Sleep and Health Journal

Sleep has been studied for decades, but the field of sleep medicine is still quite young field. The process of assessing one’s sleep is a process that has recently been perfected by neurological methods and tools. The PSG, or polysomnography, is the major weapon in a sleep physician’s arsenal that allows him/her/ them to score and characterize sleep through the night. But to many people, the concept of someone strange studying that person while he/she is asleep is scary. The popular notion is that this test is an invasive one that requires sedatives, breathing tubes, and monitors in an operating room. Fortunately, nothing could be further from the truth.

The Dream of the Deacon Justinian depicts the story of the miraculous medical event performed by two saints, Cosmas and Damian, in the year 348. While the Roman deacon Justinian sleeps, the twin brothers, Cosmas and Damian, amputate his cancerous leg and replace it with the leg of a deceased man from Ethiopia.

By Deena Sherman

Persian folklore is widely recounted in the Book of Kings, or Shahnama. One of the great warriors in this book is Rustam, a hero whose adventures are of epic proportions. The story that is depicted in the accompanying illustration occurs when Rustam (also known as Rostam) falls asleep in a forest and is saved from a menacing lion by his trusted steed, Rakhsh, who proceeds to kills the ferocious beast.

By Deena Sherman

Fifteenth century artist, Vittore Carpaccio created a series of nine paintings depicting the legend of St. Ursula. Naturally, I have chosen the bedroom scene in which Ursula, through a dream, receives a message from an angel that she is destined for martyrdom. The “Dream of St. Ursula,” painted in 1495, is the fifth in the series of nine paintings by Carpaccio called “Stories from the Life of St. Ursula.”

By Peter Dodzik, Psy.D., Managing Editor

In the wake of continued research on new medications and surgical procedures for treatment of diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, I have found that many of my patients are wondering whether anyone is any closer to cures for these and other debilitating illnesses. I get asked 1-2 times per week about potential inoculations for dementia or the benefits of herbal supplements. But, the most frequently asked question is about stem cells.

Ruth Berger

I heard the rats scratching in the basement and they frightened me. I was only five. Thinking they would scratch through the floor door, I listened in terror night after night. We lived behind a store and one summer night, I walked into my bedroom to see a large rat lying on my pillow. He was sick from the poison my father had left in the corners to kill the rats. I screamed and he slowly walked off the bed. For years I relived that awful moment.

Sleep & Health Periodical would like to congratulate the journal Sleep on its 25th anniversary. Sleep is the official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society. The journal was founded by Christian Guilleminault, M.D. and William Dement, M.D. in 1977.

Alexander Golbin, M.D.
Mr. Larry Weintraub, Chicago's famous journalist for 35 years died recently at the age of 69. He came into my life many years ago much like he has into the lives of many others: suddenly, with a lot of grueling questions, following me around at work for days with the forcefulness of a professional reporter and the sensitivity of an experienced diplomat. What was supposed to be a short assignment was transformed into life-long friendship.