Over the past few decades, an increasing number of industries have started to work around the clock to meet their productivity demands. Shift work is defined as work done outside the standard 9:00-5:00 working day, including both night shifts, and work schedules where employees change or rotate shifts. About 25% of Canada’s workforce is comprised
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by episodes of airway obstruction during sleep which cause one to temporarily stop breathing. As a result, people with OSA may briefly awaken hundreds of times throughout the night. The disorder affects about 6% of the population, but many people with OSA remain undiagnosed. Several factors
A growing number of studies are revealing the link between sleep deprivation and Type 2 Diabetes. In particular, people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are at an increased risk of developing diabetes. In fact, it is estimated that 40% of people with OSA will develop diabetes at some point. Obstructive sleep apnea is a treatable
A new study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham & Women’s Hospital has discovered a link between air pollution and breathing-related disruptions during sleep. Analyzing data from 3000 people, the researchers found that incidents of sleep apnea and low levels of oxygen during sleep rose as the temperature increased during all seasons
Historically, exercise has been the daytime behavior most closely associated with better sleep. New research shows that aerobic exercise may be a promising solution to insomnia, especially for middle-aged and older adults. Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by the inability to fall asleep or remain asleep, and is most common among women. About 50
Do yourself a favour this year and add “sleep” to your list of New Year’s Resolutions. Sleep deprivation has become a widespread problem – while it is sometimes the result of an underlying disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea, it is also a consequence our 24/7 culture which often puts sleep on the back-burner. If
Long gone are the days of reading a book before bedtime. Increasingly, people are turning to electronic devices before turning off the lights. In fact, a recent survey completed in the U.K. found than that over seventy percent of adults admitted they spend time in their bed updating social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter.) These devices,
It’s that time of year again – family, friends and coworkers are sick with a cold. While you may think that catching a cold is inevitable, especially when people all around you are sick, research suggests that quality sleep may help to protect you. The common cold is a well-known illness characterized by sneezing, scratchy
According to a National Sleep Foundation study, over three-quarters of women experience greater sleep disruption during pregnancy. Sleep problems arise from both physical changes, such as changing hormone levels, as well as emotional anxiety about what is to come. Treatment of sleep problems during pregnancy is complicated by the fact that the use of drug
Sleep deprivation is becoming a public issue. Did you know that the average national sleep duration has declined by two hours per night since the sixties? And those of us who aren’t getting enough sleep are also at a much higher risk of developing obesity and type II diabetes. On Tuesday, March 8, 2011 Global