Sleep Troubles Help Drive High U.S. Firefighter Burnout Rate

FRIDAY, June 21, 2019 -- Almost half of American firefighters have some form of physical and emotional burnout, with sleep problems and mental health disorders as major factors, a new study finds.

Researchers surveyed more than 6,300 firefighters from 66 fire departments nationwide and found that 49% had high levels of physical and emotional burnout in at least one area.

The Health Benefits of Sleeping on Your Side

THURSDAY, June 20, 2019 -- You know how important getting enough restorative sleep is for facing each new day refreshed and ready to take on the world. Now research suggests that your sleep position may have an impact on brain health, too.

For a study done on animals, researchers used dynamic contrast magnetic resonance imaging to see the brain's glymphatic pathway. That's the system that clears waste and other harmful chemicals from the brain, much like the way the lymphatic system clears waste from organs.

Women With Sleep Apnea May Have Higher Cancer Odds Than Men

WEDNESDAY, May 22, 2019 -- Some people with sleep apnea have an increased risk of cancer, and the odds may be higher for women than men, researchers say.

"Recent studies have shown that low blood oxygen levels during the night and disrupted sleep, which are both common in [obstructive sleep apnea], may play an important role in the biology of different types of cancers," said study leader Athanasia Pataka.

FDA Puts Tough Warning Label on Ambien, Lunesta, Other Sleep Aids

TUESDAY, April 30, 2019 -- Many Americans use prescription sleep meds such as Ambien, Lunesta and Sonata to get good shut-eye. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday slapped a tough new warning label on this class of drugs, due to dangers from daytime drowsiness the day after their use.

The move was spurred by 66 cases in which patients engaged in what are called "complex sleep behaviors" after taking the insomnia medications.

AHA News: The Often-Overlooked Connection Between Sleep Troubles and Stroke

THURSDAY, May 2, 2019 (American Heart Association News) -- Getting a good night's sleep can be difficult for many, but restful slumber can be especially hard for stroke survivors. And although various studies have examined the association, doctors continue to overlook the interplay between sleep disorders and stroke, finds a new report on the issue.

More than 50 percent of stroke survivors are estimated to have some type of sleep problem, yet few get formally tested, in part because of "the lack of awareness" among stroke providers, according to the review published Thursday in the American Heart Association journal Stroke.

Snoring Not Just a Male Problem

MONDAY, April 29, 2019 -- New research shows that snoring is not the sole domain of men.

"We found that although no difference in snoring intensity was found between genders, women tend to underreport the fact that they snore and to underestimate the loudness of their snoring," said lead investigator Dr. Nimrod Maimon. He is head of internal medicine at Soroka University Medical Center in Be'er Sheva, Israel.