Sleepy teens engage in more risky activities

Teens who are sleep deprived are at risk for more than just falling asleep in class. A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that sleep-deprived teens are more likely to smoke, drink and fight.

A survey was conducted of more that 12,000 teens. About 68 percent said that on an average school night, they get less than eight hours of sleep. Those students were more likely to be involved in risky health behaviors than students who got more than eight hours of sleep. The behaviors included smoking cigarettes and marijuana, drinking alcohol and getting into a physical fight.

Sleep-deprived students were also more sexually active and less likely to exercise. They also were more likely to feel sad or hopeless and think about committing suicide.

The study was published online by the Preventive Medicine journal.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine reports that most teens need a little more than nine hours of sleep each night. Is your teen getting enough sleep? Find out by reviewing the signs your teen needs sleep on the Your Sleep website. Read more posts about teens and sleep.

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Restless Legs Syndrome Could Be in Your Genes

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, is a sleep related movement disorder that involves an irresistible urge to move the legs at night. It affects five percent to 10 percent of adults; in children the percentage is unknown.

A new study, published in PLoS Genetics, shows that RLS may be genetic. In the study, 922 people with the genes that are linked to RLS were compared to 1,526 healthy people. Seventy-six potential gene candidates were found. The genes were then replicated in 3,935 people with RLS and 5,754 healthy people.

By doing this the results were narrowed down to six genetic regions that are connected with an increased risk of RLS. There were four mutations. Two have already been reported on; however, two of them are new.

TOX3, one of the newly identified regions, is used by the brain to regulate activity. Earlier studies have shown that TOX3 protein protects brain cells from cell death. However, the connection between TOX3 and RLS is not clear.

Juliane Winklemann, a researcher at the Institute of Human Genetics in Munich, Germany, says that the findings of the study will help with creating new treatments for RLS. It will also provide more insight into the cause RLS.

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Final Week to Enter AASM High School Contest

The deadline for the 2009 – 2010 AASM High School Topical Review in Sleep Science Contest is Friday, Jan. 15.

High school juniors and seniors are invited to submit an original review paper. They can choose a subject from a list of 12 topics related to sleep medicine and sleep research.

The contest offers a first-place prize of a $1,000 U.S. savings bond. The winning student and one parent or guardian also will receive a three-day/two-night trip to San Antonio.

In June the city will host the SLEEP 2010 24th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC. At this meeting the contest winner will be recognized by the AASM.

Prizes also will be awarded for second place, third place and honorable mention. All award recipients will have their paper posted on the AASM Web site at www.sleepeducation.com.

Get complete details and a contest entry form online.

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AASM-Accredited Sleep Centers: From Alaska to Guam

In 1977 the AASM accredited the first sleep disorders center. Today there are 1,825 AASM-accredited sleep centers and labs.

They are providing trusted medical care for people with sleep problems in every part of the country. From coast to coast and Alaska to Hawaii, you can find an AASM-accredited sleep center near you.

Recently the AASM also has accredited a few sleep centers outside the U.S. This includes facilities in Canada and one in Guam.

What is the value of AASM accreditation? It lets you know that a sleep center or lab maintains the highest standards of quality. Applicants have to make the grade in areas such as testing procedures, patient safety and staff training.

AASM accreditation also ensures that you receive expert care. AASM-accredited sleep centers and labs are required to have a board-certified sleep specialist as the medical director.

What is the difference between a sleep center and a sleep lab? A sleep center provides testing and treatments for all sleep disorders. These include obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome and narcolepsy.

A sleep lab also provides testing for all sleep disorders. But labs only treat breathing problems such as sleep apnea and snoring.

How can you find an AASM-accredited sleep center or lab near you? The easiest way is to go to www.sleepcenters.org.

The Web site has a directory that enables you to search by state. Each center and lab in the directory has met the AASM’s high standards for accreditation.

On SleepEducation.com you can learn how People with Sleep Problems Benefit from Thirty Years of AASM Accreditation. You also can find out how A Sleep Study May be Your Best Investment for Long-Term Health.

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