Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Shutter Island

When I see a child that is having nightmares, I explain to the parents that they shouldn't let the child watch potentially frightening shows or movies close to bedtime. I should have taken my own advice when I recently watched the movie Shutter Island, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. I watched the movie right before I went to sleep, which was a mistake. On that night, my wife and kids were out of the house, so I was home alone. I fell asleep OK, but kept waking with nightmares related to what had happened in the movie. So I guess my advice to parents should be broadened to adults as well.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Obstructive sleep apnea, CPAP therapy, and diabetes

This study involved a large population of veterans diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The study authors examined CPAP therapy usage and its effect on diabetes. The results showed that metabolic markers of diabetes were reduced in those patients that used the CPAP the most per night. Specifically, usage of at least 6 hours per night. The reduction in diabetes markers was not present in those with less nightly CPAP usage. Also, the risk of developing diabetes was reduced by those that used CPAP at least 6 hours per night. Finally, both of these findings were not influenced by the slight increase in weight observed during the follow up period measured.