Are you a Sleep Zombie? NSF’s Great American Sleep Challenge will tell you! The Sleep Challenge is an interactive online campaign created to encourage everyone to pay attention to their sleep. By taking the Sleep Challenge, participants learn about sleep and sleep problems through quizzes, articles, fact sheets, and fun, easy-to-play games such as:
- Recreate Your Bedroom – in which participants design a virtual bedroom in order to learn how to create an ideal sleep environment, and
- Find the Sleep Stealers – where participants are "challenged" to sort sleep-friendly items from sleep stealers in a cluttered bedroom in 30 seconds or less.
After taking the Sleep Challenge, players learn whether they are a Sleep Savvy Sage, So-So Sleeper or a Sleep Zombie! All participants are entered into a raffle to win dreamy prizes. NSF's Great American Sleep Challenge continues through March 31. Take the Sleep Challenge now! Get Better Sleep! Win Prizes!
Have you taken the Sleep Challenge? Tell us about it!
Sleep Disruption Linked with Heart and Kidney Disease
Anyone who has ever suffered from jet lag knows that circadian rhythm disruption can be mentally and physically taxing. Now, the results of a new study suggest that circadian rhythm disruption may also have a devastating effect on organs such as the heart and kidneys. In the study, a research team led by Dr. Michael Sole of the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre of Toronto General Hospital discovered that when hamsters' biological clocks are out-of-sync with the environment (i.e., light/dark cycles are reversed), the animals die at a younger age with cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart) and severe kidney disease. They also found that when light/dark cycles are normalized, these ill effects can be reversed.
"Disrupted circadian rhythms have a devastating effect on the heart, kidney and possibly other organs," said Sole in a prepared media release. "This is the first study of its kind to demonstrate that sleep cycle disruption actually causes heart and kidney disease."
These results have important implications for those who experience circadian disruption on a regular basis, including shift workers and flight crews, two groups that may suffer from higher rates of cardiovascular disease and other chronic illnesses. Read the abstract, and then read more about the findings.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: An Expensive Condition for Older Adults
Having obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is not only devastating for one's health; it can also be quite costly, according to the results of a new study. Researchers from Israel analyzed the healthcare costs of 158 elderly and 1,166 middle-aged patients (aged 67–89 and 40–64, respectively) with OSA as well as aged-matched people without OSA. They found that in the two-year period before diagnosis, healthcare costs were nearly twice as high for those with OSA compared with those without OSA. They also found that among OSA sufferers, healthcare costs were nearly two times higher for elderly patients compared with middle-aged patients. Their analysis also revealed that cardiovascular illness and the use of psychoactive medications were largely to blame for the increase in healthcare costs. Read the abstract, and then read NSF's Ask the Expert: Sleep Apnea and Heart Disease.
Poor Sleep Harder on Women than Men, Study Finds
Beginning at puberty and continuing throughout the lifecycle, women suffer from sleep problems such as insomnia at a higher rate than men. What's more, a new study suggests that compared with men, women suffer more severe health consequences as a result of poor sleep. The study was based on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores of 210 men and women with no history of sleep disorders. The researchers who conducted the study found that women who slept poorly were more likely to be overweight or obese and to suffer from Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. They also uncovered an association between poor sleep and psychosocial factors among women, with those who slept poorly reporting higher levels of hostility, anger and depression. No such association was found among men. The authors conclude that the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic illnesses in women could be linked with both psychosocial distress and pathophysiologic mechanisms. Read the abstract, and then learn all about women's unique sleep experiences.
A Day in the Life of the Typical American Worker
Wondering how the average American worker spends his or her days? Check out the highlights of NSF's 2008 Sleep in America poll now!
Sleep in the Newzzz…
CMS Approves Home Testing for the Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea
On March 13, 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expanded Medicare coverage for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices to include beneficiaries diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using a home test. Read the CMS press release now. Then read NSF's original statement regarding CMS' review and NSF's statement on CMS' Proposed Coverage Decision Memorandum for CPAP Therapy for OSA.
Looking for Startling Videos about Sleep and Drowsy Driving?
Check out NSF's online video library, which also includes a Today Show clip of 2008 Sleep in America poll highlights. Then, check out No Rest for the Weary, a new Podcast about the ill effects of sleep loss and sleep disorders by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Drowsy Driver Sentenced to Three Months for Killing Man in Crash
Shaunda Yarnell, 23, will serve three months in jail for causing the crash that killed Mark Howard, 57, according to a report by Lancaster Online. Read the full report, and then learn more about the victims of drowsy driving in NSF's Drowsy Driving Memorials and Testimonials.
Is 2008 the Year of Sleep?
Wondering what's ahead for the sleep field in 2008? Read Setting the Sleep Agenda, an article by NSF Chairman, Dr. Meir Kryger, in Sleep Review.
What is the Biological Purpose of Sleep?
Find out in this 60 Minutes feature entitled “The Science of Sleep.”
Briefly Noted…
UK-Based Narcolepsy Sufferers Wanted for TV Documentary
A UK-based production company is looking for people in the UK with narcolepsy to take part in a sensitive and intelligent program for Channel 4's premier documentary strand 'Cutting Edge.' Participants will attend the U.S. Narcolepsy Network Spring Conference on the 12th of April this year in New York, NY. For details, contact Anna Dangoor at anna.dangoor@fireflyproductions.tv.
Do You Know Someone Who Is Not Sleeping Well?
Send them a healthy sleep e-Card created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Help NSF Save Lives!
Are you thinking of selling or trading in an old car, truck, boat or RV? Please consider donating your vehicle to NSF and you may receive a tax deduction. As a charitable contribution, your vehicle donation will help NSF to raise awareness of drowsy driving and proven ways to prevent crashes. Your donation will also assist NSF in its continuing mission to improve public health and safety by achieving understanding of sleep and sleep disorders. Start the no-hassle donation process or find out more information now!
