SleepTracker is a wristwatch that promises to improve sleep quality (and outlook on life) by monitoring the wearer’s sleeping patterns. The watch’s alarm wakes the wearer at the best possible time during a user-determined window.
Grey Weather, Grey Mood: Cortisol Levels May Underlie Seasonal Affective Disorder
February 14, 2011 | by
The relationship between season and psychological health in terms of mood has been greatly researched. A recent study shows the cortisol function differs over season in people reporting “Seasonal Affective Disorder” or SAD [1]. This may finally help us to understand any biological mechanism underlying of SAD.
Sleep Apnea Tied to Increased Risk of Stroke
April 8, 2010 | by
Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of stroke in middle-aged and older adults, especially men, according to new results from a landmark study supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health. Overall, sleep apnea more than doubles the risk of stroke in men. Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disorder in which the upper airway is intermittently narrowed or blocked, disrupting sleep and breathing during sleep.
Health Highlights – March 11th, 2010
March 11, 2010 | by
Health Highlights is a biweekly summary of particularly interesting articles from credible sources of health and medical information that we follow & read. For a complete list of recommeded sources, see our links page.
- Why the iPad Matters for Healthcare | The Health Care Blog
The iPad has the potential to be truly useful for healthcare. Thomas Goetz offers an optimistic forecast.
- Health Tweeder. A Neat Visual Tool… But is it Useful? | Laika’s MedLibLog
Jacqueline reviews Health Tweeder, a visual tool to aggregate twitter messages on specific health topics.
- How Risky Are Social Networking Sites for Kids | Dr Shock MD PhD
The results of an online survey published in the journal Pediatrics found that claims of unwanted sexual solicitation or harassment associated with social networking sites don't appear justified. Dr Shock reviews the results.
- What is the difference between health and healthcare? | Jay Parkinson + MD + MPH = a doctor in NYC
Jay Parkinson predicts what will happen when the business model of "sickcare" – transactions between payors and providers – becomes squeezed between federal and state regulations, and the implications of such an event for brands entering the health space.
- Exercise Reduces Anxiety In Sick Patients | Healthcare Hacks
A recent study in the Archives of Internal Medicine finds that regular exercise can be effective at reducing anxiety. Fred Lee runs through the results.
- Even Though Adults Still Need 8.5 Hours of Sleep Each Night, Most People Sleep 6.5 | The Patient Report
Cheree Cleghorn reviews the results of a recent poll on U.S. sleep habits and questions why we’re a nation of sleep-deprived people.
- Is Self-Guided Research Dangerous to Your Health? | The Decision Tree
Thomas Goetz discusses self-guided or personalized research – patients using social media to decentralize and distribute health data, and using that information to make informed decisions.
- Worrying: WordPress shut down a Blog of a Student Critizing the Naturopath Christopher Maloney | Laika’s MedLibLog
The complementary and alternative medicine movement has a great deal of influence over healthcare consumers. Jacqueline expresses worry over the tactics recently taken by alternative practitioners to silence critical science writers.
SIDS Linked to Low Levels of Serotonin
February 2, 2010 | by
The brains of infants who die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) produce low levels of serotonin, a brain chemical that conveys messages between cells and plays a vital role in regulating breathing, heart rate, and sleep, reported researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health.
SIDS is the death of an infant before his or her first birthday that cannot be explained after a complete autopsy, an investigation of the scene and circumstances of the death, and a review of the medical history of the infant and of his or her family. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, SIDS is the third leading cause of infant death, claiming more than 2,300 lives in 2006.
