The Heart Foundation of Heartweek is on the 6th to 12th May.
The 2012 Influenza Vaccination Program will commence nationally on Thursday 15th March 2012
Children presenting to the emergency department with moderate or severe asthma attacks are less likely to be admitted to hospital if they are treated with systemic corticosteroids within the first 75 minutes after triage, according to a new study.
Central Queensland University conductes the largest Australian sleep census to explore the sleep habits of the nation. 
New research shows increased information and education regarding the neurocognitive, cardiovascular and metabolic consequences of untreated OSA, as well as the importance of persisting with the treatment has positive consequences on patients CPAP compliance.
New research results reinforce the value of follow-up tools following right heart catheterisation and provide further support for some of the treatment goals currently suggested by international guidelines.Recent research into driving while tired is uncovering the extent to which it can affect individuals, families and the community. Driving whilst tired is comparable to a blood alcohol level in excess of 0.05. However, compared to driving under the influence, there is very little coverage of the real danger posed by driving whilst tired. 
Driving tired, whatever the cause, is a major contributor to 17% of road deaths in Queensland1. Drowsy drivers can stray into oncoming traffic and be hazardous to any other road users. At 100km/hr a car will cover 100 metres in four seconds, micro sleeps and inattention for even short periods of time can be fatal. In a recent study, published in the international journal Sleep Medicine, participants were required to indicate exactly when they thought they were about to fall asleep. The participants were deprived of sleep for one night and then underwent a Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT). The test required the subject to indicate when they thought they were about to fall asleep just prior to them actually falling asleep. The participants failed to accurately predict their sleep onset in 60.7% of cases2. The real world application of this research could have serious consequences especially involving motor vehicle operation. Underestimating how tired you are whilst driving could result in a micro sleep or actually falling asleep at the wheel.
Sleep disorders such as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) can significantly affect an individual’s cognitive functioning and alertness. Sufferers of OSA report a level of general tiredness around three times higher than the normal population and drowsiness scores on average 4 times higher3. Treatment of OSA has the potential to significantly reduce or eliminate daytime tiredness amongst other symptoms associated with the disorder. Clinical research has shown that patients who are effectively treated for OSA (using Positive Airway Pressure devices) report significantly less fatigue, sleepiness and lack of energy4.
A recent review of a published literature found significant support for the effectiveness of Positive Airway Pressure in reducing daytime tiredness. The researchers reviewed articles from nine electronic databases specifically targeting motor vehicle crash risk among drivers with OSA. The review studied the optimal period for improvements in daytime tiredness. Post treatment for OSA participants had a significant reduction in risk associated with tiredness behind the wheel. The research also showed that participants reported a significant improvement in their daytime sleepiness after just one session under treatment5.
For more information on Sleep Disorders and Driving please click the following links
Road Safety: RACV Guide to Fatigue While Driving
References:
2. Herrmann, U., Hess, C., Guggisberg, A., Roth, C., Gugger, M. and Mathis, J. (2010). Sleepiness is not always perceived before falling asleep in healthy, sleep deprived subjects, Sleep Medicine 11 (8), 747-751
3. Akar, T., Kokturk, O., Demirel, B., Ciftci, T. and Durukan, E. (2009). Risk Factor for traffic accidents: Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome, Turkish Journal of Clinical Sciences, 29 (4) 938-945.
4. Chotinaiwattarakul, W., O'Brien, L., Fan, L. and Chervin, R. (2009). Fatigue, tiredness and lack of energy improve with treatment for OSA. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 5 (3), 222-227.
5. Tregear, S., Reston, J., Schoelles, K. and Phillips, B (2010). CPAP and Motor Vehicle Crash Risk: Review and Meta-Analysis. Sleep, 33 (10).