#169 - Periodic Limb Movement Disorder: Out At Night Moving
We’ve all seen it—or maybe we’ve been told we do it: twitching, jerking, or kicking in the night. But when does this common sleep quirk cross the line into a diagnosable condition? In this episode, we will:Define Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) and explain how it differs from simple nighttime movementsExplore its surprising prevalence in both adults and children—and its strong ties to Restless Legs SyndromeReview leading theories of cause, from dopamine to iron to spinal generatorsHighlight intriguing new research, including cardiovascular links and AI-based detectionDiscuss treatment strategies—from iron replacement to dopaminergic medications and lifestyle approachesProduced by: Maeve WinterMore Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
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168 - #MASA (Make America Sleep Again): Wake Me Up When September Ends
Did you know…Only 57% of Americans now say science has a mostly positive effect on society—down 16 points since before COVID?And yet, 83% of people still trust their doctor more than anyone else when it comes to vaccine advice?We’ve all lived through it—the pandemic reshaped our health, our trust, and our divisions, and those dividisions have been on full display recently as hearings have highlighted a growing distrust in the medical and scientific communities. In this episode, we will:Explore why COVID was not just a disease, but a collective trauma—and how trauma often drives blame and denialExamine the promise of MAHA (Making America Healthy Again) and the peril of dismantling expertise in the processConfront the deep health inequities that make the U.S. lag behind other developed nations in life expectancy and outcomesAsk why preventive medicine never fulfilled its promise in our healthcare systemReview how vaccines remain one of the greatest public health successes—even as skepticism growsUnpack why rare side effects feel amplified when billions of doses are givenRevisit the vaccine rollout as both a modern miracle and a “fog of war” moment with inevitable misstepsChallenge the myth of “doing your own research” and why interpretation of science matters more than accessDiscuss how shaming during the pandemic hardened divides instead of fostering changeLook ahead: why questioning science is healthy, but abandoning it could cost us the cures and treatments of the futureProduced by: Maeve WinterMore Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
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#167 - Frequent Nighttime Urination: All Through The Night
When it comes to insomnia, many people begin their journey staring at the clock after yet another middle-of-the-night bathroom trip and wondering: is it my bladder or my sleep that’s broken? In this episode, we will:Define what nocturia is—and what counts as normal versus abnormalExplore why most people wake up first and then feel the urge to urinateReveal how nocturia can be a surprising red flag for obstructive sleep apneaDistinguish between urinary problems that happen all day long versus nighttime-only frequency linked to sleep disordersChallenge the myth that cutting off fluids during the day is an effective fixReassure you that a single nightly bathroom trip can be perfectly healthyProduced by: Maeve WinterMore Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
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#166 - 10 Ways to Sleep Better in a Hotel: Take Me to The Hotel
We’ve all been there—different bed, strange noises, mystery thermostat settings—and suddenly your “dream” vacation or business trip comes with a side of sleeplessness. But hotel sleep doesn’t have to be a gamble. In this episode, we will:Explore why the “first night effect” sabotages rest in unfamiliar placesShare 10 science-backed strategies to optimize any hotel room for sleepLearn how to manage temperature, light, and noise—even when you can’t control the buildingDiscover how bringing small comforts from home can calm an over-alert brainReview simple, evidence-based tricks to dodge jet lag and keep your circadian rhythm on trackProduced by: Maeve WinterMore Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
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#165 - Headache and Sleep: Gotta Painful Swelling Brain
Headaches don’t punch the clock at bedtime — in fact, for many, night is when they strike hardest. In this episode, we’ll:Explore how disrupted sleep can trigger and intensify migraines, cluster headaches, hypnic headaches, and chronic daily headacheExamine the role of sleep apnea in “morning headaches” and how CPAP therapy can make them disappearReview the latest research linking insomnia treatment to reduced headache burden — including new findings from a Seattle study on prazosin for posttraumatic headache in veteransBreak down the brain mechanisms connecting sleep and pain, from hypothalamic circadian control to CGRP signalingOffer practical, research-backed strategies for patients and clinicians to address both sides of the equationProduced by: Maeve WinterMore Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!
No holds barred, unscripted discussion on a wide range of sleep topics - from sleep disorders to current research and controversies in the field. No topic is off limits! Dr. Chris Winter is a clinician, a board certified neurologist and double boarded sleep specialist with 30 years of clinical experience. He is the author of The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child, and is a popular consultant and speaker, working for many professional sports teams. He is well known for his unique perspective and ability to demystify sleep, all of which he brings to Sleep Unplugged.
USA