October 21, 2020

Older Adults Turning to Pot for Common Health Problems

TUESDAY, Oct. 20, 2020 -- Marijuana is fast becoming a favorite medication among older Americans, a new study finds.

Cannabis is being used to ease problems such as pain, sleep disturbances and psychiatric conditions like anxiety and depression, researchers say.

October 19, 2020

Why Early Bedtime May Be Best for People With Type 2 Diabetes

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 30, 2020 -- It's long been said that early to bed, early to rise can make you healthy, wealthy and wise. Now, new research supports at least the health benefits.

A study of people with type 2 diabetes found that night owls -- people who go to bed late and get up late -- tend to get little exercise, putting their health at greater risk.

October 9, 2020

Sleep Apnea Aid Eases Heart Problems in People With Prediabetes

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 7, 2020 -- Continuous positive airway pressure treatment, commonly known as CPAP, can lower heart disease risk in people with prediabetes, according to a new study.

In prediabetes, blood sugar levels are above normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes. CPAP is used to treat obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. A CPAP machine uses a mask to deliver steady air pressure into a person's airway.

September 21, 2020

Too Much or Too Little Sleep Bad for Your Brain

MONDAY, Sept. 21, 2020 -- Everyone needs sleep, but too little or too much of it might contribute to declines in thinking, a new study suggests.

Too little sleep was defined as four or fewer hours a night, while too much was deemed 10 or more hours a night. The ideal amount? Seven hours a night.

September 17, 2020

Struggling With CPAP for Sleep Apnea? Surgery May Help

TUESDAY, Sept. 8, 2020 -- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may be the go-to treatment for sleep apnea, but many people struggle to use it every night. For those who cannot tolerate CPAP, new research finds that a combination of surgical techniques may bring relief.

The "multilevel" treatment includes removing the tonsils, repositioning the palate (roof of the mouth) and using radiofrequency to slightly reduce the size of the tongue. In combination, these procedures open up the airway and reduce breathing obstruction, the researchers said.

September 2, 2020

Could Long Naps Shorten Your Life?

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 26, 2020 -- A frequent need to nap could be a red flag for future heart problems and a higher risk of early death, a new analysis concludes.

Long naps lasting more than an hour are associated with a 34% elevated risk of heart disease and a 30% greater risk of death, according to the combined results of 20 previous studies.