A study published in the December 24 and 31, 2008 issue of JAMA said more sleep is better for your heart and is tied to lower calcification rates in the coronary artery.
Risk factors for coronary artery calcification include heart disease risk factors such as male sex, older age, glucose intolerance, tobacco use, disorders of lipoprotein metabolism and high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, obesity, raised inflammatory markers and a low educational level.
The number of patients assigned to medical residents and the complexity of care patients require has just as much impact on residents’ training as the number of hours they work, according to a study published by researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center in the September 10, 2008 issue of JAMA.
The study is believed to be the first of its kind using information gathered objectively from medical residents who work long shifts as part of their training.
Women age 70 and older who sleep five hours or less per night may be more likely to experience falls than those who sleep more than seven to eight hours per night, according to a report in the September 8, 2008 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine. The use of sleep medications does not appear to influence the association between sleep and risk of falling.
“Falls pose a major health risk among older adults and are a leading cause of death, illness and premature nursing home placement,” according to background information in the article. About one-third of adults older than age 65 experience falls each year. Insomnia and disturbed sleep as well as the use of benzodiazepines — hypnotic medications to treat insomnia — are increasingly common in older adults.
Nasal surgery to remove obstructions from the airway is associated with improvements in quality of life for patients with obstructive sleep apnea and symptoms of nasal blockages.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by episodes of partial or complete blockage of the airway during sleep, leading to snoring and daytime sleepiness. Blockage of the nasal passages also is common in OSA patients, causing fragmented sleep and leading to daytime tiredness and poor quality of life.
Use of calcium-channel blockers, alpha-blockers or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors appears to offer no advantages in improving clinical outcomes compared with use of diuretics when treating hypertension among individuals with metabolic syndrome, according to a report in the January 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. This appears particularly true for black patients.
Patients with hypertension (high blood pressure) and metabolic syndrome are at high risk for the complications of cardiovascular disease, according to background information in the article. The metabolic syndrome was defined as hypertension plus at least two of the following factors: diabetes or pre-diabetes; a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30; high triglyceride levels; or low levels of high-density lipoprotein (“good” cholesterol).
Previously uninsured adults who received Medicare coverage reported improvements in health, especially those with cardiovascular disease or diabetes, according to a study published in the December 26 issue of JAMA.
“Uninsured near-elderly adults, particularly those with cardiovascular disease or diabetes, experience worse health outcomes and use more health services as Medicare beneficiaries after age 65 years than insured near-elderly adults. Because chronic diseases are prevalent and insurance coverage is often unaffordable for older uninsured adults, the impact of near-universal Medicare coverage at age 65 years on the health of previously uninsured adults may be substantial,” the authors write.
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As of May 2, 2009 at 9:47 p.m. (-0500) (ET), the U.S. population
was 306,340,710. Sleep researchers estimate approximately seven percent
of the population suffers from obstructive sleep apnea. Using that
estimate, there are potentially 21,443,850 apneics in the U.S.
~~ Apnea around the world ~~
As of May 2, 2009 at 9:47 p.m. (-0500) (ET), the world population
was 6,777,286,604. Sleep researchers estimate approximately seven percent
of the population suffers from obstructive sleep apnea. Using that
estimate, there are potentially 474,410,062 apneics in the world.
Those with companions at medical visits happier with medical care
This entry was posted by admin on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 10:56 am (UTC), and is categorically filed in Health, Top News.
For the past several years, many health care advocates have been urging individuals with complex medical conditions, including sleep disorders, especially if compounded with other health issues, such as asthma, heart failure, diabetes, among other health ailments, to take another person who cares about their health to all health care providers with them.
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