Sleeping Angels

A woman with chronic pain explains how she fears new restrictions limiting doctors from prescribing medications she needs to tread it will affect her.

Pam Belluck's beautifully written "Island Practice" tells the true story of one of Nantucket's most storied physicians.

A group of Japanese researchers found that laughing in the evening causes the body to produce more melatonin (the hormone released by the brain at sleep onset).

Gwen writes: I'm looking for a connection between weight LOSS and sleep apnea.

Sleep

Government Bean Counting Is Bad For Your Health (Surprise!)

Dennis Rosen M.D. on May 16, 2012

How a new government policy to cut costs at the expense of patient education is likely to result in poor health outcomes and increased costs.

How a new government policy to cut costs at the expense of patient education is likely to result in poor health outcomes and increased costs.

Child Development

As Fewer Vaccinate Their Children, Whooping Cough Epidemic Sweeps Washington

Dennis Rosen M.D. on May 13, 2012

The New York Times reported yesterday about a recent epidemic of pertussis (whooping cough) in Washington State.

The New York Times reported yesterday about a recent epidemic of pertussis (whooping cough) in Washington State.

An old-new way of reducing confusion and improving sleep perception in intensive care patients.

Addiction

Restricting Pain Control Versus Preventing Addiction

Dennis Rosen M.D. on May 7, 2012

Some 2-3 percent of teens abusing prescription pain killers is a big problem. So is making it more difficult for people with chronic pain to get the care they need.

Some 2-3 percent of teens abusing prescription pain killers is a big problem. So is making it more difficult for people with chronic pain to get the care they need.

Having smoother skin just by using a different pillow.

It will surprise no one that being in pain makes your sleep worse. Now there’s evidence that the opposite is also true: poor sleep makes pain worse.

A fascinating study showing altered brainwave patterns during sleep in adults with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) was published by a Canadian group earlier this month.

New evidence that not getting enough sleep leads to weight gain.

Putting off an important decision until you’ve had a chance to think it through (instead of relying on impulse) has always been a good idea. “Let me sleep on it and get back to you tomorrow” sums this up nicely.

I get asked a lot about how much truth there is in what people say when they talk in their sleep.

While there are lots of good reasons to restrict or eliminate caffeine intake during pregnancy, causing sleep disturbances in the newborn is not one of them, according to a new study published in Pediatrics.

Sleep

Drugging Children To Sleep: Almost Always A Bad Idea

Dennis Rosen M.D. on April 4, 2012

I see lots of kids with sleep disturbances in my sleep clinic, many because of difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep.

I see lots of kids with sleep disturbances in my sleep clinic, many because of difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep.

Still more evidence that breathing is important for children (in this case, during sleep).

A reader writes: My 6-year-old was recently diagnosed with ADHD, and our pediatrician recommended starting him on medication. He has always snored, but it seems to have gotten worse this last year. I’ve read that there can be an association between snoring and ADHD, and wanted to ask if treating his snoring might improve his behavior.

Sleep

Fighting Monsters with Force Fields and White Lies

Dennis Rosen M.D. on March 25, 2012

I recently learned of a device which promises to cure children’s nighttime fears of monsters. Its makers recommend explaining to children whose fear of monsters prevents them from falling asleep that it generates a force field which will protect the house (and everyone within it) from all sorts of things that go bump in the night.

I recently learned of a device which promises to cure children’s nighttime fears of monsters. Its makers recommend explaining to children whose fear of monsters prevents them from falling asleep that it generates a force field which will protect the house (and everyone within it) from all sorts of things that go bump in the night.

A reader from Canada writes: My 5-year-old daughter always used to sleep alone in her bed without waking up at night. For the last month now, she refuses to go anywhere in the house or to sleep alone. I don't know how to help her.