Restless legs syndrome could up blood pressure in women

If you are a middle-aged woman with restless legs syndrome (RLS), you may be at a greater risk of high blood pressure.

A new study shows that women with RLS were 20 percent more likely to have high blood pressure. This risk increased with the frequency of RLS symptoms. High blood pressure was 41 percent more likely in women who reported having restless legs symptoms at least 15 times per month. Results of the RLS and high blood pressure study were published online last month in the journal Hypertension.

RLS is classified as a sleep-related movement disorder. It involves an intense urge to move the legs. And it often involves other burning, prickly, itching or tingling sensations in the legs.

These symptoms begin or worsen during periods of rest or inactivity. And the sensations worsen or only occur in the evening or at night. Partial or total relief occurs by moving the legs, stretching or walking.

Find out more about treatment for restless legs syndrome. Read more about restless legs syndrome on the blog.

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Middle-aged Sleep Loss Linked to Weight Gain for Women

It’s a troubling scenario for women as they get older: lose sleep and gain weight. New findings suggest middle-aged women with insomnia will likely pack on pounds.

A Finnish study published in the International Journal of Obesity followed more than 7,300 middle-aged men and women for seven years. About a third of the women who reported having difficulty sleeping posted a double-digit weight gain.

Sleep problems, whether chronic or occasional, came before weight gain in many cases. Lead investigator Peppi Lyytikainen told Reuters Health the findings do not prove a causal relationship. He believes the findings may suggest improving sleep quality can help with losing weight. It’s still unknown if treating insomnia will cause weight loss.

Men may not have to worry. Results showed no link between insomnia and weight gain in males. However, previous research suggests otherwise. Men who sleep less may gain weight because they exercise less and eat fewer healthy foods. Short sleep may alter appetite-regulating hormones and cause you to crave high-calorie, high-carb foods.

Middle-aged women are susceptible to sleep distubances due to the hormonal and physical changes related to menopause. Its not unusual for post-menopausal women to report poor sleep quality or insomnia.

Image by Robert Hruzek

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Sleep Isn't Easy for Newly Divorced Women

40 percent of marriages in America end in divorce. Those who have seen their marriage crumble rarely describe the process in a positive light. The litigation, the loss of income, and the sudden social adjustments can be as emotionally difficult as the death of a child or loved one.

Sleepless nights caused by anxiety and depression can be expected, especially for women. A study published in the July issue of the journal SLEEP shows women reported the worst sleep in the years following divorce or a loss of a partner. Women in stable relationships have far better sleep quality.

370 middle-aged women from various ethnic and social backgrounds in four major U.S. metropolitan areas participated in the study. Each year they reported their relationship status to researchers, who then monitored their sleep for three nights. A polysomnographic sleep study and wrist actigraphy measured their sleep architecture, duration and number of disturbances.

In addition to widows and divorcees, newlyweds were also more restless. The authors of the study told the AASM there may be a ‘newlywed effect’, because women are still adjusting to sleeping with a partner.

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Dr. Oz: Snoring Solutions for Women

Recently Dr. Oz responded to a question about excessive snoring that was posed by Joyce, a member of his audience.

But Joyce wasn’t concerned about her husband’s snoring. She is the one who snores.

“Why am I snoring so much,” Joyce asked. “What is the problem?”



Dr. Oz recommended weight loss as one way to reduce her snoring. He also said that avoiding alcohol can help.

But he surprised Joyce with his final advice. He suggested that she take singing lessons.

“You learn to control the muscles in the upper throat – the same muscles that collapse (and cause snoring),” he explained. “It’s like weightlifting your muscles.”

Last year the Sleep Education blog reported that there are a variety of treatment options for snoring. But snoring is also a common sign of obstructive sleep apnea.

Most often this kind of snoring is loud and frequent. It tends to be followed by silent pauses in breathing. These pauses may end with a loud choking or snorting sound.

Joyce’s own description of her snoring suggests that she might have OSA.

“Snoring enough to disturb the entire family,” she said. “And if I even snore a little louder, I might disturb the entire neighborhood.”

Sleep apnea is a serious health problem that requires medical attention. CPAP and oral appliances are the two most common treatments. Another option is surgery, which is a common solution for children with sleep apnea.

You might be able to reduce the severity of sleep apnea by following Dr. Oz’s advice to strengthen the throat muscles. Studies suggest that it might help to play a wind instrument or use tongue and throat exercises.

But these methods are unlikely to cure sleep apnea. You should contact an AASM-accredited sleep center for help if you or a loved one snores loudly.

Read more about sleep apnea in women. Learn how women may be surprised by sleep apnea. Read about the signs of OSA in women.

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Pregnancy, Sleep & Postpartum Mood

A new study examined the relationship between disrupted sleep and postpartum mood in mothers. The results were published today in the journal Sleep.

The study from Australia involved 44 healthy women. They all had a low risk for postpartum depression. Their ages ranged from 18 to 41 years. Sleep was measured by actigraphy for seven days during the third trimester and seven days after giving birth.

Results show that sleep deteriorated after delivery. Total sleep time at night fell from 428 minutes in the third trimester to 373 minutes after delivery. Daily nap time increased from 32 minutes to 101 minutes.

Forty-six percent of women had some deterioration of mood after delivery. But the link between objective sleep measures and mood was weak. Variables related to the subjective perception of sleep were stronger predictors of postpartum mood.

“Subjective perception of sleep shared a much stronger relationship with mood,” said lead author Bei Bei. “Women who are concerned about their sleep and/or mood should speak to health care professionals about cognitive-behavioral therapy.”

Bei said that pregnancy is a joyous and exciting time. But it also exposes women to many stressors, including disturbed sleep.

The authors reported that new moms often have a mild mood disturbance a few days after delivery. This is called the “baby blues.”

It tends to involve mood swings and tearfulness. Other symptoms such as irritability, anxiety and headaches may occur. Postpartum blues may last about a week.

Some moms may experience postpartum depression. This involves more severe mood changes that can impair daily functioning. The Office on Women’s Health reports that about 13 percent of pregnant women and new mothers have depression.

Last year a study found a hormonal link between restless legs syndrome and pregnancy.

Read more about sleep and pregnancy on SleepEducation.com. Get sleep tips for new parents from the AASM.

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Sleep Deprivation Impairs the Recognition of Emotions

A new study investigated the impact of sleep deprivation on the ability to recognize the emotional intensity of human facial expressions. The results were published this month in the journal Sleep.

The study involved 37 healthy adults between 18 and 25 years of age. Seventeen participants were assigned to the control group. They slept normally at home for a night. The other 20 participants were kept awake in a sleep lab for about 31 hours.

Then everyone performed an emotional face recognition task at about 4 p.m. Both groups returned home for a night of sleep. Then they repeated the task the next day.

The task involved the presentation of black and white photos of the same man. The images were taken from Dr. Paul Ekman’s Pictures of Facial Affect set. In the photos the man made happy, sad, angry and neutral expressions.

Each of the three emotional pictures was morphed to the neutral face using computer software. This produced a set of 10 images for each emotion representing an equal gradient of change.

For each emotion the 10 images were presented in random order on a laptop computer screen. Participants had to rate the strength of emotion for each face.

Results show that the ability to recognize angry and happy facial expressions was blunted in the sleep-deprived group. They were able to detect extreme emotions. But they struggled to detect expressions of moderate intensity. There was no change in the recognition of sad expressions.

These differences were most reliable and significant in women. The impairment was corrected by one night of recovery sleep.

The authors suggested that facial expressions may be the most significant visual cue in human communication. Abnormal face processing can lead to impaired social interactions.

They also wrote that accurate emotional face judgments are of critical importance for many professionals. Examples include emergency responders, medical staff and soldiers. This ability also is vital for new parents.

The results also suggest that healthy young women may be more sensitive to some effects of sleep loss. This may help explain why women are more likely than men to develop major depression.

Last year the Sleep Education Blog reported that being awake for 12 hours or more may impair the ability to recognize a familiar face. Read more about sleep deprivation.

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Changes in Bedtime Routine and Sleep Environment Can Improve Your Sleep

According to a recent blog post, making small changes in her night time habits and bedroom have helped Glamour Magazine’s Cindi Leive improve her sleep during Sleep Challenge 2010.

Leive said that since she began the sleep challenge, her awareness of her sleep has increased, and that has made a positive impact. She notes that the small changes she made to her night time habits and bedroom have increased the quality and quantity of her sleep. Some of the changes include buying a new pillow, creating a bedtime routine, making her bedroom darker and keeping electronics out of her room. Leive has also given herself a bedtime.

After speaking with several sleep experts, including AASM member Dr. Michael Breus, Leive and Huffington have focused on the factors that were keeping them from getting the sleep they need. They are currently in the process of making lifestyle changes that will allow sleep to be included as a major priority.

Last year, the Sleep Education Blog reported that following a nightly bedtime routine can reduce daytime sleepiness. Research showed that the most effective strategies to feel less sleepy were taking a bath and going to bed at the same time every night.

In order to improve your sleep the AASM also recommends that you:

• Wake up at the same time each day, even on weekends.
• Avoid naps if you can during the day.
• Don’t drink caffeine in the afternoon.
• Don’t read, write, eat, watch TV, talk on the phone, or play cards in bed.
• Make your bedroom quiet, dark, and a little bit cool.

Find more tips about good sleep hygiene at Sleep Education.com.Contact an AASM-accredited sleep disorders center if you have an ongoing sleep problem.

Image courtesy of Glamour Magazine

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Sleepless Nights for Army Wives

A new study examined how deployment affects the mental health of the wives of U.S. Army soldiers. The results were published yesterday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The study involved 250,626 wives of active-duty U.S. Army soldiers. Their electronic medical records from 2003 to 2006 were analyzed.

Results were compared according to the deployment status of their husbands. Length of deployment also was considered. Deployments included both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Adjusted results show that the wives of deployed soldiers had more sleep problems than the wives of soldiers who were not deployed. They also had more cases of depression and anxiety.

They had 11.6 excess cases of sleep disorders per 1,000 wives when the deployment lasted up to 11 months. This rate increased to 23.5 excess cases when their husband was deployed for more than 11 months.

“This study confirms what many people have long suspected,” lead author Alyssa Mansfield, PhD, said in a news release. “It provides compelling evidence that Army spouses are feeling the impact of recent deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. The result is more depression, more stress, more sleepless nights.”

The authors noted that current warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan differs greatly from other recent conflicts involving the U.S. Both operations have involved sustained ground combat. They also have been met by strong insurgent attacks.

As a result the wives of deployed soldiers may fear for the safety of their loved ones. At the same time they face the stress of maintaining a household and caring for children alone.

The authors also suggested that the results may underestimate the severity of the problem. In the military seeking care for mental health concerns may involve a stigma. So some spouses may avoid seeking care.

“The majority of active-duty soldiers are married, so we need to pay attention to the needs of their families,” said Mansfield.

Get help for a sleep problem at an AASM-accredited sleep center near you.

Image courtesy of the U.S. Army

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New Year’s Resolution for 2010: Take the Sleep Challenge

Arianna Huffington of The Huffington Post and Cindi Leive of Glamour have made a New Year’s resolution and invited their readers to join in.

The challenge? Get more sleep.

Research shows that women off all ages are sleep deprived. While women know sleep is important for their health and well-being, it becomes less of a priority because of family, professional pursuits and other commitments.

The kids and late-night work e-mail may trump sleep; however, the resulting sleep deprivation makes it difficult to respond quickly, multi-task, think creatively and solve problems at home and at work. Sleep deprivation makes you more prone to illness and stress as well.

In addition to sleep deprivation, many women struggle with sleep disorders that make it difficult for them to get a good night’s sleep. Last year, the Sleep Education Blog reported that insomnia is more common in women than men.

Are you ready to improve your sleep? Follow the Sleep Challenge 2010 online.

Learn more about sleep and women at Sleep Education.com. Visit an AASM-accredited sleep center near you if you are suffering from a chronic sleep disorder.

Image courtesy of The Huffington Post

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A Viral Debate About Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

A new U.K. study was unable to reproduce recent findings that suggested chronic fatigue syndrome may be linked to a virus. But U.S. researchers emphasized that there are key differences between the studies.

The Sleep Education Blog reported on the previous research in October. The U.S. study identified DNA from the “XMRV” virus in the blood of 68 out of 101 people with CFS.

The new study was conducted in the U.K. DNA was extracted from blood samples of 186 people with CFS. They were screened for the XMRV virus and for another closely related virus.

Results published on Wednesday show that neither virus was detected in any of the samples. The authors suggested that the results may be a result of population differences between North America and Europe.

“We used very sensitive testing methods to look for the virus,” study co-author Myra McClure said in a news release. “If it had been there, we would have found it. We are confident that our results show there is no link between XMRV and chronic fatigue syndrome, at least in the U.K.”

But the institute behind the U.S. research questioned the methods of the U.K. study.

“This study did not duplicate the rigorous scientific techniques (used by the U.S. research team),” said a group statement. “Therefore it cannot be considered a replication study… Significant and critical questions remain as to the status of patient samples used in the U.K. study.”

Simon Wessely, another co-author of the U.K. study, also cautioned that their results are not conclusive. He said more research is needed to determine the fundamental cause of CFS.

"It is important to emphasize that today's findings do not invalidate all previous research,” said Wessely. “As ever in science, no single study is conclusive.”

CFS occurs four times more often in women than in men. The CDC notes that CFS is neither a form of depression nor a mental illness.

“There is now abundant scientific evidence that CFS is a real physiological illness,” reports the CDC. “A number of biologic abnormalities have been identified in people with CFS.”

One common symptom of CFS is unrefreshing sleep. This can make it hard to distinguish the syndrome from a group of sleep disorders known as “hypersomnias.”

Read more about hypersomnia.

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Sleep Apnea in Women: Effects & Treatment Response

A new study examined gender differences in the effects of obstructive sleep apnea. It also evaluated how men and women respond to treatment with CPAP therapy.

The results were published in the Dec. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.

The study involved 152 men and 24 women with OSA. They had an average age of 47 years. They were obese with an average body mass index (BMI) of 38.

Their sleep apnea was severe; they had an average of 64 breathing pauses per hour of sleep. Follow-up testing was conducted after three months of CPAP therapy.

Results show that age, BMI, and sleep apnea severity were similar between men and women. But women had more problems in their daily functioning. They had lower activity levels and less general productivity.

Excessive daytime sleepiness was reported more often by women than men. Women also reported more overall mood disturbances. And their performance was worse on a vigilance test.

The study also found that CPAP use was similar for both genders. And men and women experienced similar benefits. CPAP improved functional status and relieved OSA symptoms.

The authors noted that a referral bias may have contributed to the low number of women in the study. Many people mistakenly think that OSA only affects men. So women may be less likely to be referred to a sleep disorders center for evaluation.

The authors added that the study excluded people over the age of 60. Women with OSA are usually older than men on average.

In September the Sleep Education Blog reported on women and sleep apnea risk. Read how women may be surprised by sleep apnea. Learn about the signs of OSA in women.

Get more information on SleepEducation.com about snoring and sleep apnea in women.Get help for sleep apnea at an AASM-accredited sleep center near you.

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Cancer, Chemotherapy & Insomnia

A new study examined the link between insomnia and cancer.

The study involved 823 people with cancer; all of them were receiving chemotherapy. Their average age was 58 years; about 73 percent were women.

Results show a high rate of insomnia in people with cancer. Forty-three percent had insomnia during day seven of cycle 1 of chemotherapy. Another 37 percent reported insomnia symptoms.

“Our research shows that insomnia is very common among patients undergoing cancer treatment,” lead author Oxana Palesh, PhD, said in a news release.

Insomnia persisted during the first two cycles of chemotherapy. Sixty percent of participants reported that their insomnia symptoms remained unchanged from cycle 1 to cycle 2.

People who were younger than 58 years were more likely to have insomnia. Participants with breast cancer had the highest number of overall insomnia complaints. People with insomnia had more depression and fatigue than good sleepers.

“The good news for people with cancer is that there are many effective treatment options that can help,” Palesh said. These include cognitive behavioral therapy and medications.

Earlier this year another study suggested that sleep problems may lead to an increase in pain in people with cancer. Read more about sleep and cancer.

Learn about insomnia due to medical condition on SleepEducation.com. Get help for a sleep problem at an AASM-accredited sleep center near you.

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Insomnia & Depression in Women

A new study examined why insomnia is more common in women than men.

The study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The survey is unique in that it combines interviews and physical exams.

The sample involved 5,469 young adults; their age ranged from 20 years to 39 years.

Results show that 16.7 percent of women reported insomnia symptoms; 9.2 percent of men had an insomnia complaint.

Why are women more likely than men to have insomnia? The study suggests that mental health is a key factor.

The gender difference in the odds of insomnia was no longer significant after adjusting for history of mental health conditions. The authors concluded that the higher rate of insomnia in women may be linked to mental health problems such as depression.

The NIMH reports that depression is also more common among women than men. This may be explained in part by hormonal factors that are unique to women.

The AASM reports that insomnia is seen in up to 85 percent of people with a major depressive episode. Frequent awakenings during the night are typical; waking up early in the morning and being unable to go back to sleep also is common.

Often the insomnia complaint is among the earliest symptoms to appear in a person with a mental health disorder. People often attribute their mental symptoms to poor sleep.

Read more about sleep and depression. Learn more about insomnia due to mental disorder on SleepEducation.com.

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The Importance of Getting Your Beauty Rest

Many women know that a sleepless night can take a toll on the way you look. The next morning you may see dark circles under your eyes or newly formed fine lines on your face. You also may have a sickly complexion.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad told the Los Angeles Times that with age, sleep loss can affect skin more visibly because of progressive loss of cellular water.

Sleep allows your body to restore and prepare for the next day. Sleeping well enables you to feel, think and perform at your fullest potential.

According to the article, cell and tissue repair occurs during deep sleep, known as slow-wave sleep. Sleep deprivation can compromise this restorative phase.

Murad stated that a lack of sleep suppresses the immune system. This can lead to skin-related problems, including rashes and eczema.

Both men and women are negatively affected by sleep loss. However, there are unique factors that can interfere with a woman’s sleep. These include pregnancy and menopause. Sleep disorders, medical problems and day-to-day responsibilities also can cause women to lose sleep.

Earlier this year the Sleep Education Blog noted that a Swedish study of 400 women found that subjects slept for only about 6.5 hours per night. It took the women an average of 22 minutes to fall asleep.

Another post said that people who are constantly sleep deprived but do not suffer from a sleep disorder can use willpower to create a regular sleep schedule.

Sleep experts recommend that adults sleep between seven and eight hours each night.

Visit an AASM-accredited sleep disorders center if you are suffering from an ongoing sleep problem.

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