A recent study from the University of Minnesota’s Department of Neurology and School of Public Health shows how epilepsy impacts Upper Midwest Native Americans.  According to U of M researchers, steps must be taken to improve care in this community including addressing barriers such as limited epilepsy care and transportation access, issues of trust concerning the medical system, and the startling economic impacts suffered by those affected with epilepsy within the Native American community.

The latest study, “Comparison Study of Beliefs and Quality of Health Care of Native Americans With and Without Epilepsy” examined 55 Native Americans in Minnesota, 23 with epilepsy and 32 without.  The study was made possible through a grant from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and outreach via tribal offices, the Native American Community Clinic and the Minneapolis American Indian Center.

It’s no secret that by most measures, many Americans are overweight.

Today, an estimated 36 percent of Americans are considered obese according to the CDC, and the condition can bring a number of health issues along with it. But did you know that by losing weight you can dramatically improve your quality of sleep, reducing the risk for sleep apnea?

Eliminating sleep apnea can ultimately decrease your chances of more severe health problems including stroke, cardiovascular failure, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Last month, Health Talk contributor Michael Howell, M.D., assistant professor with the Department of Neurology, shared five sleep resolutions for 2013. So now that you’re following Dr. Howell’s advice and sleeping better, there is something else that affects an estimated 10 percent of Americans and often goes unreported and undiagnosed, but can have painful consequences and lead to a life-threatening disorder: sleepwalking.

Most of us know someone who occasionally sleepwalks or maybe you’ve even done it yourself. For the most part, sleepwalking is fairly mild and primarily occurs in younger people. The condition falls under the medical category of parasomnias, or abnormal behaviors occurring during or emanating out of sleep.

These mild instances of parasomnia could lead to a much more severe and life-threatening disorder called REM behavior disorder. The Parasomnia Clinic at the University of Minnesota seeks to understand, treat and prevent these conditions.

Michael Howell, M.D. is an assistant professor with the Department of Neurology at the University of Minnesota. Howell is a sleep and breathing expert and is certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine and by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

It’s that time of year again where millions of people vow to do things a little bit differently than the year before in the ultimate pursuit of personal improvement.

No matter what your New Year’s resolution is this time around, do yourself a favor and follow my advice on sleep.

Sleep is a significant building block for any personal goal you have this year. So whether you plan to exercise more, quit smoking or start a new hobby, make sure sleep is part of your equation for success in 2013.