Sleep

What is Sleep?

Sleep is a physiological behavior that is common in all animal species. It forms around one third of a human life. It is not known clearly the exact functions of sleep but it seems to be essential for survival as prolonged sleep deprivation leads to severe physical impairment followed by cognitive loss and eventually death.

Types of Sleep Disorders

Promoting Sounder Sleep in Older Adults

Sleep Deprivation - Inadequate Quantity of Sleep

Causes of Sleep Deprivation

How Long Should My Teenager Sleep For?

Management of Sleep Deprivation

REM Sleep Activity

Brain Activity During Sleep

Stages of Sleep

Regulation of Sleep

Function of Sleep

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Nutritional Effects on Sleep

Effects of Sleep Deprivation

Neuroscience of Sleep

Stimulants and Sleep

Hypnotics and Sleep

Shift Work Sleep Disorder

What is Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD)?

Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD) Management

Circadian Rhythm

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders

What Does Polysomnography Involve?

How Long should my Child Sleep for?

Health Effects of Poor Sleep - Quantity and Quality

How to Catch up on Lost Sleep

Why Do We Sleep?

Sleep Hygiene

Ghrelin and Sleep

Spoon Test for Sleep Deprivation

Can too much sleep be dangerous?

Causes of Nocturnal Awakenings

History of Sleep

Is Daytime Napping in Adults Good or Bad?

Tips on Getting to Sleep

The DEC2 Gene and Sleep

Latest Sleep News and Research

Readers and tweeters dive into debate over ‘Medicare for All’

Your criticism about former Vice President Joe Biden’s "Medicare for All" cost estimates is spot-on but leaves out important savings.

28 Feb 2020

First patient in U.S. treated for atrial fibrillation using new type of ablation technology

Cardiologists at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center are the first in the United States to test a new type of ablation technology for patients suffering from atrial fibrillation, a common type of irregular heartbeat.

26 Feb 2020

NPS MedicineWise launches educational program to improve treatment of pediatric asthma

With a 2019 Australian study finding that only just over half (54%) of children treated in general practice were managed following Australian and international pediatric asthma clinical practice guidelines, the latest educational program from NPS MedicineWise launching today will provide an opportunity for health professionals to refresh their knowledge about basic principles in diagnosing and managing asthma for children of different ages.

26 Feb 2020

U.S. medical panel thinks twice about pushing cognitive screening for dementia

A leading group of medical experts on Tuesday declined to endorse cognitive screening for older adults, fueling a debate that has simmered for years.

25 Feb 2020

New wearable sensor could help remotely detect critical changes in heart failure patients

A new wearable sensor that works in conjunction with artificial intelligence technology could help doctors remotely detect critical changes in heart failure patients days before a health crisis occurs and could prevent hospitalization, according to a study led by University of Utah Health and VA Salt Lake City Health Care System scientists.

25 Feb 2020

New methods to decipher how natural substances affect the body’s hormone balance

A team of researchers from Vienna has developed methods of deciphering precisely how plants and medicinal substances affect the body’s own hormone balance. Initial analyses show that in high doses some natural substances promote the growth of breast cancer cells.

24 Feb 2020

New UChicago Medicine River East facility to offer high-quality outpatient care

The University of Chicago Medicine will open its new $20 million outpatient care center in Chicago's River East neighborhood on Feb. 24. The facility, at 355 E. Grand Ave., will offer a wide range of primary and specialty care services.

20 Feb 2020

Researchers say ‘yes’ to a heavy breakfast to lose weight

There has been some debate on whether or not to pile up on calories at the first meal of the day. According to German researchers, to lose weight, one must eat a healthy and hearty breakfast.

20 Feb 2020

A good night's sleep can help teens navigate challenging social situations

A new Michigan State University study found that a good night's sleep does adolescents good – beyond helping them stay awake in class. Adequate sleep can help teens navigate challenging social situations.

20 Feb 2020

Air fresheners may help prevent negative impacts of indoor malodors

The Household & Commercial Products Association released the following statement today about the importance of air fresheners after a newly published review article revealed several negative psychological, physical, social, and economic effects associated with indoor malodors, such as stale indoor air and bad smells.

20 Feb 2020

Time of day influences brain’s global signal fluctuation

As the day progresses, the strength of the brain’s global signal fluctuation shows an unexpected decrease, according to a study published on February 18 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Csaba Orban and a multi-disciplinary team of scientists from the Faculty of Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and N.1 Institute of Health at the National University of Singapore.

From PLOS ONE 19 Feb 2020

Survey: 55% of American adults feel tired after spring daylight saving time transition

The start of daylight saving time means many will lose an hour of sleep – and 55% of Americans report feeling tired after the time change, according to a new survey by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

19 Feb 2020

Later school start times associated with drop in vehicle crashes involving teen drivers

A study published online as an accepted paper in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that later school start times were associated with a significant drop in vehicle accidents involving teen drivers.

18 Feb 2020

Poor sleep in women linked to raised risk of heart disease

Researchers from Columbia University Irving Medical Center have found that women who eat and sleep poorly are at a greater risk of getting obese, overweight, and heart disease. The study, published in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association, is titled, "Measures of Poor Sleep Quality Are Associated with Higher Energy Intake and Poor Diet Quality in a Diverse Sample of Women from the Go Red for Women Strategically Focused Research Network."

17 Feb 2020

Coping with adult nightmares

Bad dreams or nightmares affect not only children but adults, too. Haunting nightmares can affect a person’s sleep quality and duration, but is it possible to turn off a nightmare while it is happening?

17 Feb 2020

Study provides insight into how poor sleep quality can increase heart disease risk in women

Women who sleep poorly tend to overeat and consume a lower-quality diet, according to a new study from researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

17 Feb 2020

Longer sitting times linked to higher heart disease risk among post-menopausal women

Longer sitting times were associated with higher levels of heart disease risk among overweight and obese post-menopausal women overall, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the open access journal of the American Heart Association.

17 Feb 2020

Oxidative stress induces sleep in fruit flies, research shows

Sleep-deprived fruit flies helped reveal what induces sleep. University of Oxford researchers Anissa Kempf, Gero Miesenböck, and colleagues reveal that fruit fly sleep is driven by oxidative stress, the imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body. Kempf

16 Feb 2020

New wearable device to diagnose Alzheimer's disease

With tens of millions of people the world over being affected by dementia, and almost 80% of them suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD), the Early Detection of Neurodegenerative diseases (Edon) is looking into a novel device to test for AD early in the process, using wearable technology. This will play a crucial role in intervening and preventing the progression of this disease, the prevalence of which has increased by almost 90% since 2000.

16 Feb 2020

Smelling your romantic partner’s T-shirt improves sleep efficiency

Forget counting sheep. If you really want a good night's sleep, all you may need is your romantic partner's favorite T-shirt wrapped around your pillow.

14 Feb 2020