When it comes to sleep, can you have too much of a good thing? It's true a good night's sleep is essential for health. But oversleeping has been linked to a host of medical problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and increased risk of death.

Researchers are careful to note, however, that two other factors -- depression and low socioeconomic status -- are strongly associated with oversleeping. Those two factors may be the reason for the observed negative health effects. For example, people of lower socioeconomic status may have less access to health care and therefore more undiagnosed illnesses, such as heart disease, which, in turn, may cause oversleeping.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person's breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. This means the brain -- and the rest of the body -- may not get enough oxygen.  

While most people accept that it’s a good idea to develop a number of friendships, there are times when you might ignore such advice. You might be happy with focusing on work to the exclusion of a social life. Or, you might be too fearful to venture out socially. Or you might feel depressed, preferring isolation to the company of others. At those times, it can be helpful to have a clear understanding about the importance of having a social network. Whenever one of my patients struggles with making social connections, I am reminded of the analogy of a social network to a spider’s web.

Effect of deployment on health beahviours in Military Forces

Deployment with combat exposure was the most significant factor affecting health behaviours of military personnel. Excessive drinking among US military personnel increased significantly in those deployed that were exposed to

combat, especially among Reserve and National Guard members and in the youngest age groups, but was not affected by deployment without combat exposure. Among British military personnel, total alcohol consumption

increased with time, was higher for those deployed compared to non-deployed, and highest in those who experienced war related stress.

Life is for Living (LIFE)From Dr. Rod Bain.

Here are the words of a former soldier, an Iraq veteran who took his life in June. He left behind a powerful suicide note that went viral on the Internet after his family shared it with the media.

The aim of this review is to explore the effects of military service on the physical, mental and social health of Vietnam veterans’ families with as specific focus on the sons and daughters. First background information will be presented,

followed by sections on the methodology, the extent of current research, and the critical appraisal and synthesis of the relevant studies reviewed.