Sleep Apnea: Men 20-29 at Greatest Risk

Globes [online] reports on a new study into the risk of seep apnea fatality in men from different age groups.

The study was carried out by the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. They studied almost 15,000 male sleep apnea sufferers between 1991 and 2000. They then compared their risk level with that of the general population.

Surprisingly it was the younger age group that had the higher risk of death. They proved to be ten times more likely to die from heart related problems than the general population.

By contrast, severe sleep apnea sufferers aged between 30 and 39 had a risk factor only three times greater than the general population whilst those over 50 showed no increased risk at all.

Lead researcher Professor Peretz Lavie said:

"Older patients have more risk factors, especially cardiac ones, so we expected relative mortality to increase with age. The fact that they don't suggests that patients with sleep apnea develop a mechanism, as yet unknown, that protects their cardiovascular system."

More Sleep Means Better Study

WRAL.com reports confirmation of the importance of getting a good night's sleep. Forsyth County high school changed class starting times to give students more sleep. The result was that they were able to do more homework and actually stay awake in class!

Canadian Fliers Can Keep Pillows

The Globe and Mail reports that two Canadian airlines - Air Canada and CanJet Airlines - have ruled out following the example of American Airlines. AA recently announced that it is removing pillows from most domestic flights in order to cut costs.

Air Canada spokeswoman Isabelle Arthur said:

"We have pillows on all our flights and there are no current plans for change"

and CanJet Airlines spokesman Wayne Morrison said:

"There is no intention on our part to get rid of them"

Home Sleep Apnea Tests Prove Effective

CBC News reports on a study showing inexpensive home sleep apnea diagnosis tests to be effective.

The study by University of Calgary researchers compared home oximetry monitors with hospital polysomnographies. They found that the cheaper home tests were generally as effective at diagnosing sleep apnea as the overnight hospital stays.

Bedroom Feng Shui

Beliefnet has an interesting article on using Feng Shui to improve your bedroom. Apparently bed positioning is key. Advice given includes not sleeping with your back to the door.

The Dangers of Sleep Disorders

HindustanTimes.com reports on the dangers of not getting a good night's sleep. It quotes Sunil Sharma, assistant professor of medicine in the pulmonary and critical care medicine division, Medical College of Wisconsin:

"Just plain snoring, which is a sign of impaired breathing during sleep, increases the chances of hypertension, heart attack and stroke. Sleep disorders can lead to memory loss, impotence, sleep talking, sleep walking and many complex problems."

Snoring Leads to Assault With Chair

icSurreyOnline reports that a prisoner hit his cellmate over the head with a chair - because he snored too loduly! The men had only been sharing a cell for two days when the assault took place. Conrad Travis, who denied all charges, was reportedly found guilty at Guildford Crown Court of assault causing actual bodily harm.