insomnia 17 articles

A new medical device approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers the 55 million Americans who suffer from insomnia a drug-free alternative to help them fall back to sleep. The Cerêve Sleep System is a prescription device that is clinically proven to reduce latency to Stage 1 and Stage 2 sleep for people with insomnia. The inspiration behind the Cerêve Sleep System came from pioneering functional brain imaging studies conducted by Eric Nofzinger, MD, a board certified sleep physician and the company’s founder, at the University of Pittsburgh. Patients with insomnia often describe “racing minds” that prevent them ... Read More

Older people who used drugs known as benzodiazepines to relieve anxiety and help them sleep are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, and those who use the drugs frequently and in higher doses are at even greater risk, a new study has found. Benzodiazepines, which include the brand names Xanax, Valium, Ativan and Klonopin, are commonly prescribed to treat insomnia, agitation and anxiety – early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in the elderly. But do these medications permit, cause, or even hasten the onset of Alzheimer’s disease? To investigate this issue further, researchers compared benzodiazepine use among nearly 1,800 elderly patients ... Read More

A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel is recommending that the agency not approve Merck’s Singulair Allergy drug for over-the-counter treatment for allergic rhinitis because of safety concerns. Singulair, which contains the active ingredient montelukast, was approved in 1998 for the treatment of asthma in both children and adults. In 2002 and 2005, the indication was expanded to include the treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial allergic rhinitis, respectively. In 2007, it was approved for exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Merck was seeking OTC approval of Singulair Allergy for the treatment of allergy symptoms only in adults 18 years and older, ... Read More

The makers of Monster energy drink went on the defensive this week, saying there was “no medical or scientific evidence” to support claims that its drinks contributed to the death of a 14-year-old Maryland girl. The girl’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Corona energy drink maker when their daughter died from cardiac arrest due to caffeine toxicity after consuming two 24-ounce cans of Monster beverages within a 24-hour period. Monster is the top selling energy drink in the United States, and is packed with 240 milligrams of caffeine, or the equivalent of 7 12-ounce cans of Coca-Cola. The lawsuit ... Read More

The family of famed linebacker Junior Seau, who killed himself in May at age 43, is suing the National Football League (NFL) and Riddell Inc., a major football helmet manufacturer, over brain injuries that doctors say likely played a role in his death. Mr. Seau spent 13 seasons playing for the San Diego Chargers before he was traded to the Miami Dolphins, where he spent three years, and the New England Patriots for the final four years of his professional career. Like former Chicago Bears Safety Dave Duerson, Mr. Seau shot himself in the chest, quite possibly so that his ... Read More

NFL football player Junior Seau suffered from a degenerative brain disease at the time he committed suicide, according to advanced tests conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Seau, 43, killed himself on May 2 from a single gunshot to the chest while his live-in girlfriend was at the gym. He did not leave a note but family members say he suffered from mood swings, forgetfulness, insomnia and depression – all symptoms that can arise over time from repeated blows to the head. The San Diego County medical examiner conducted an autopsy but said there was no apparent damage ... Read More

Caffeine has become the one of the most popular “legal” drugs of choice among food, beverage and cosmetics makers. Earlier this month Frito-Lay announced it was introducing a new caffeinated snack called Jack’D Power Bites, containing sugar, molasses and a shot of coffee equivalent to about a 1-ounce cup of espresso or two 12-ounce sodas. And now Thrillist has provided a list of other new products guaranteed to give consumers a jolt. Sure the products are novel, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that even though these foods are readily available, they can be dangerous to your health ... Read More

The antidepressant escitalopram, known by the brand name Lexapro, was effective in decreasing hot flash frequency and severity in menopausal women, according to a small clinical trial. Lexapro is in a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is approved to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder, and excessive worry and tension that lasts for 6 months or longer. Other brand-name antidepressants in the SSRI class include Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, and Prozac. The study was conduced in 2009 and has not resulted in the drug’s maker seeking approval for the new indication. However, some doctors prescribe ... Read More

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is cracking down on 5-Hour Energy drinks after a New York Times review of agency records showed the drink had been associated with 90 incident reports including 30 serious or life-threatening reactions and 13 deaths. The investigation falls on the heels of a separate FDA investigation into five deaths tied to Monster Energy Drinks. In May, a study suggested that energy drinks can cause increased blood pressure, heart palpitations and arrhythmias, anxiety and insomnia. Researchers said the drinks’ high caffeine content was one of the biggest causes of adverse effects. Energy drinks, including 5-Hour ... Read More

The family of a 14-year-old girl is suing Monster Beverage Company, alleging the company’s energy drink caused her death. The news comes on the heels of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation into reports of five deaths that may be linked to the Monster beverages. Monster is the top-selling energy drink in the United States, and is packed with 240 milligrams of caffeine, or the equivalent of 7 12-ounce cans of Coca-Cola. A company spokesperson says Monster is unaware of any fatalities that were caused by its drinks. The deceased girl whose family filed the lawsuit had a heart ... Read More