Can Poor Sleep Boost Odds for Alzheimer's?

TUESDAY, July 18, 2017 -- Breathing problems during sleep may signal an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease, a trio of studies suggests.

And, the researchers added, treating conditions like sleep apnea and hypopnea (shallow breathing) might lower the risk of dementia, or at least slow its progression.

How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?

THURSDAY, July 20, 2017 -- Health initiatives typically center on diet and fitness. But the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society state that getting enough sleep is just as important as eating right and exercising.

Your health can truly suffer if you're constantly shortchanging yourself on sleep. Heart disease, diabetes and obesity as well as the risk of accidents like car crashes top the list. More than the embarrassment of falling asleep at an important meeting, sleep deprivation can result in cognitive impairment -- your judgment just isn't as sharp as it should be.

Sleep Apnea May Boost Odds of Irregular Heartbeat

TUESDAY, May 23, 2017 -- People with sleep apnea may be more likely to develop the abnormal heart rhythm atrial fibrillation, especially if the oxygen level in their blood drops below normal, Canadian researchers report.

Sleep apnea, which obstructs breathing, causes people to wake many times during the night to start breathing again. It's possible, researchers said, that disrupted sleep along with a drop in the level of oxygen in the blood might lead to atrial fibrillation.

Sleepless Nights Could Pose Heart Risk Dangers

WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2017 -- Getting less than six hours of sleep a night may double the odds of dying from heart disease or stroke for people who already have risk factors for heart disease and diabetes, new research suggests.

Known as metabolic syndrome, this cluster of risk factors can include high blood pressure, high levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, high blood sugar, obesity, high levels of blood fats known as triglycerides and low levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol. Someone with at least three of these conditions has metabolic syndrome.

Warming Climate, More Sleepless Nights?

FRIDAY, May 26, 2017 -- The rising nighttime temperatures that come with climate change could mean poorer sleep for millions, a new study suggests.

Americans' reported nights of insufficient sleep more than double as nighttime temperatures rise during summer months, an analysis of federal health data and weather records concludes.