made individuals three times more likely to have high blood pressure. Without a complaint of insomnia, short sleep duration of less than or equal to five hours increased the risk of high blood pressure by only 1.5 times.
Sleep time was recorded during one night in a sleep laboratory. “Insomnia” was defined as a complaint of insomnia for more than or equal to one year.
Vgontzas, of Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pa., indicated that these results show that insomnia with a short sleep duration may raise the risk of high blood pressure at a rate that is similar to obstructive sleep apnea.
The SLEEP 2008 abstract book is available online at http://www.journalsleep.org/PDF/AbstractBook2008.pdf.
Internet, Aerobic Exercise May Help People with Insomnia
Two studies being presented as poster presentations this morning at SLEEP 2008 offer hope to those who suffer from insomnia.
A study (ID# 0716) of 44 participants shows that a self-help program delivered via the Internet can significantly improve insomnia in adults. Individuals in the study group had an average age of 45 years, and 77 percent were women.
Participants reported having an average of five nights per week of sleep difficulties for about 10 years. The study involved a six-week, structured, interactive, self-guided, and tailored intervention that took traditional face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy and transformed it for delivery via the Internet.
Results show that sleep improved significantly over the six-week period. Sleep efficiency (i.e., the percentage of time in bed spent sleeping) improved from 66 percent to 88 percent. The average nightly total sleep time of the participants increased by 80 minutes.
Another study (ID# 0737) of 36 adults with chronic primary insomnia suggests that moderate aerobic exercise can help people with insomnia get some sleep.
The study involved 28 women and 8 men with an average age of 44 years. Results show that a 50-minute session of moderate aerobic exercise on a treadmill improved numerous measures of sleep quality. It decreased sleep onset latency (i.e., the amount of time it takes to fall asleep) by 54 percent and decreased wake time in bed by 36 percent after the exercise session.
The session of moderate aerobic exercise, which began at 6 p.m., also increased total sleep time by 21 percent and increased sleep efficiency by 18 percent.
Similar results were not achieved with either heavy aerobic exercise or moderate strength exercise. Heavy aerobic exercise involved three periods of 10 minutes of exercise on a treadmill alternating with 10 minutes of rest. Strength exercise lasted about 50 minutes and involved: shoulder press, chest press, vertical traction, leg press, leg curl, leg extension, abdominal crunch and lower back.
The SLEEP 2008 abstract book is available online at http://www.journalsleep.org/PDF/AbstractBook2008.pdf.
A study (ID# 0716) of 44 participants shows that a self-help program delivered via the Internet can significantly improve insomnia in adults. Individuals in the study group had an average age of 45 years, and 77 percent were women.
Participants reported having an average of five nights per week of sleep difficulties for about 10 years. The study involved a six-week, structured, interactive, self-guided, and tailored intervention that took traditional face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy and transformed it for delivery via the Internet.
Results show that sleep improved significantly over the six-week period. Sleep efficiency (i.e., the percentage of time in bed spent sleeping) improved from 66 percent to 88 percent. The average nightly total sleep time of the participants increased by 80 minutes.
Another study (ID# 0737) of 36 adults with chronic primary insomnia suggests that moderate aerobic exercise can help people with insomnia get some sleep.
The study involved 28 women and 8 men with an average age of 44 years. Results show that a 50-minute session of moderate aerobic exercise on a treadmill improved numerous measures of sleep quality. It decreased sleep onset latency (i.e., the amount of time it takes to fall asleep) by 54 percent and decreased wake time in bed by 36 percent after the exercise session.
The session of moderate aerobic exercise, which began at 6 p.m., also increased total sleep time by 21 percent and increased sleep efficiency by 18 percent.
Similar results were not achieved with either heavy aerobic exercise or moderate strength exercise. Heavy aerobic exercise involved three periods of 10 minutes of exercise on a treadmill alternating with 10 minutes of rest. Strength exercise lasted about 50 minutes and involved: shoulder press, chest press, vertical traction, leg press, leg curl, leg extension, abdominal crunch and lower back.
The SLEEP 2008 abstract book is available online at http://www.journalsleep.org/PDF/AbstractBook2008.pdf.
Is Sleep the Secret to Successful Aging for Women?
A study (ID# 0305) being presented as a poster presentation this morning at SLEEP 2008 reinforces the importance of normal sleep for the healthy aging of women.
The study involved 2,226 women who were 60 years of age or older. Nearly 21 percent of the women were determined to be “successful agers.” Measures of successful aging included independent living, active engagement with life, life satisfaction and well-being, freedom from disability and the absence of physical disease.
Women who reported less sleep disturbance on an insomnia rating scale were more likely to be successful agers. Successful aging was best predicted by less daytime napping and fewer complaints of sleep maintenance insomnia (i.e., when awakenings occur during the night).
An increased severity of sleep disturbance predicted lower self-ratings of “successful aging” and a greater difference between perceived and actual age.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, women tend to describe sleep problems using different terms than men. Women may be less likely to say that they feel sleepy during the day. Instead women often describe feeling tired, unrested or fatigued. They also may report an overall lack of energy or vitality.
The SLEEP 2008 abstract book is available online at http://www.journalsleep.org/PDF/AbstractBook2008.pdf.
The study involved 2,226 women who were 60 years of age or older. Nearly 21 percent of the women were determined to be “successful agers.” Measures of successful aging included independent living, active engagement with life, life satisfaction and well-being, freedom from disability and the absence of physical disease.
Women who reported less sleep disturbance on an insomnia rating scale were more likely to be successful agers. Successful aging was best predicted by less daytime napping and fewer complaints of sleep maintenance insomnia (i.e., when awakenings occur during the night).
An increased severity of sleep disturbance predicted lower self-ratings of “successful aging” and a greater difference between perceived and actual age.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, women tend to describe sleep problems using different terms than men. Women may be less likely to say that they feel sleepy during the day. Instead women often describe feeling tired, unrested or fatigued. They also may report an overall lack of energy or vitality.
The SLEEP 2008 abstract book is available online at http://www.journalsleep.org/PDF/AbstractBook2008.pdf.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
U.S. Veterans Battle Insomnia after Returning from Iraq
A study (ID# 0697) being presented as an oral presentation this morning at SLEEP 2008 shows that insomnia is a significant problem for combat-exposed U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq.
The study examined the sleep of 14 Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans who have post-deployment adjustment disorders. They were compared with 14 people who have primary insomnia and 14 good sleepers.
The veterans reported much worse sleep quality and sleep efficiency, increased time to fall asleep and wake time after falling asleep, and more nocturnal awakenings than good sleepers. Sleep measures of the veterans were similar to those of the people with primary insomnia.
The veterans also had more severe disruptive nocturnal behaviors than both good sleepers and people with primary insomnia.
A study (ID# 0736) that was presented yesterday as a poster presentation shows that U.S. veterans of the war in Iraq who struggle with insomnia may prefer treatment that combines medications with non-pharmacological approaches such as relaxation therapy. Veterans also preferred receiving therapy through MP3 files and the Internet.
Another study (ID# 0556) presented yesterday as a poster presentation reports that black veterans are significantly less likely than white or Asian veterans to adhere to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.
The SLEEP 2008 abstract book is available online at http://www.journalsleep.org/PDF/AbstractBook2008.pdf.
The study examined the sleep of 14 Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans who have post-deployment adjustment disorders. They were compared with 14 people who have primary insomnia and 14 good sleepers.
The veterans reported much worse sleep quality and sleep efficiency, increased time to fall asleep and wake time after falling asleep, and more nocturnal awakenings than good sleepers. Sleep measures of the veterans were similar to those of the people with primary insomnia.
The veterans also had more severe disruptive nocturnal behaviors than both good sleepers and people with primary insomnia.
A study (ID# 0736) that was presented yesterday as a poster presentation shows that U.S. veterans of the war in Iraq who struggle with insomnia may prefer treatment that combines medications with non-pharmacological approaches such as relaxation therapy. Veterans also preferred receiving therapy through MP3 files and the Internet.
Another study (ID# 0556) presented yesterday as a poster presentation reports that black veterans are significantly less likely than white or Asian veterans to adhere to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.
The SLEEP 2008 abstract book is available online at http://www.journalsleep.org/PDF/AbstractBook2008.pdf.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Oral Presentations Describe Research Linking Sleep to ADHD, Suicidal Symptoms
Research abstracts being presented as oral presentations this afternoon at SLEEP 2008 link sleep problems to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and suicidal symptoms.
In a study of 882 ninth-grade students (ID# 0321), teens reported sleeping an average of 7.6 hours per school night. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, teens need a little more than nine hours of sleep each night.
Getting less sleep on school nights increased students’ risk of having emotional disturbances and ADHD. Every additional hour of sleep on school nights decreased the risk of emotional disturbance by 25 percent and decreased the risk of ADHD by 34 percent.
In another study of 322 undergraduates at a large university (ID# 0958), sleep quality and insomnia severity were significantly associated with an increased risk of depression. Severe insomnia also was a significant predictor of an increased severity of suicidal thoughts. After controlling for depression, sleep quality and insomnia severity jointly predicted an increased severity of suicidal thoughts.
The SLEEP 2008 abstract book is available online at http://www.journalsleep.org/PDF/AbstractBook2008.pdf.
In a study of 882 ninth-grade students (ID# 0321), teens reported sleeping an average of 7.6 hours per school night. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, teens need a little more than nine hours of sleep each night.
Getting less sleep on school nights increased students’ risk of having emotional disturbances and ADHD. Every additional hour of sleep on school nights decreased the risk of emotional disturbance by 25 percent and decreased the risk of ADHD by 34 percent.
In another study of 322 undergraduates at a large university (ID# 0958), sleep quality and insomnia severity were significantly associated with an increased risk of depression. Severe insomnia also was a significant predictor of an increased severity of suicidal thoughts. After controlling for depression, sleep quality and insomnia severity jointly predicted an increased severity of suicidal thoughts.
The SLEEP 2008 abstract book is available online at http://www.journalsleep.org/PDF/AbstractBook2008.pdf.
Research Abstracts Examine the Effect of Sleep on School Performance
Research abstracts being presented as poster presentations this morning at SLEEP 2008 are describing the link between sleep and school performance.
One study (ID# 0199) found that different sleep variables affect the school performance of students in junior high, high school and college. In junior high, the complaint of restless legs/aching legs is more common in students with a lower grade-point average (GPA). Daytime sleepiness is more likely to affect the performance of high school students. Insomnia has the most negative effect on the GPA of college students.
A related study of adult college students (ID# 0709) found that insomnia complaints are significantly associated with lower GPAs. Students with lower GPAs were more likely to have trouble falling asleep, report waking at night and have trouble going back to sleep.
A study of 824 undergraduate students (ID# 0728) found that students who are “morning types” (preferring to wake up early) are more likely to have better grades than students who are “evening types” (preferring to stay up late).
The SLEEP 2008 abstract book is available online at http://www.journalsleep.org/PDF/AbstractBook2008.pdf.
One study (ID# 0199) found that different sleep variables affect the school performance of students in junior high, high school and college. In junior high, the complaint of restless legs/aching legs is more common in students with a lower grade-point average (GPA). Daytime sleepiness is more likely to affect the performance of high school students. Insomnia has the most negative effect on the GPA of college students.
A related study of adult college students (ID# 0709) found that insomnia complaints are significantly associated with lower GPAs. Students with lower GPAs were more likely to have trouble falling asleep, report waking at night and have trouble going back to sleep.
A study of 824 undergraduate students (ID# 0728) found that students who are “morning types” (preferring to wake up early) are more likely to have better grades than students who are “evening types” (preferring to stay up late).
The SLEEP 2008 abstract book is available online at http://www.journalsleep.org/PDF/AbstractBook2008.pdf.
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