Sleep Disorders

Fatigue and hypersomnia in a depressed alcoholic

May 20, 2010

Our patient had a history of depression, peptic ulcer disease, and alcoholism. For several months, she had complained of fatigue and daily bifrontal headaches. She was referred to a neurologist after a brain MRI showed questionable white-matter changes. However...

Eyes wide open: Update on sleep disorders

Sharon Schutte, MD, and Karl Doghramji, MD May 20, 2010

Illness, medications, shift work, and other factors may interfere with normal sleep patterns. New techniques can indicate the best treatment.

Insomnia: An initial guide for patient care

May 19, 2010

Chronic insomnia is the most common sleep complaint which health-care practitioners must confront. Most insomnia patients are not, however, seen by sleep specialists but rather by a variety of primary-care physicians. Here's our primer on where to begin sorting through this pervasive problem.

Insomnia: Complexities in diagnosis and treatment

Carl Sherman April 05, 2010

In its Clinical Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Insomnia in Adults, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine focuses on primary insomnias, which are most often characterized by sleeplessness with no identifiable cause.

Cognitive therapy effective for long-term insomnia

July 02, 2009

Patients with chronic insomnia may see symptoms improve in as few as five sessions, according to new research.

FDA approves insomnia drug

March 16, 2009

Edluar (formerly Sublinox) 5 mg and 10 mg sublingual tablets can be used for short-term treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep initiation.

New insomnia medication approved

December 22, 2008

The FDA approved Zolpimist (zolpidem tartrate) oral spray for the short-term treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep initiation. Zolpidem tartrate is the same active ingredient as Ambien. Both 5 mg and 10 mg sprays were approved.

Fatty diet associated with sleep apnea

October 15, 2008

In patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea, a fat- and cholesterol-laden diet may contribute to the disorder, investigators concluded.

Switching benzodiazepines

June 05, 2007

What is the safest and most effective way to switch patients from lorazepam to clonazepam when the goal is better or more even anxiety control? Can one simply stop the lorazepam 1 mg four times daily and start the clonazepam the next day?