Premature babies predisposed to depression

A recent study claims that premature babies have a high risk of depression later in life.

People born extremely premature have a significantly higher risk of developing psychiatric problems later in life, a new Canadian study says.

Researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., studied 174 people born in Ontario between 1977 and 1982 — 84 of whom weighed less than 1 kg (2.2 lbs.) at birth, and 90 of whom fell into the range of normal birth weight.

The low-birth-weight babies were 2.5 times more likely to develop a mental health problem such as depression, an anxiety disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the study found.

The likelihood is even higher — nearly 4.5 times — for those whose mothers received a high dose of steroids before giving birth.

At the same time, the research found a positive outcome: the low-birth-weight babies were nearly three times less likely to develop an alcohol or substance abuse disorder.

The study was published in the journal Pediatrics.

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Alcohol can disrupt sleep

This article explains why drinking alcohol before bed can disrupt a person's sleep.

For individuals who drink before sleeping, alcohol initially acts as a sedative -- marked by the delta frequency electroencephalogram (EEG) activity of Slow Wave Sleep (SWS) -- but is later associated with sleep disruption. Significant reductions in EEG delta frequency activity and power also occur with normal development between the ages of 12 and 16; likewise this is a time when alcohol is commonly consumed for the first time, with dramatic increases in drinking occurring among collage-age individuals. A study of the effects of alcohol on sleep EEG power spectra in college students has found that pre-sleep drinking not only causes an initial increase in SWS-related delta power but also causes an increase in frontal alpha power, which is thought to reflect disturbed sleep.

Results will be published in the February 2015 online-only issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research and are currently available at Early View.

"People likely tend to focus on the commonly reported sedative properties of alcohol, which is reflected in shorter times to fall asleep, particularly in adults, rather than the sleep disruption that occurs later in the night," said Christian L. Nicholas, National Health & Medical Research Council Peter Doherty Research Fellow in the Sleep Research Laboratory at The University of Melbourne as well as corresponding author for the study.

"The reduction in delta frequency EEG activity we see across the ages is thought to represent normal brain maturational processes as the adolescent brain continues to develop to full maturity," said Nicholas. "Although the exact function of non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep, and in particular SWS, is a topic of debate, it is thought to reflect sleep need and quality; thus any disruption to this may affect the underlying restorative properties of sleep and be detrimental to daytime functioning."

Nicholas and his colleagues recruited 24 participants (12 female, 12 male), healthy 18- to 21-year-old social drinkers who had consumed less than seven standard drinks per week during the previous 30 days. Each participant underwent two conditions: pre-sleep alcohol as well as a placebo, followed by standard polysomnography with comprehensive EEG recordings.

Results showed that alcohol increased SWS delta power during NREM. However, there was a simultaneous increase in frontal alpha power.

"For individuals researching sleep in the field of alcohol studies," said Nicholas, "our findings indicate that care needs to be taken when interpreting increases in 'visually scored' SWS associated with alcohol consumption. Increases in SWS, which traditionally would be interpreted as a good thing, can be associated with more subtle changes indicating disrupted sleep, such as the increases we observed in alpha activity, which are revealed when more detailed micro-structural components of the sleep electroencephalogram are assessed."

Nicholas explained that the increase in frontal alpha power that occurs as a result of pre-sleep drinking likely reflects a disruption of the normal properties of NREM slow wave sleep.

"Similar increases in alpha-delta activity, which are associated with poor or unrefreshing sleep and daytime function, have been observed in individuals with chronic pain conditions," he said. "Thus, if sleep is being disrupted regularly by pre-sleep alcohol consumption, particularly over long periods of time, this could have significant detrimental effects on daytime wellbeing and neurocognitive function such as learning and memory processes."

Alcohol is not a sleep aid, said Nicholas. "The take-home message here is that alcohol is not actually a particularly good sleep aid even though it may seem like it helps you get to sleep quicker. In fact, the quality of the sleep you get is significantly altered and disrupted."

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Study: Drinking problems later for teens who skip sleep now

A study shows that teens who skip sleep now have more drinking problems later in life.

Sleep-deprived teenagers find it difficult to focus in class, and they're more likely get sick. They are also more likely to develop problems with alcohol later on, according to a study published Friday in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

The study included teens who suffered from conditions like insomnia as well as those who simply weren't getting enough sleep. Teenagers ages 14 through 16 who had trouble falling or staying asleep were 47 percent more likely to binge drink than their well-rested peers.

Sleep problems were linked to even more issues with alcohol later on.

Teens who had trouble sleeping when the researchers first checked in with them were 14 percent more likely to drive drunk and 11 percent more likely to have interpersonal issues related to alcohol a year later. And five years after that — when everyone was college-aged or older — those who had sleep issues in high school were 10 percent more likely to drive drunk.

About 45 percent of adolescents don't get the recommended eight to 10 hours a night, polls show.

The findings are based on data collected from 6,500 adolescents who were part of the larger National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, which began tracking a group of adolescents in the mid-90s.

Researchers have known for a while that lack of sleep and alcohol use are related, says Maria Wong, a psychologist at Idaho State University who led the study. "This study shows that sleep issues can actually precede and even predict alcohol use later on."

And the influence of sleep on drinking behaviors can be dramatic, Wong tells Shots. In the study, each extra hour of sleep the teens got corresponded with a 10 percent decrease in binge drinking.

"We're not saying that sleep is the only risk factor for alcohol use," Wong says. In fact, another study published in the same journal issue found that a combination of genetics and peer influence affect teens' decisions to drink.

But a child's genetic makeup isn't something anyone can change, Wong says, "and beyond a certain extent, we cannot control whom kids spend time with outside the home."

Sleep, however, may be something that teenagers and their parents can control. "If we can make sure they have enough sleep, we can help them make good choices," Wong says.

Of course, that's much easier said than done. Teens don't usually take well to having bedtimes imposed on them. And even if they did, forcing kids to get in bed early won't necessarily help, says Dr. Maida Chen, the director of the Pediatric Sleep Disorders Center at Seattle Children's Hospital. "Because of their biology, simply saying to teens, 'Go to sleep earlier' is not a plausible solution," says Chen, who wasn't involved in the recent research.

The body's natural circadian rhythms tend to shift during adolescence, Chen explains, so teens may find it difficult fall asleep until 11 p.m. or midnight.

That's why many parents and pediatricians have been pushing to delay school start times for middle and high school students. "Teens have to get up at 5 or 6 in the morning in order to get to school by 7 or 8," Chen says, which means that most of them aren't getting nearly enough rest.

Last year the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement calling on middle and high school to start at 8:30 a.m. or later.

"This new research shows what we have long suspected — there seems to be a link between lack of sleep and risky behaviors in teenagers," Chen says.

The people involved in the recent study were teenagers in the 1990s, Chen points out. "I wouldn't be surprised if the situation was in some ways worse these days," she says, "because nowadays, everyone has some electronic distraction that they carry into bed with them."

Many of the patients Chen sees at Seattle's Children come in because their grades have started to fall or because they're having behavior issues at school, she says.

"This is not just about teens not sleeping enough and then feeling a bit grumpy the next day," Chen says. "Sleep really affects their ability to function and make good decisions."

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Kids with ADHD may be more likely to drink and smoke

A study shows that kids who have ADHD may be more likely to drink and smoke as teenagers.

Teens are more likely to start smoking or drinking with each additional symptom they have of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or conduct disorder, new research suggests.

"Our findings underscore the need to counsel families about the risk of substance use as [these] children approach adolescence," said study author Dr. William Brinkman, research director at Cincinnati Pediatric Research Group, which is part of Cincinnati Children's Hospital. "This need is heightened among children with ADHD and/or conduct disorder diagnoses or symptoms."

Brinkman's team analyzed data on more than 2,500 teens, aged 12 to 15, in a national survey conducted with their parents between 2000 and 2004.

First, the researchers identified the teens with an ADHD and/or conduct disorder diagnosis, as well as those with the symptoms of either disorder, regardless of whether there was a diagnosis. Conduct disorder is characterized by aggressive, destructive or deceitful behavior. Children with ADHD tend to be hyperactive, impulsive and/or inattentive.

Then Brinkman's team compared use of tobacco and alcohol among the teens, to look for a link between symptoms of ADHD or conduct disorder and substance use.

Brinkman said that 45 percent of the children in the study had at least one ADHD symptom, and nearly 15 percent had at least one conduct disorder symptom.

For each additional ADHD symptom related to inattention -- but not hyperactivity or impulsivity -- the risk that a teen would use tobacco or alcohol increased by 8 percent to 10 percent. Similarly, each additional conduct disorder symptom was linked to a 31 percent increase in the likelihood of using tobacco, according to the study.

A very small percentage of teens in the study -- about 1.5 percent -- were diagnosed with both ADHD and conduct disorder. These teens were more than three times more likely to use tobacco or alcohol, even after accounting for differences in age, race/ethnicity, sex, household income and having a household member who smoked.

The findings were published recently in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

Brinkman said more research may provide clues as to why the link exists between these disorders and substance use.

"Because nicotine can improve attention and arousal, some have speculated that the association between inattention symptoms and higher rates of tobacco use suggests a form of self-medication for ADHD," Brinkman said. "Certainly higher rates of risk taking and novelty seeking has been documented among children with a diagnosis of ADHD, as well as those with ADHD symptoms [but too few for a diagnosis]."

Social pressures may be involved as well, suggested Dr. Glen Elliott, chief psychiatrist and medical director of Children's Health Council in Palo Alto, Calif.

"It is important to emphasize that not all teens with ADHD follow this path, just a higher percentage than those without ADHD," Elliott said. "We believe it is a combination of impulsive decision-making and perhaps the social strain that ADHD can place on the individual, who may feel unable to connect with peers in socially acceptable ways and therefore more vulnerable to trying other methods such as doing things peers dare them to do or that they view as 'cool' or 'adult.' "

Elliott said the study provides new insights into the interplay between ADHD and conduct disorder. But it sheds little light on whether treating ADHD, either earlier in childhood or during adolescence, might change the risk of starting to smoke or drink, he said.

"We believe medication can make a difference, but the evidence is not nearly as compelling as we wish it were -- partly because teens often go through a phase of refusing to take medications just when it might do them the most good," Elliott said. "Just as with parents of any teenager, there is no guaranteed way to prevent a son or daughter from experimenting if they are determined to do so."

The best tools parents have, Elliott said, are setting consistent and clear expectations for their children, closely monitoring them, praising them for good choices and administering appropriate, meaningful consequences for poor choices -- while also showing children early on what behavior is acceptable.

"Adolescence is hard," Elliott said. "And having ADHD can make it harder. So parents need to be vigilant, caring, consistent and involved."

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Alcohol doesn't help sleep

A study showed that drinking alcohol before bedtime does not help a person's sleep.

As many as one in five Americans turns to alcohol sometimes to help them fall asleep, but that can lead to sleep problems later in the night, a new study finds.

This is because alcohol hampers the brain's system for regulating a person's need for sleep, researchers found.

"The prevailing thought was that alcohol promotes sleep by changing a person's circadian rhythm -- the body's built-in 24-hour clock," study lead author Mahesh Thakkar, an associate professor and director of research in the neurology department at the University of Missouri School of Medicine, said in a university news release.

"However, we discovered that alcohol actually promotes sleep by affecting a person's sleep homeostasis -- the brain's built-in mechanism that regulates your sleepiness and wakefulness," Thakkar said.

Alcohol's effect on sleep homeostasis can lead to poorer quality sleep, according to the study published recently in the journal Alcohol.

Study co-author Dr. Pradeep Sahota said, "Based on our results, it's clear that alcohol should not be used as a sleep aid." Sahota is chair of the neurology department at the University of Missouri School of Medicine.

"Alcohol disrupts sleep and the quality of sleep is diminished. Additionally, alcohol is a diuretic, which increases your need to go to the bathroom and causes you to wake up earlier in the morning," Sahota explained in the news release.

Thakkar pointed out that sleep is an important area of study. "Approximately one-third of our life is spent sleeping. Coupled with statistics that show 20 percent of people drink alcohol to sleep, it's vital that we understand how the two interact," he said.

"If you are experiencing difficulty sleeping, don't use alcohol. Talk to your doctor or a sleep medicine physician to determine what factors are keeping you from sleeping. These factors can then be addressed with individualized treatments," Thakkar advised.

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Drinking before pregnancy may indicate behavior problems in children

A study found that women who drink before pregnancy are more likely to have children with behavioral problems.

Risk drinking before pregnancy can increase the risk of the development behavioral problems in toddlers. This comes from a new study using data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Early intervention to help and support mothers and their children could help to prevent these problems from developing into long term behavioral problems.

In the study, several screening questions were used to measure maternal drinking behavior; how many drinks were needed to feel high, had others irritated or hurt them by criticizing their alcohol consumption, had they felt they ought to drink less alcohol, and had they ever drunk alcohol in the morning to relieve a hangover.

The study shows that risk drinking before pregnancy increases the risk of early behavior problems among children. According to the researchers, risk drinking may be due to other associated risk factors in maternal behavior such as anxiety, depression or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which also are known to have an impact on child behavioral problems.

Prenatal exposure to alcohol is known to affect the developing fetus, with adverse cognitive and behavioral effects. Most risk drinking women therefore limit or stop drinking alcohol while pregnant. Paternal risk drinking is also known to have a negative impact on toddler behavior. This is the first study to study the impact of risk drinking before pregnancy. The results could not be explained by alcohol consumption during pregnancy and after birth.

"This increased risk for behavioral problems in the child is probably not due to the risk drinking per se, but rather to the general mental health and lifestyle of some of the mothers. Risk drinking behavior before pregnancy may indicate that these families could need closer follow-up and support during the early years of the child's life" says Ann Kristin Knudsen, primary author of the article published in the European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry journal.

The study considered both internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems among the toddlers. Internalizing behavioral problems include anxiety, inhibition, withdrawal or depression. Restlessness, defiance, fighting and lack of remorse are examples of externalizing behavior. These are known risk factors for behavior problems in childhood and adolescence, which sometimes continue into adulthood.

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Binge drinking, marijuana use, and poor academic performance predicted by sleeping problems

A study shows that binge drinking, marijuana use, and poor academic performance are predicted by problems sleeping.

While the temptations to stay up late are many, a small new study suggests a very good reason for college students to hit the hay. Those who are poor sleepers are more likely to get worse grades and to withdraw from a course, according to a new study. In fact, the effects of poor sleep were about as strong as binge drinking and marijuana use on a student's academic performance.

The researchers analyzed data from over 43,000 students included in the spring 2009 American College Health Association's National College Health Assessment (NCHA). After controlling for potentially confounding factors that might predict how a college student fares academically, like clinical depression, feelings of isolation or chronic health problems, the researchers found that getting poor sleep was a strong predictor of problems at school.

While few students are likely to have a clinical sleep disorder, Roxanne Prichard, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota tells The Huffington Post, about 60 percent say they have some kind of problem sleeping. But for all the effort colleges put into anti-drinking and de-stressing campaigns, little time or money is spent to promote better sleep -- and doing so could help both students and the colleges themselves, she says.

"Sleep really isn't systematically approached in a way that could have major economic benefits to both the students and the universities in terms of increased retention," she says. Indeed, reducing the number of courses a student withdraws from by just one ups his or her probability of graduating by 14 percent, she says -- and it goes without saying that student retention is good for a university's bottom line.

Prichard hopes more schools decide to include a screening for sleep problems among students, which could ultimately limit costs of care of university health centers, she says. "I don't think sleep problems are showing up on the questionnaire intake forms for health services, and that could be explaining a lot of the other problems that you see showing up," she says. "Recurrent illness could be sleep problems."

Prichard and co-investigator Monica Hartmann, Ph.D., professor of economics at the University of St. Thomas, found that poor sleep was even more detrimental among freshmen, according to the study. "I think that's partially because freshmen have the worst sleep of any age group," she says. Not only are they hungry for independence from their parents, but they also are more likely to be "delayed phase" -- essentially, they are more biologically inclined to be night owls because of their age, she says. Focusing especially on first-year students is a smart idea for universities, she says, because freshmen-year success (or lack thereof) is a strong predictor of whether or not a student drops out his or her sophomore year.

The research, published in an online supplement of the journal SLEEP, will be presented Tuesday, June 3, at SLEEP 2014, the 28th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies.

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Tips to get a better night's sleep

This article provides seven tips on how to get a better night's sleep, and discusses the importance of getting a good night's sleep.

"Extreme sleep deprivation may affect brain health in later life."

"Sleep may aid chronic pain sufferers."

"Sleep apnea linked with blood sugar levels"

Dr. Paul Walting, a sleep specialist in the Department of Neurology at Baystate Medical Center, acknowledged the media attention “a good night’s sleep” is getting today.

“We are learning more and more, especially with increased research being published, that lack of sleep appears to be associated with a variety of medical problems from cardiovascular disease to Alzheimer’s. We also know that lack of sleep is associated with an increase in accidents and injuries, and for kids it can affect their school performance,” Walting said. “There are so many reasons to be sleep deprived today from overwork to staying up late and watching television or surfing the Internet on your computer, to medical reasons such as a sleep disorder.”

The body requires a good night’s sleep to gain energy for the day, which is essential for cognition, mood and overall health, he added.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, newborns should be getting 12-18 hours of sleep, infants 3-11 months need 14-15 hours, toddlers 1-3 years should get 12-14 hours, preschoolers 3-5 years need 11-13 hours, school-age children 5-10 years require 10-11 hours, teens 10-17 need 8.5-9.25 hours, while adults can survive with 7-9 hours of good ZZZs.

Baystate Medical Center’s Neurodiagnostics and Sleep Center and the
American Academy of Sleep Medicine offer the following additional tips on how to get a good night’s sleep:

• Avoid nicotine, alcohol, food or drinks that contain caffeine, and any medicine that has a stimulant prior to bedtime.


• Follow a consistent bedtime routine.


• Establish a relaxing setting at bedtime.


• Avoid any rigorous exercise within two hours of your bedtime.


• Make your bedroom quiet, dark and a little bit cool.


• Don’t watch the clock at night, but use an alarm to help wake you up.


• Get up at the same time every morning.

Some people with sleep deprivation are not actually suffering from a sleep disorder that Walting and other physicians in Baystate’s Sleep Clinic treat, such as sleep apnea, insomnia or narcolepsy. Instead, it may just be a matter of prioritizing sleep over other activities.

For those with a significant sleep disorder, like Teresita Alicea, a former criminal defense attorney in Springfield, there is treatment.

“I was falling asleep in front of some of my guests that I had over for dinner or even in the afternoon,” said Alicea.

After constantly being exhausted, Alicea had enough and in 2009, after retiring from work, she decided to have a sleep study at Baystate Medical Center. The diagnosis was sleep apnea.

“After they did the testing, they found out my breathing stopped 102 times per hour,” said Alicea. Since getting her BiPAP breathing machine and face mask, she now stops breathing just 0.7x per hour.

“I’m like a new person. I can sit through a concert, I can read a book, I don’t fall asleep in conversation anymore,” she said.

One of the most common sleep disorders, sleep apnea affects more than 18 million Americans, with the most common treatment being CPAP and BiPAP machines, which some patients cannot tolerate.

Now, there is good news for those who find the machines troublesome. The FDA in May approved a pacemaker-like device that can be implanted into the chest region which zaps airways open with an electrical current. The new device, to be available on the market later this year, is for those with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. The new device is not for everyone, and patients should consult with their physician about its safety and viability for them.

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Lack of sleep is a health issue for adults

This article discusses how lack of sleep is a huge issue for adults, and what those who aren't getting enough sleep should to do fix it.

America is full of sleepy people.

Adults should get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night, but most average between five and six, according to Shari Newman, clinical manager of sleep services at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System

“We are sleepier today than we have ever been before,” Newman said. “Sleepy is an epidemic.”

When we are sleepy, we don't exercise as we should. We eat too much thinking it will give us energy to get through the day and we drink coffee and other caffeine-heavy drinks because we need that added boost, which only causes us to have trouble sleeping at night. The problems reoccur the next day.

“Sleepiness is adding to the obesity problem,” said Newman, seated in a room at North Grove Medical Center in Spartanburg. The room resembles a small hotel room instead of a typical doctor's office exam room. A tidy bed with white sheets sits against one wall. A TV sits in one corner. A bathroom, complete with a shower, is connected.

Newman said as many as 3,000 people stay in one of these 12 rooms each year. They come in around 8:30 p.m., go to sleep and leave the next morning around 6:30 a.m. While they sleep, doctors analyze their sleep patterns, studying brain waves and any breathing irregularities. There are 88 types of sleep disorders, Newman said.

The average adult spends a third of his life sleeping, according to the National Sleep Foundation. If you're 75 years old, that means you have slept for 25 years. How we sleep and how often we sleep affects the other two-thirds of our life, studies say.

Not only can sleepiness lead to obesity, studies have found other relationships between the quantity and quality of one's sleep and health problems. Blood pressure usually falls during the sleep cycle, however, interrupted sleep can adversely affect this normal decline, leading to hypertension and cardiovascular problems. Research has also shown that insufficient sleep impairs the body's ability to use insulin, which can lead to the onset of diabetes, according to the National Sleep Foundation. If you're sleepy, you can have a negative mood and behavior, decreased productivity, and safety issues in the home, on the job and on the road. A recent study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that children who do not adhere to a regular bedtime are more likely to exhibit behavior problems during the day.

“We know sleepy folks really are at risk,” Newman said. “You have to plan for good sleep and make sleep the priority it needs to be.”

She adds that you should be able to lie down and go to sleep within 10 minutes and wake up without needing an alarm clock.

“If that's not happening, why? What is going on with your sleep?”

If you have trouble falling asleep at night, consider these tips provided by Spartanburg Regional Sleep Services:

* Lie down when you feel sleepy. If you don't fall asleep within 30 minutes, don't keep looking at the clock. Get up and go to another area where it's nice and quiet and relaxing. When you feel sleepy again, go back to bed. If you keep tossing and turning, you get anxious and frustrated and it's not going to happen.

* Go to sleep and get up at the same time everyday, even on weekends. “A lot of us try to catch up on sleep over the weekends. But sleep is not money, you can't save it up or put it in a bank. You have got to do it everyday.”

* Do not have caffeine within six hours of bedtime. Caffeine is a drug and it takes longer to clear from your system than a lot of people realize.

* Add exercise to your daily schedule. Exercise can deepen your sleep

• Insulate your room against sound and light
• Keep your room temperature moderate. Exceedingly warm or cold temperatures can disturb sleep. Generally, we sleep better when it's cooler.
• Consider eating a light, caffeine-free snack before bedtime. Both hunger and excessive fullness can disturb sleep.
• Avoid excessive liquids in the evening so you don't have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
• Don't smoke tobacco.
• Avoid alcohol, especially in the evening. Alcohol may help you fall asleep more easily, your sleep will be disturbed later by the alcohol.
• Keep work materials such as computers and television out of the bedroom.

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Study: Sunny climates may reduce ADHD

A study indicates many risk factors for ADHD, and interestingly notes that sunny and warm climates may reduce the condition.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is the most common childhood psychiatric disorder. Scientists do not know what causes it, but genetics play a clear role. Other risk factors have also been identified, including premature birth, low birth weight, a mother's use of alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy, and environmental exposures to toxins like lead.

ADHD is characterized by an inability to focus, poor attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior, and the normal process of brain maturation is delayed in children with ADHD. Many individuals with ADHD also report sleep-related difficulties and disorders. In fact, sleep disorder treatments and chronobiological interventions intended to restore normal circadian rhythms, including light exposure therapy, have been shown to improve ADHD symptoms.

Estimates suggest that the average worldwide prevalence of ADHD ranges from about 5 to 7%, but it also varies greatly by region. A simple visual comparison of data maps released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Energy that display ADHD prevalence rates by state and solar intensities (sunlight) across the country, respectively, reveals an interesting pattern indicative of an association. So does this mean that there could be an identifiable relationship between ADHD prevalence rates and the sunlight intensity levels of particular regions?

The accumulation of these points led Dr. Martijn Arns and his colleagues to systematically and scientifically investigate this question. They collected and analyzed multiple data-sets from the United States and 9 other countries. Reporting their findings in the current issue of Biological Psychiatry, they did find a relationship between solar intensity and ADHD prevalence.

Even after controlling for factors that are known to be associated with ADHD, both U.S. and non-U.S. regions with high sunlight intensity have a lower prevalence of ADHD, suggesting that high sunlight intensity may exert a 'protective' effect for ADHD.

To further validate their work, they also looked at this same relationship with autism and major depressive disorder diagnoses. They found that the findings were specific to ADHD, with no associations observed between the other two disorders.

"The reported association is intriguing, but it raises many questions that have no answers," commented Dr. John Krystal, Editor of Biological Psychiatry. "Do sunny climates reduce the severity or prevalence of ADHD and if so, how? Do people prone to develop ADHD tend to move away from sunny climates and if so, why?"

As with all scientific research, further work is necessary, including a prospective replication of these findings. It is also important to realize that this data reflects only an association -- not a causation -- between ADHD and solar intensity levels so worried parents should not start planning cross-country moves.

However, these findings do have significant implications, explains Dr. Arns. "From the public health perspective, manufacturers of tablets, smartphones and PCs could investigate the possibility of time-modulated color-adjustment of screens, to prevent unwanted exposure to blue light in the evening."

"These results could also point the way to prevention of a sub-group of ADHD, by increasing the exposure to natural light during the day in countries and states with low solar intensity. For example, skylight systems in classrooms and scheduling playtime in line with the biological clock could be explored further."

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What increases risk for sleep apnea?

This article discusses 8 things and behaviors that can increase a person's risk for sleep apnea.

It used to be that if someone told you you snored, you shrugged it off as more of an annoyance to them than anything telling about your own health and wellbeing.

Today, we have a greater understanding of at least one potential risk of being a frequent snorer: You could have sleep apnea, a potentially harmful sleep disorder during which people stop breathing, sometimes hundreds of times a night.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea, and occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat collapse, causing the opening through which air passes to disappear. (Watch this video for an in-depth explanation of what happens during OSA.)

But certain people are more likely to experience this interruption of breathing than others. We asked Dr. Matthew Mingrone, lead physician for EOS Sleep Centers in California specializing in sleep apnea and snoring issues, to help explain why.

Obesity
Likely the most indicative risk factor is carrying too much extra weight. Obese adults are seven times more likely to develop OSA than their normal-weight peers, according to WebMD. OSA is essentially a blockage of the upper airway, says Mingrone. Part of the tissue running from the nose to the voicebox collapses, cutting off the passage of oxygen. Excess weight adds to the pressure on tube, he says, making the diameter of the opening even smaller than it already is.

Neck Circumference

Obese people aren't the only demographic with larger-than-average necks. Consider the muscular build of professional athletes, for example, who aren't obese but thanks to muscle development are larger than us mere mortals.

Men with a neck circumference greater than 17 inches and women over 15 inches have a higher risk of OSA, WebMD reported.

Age
People of any age can develop sleep apnea, but the condition is more common the older you get, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. "As we get older, we lose tone and elasticity as part of the normal aging process," says Mingrone. With that natural softening of the tissue in the throat, there's higher likelihood of collapse, he says.

Family History
It's not that you have a genetic predisposition to developing sleep apnea, says Mingrone, like a specific type of cancer that may run in families. Instead, it's likely that you've inherited certain aspects of your physical makeup that increase sleep apnea risk, he says. If Mom's being treated for sleep apnea and you've inherited her narrow jaw, you may have a similar doctor's visit in your future.

Alcohol Use

Because it's a muscle relaxant, alcohol too close to bedtime can lead to episodes of apnea, says Mingrone, even in someone who doesn't have OSA. And in those with the disorder, alcohol can lengthen the duration of apnea episodes, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Race
Studies show that both sleep apnea risk and sleep apnea severity vary by race. It may be due to anatomical differences in the airways of different ethnic groups, according to Mingrone.

Smoking

Current smokers are 2.5 times more likely to have OSA than smokers and nonsmokers combined, according to a 2001 study. "Smoking most airway tissue swell because it's an irritant," says Mingrone. Swelling in the nose and the throat further reduces the space for air to flow through.

Gender
Middle-aged men are twice as likely to have OSA than women of the same age, according to the American Lung Association. Mingrone says in his practice, about 15 to 20 percent of patients are female. The variance may be due again to anatomical differences, especially since men are simply bigger than women more often than not.

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Most common migraine trigger is stress

General practitioners in the UK claim that stress is the most common trigger for migraines.

Stress has been blamed as the most common trigger for Migraines, according to GPs.

Certain foods like cheese and chocolate, excess caffeine intake or withdrawal and drinks containing Alcohol are also common triggers for migraines too. 

What’s more, 37 per cent of GPs believe that prevalence of migraine is probably on the rise, according to the research from Imigran Recovery.

Classed as among the most disabling illnesses by the World Health Organization, migraine is likened to the pain of childbirth by 44 per cent of GPs.

Despite this, almost half of GPs report that people often struggle with migraine for too long before seeking advice or taking action. This also applies to diagnosis, with at least 50 per cent of patients estimated to be undiagnosed.

Media medic and practising GP, Dr Sarah Jarvis said: “The impact of stress on our Health can never be underestimated. Where there’s a migraine attack, then for a lot of my patients, there’s normally stress involved. Certainly, there are a number of reasons stress may have increased over the years, including the economic downturn to name but one. As a result, migraine prevalence may be increasing and I have seen this among my own patients."

More than half of GPs agree that sufferers are not doing enough to avoid migraine triggers and, as a result, some migraine sufferers can go their whole life without getting their condition under control. Without changes in lifestyle, avoiding triggers and taking medication, migraine cannot be fully controlled, according to 46 per cent of GPs.

Dr Sarah Jarvis continued: “Avoiding stress can be difficult, but it is only through sustained lifestyle changes, alongside medication, that migraine can be controlled. Treatments, such as sumatriptan-based products, can relieve symptoms of a migraine attack, but it’s also important that patients take preventative steps between Migraines.

"I often suggest starting with a migraine diary to help pinpoint the triggers. Almost always small lifestyle changes will help, for example taking regular exercise, regular sleeping habits, eating a healthy Diet and avoiding caffeine.”

GPs also report a lack of patient awareness about treatments, with 77 per cent believing that migraine sufferers are unaware of the range of treatments available. Often sufferers have misplaced faith in painkillers, unsuccessfully trying to control the condition. Analgesics, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin, are overused by some migraine sufferers, according to 87 per cent of GPs. As a result, three quarters agree Medication Overuse Headache can be common amongst sufferers.

Despite their overuse, nearly three quarters of GPs believe analgesics provide insufficient relief for some migraine sufferers. As a result, treating and diagnosing migraine can be frustrating, according to 65 per cent of GPs, and 35 per cent believe it is still a poorly understood condition.

According to a separate study of 3,000 migraine sufferers by Imigran Recovery, 86 per cent of sufferers take no preventative action between migraine attacks. This could explain why nearly half of migraine sufferers feel helpless, believing that migraine is untreatable.

It’s no wonder then that more than a quarter of migraine sufferers believe their life would be happier if they could get control of migraine and more than a fifth believe their life would be significantly improved.

Experts believe that the widening of blood vessels in the brain causes the throbbing pain of migraine.  

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Information on SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy)

The following information on SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) was provided by the CDC and gives risk factors of SUDEP and how to lower your risk.

For some people living with epilepsy, the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is an important concern. SUDEP refers to such deaths in people with epilepsy that are not caused by injury, drowning, or other known causes.1

It is likely that most, but not all, cases of SUDEP occur during or immediately after a seizure.  The exact cause is not fully known or understood, but theories exist as to why SUDEP occurs.1-4

• Breathing. A seizure may cause a person to have pauses in breathing (apnea).  If these pauses last too long, they can reduce the oxygen in the blood to a life-threatening level.  In addition, during a convulsive seizure a person’s airway sometimes may get covered or obstructed, leading to suffocation.
• Heart Rhythm. Rarely, a seizure may cause a dangerous heart rhythm or even cardiac arrest.
• Other Causes and Mixed Causes. SUDEP may result from more than one cause or a combination involving both breathing difficulty and abnormal heart rhythm.

Risk Factors for SUDEP

Estimates of SUDEP risk vary, but general population studies suggests that each year there is about 1 case of SUDEP for every 1,000 people with epilepsy.2 For some, this risk can be considerably higher, depending on several factors identified by researchers such as:

• Uncontrolled or frequent seizures.1
• Generalized convulsive (tonic-clonic or “grand mal”) seizures.1

Other possible risk factors may include the following:

• Long duration of epilepsy and young age when seizures started.2
• Not taking antiepileptic medication regularly as prescribed.4
• Alcohol use.1

Steps to Reduce the Risk of SUDEP

If you have epilepsy, ask your doctor to discuss your risk of SUDEP with you. The first and most important step to reduce your risk of SUDEP is to regularly take your seizure medication as prescribed. If you are taking seizure medication and are still having seizures, discuss options for adjusting the medication with your doctor. If seizures continue, consider consulting an epilepsy specialist, if you are not already seeing a specialist. Other possible steps to reduce the risk of SUDEP might include:

• Avoid seizure triggers, if these are known.2 Read more information about seizure triggers.
• Avoid excessive alcohol use.1
• Avoid sleep deprivation.1

If you have uncontrolled epilepsy, talk with your doctor about other possible ways to reduce your risk of SUDEP. If necessary, other ways to reduce risk might include having adults in the household trained in first aid for epilepsy seizures.

How Do I Talk to My Doctor About SUDEP?

When you decide to talk with your doctor about SUDEP, possible questions to ask the following:

• What is my risk for SUDEP?
• If my risk of SUDEP is increased, what can I do to reduce my risk?
• What should I do if I forget to take my anti-epileptic drug (AED)?
• What steps should I take if it is decided to change my seizure medication?
• What medications provide the best seizure control for me?
• Are there any specific activities I should avoid?
• What instructions should I give my family and friends if I have a seizure?

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