Sleep and Be Well

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

You CAN Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

Meir H. Kryger M.D. on May 3, 2016

PTSD: How dogs can help

PTSD: How dogs can help

Dreaming

Do Your Dreams Have Meaning?

Meir H. Kryger M.D. on February 10, 2016

All people dream. Dreams have been the stuff of philosophers, artists, writers, scientists, and therapists. But what do dreams really mean?

All people dream. Dreams have been the stuff of philosophers, artists, writers, scientists, and therapists. But what do dreams really mean?

Sleep

Sleep Is For Wimps!

Meir H. Kryger M.D. on December 10, 2015

Are you sleep deprived? Research has shown sleep deprivation can have dire consequences. The brain doesn’t work well when it is deprived of sleep.

Are you sleep deprived? Research has shown sleep deprivation can have dire consequences. The brain doesn’t work well when it is deprived of sleep.

Sleep

Are You Getting Enough Sleep? There's Only One Way to Tell.

Meir H. Kryger M.D. on June 8, 2015

When people hear that I am a sleep specialist, invariably one of three questions arises: What sleeping pill do I recommend? Is there anything besides CPAP for sleep apnea and how much sleep do people need? From my perspective, the question really is, why are people so interested in the amount of sleep they are getting?

When people hear that I am a sleep specialist, invariably one of three questions arises: What sleeping pill do I recommend? Is there anything besides CPAP for sleep apnea and how much sleep do people need? From my perspective, the question really is, why are people so interested in the amount of sleep they are getting?

Sleep

On the Front Lines

Meir H. Kryger M.D. on November 7, 2014

Haunting nightmares of war and trauma can keep veterans from a healthy night's sleep. The fear of wearing something on their face has driven some of my patients to not wear their CPAP masks, leaving their sleep apnea untreated. Scars from past experience can persist for decades.

Haunting nightmares of war and trauma can keep veterans from a healthy night's sleep. The fear of wearing something on their face has driven some of my patients to not wear their CPAP masks, leaving their sleep apnea untreated. Scars from past experience can persist for decades.

Sleep

Monitoring the Rest You Need, All on Your Wrist

Meir H. Kryger M.D. on August 8, 2014

Scientists have been using devices that track movements for at least 30 years with a theory being, if you move a lot you are probably not asleep. The devices, called actigraphs, can be a decent rough measure of a person’s sleep time and have been used in sleep research. Today's technology offers even more ways to measure your sleep.

Scientists have been using devices that track movements for at least 30 years with a theory being, if you move a lot you are probably not asleep. The devices, called actigraphs, can be a decent rough measure of a person’s sleep time and have been used in sleep research. Today's technology offers even more ways to measure your sleep.

Sleep

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie? When Animals Disturb Your Sleep

Meir H. Kryger M.D. on April 25, 2014

We have all been awakened by the neighbor’s howling or barking dog, meowing cat, and chirping and singing birds starting their day. Certainly being awakened by somebody else’s pet isn’t a reason why we would ever go to a doctor. Or, is it?

We have all been awakened by the neighbor’s howling or barking dog, meowing cat, and chirping and singing birds starting their day. Certainly being awakened by somebody else’s pet isn’t a reason why we would ever go to a doctor. Or, is it?

Sleep

Charles Dickens and Sleep

Meir H. Kryger M.D. on December 20, 2013

What does English author Charles Dickens, the man who wrote “A Christmas Carol” and who described marvelous characters like Tiny Tim, Scrooge, Oliver Twist and Mr. Pickwick, have to do with sleep, and why am I writing about Dickens on a sleep blog? You will be surprised to know that Dickens and his writings have had a great impact on me and my career.

What does English author Charles Dickens, the man who wrote “A Christmas Carol” and who described marvelous characters like Tiny Tim, Scrooge, Oliver Twist and Mr. Pickwick, have to do with sleep, and why am I writing about Dickens on a sleep blog? You will be surprised to know that Dickens and his writings have had a great impact on me and my career.

Patients sometimes have symptoms so distressing they are afraid to discuss them. REM Sleep Behavior Disorder falls into that category.

Sleep

Too Many Sleeping Pills!

Meir H. Kryger M.D. on September 15, 2013

One of the sights that terrifies some doctors is when a patient comes to a consultation bringing a shopping bag containing vials of pills. I personally was dumbstruck recently when I saw a patient's assortment of pill bottles. She reassured me that this bag contained only the medications she used to help her sleep, but ultimately she wanted to be off the medications.

One of the sights that terrifies some doctors is when a patient comes to a consultation bringing a shopping bag containing vials of pills. I personally was dumbstruck recently when I saw a patient's assortment of pill bottles. She reassured me that this bag contained only the medications she used to help her sleep, but ultimately she wanted to be off the medications.

Dreaming

Dreams That Kill

Meir H. Kryger M.D. on May 22, 2013

What happens when people physically react to their dreams, and in so doing, harm others or themselves?

What happens when people physically react to their dreams, and in so doing, harm others or themselves?

Sleep

Mass Insomnia at the Witnessing of Trauma

Meir H. Kryger M.D. on April 24, 2013

In our personal quest to make sense of the Boston Marathon bombings, millions of people lost sleep the night of April 15, 2013. Some may continue to experience sleeplessness, or awaken from nightmares triggered by the images they witnessed either in person or via the media. Why does witnessing a traumatic event disturb our sleep even when we are not in imminent danger?

In our personal quest to make sense of the Boston Marathon bombings, millions of people lost sleep the night of April 15, 2013. Some may continue to experience sleeplessness, or awaken from nightmares triggered by the images they witnessed either in person or via the media. Why does witnessing a traumatic event disturb our sleep even when we are not in imminent danger?

Sleep

The Mystery of Narcolepsy

Meir H. Kryger M.D. on April 3, 2013

Patients with narcolepsy — a difficult and dangerous sleep disorder that can elude diagnosis — have the manifestations of REM sleep at the wrong times in the wrong places, sometimes with serious consequences. The three case studies I talk about here suggest that many doctors do not know enough about sleep disorders in general, and narcolepsy in particular.

Patients with narcolepsy — a difficult and dangerous sleep disorder that can elude diagnosis — have the manifestations of REM sleep at the wrong times in the wrong places, sometimes with serious consequences. The three case studies I talk about here suggest that many doctors do not know enough about sleep disorders in general, and narcolepsy in particular.

Medical science does not yet understand why witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event sears that event into the brain and may cause symptoms decades later. Are there actual chemical or structural changes in the brain related to fear, pain, guilt, and shame? What is the role of disrupted sleep and nightmares in perpetuating symptoms of PTSD?

Depression

A SAD Tale

Meir H. Kryger M.D. on January 29, 2013

For those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, spring can't come soon enough. There's hope because Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow on February 2.

For those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, spring can't come soon enough. There's hope because Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow on February 2.