Wednesday February 20th 2008

12:10: The Health Roundup with Jay McQueen.

12:12: The single best predictor of higher levels of health literacy is the act of reading every day—even more so than someone’s education—says a new report released today by the Canadian Council on Learning.
Guest: Nadine Valk, Program Specialist, Canadian Council on Learning. 613-786-3230 x 239

12:20: A large waistline due to excess abdominal fat is a major risk factor for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, warns the Heart and Stroke Foundation. But a simple set of measurements performed in your home, using a tape measure, can sound the alarm and help alert healthcare professionals to the degree of risk.
Guest: Dr. Sonia Anand, Associate Professor of Medicine, McMaster University

12:35: With the winter travel season upon us, it’s time to take a look at a new guide called Travel Best Bets. This guide caters to seasoned travelers, new travelers, families looking for adventure and or couples looking for romance.
Guest: Claire Newell, Author of Travel Best Best, also Owner/Manager of Jubilee Travel in BC. 604.739.0820

12:45: Rexall Radio Health Matters segment.
Guest: Irene.

Insomnia!
Is a sleeping disorder characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep despite the opportunity. It is typically followed by functional impairment while awake. Insomniacs have been known to complain about unable to close their eyes or rest their mind for more than a few minutes at a time. Constitutes as a sleep disorder. 60 million Americans suffer from insomnia each year, and an estimated 3.3 million Canadians aged 15 or older or about one in every seven have problems going to sleep, staying asleep or waking early. Insomnia tends to increase with age and affects about 40% percent of women and 30% of men.

There are at least three types of insomnia;

• Transient insomnia; lasts from days to weeks. It can be caused by another disorder, by changes in the sleep environment, by the timing of sleep or by stress. The consequences are sleepiness and impaired psychomotor performance. Are similar to those of sleep deprivation.
• Acute insomnia; is the inability to consistently sleep well for a period of between three weeks to six months.
• Chronic insomnia; lasts for months to years. It can be caused by another disorder or it can be a primary disorder. Its effects can vary according to the cause. They might include sleepiness, muscular fatigue and or mental fatigue, but people with chronic insomnia often show increased alertness.

Insomnia can be caused by psychoactive drugs or stimulants, including certain medications, herbs, caffeine, cocaine, ephedrine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, MDMA, methamphetamine and modafinil. Hormone shifts, such as menstruation or menopause. Psychological problems like fear, stress, anxiety, emotional or mental tension, work problems. Mental disorders such as clinical depression, bipolar, general anxiety disorder. Disturbances of the circadian rhythm, such as shift work, jet lag. Certain neurological disorders such as hyperthyroidism and Wilson’s syndrome. Abuse of over the counter drugs or prescription drugs. Poor sleep hygiene. Parasomnia, which includes a number of disruptive sleep events, including nightmares, sleepwalking, violent behavior while sleeping. Finding the underlying cause of insomnia is usually necessary to cure it. Insomnia can be a common problem after the loss of a loved one, even years or decades after a death, if they have not gone through the grieving process.

Treatment;
Many insomniacs rely on sleeping tablets and other sedatives to get rest. All sedative drugs have the potential of causing psychological dependence. Certain classes of sedatives can also cause dependence which manifests in withdrawal symptoms if the drug is not carefully titrated down.

• Benzodiazepines
• Non-benzodiazepines
• Antidepressants
• Melatonin
• Antihistamines
• Atypical Antipsychotics

Recent research has shown that cognitive behavior therapy can be more effective than medication in controlling insomnia. In this therapy patients are taught improved sleep habits and relieved of counter-productive assumptions about sleep. The more relaxed a person is the greater the likelihood of getting a good night sleep. Traditional Chinese medicine like acupuncture or massage is one form therapy to induce sleep.
Links connected with obesity and middle age, chronic pain and stress have been repeatedly demonstrated as many disease which interfere with sleep.


Nadine Janacek
Blog Reporter Rexall #202
njanacek@rexall.ca