FDA Puts Tough Warning Label on Ambien, Lunesta, Other Sleep Aids

TUESDAY, April 30, 2019 -- Many Americans use prescription sleep meds such as Ambien, Lunesta and Sonata to get good shut-eye. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday slapped a tough new warning label on this class of drugs, due to dangers from daytime drowsiness the day after their use.

The move was spurred by 66 cases in which patients engaged in what are called "complex sleep behaviors" after taking the insomnia medications.

AHA News: The Often-Overlooked Connection Between Sleep Troubles and Stroke

THURSDAY, May 2, 2019 (American Heart Association News) -- Getting a good night's sleep can be difficult for many, but restful slumber can be especially hard for stroke survivors. And although various studies have examined the association, doctors continue to overlook the interplay between sleep disorders and stroke, finds a new report on the issue.

More than 50 percent of stroke survivors are estimated to have some type of sleep problem, yet few get formally tested, in part because of "the lack of awareness" among stroke providers, according to the review published Thursday in the American Heart Association journal Stroke.

Snoring Not Just a Male Problem

MONDAY, April 29, 2019 -- New research shows that snoring is not the sole domain of men.

"We found that although no difference in snoring intensity was found between genders, women tend to underreport the fact that they snore and to underestimate the loudness of their snoring," said lead investigator Dr. Nimrod Maimon. He is head of internal medicine at Soroka University Medical Center in Be'er Sheva, Israel.

Common Sleep Myths Endanger Public Health

TUESDAY, April 16, 2019 -- Mistaken beliefs about sleep are common and pose a significant health threat, a new study warns.

Among these myths: some people only need five hours of sleep; snoring is harmless; a drink before bedtime helps you fall asleep.

CPAP Brings Longer Life for Obese People With Sleep Apnea: Study

MONDAY, April 15, 2019 -- There's good news for the millions of obese Americans with sleep apnea: Researchers report the use of the CPAP mask may greatly increase their chances for a longer life.

Use of the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask was tied to a 62% decline in the odds for death over 11 years of follow-up.

AHA News: Irregular Sleep Could Impact Your Heart Health

FRIDAY, March 8, 2019 (American Heart Association News) -- It's not just lack of sleep and poor sleep that can put the heart at risk -- getting to bed on time may also matter, new research suggests.

The new study took the unique approach of looking at how much night-to-night difference a person had in sleep duration and what time he or she fell asleep. People with irregular sleep patterns had a higher risk for a cardiovascular event, including stroke, congestive heart failure and coronary heart disease, the study found.