Keep abreast of what your patients are currently seeing in the media with our round-up of popular news stories, available from WHF as abstracts with links to the full-text articles.

From the week of June 9, 2008:

Sleep: A Necessity, Not a Luxury

When people’s lives get busier, sleep is often the first activity they cut back on. It can feel like wasted time to spend a full 8 hours in bed, and many people are cramming more activities in either late at night or early in the morning. However, those who forsake sleep so they can fit more into their life are actually cutting their level of productivity, and putting themselves at risk for other health complications. Experts recommend 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night for the average individual, and caution against getting 6 hours or less. Lack of sleep influences the performance of everyday tasks, causing people’s reaction times to slow. Over time, sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain, diabetes, elevated blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, depression, and substance abuse. Those who suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia, an inability to fall asleep or remain asleep, sleep apnea, breathing interruptions during sleep that cause sufferers to wake up repeatedly, and restless leg syndrome, a tingling sensation in the legs that causes a need to move about, should consult their doctor or a sleep specialist. Mild sedatives can be effective for those who have difficulty sleeping, but are not a long-term solution to the problem. Lifestyle changes that can lead to healthier sleep patterns include sticking to a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine in the evening, avoiding large meals and beverages late at night, and avoiding exercise within 5 hours of bedtime. Taking time to relax before getting in bed by taking a warm bath, reading, or listening to soothing music can also promote healthy sleep.

Read the full story on healthday.com

Artery-Opening Method Works Well in Women

A recent study analyzed the use of the procedure percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to open narrowed heart arteries in men and women. The procedure involves inserting a balloon-tipped catheter into a blocked blood vessel, to create an open passageway. Past studies report a lower rate of use of PCI in women than in men, and a higher female death rate associated with the intervention. However, Mayo Clinic cardiologists analyzed 25 years’ worth of PCI data on 19,000 patients, and found that the procedure has become increasingly effective for both men and women. There is currently an almost equal rate of efficacy for PCI in men and women: 89% success rate for opening arteries in women, 90% in men. Many of the perceived risk factors for use of PCI in women are stem from women generally developing heart disease later in life. Heart disease tends to affect women after menopause. Women receiving PCI were on average 5 years older than the mean age for men undergoing the procedure, leading to a higher mortality rate.

Read the full story on healthday.com

Method for Treating Cervical Lesions May Pose Pregnancy Risks

Women who have abnormal cells detected on their cervix often undergo a procedure known as LEEP—loop electrosurgical excision procedure. LEEP is a popular procedure used to treat women with mild cervical abnormalities or precancerous cells, and is often used on young women. However, researchers have discovered an association between the procedure and an elevated risk of pregnancy complications such as delivering preterm babies or having a low birth-weight infant. There are several points of significance that should be taken away from this study. Most importantly, it highlights the importance of regular cervical cancer screening, which can prevent formation of cervical lesions. The HPV vaccine is also highly effective at preventing the development of cervical abnormalities. For women who are diagnosed with cervical lesions, they should research all available methods of treatment, and their potential impact on pregnancy. Other treatment options include cold knife conization, laser conization, and laser ablation. An elevated risk of pregnancy complications has not been ruled out yet for any of these treatment options. Some patients also opt to wait for a period of time, under their doctor’s observation, to determine what course of treatment is necessary.

Read the full story on nytimes.com

US Life Expectancy Tops 78 as Top Diseases Decline

The government has reported that average US life expectancy has surpassed 78 years for the first time, but the US remains behind roughly 30 other countries with higher life expectancies. Japan, Switzerland, and Australia have some of the highest life expectancies, with Japanese children born in 2006 being expected on average to live to the age of 83. Some of the leading causes of death in the US are heart disease, cancer, accidents, and diabetes. Mortality rates for these, as well as 5 of the other 15 leading causes of death, have fallen recently, leading to a higher national life expectancy. Death from stroke and chronic lower respiratory disease dropped by more than 6%, while flu and pneumonia deaths dropped by 13% from 2005 to 2006. While historically women are estimated to lead a longer life than men, the gap between the sexes is closing—in large part due to increasing numbers of female smokers. The average female life expectancy in the US is now 81 years, while male life expectancy is only 75 years. There are also significant differences between races: white women can expect to live to 81, while black women’s life expectancy is only 77 years. Life expectancy for white men is 76 years, compared to 70 years for black men.

Read the full story on nytimes.com