May 2009 Archives

The National Sleep Foundation announced today that, together with sanofi-aventis U.S., it has joined forces with renowned women's health expert Dr. Donnica Moore to debunk common myths and misperceptions about sleep. The partnership is part of an ongoing initiative, Sleeping Smart, which helps educate Americans about the importance of a good night's sleep. Additionally, the campaign motivates sufferers to talk to a healthcare professional to determine whether treatment is appropriate and to learn about the safe and appropriate use of prescription sleep medications.

"Considering the current economic environment, many Americans are having trouble falling or staying asleep. People may think that their sleep problems aren't severe enough to talk to a healthcare professional," said Donnica Moore, MD, president, Sapphire Women's Health Group and women's health expert. "Yet, anyone who has been experiencing symptoms of insomnia for more than a month, or who finds that sleep problems are interfering with their daily life, should speak with a healthcare professional, especially before self-medicating."

As part of the Sleeping Smart campaign, Dr. Donnica debunks common sleep myths through a series of online videos available on the campaign Web site: www.sleepingsmart.org. The short videos incorporate KlickableTV(TM) technology to create an interactive user experience. Sleep sufferers can click through the videos to reveal additional tips and information to help them sleep smart. In one video, Dr. Donnica encourages visitors to click around a bedroom to pinpoint common items that can hinder sleep. Additionally, the site provides facts about insomnia, additional tips for getting a good night's sleep and a discussion guide to help facilitate a conversation with a healthcare professional.

"Sleep is just as important as diet and exercise to our overall health and well-being," said David Cloud, CEO of The National Sleep Foundation. "Unfortunately, only 42 percent of Americans agree that sleep is the most important (25%) or at least equally important to diet and exercise (17%). Since there are so many misperceptions about sleep, our goal with this campaign is to set the record straight while educating people about the importance of a good night's sleep and motivate them to talk to a healthcare professional to determine if treatment is appropriate."

    Setting the Record Straight:

    Myth                      Fact

    Sleep is not important.   Sleep is vital to our health and
     People can get by on a    well-being, and is just as important
     few hours.                as diet and exercise. Although
                               individual needs may vary, adults
                               typically need between 7 to 9 hours
                               of sleep per night.

    Men and women are         Insomnia is nearly twice as common in
     affected the same way     women than in men, and women are more
     by insomnia.              likely than men to report insomnia to
                               their healthcare professional.

    Insomnia is not a         Insomnia can be a serious medical
     serious medical           condition characterized by difficulty
     condition and has no      falling asleep, difficulty staying
     consequences.             asleep (waking up often during the
                               night and having trouble going back
                               to sleep), waking up too early in the
                               morning, or feeling tired upon
                               waking. Some potential consequences
                               of insomnia are decreased work
                               performance, depression or mood
                               changes and increased risk of
                               automotive crashes.

    If I can't sleep, I can   OTCs may be appropriate, but it's
     pick up something at      smart to discuss any treatment
     the pharmacy. I don't     options with your healthcare
     need to see a healthcare  professional before you
     professional. After       self-medicate.
     all, over-the-counter
     (OTC) medications are
     safer than prescription
     sleep aids.

    Prescription sleep aids   When taken as prescribed by a
     are not safe and may be   healthcare professional, sleep aids
     addictive or cause        can safely and effectively treat
     dependency.               insomnia. There is a lower risk for
                               dependency and tolerance with the
                               newer prescription sleep aids
                               compared to traditional
                               benzodiazopines.

    I can have alcohol or     Sleep medications should not be used
     wine with my sleep aid    with alcohol or other drugs. Sleep
     - it will help me get     aids should also not be taken before
     to sleep faster.          driving or operating machinery, or
                               before taking a bath or shower, among
                               other things.

As with all medications, it is important to take sleep aids only as directed by a healthcare professional. This means following his or her instructions about how to take, when to take and how long to take sleep medicine. Sleep aids should not be taken with alcohol, before driving or operating machinery, or before taking a bath or shower, among other things. Be sure you're able to devote 7 to 8 hours to sleep before being active again.

Tips for Sleeping Smart

• Establish a regular bed and wake time
• Avoid nicotine altogether and avoid caffeine close to bedtime
• Avoid alcohol
• Exercise regularly (but complete the workout at least 3 hours before bedtime)
• Establish a regular relaxing "wind-down" bedtime routine
• Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet and comfortable
• Discuss the appropriate way to take any sleep aid with a healthcare professional

Are you sleeping smart? For more information and to view the interactive videos visit www.sleepingsmart.org.

SOURCE National Sleep Foundation; sanofi-aventis US

There are few things as vital to health and well-being as a good night's sleep. Yet millions of us -- nearly 50 million according to the National Sleep Foundation -- suffer from chronic sleep problems or disorders. Every year, more and more scientific studies are showing correlations between poor or insufficient sleep and disease. Now there is a simple, easy way to quantify and measure sleep problems with patient populations.

The MOS Sleep Scale was originally developed in the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS), a four-year observational study of the health outcomes for chronically ill patients. The MOS Sleep Scale measures six dimensions of sleep, including initiation, maintenance (e.g. staying asleep), quantity, adequacy, somnolence (e.g. drowsiness), and respiratory impairments (e.g. shortness of breath, snoring). Disturbed sleep has a major impact on quality of life and is often a common symptom of many other chronic conditions, such as chronic pain and mood disorders.

"According to a new study by Marketdata, sleep is a $23.7 billion-a-year industry in the United States," reports Jeff Hallowell, Vice President of Business Development at QualityMetric. "Measuring the impact of sleep problems, as well as demonstrating the effectiveness of products developed to alleviate sleep disorders, can be a very valuable tool for pharmaceutical manufacturers, public health officials, and healthcare providers."

QualityMetric distributes translations of two versions of the MOS Sleep Scale: a 12 question version and a six question version. The 12 question version is available in 85 language translations and the six question version is available in 61 language translations. The forms have a standard four-week recall period. The reliability and validity of the MOS Sleep Scale have been evaluated in a number of disease areas, including neuropathic pain, restless leg syndrome, overactive bladder, and rheumatoid arthritis. It has also been evaluated in the general U.S. population. A recent literature search yielded 80 citations in which the MOS Sleep Scale had been used, including 14 clinical trials.

SOURCE QualityMetric Incorporated

As stress from economic anxiety mounts, the Better Sleep Council (BSC) and the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) have joined forces for Better Sleep Month in May to help consumers enjoy a stress-less, good night's sleep. In order to get the best rest possible and help relieve stress, the BSC and CRN say it's essential for Americans to make a commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

Stress is a leading culprit that is robbing Americans of sleep, according to sleep researchers. While it is well known that stress can negatively impact sleep, new research from Oklahoma State University (OSU) confirms that cyclically poor sleep can elevate stress. The OSU study, "Back Pain, Sleep Quality and Perceived Stress Following Introduction of New Bedding Systems," published in the March 2009 Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, also suggests that improved sleep quality not only reduces stress, but also helps us manage everyday stress.

"When you're stressed, and similarly when you are tired, every aspect of your waking life is affected, from work to personal relationships and even concentration," says BSC spokesperson and lifestyle expert Lissa Coffey. "Controlling stress and getting a good night's rest start by evaluating your lifestyle and creating a healthy daily regimen that you can stick to. This includes adequate sleep, balanced diet, daily vitamins and healthy exercise."

The Sleep Escape

The OSU study also reveals that the mattress plays a critical role in the sleep-stress relationship and quality of sleep. In fact, the OSU study found that significant decreases in stress paralleled reports of a good night's sleep on a new mattress, compared to one that is five years or older.

"People across the country are facing hardships from job losses and money woes," adds Coffey. "A mattress that cradles you with comfort can go a long way to help reduce stress. It provides a good night's rest so that you can perform your best during the day, even in tough times."

The BSC advises consumers to take time during Better Sleep Month to evaluate their mattress for optimum comfort and support and consider replacing it every five to seven years.

Investing in Your Wellness

Getting a good night's sleep on a supportive mattress is just one part of investing in a healthy lifestyle. Being active and eating healthy also play a large role. And with healthcare costs and unemployment rates increasing, CRN says that now, more than ever, it's important to think about taking an integrative approach to preventive healthcare.

"Studies show that healthy individuals tend to engage in many healthy habits--eating a healthy diet, taking supplements, exercising regularly and getting adequate amounts of sleep--as an integrative approach to wellness," says Douglas MacKay, N.D., vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs, CRN. Dr. MacKay, a licensed naturopathic doctor, says certain supplements, including melatonin, magnesium and calcium, may help individuals relax or promote healthy sleep patterns.

"Herbals and other dietary supplements can be safe and effective ways to help individuals achieve quality sleep," says Dr. MacKay. "You should consult a doctor or healthcare professional to determine which supplements are the best regimen for your lifestyle."

Simple Steps to Sleep Better and Stress Less

Lifestyle expert Lissa Coffey and Dr. Douglas MacKay offer a few simple tips to sleep better, stress less and live healthy, especially during these worrisome economic times:

1. Sleep soundly. Commit to getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night and keep a consistent sleep-wake schedule. If sleep problems persist, be sure to see a doctor, but also evaluate your bedroom environment and your mattress. If your mattress is uncomfortable, or more than five to seven years old, it could be robbing you of sleep and it might be time to replace it.
2. Eat right. Map out a healthy diet that's right for you. Consult a healthcare professional, such as a doctor, registered dietitian or naturopath, to help guide your plan and make sure you are getting the right balance of the food groups your body needs, including protein, vegetables, fruits, grains and dairy.
3. Supplement your life. Make sure to take your daily vitamins, starting with a multivitamin, as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. Other supplements, including melatonin, valerian, 5-HTP and magnesium and calcium, may help promote healthy sleep patterns. Engage your healthcare professional, such as a doctor, registered dietitian or naturopath, in a discussion about which supplements are right for you.
4. Get Active. Commit to at least 30 minutes of moderate cardiovascular activity five days a week. Work physical activity into your daily routine with three 10-minute sessions for your arms, abdominals and legs. Avoid exercising at least two hours before bedtime.
5. Live life in balance. We all have to work, but leave some time to play, too. Spend time with people you love. Spend time in nature. Do things that you enjoy. A healthy lifestyle means taking care of yourself--body, mind and spirit. Finding balance will help you feel better and sleep better.

As a starting point for assessing overall wellness, including sleep and which supplements might be right for your personal well-being, visit www.lifesupplemented.org and take My Wellness Scorecard, a free and fast on-line wellness assessment quiz and tool.

For more information on sleeping soundly, tips on how to shop for a mattress or to download the Better Sleep Guide, go to www.bettersleep.org.

For more information on how to incorporate vitamins and other dietary supplements into a healthy lifestyle, visit www.crnusa.org or www.lifesupplemented.org.

SOURCE Better Sleep Council

Sit 'n Sleep, the sponsor of the recently-launched website SleepBook.com, announces an impressive level of user engagement for the new site. Since SleepBook.com's launch less than one month ago, more than 5,500 southern California sleepers have downloaded personalized versions of their very own sleep book.

Why the enthusiastic response? It could be that the continuing recession is keeping people up at night. According to the National Sleep Foundation's 2009 Sleep in America(TM) poll, one-third of Americans are losing sleep over the state of the U.S. economy and other personal financial concerns. This is leading frustrated sleepers all over the country to seek out resources to help them sleep better.

Additionally, the National Center for Sleep Disorders Research at the National Institutes of Health reports that approximately 30-40 percent of adults have some symptoms of insomnia within a given year, and about 10-15 percent of adults say they have chronic insomnia.

This may account for the popularity surge of SleepBook.com. The site allows users to create a free, downloadable sleep book, designed to improve overall sleep quality and duration. Visitors to SleepBook.com are encouraged to take a short, but comprehensive survey, about their sleep habits. After completion, a free, personalized sleep book is constructed for the user and delivered via email.

Based on the user's survey answers, this customized sleep book provides tips and strategies to help improve sleep quality and sleep habits.

"What's most interesting to us is that SleepBook.com is busiest during the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. when people are surfing the Internet for information about how to sleep better," Larry Miller, president of Sit 'n Sleep says.

Sit 'n Sleep (www.sitnsleep.com) is the largest mattress retailer in Southern California, and the company's top priority is to help people sleep better.

SOURCE Sit 'n Sleep