Dear Dr. Rosenberg,
Is it true that someone with Sleep Apnea is more likely to have a motor vehicle accident than others? My son has Sleep Apnea and refuses to get treated. He and his wife just had their first child, so I am concerned. Should I be?
Yes, you should. The incidence of MVA (Motor Vehicle Accidents) in men with Sleep Apnea is three times the risk of others. Interestingly, it is less than that in women with Sleep Apnea. We don’t know if this is due to a male instinct to ignore potentially dangerous sleepiness, or an actual difference in sexes, in relation to resistance to a loss of driving skills; as a consequence of Sleep Apnea.
Dear Dr. Rosenberg,
I am pregnant with my third child. I developed severe Restless Legs during my third trimester and I don’t feel comfortable taking medications while I am pregnant. Is there anything else that I can do? It really drives me crazy.
Yes, there are several options that do not require medications. First, are you taking iron supplements? Low iron can cause Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) during pregnancy. Also implementing conservative measures such as reducing caffeine intake, massaging the legs, and wearing supportive stockings in bed may be beneficial. Anecdotal reports by women who have RLS suggest that stretching exercises in the evening are beneficial, as is a warm bath before retiring. Some patients who have RLS also find taking a calcium/magnesium supplement at night to be helpful.
Dear Dr. Rosenberg,
I have been taking a drug modafinil for excessive sleepiness for several years. A friend of mine is taking a medication called armodafinil for the same thing. What are the differences?
Armodafinil (nuvigil) is very similar, however it has a much longer duration of action;15 hours as opposed to 8 hours. Therefore, it can be taken once a day and at lower doses than modafinil (provigil).Other than that convenience; there are few differences.
Dear Dr. Rosenberg
My 12-yr old son complains of “funny feelings” in his legs. At night he has a hard time falling asleep because of this. My husband and I think it sounds like restless legs, but isn’t that a disease of older people? My healthcare provider said it is not normally seen in children. What do you think?
Unfortunately, that is common misconception. As it turns out, it is not uncommon in children. In a recent survey, 20% of all adult respondents with the disorder; stated that it had started between the ages of 11 and 19. In many cases, they had been misdiagnosed with growing pains or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). I would definitely pursue this further; if untreated it can lead to sleep deprivation, depression, and anxiety.
