News

Lack of sleep predicts high blood pressure

- High blood pressure is an epidemic in the United States affecting more than 30% of the population.  Insomnia is also very common and may be an important yet under-recognized cause of high blood pressure.  This is according to a recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
· Study authors analyzed data from 578 participants of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) cohort study.
· Study authors  analyzed the length of time spent asleep and sleep quality along with blood pressure readings over a five year period.
· Study authors concluded that shorter sleep duration and poor sleep quality were associated with higher measured blood pressure readings.

· Study authors also report that self reported frequent snoring in women was also associated with higher blood pressure readings.

· This study provides evidence of the association between high blood pressure and poor sleep quality or insomnia.  Two previous studies had shown higher blood pressure with self reported poor sleep hygiene.  This is the first study to measure sleep and the associated higher blood pressure readings.

The association between high blood pressure and insomnia is an intriguing finding.  Future investigations should be directed at determining if patients with high blood pressure can lower their blood pressure with better sleep.  Better sleep hygiene may become an important part of the medical treatment of high blood pressure.

Cristopher Geiler, M.D.
June 9th 2009
Reference
Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(11):1014.

Read more – June 9, 2009

Amphetamine

· Trade Name
Adderall

· Generic Name
AMPHETAMINE

· Drug Class
Stimulant medication

· How It Works
Medication stimulates brain activity and blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine

· Serious Side Effects
dependency
potential abuse
withdrawal
depression
psychosis
mania
aggressive behavior
high blood pressure
heart attack
stroke
sudden death
heart damage
seizures
growth suppression in pediatric patients
allergic reactions
anaphylaxis
angioedema

· Common Side Effects
dry mouth
stomachache
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
constipation
loss of appetite
weight loss
insomnia
headache
emotional lability
nervousness
dizziness
palpitations
tremor
high blood pressure
fast heart rate
libido changes
impotence

Read more – March 31, 2009

Adderall

· Trade Name
ADDERALL

· Generic Name
Amphetamine

· Drug Class
Stimulant medication

· How It Works
Medication stimulates brain activity and blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine

· Serious Side Effects
dependency
potential abuse
withdrawal
depression
psychosis
mania
aggressive behavior
high blood pressure
heart attack
stroke
sudden death
heart damage
seizures
growth suppression in pediatric patients
allergic reactions
anaphylaxis
angioedema

· Common Side Effects
dry mouth
stomachache
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
constipation
loss of appetite
weight loss
insomnia
headache
emotional lability
nervousness
dizziness
palpitations
tremor
high blood pressure
fast heart rate
libido changes
impotence

Read more

Vyvanse

· Trade Name
VYVANSE

· Generic Name
Lisdexamfetamine

· Drug Class
Stimulant medication
Amphetamine medication

· How It Works
Medication stimulates brain activity

· Serious Side Effects
aggressive behavior
dependency
potential for abuse
high blood pressure
withdrawal symptoms if abrupt discontinuation
psychosis
mania
Tourette’s syndrome
heart attack
stroke
sudden death
heart damage
seizures
growth suppression

· Common Side Effects
decreased appetite
weight loss
dizziness
dry mouth
irritability
insomnia
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
anxiety
abdominal pain
rash
emotional lability
agitation
sweating
high blood pressure
fever
tremor
shortness of breath

Read more – March 21, 2009

Aripiprazole

· Trade Name
Abilify

· Generic Name
ARIPIPRAZOLE

· Drug Class
Antipsychotic medication

· How It Works
Medication inhibits the stimulation of certain serotonin receptors in the brain
Medication partially inhibits the stimulation of certain dopamine receptors

· Serious Side Effects
neuroleptic malignant syndrome
extrapyramidal symptoms
tardive dyskinesia
dystonia
stroke
transient ischemic attack
syncope
passing out
low blood pressure
seizures
hyperglycemia
diabetes mellitus
difficulty swallowing
aspiration
hyperthermia
hypertension
tachycardia
bradycardia
hemorrhage
intestinal obstruction
cholecystitis
pancreatitis
blood dyscrasias
hypokalemia
hyperkalemia
rhabdomyolysis
suicidality
depression

· Common Side Effects
weight gain
increase in appetite
headache
anxiety
insomnia
nausea
vomiting
lightheadedness
dizziness
somnolence
sedation
akathisia
constipation
incontinence
blurred vision
extrapyramidal symptoms
tremor
dry mouth
cough
restlessness
fatigue
joint pain
muscle pain
excessive saliva production
sialorrhea
diarrhea
pyrexia
dystonia
tiredness

Read more – March 2, 2009

Zoloft

· Trade Name
ZOLOFT

· Generic Name
Sertraline

· Drug Class
Anti-depressant SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor)

· How It Works
Selectively inhibits serotonin reuptake in the brain.

· Serious Side Effects
suicidality
worsening depression
serotonin syndrome
neuroleptic malignant syndrome
withdrawal syndrome
mania
seizures
hyponatremia
SIADH
abnormal bleeding/altered platelet fxn
glaucoma, acute angle-closure
priapism
anaphylactoid reactions
hypoglycemia
neonatal persistent pulm. HTN (>20 wk gest)
neonatal serotonin syndrome (3rd trimester)
neonatal withdrawal (3rd trimester)

· Common Side Effects
nausea
headache
insomnia
diarrhea
dry mouth
ejaculatory dysfunction
somnolence
asthenia
tremor
dyspepsia
anorexia
constipation
decreased libido
nervousness
anxiety
rash
abnormal vision

Read more – February 12, 2009

Drowsiness

• Drowsiness (hypersomnolence) is the symptom of the inability to sustain a wakeful state.

• Drowsiness can be a sign of:
· impaired sleep
· sleep deprivation
· obstructive sleep apnea
· intoxication with alcohol or sedative drugs
· metabolic abnormalities such as hypothyroidism or adrenal gland dysfunction
• Drowsiness that persist or worsens should be evaluated by your doctor.

Read more – December 14, 2008