Michael Breus, PhD

Michael Breus, PhD's Blog

  • A breakthrough for Restless Legs Syndrome?

    For the millions who suffer from Restless Legs Syndrome, sleep can be exceedingly difficult and disrupted. RLS is a neurological disorder and a sleep disorder, a condition that causes tingling, twitching, “creepy-crawly” feelings in the legs. These uncomfortable sensations bring about an often-urgent need...Full Post
  • Asthma—a risk factor for sleep apnea?

    There are several risk factors associated with obstructive sleep apnea that are long-standing and well known. They include lifestyle and health factors such as obesity or excess body weight, high-blood pressure, and alcohol and tobacco use, as well as genetic and demographic factors such as family...Full Post
  • Insomnia may double risk of prostate cancer

    More than 238,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States each year, according to the American Cancer Society.  Approximately 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lifetime. What if the quality of sleep plays a role in a man’s risk for developing...Full Post
  • Sleep less, weigh more

    Calories in, calories out. We’ve all heard this basic, fundamental calculation regarding weight loss and weight gain. To lose weight, we must expend more calories than we take in. Consume more than you need, and the result? The pounds go on. Turns out, lack of sleep may increase daily calorie con...Full Post
  • Challenging conventional wisdom about sleepwalking

    New research about sleepwalking has raised questions about several common beliefs regarding this frequently misunderstood sleep disorder. Researchers at the University of Montreal conducted a comprehensive review of more than 15 years of study on the topic of sleepwalking. Their analysis produced what...Full Post
  • Insomnia may triple risk of heart failure

    There is an abundant—and ever-growing—body of evidence that indicates sleep plays an important role in cardiovascular health. Poor sleep is associated with a range of heart problems, including high blood pressure and increased risk of heart attack. Now, new research shows a link between insomnia...Full Post
  • Zolpidem-related ER visits have increased sharply

    There’s more news about complications that can arise from prescription sleep medication: Side effects from a common prescription sleep aid are sending increasing numbers of people to emergency departments.
     
    The number of people seeking emergency medical treatment for the adverse effects of sleep...Full Post
  • ADHD or sleep disorder: are we getting it wrong?

    Millions of children and adults struggle with symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (A.D.H.D.), a condition marked by problems with concentration, impulse control, organization, and memory. It can be a frustrating and difficult condition, stigmatizing and often isolating for those...Full Post
  • Low melatonin level means high risk for diabetes?

    Diabetes is one of the most serious health problems in the United States and around the world. According to Centers for Disease Control estimates, 1 in 10 American adults currently has diabetes. And, if the CDC projections are correct, those numbers will double or even triple over the next 40 years....Full Post
  • Have you considered a ‘sleep divorce’?

    I read this news story with great interest, as it covers a topic I get asked about a lot: whether it’s a good idea for couples to sleep apart to improve their individual sleep.
     
    This is an issue that seems to come up with increasing frequency, as more couples appear to be sleeping in separate bedrooms....Full Post