Showing posts with label Sleep. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sleep. Show all posts

Problems With Sleep Linked to Alzheimer's Disease

Try to sleep after reading this... you're more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease if your sleep is poor... the idea really helps you drift off, doesn't it? New research, while preliminary, has found that problems with sleep like waking up more than five times in an hour, may be a signal of preclinical Alzheimer's disease. Preclinical Alzheimer's is the term medical personnel use for those who display normal mental skills while also showing the brain changes that are linked to this dreadful disease.

The research on sleep and Alzheimer's involved 100 subjects, both men and women who were aged between 45 to 80 years. All were dementia free at the start of the study, though half had a family history of Alzheimer's disease.

For two weeks the subjects wore a sleep measuring device, while also keeping sleep diaries and filling out questionnaires. The subjects slept for about 6.5 hours, though they stayed in bed for another hour and a half, for a total of eight hours.

The research team analyzed subjects' spinal fluid, reviewed at brain scans for evidence of amyloid plaques - the deposits that are in the brains of those with Alzheimer's. Today experts think such deposits can be forming from 10 - 15 years prior to symptoms appearing. About a quarter of the subjects had evidence of preclinical Alzheimer's, and those who woke most often (over 5 times each hour) had a greater chance than non-waking subjects to show abnormal biomarkers.

However, it's important to keep in mind that studies like this one which are presented at conferences are considered preliminary. The findings have yet to undergo a peer review, where outside experts look at the data before it appears in a medial text.

The researchers also cannot put a number on the increase in risk for those who woke more often. Subjects who spent under 85% of the time spent in bed sleeping had a greater chance of showing signs of preclinical Alzheimer's. Waking five times each hour sounds like no sleep at all, and the researchers admit that the measuring device might slightly over estimate the number of times subjects woke. Still most of us do wake up, briefly, quite a bit during a normal night of sleep.

Are changes in the brain driving sleep disturbances, or is it the other way around? Trouble sleeping could well be a reflection of changes happening in the brain. We do recognize that having a good night's sleep is vital for the brain. More examination of the relationship between sleep and Alzheimer's is needed. Ju is enrolling and evaluating another 100 subjects for further study, and expects to have these results by the time of the meeting presentation.

Interestingly there are animal studies that find sleep changes do encourage the growth of amyloid. It wouldn't be surprising for this to be the case in humans as well.

The take home message? If you've got problems with sleep then getting a good night's sleep is key, and we should all try to make getting the right amount of restful, restorative sleep a priority. Just as we do with eating right and exercising, sleep is equally important.

FREE Bonus Secret Health Reports - For a limited time you can grab 5 FREE essential health reports from the Daily Health Bulletin. Click through now to find out more about how problems with sleep can effect your mental health.


Original article

How to Stop Talking in Your Sleep

Sleep talking is one of the many sleep disorders that most people struggle with while sleeping. Sleep talking can occur in two main ways which are making sounds or making utterances while sleeping. When one sleep talks, it is only those who are close to them that will be able to know. This is because it is not possible for them to know whether they sleep talk or not, so unless someone else tells them, they will never know.

Many people struggle with this problem and if you are one of them, then how to stop sleep talking is a key question that you need to seek answers about. Generally, there are no scientifically proven techniques that can be used in dealing with this disorder. However there are some strategies that one can apply so as to overcome it. Some of these methods include; avoiding stress. In regards to sleep talking stress contributes a lot hence you should always have enough rest and sleep as this will help you in dealing with stress.

The other method that can help you to stop sleep talking is by avoiding heavy meals before bed time. You can always have heavy meals if you want to but make sure that you give the food some hours for it to digest before you go to bed. You can also avoid talking in your sleep by having a fixed sleeping pattern that you will always adhere to. You can decide to always be in bed at a specific time and wake up at a certain time. If you do this regularly, the body will adapt to it and you will be able to sleep comfortably. This method works best when you reserve your bedroom to only be a sleeping zone. You should also keep other things like books away from the bed room. Your bedroom should be a place that invites sleep such that when you get into it, your mind only focuses on sleeping.

You can also take sleeping pills if you can not get sleep naturally. Though this method works, it is highly advised that you should avoid it as the side effects that come with it are dire. Sleeping tablets only make it possible for you to have sleep but you should know that they can affect you sleeping pattern such that you may no longer be able to sleep without the tablets. Medication should be the last resort to turn to and if possible, don't turn to it instead you should try other natural methods of improving your sleep and dealing with stress.

Generally, if you sleep talk, you should talk to those who sleep close to you so as to make them understand that you don't do it intentionally. Though this does not look very helpful, you may be surprised by the help that you may get. This is because by telling them you will avoid upsetting them and instead they will help you hence you will no longer need to worry about how you can avoid sleep talking.

Get more help to stop talking in your sleep and discover how to you can stop sleep talking.


Original article

Sleep Apnea Beyond the Common Man

Being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea is a huge mental mountain to get over. On one side you have being constantly tired and falling asleep during the day, and on the other side you have to wear something called a Nasal CPAP Mask and sleep the night looking like Darth Vader's cousin. But rest assured you are not alone in this climb as many stars and historical figures have had the same issues - yet we are fortunate to live in a time when this disease is controllable.

Many of today's personalities have publicly shared their Sleep Apnea journeys. From Rosie O'Donnell to Rosanne Barr to even Gene Simmons and Shaquille O'neal - Reality TV has opened up their lives for all to see their battle for a good night's sleep. Yes, there are always the comments about the masks they have to wear, but each one agreed that the inconvenience is small compared to the chance to not feel tired. Just like us, they're amazed and rejuvenated by getting a true night's rest... something long missed.

Historically many figures have had to deal with the effects of Sleep Apnea without the luxury of medical control. Not until modern times have the many symptoms of Sleep Apnea been tied together. Symptoms such as snoring, restlessness, waking in the middle of the night and sleeping throughout the day were simply thought of as quirks of the body and nothing more. Historical examples of people with these quirks are Napoleon Bonaparte, Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt and even Queen Victoria.

Through historical accounts we learn that many of these figures were daytime sleepers (especially Napoleon who would fall to sleep in the middle of meeting and events, often at the most inappropriate time). Often these figures would be up all hours of the night due to an inability to sleep. Interestingly the most common thread is the almost mythic stories of loud snoring. One night when Theodore Roosevelt was admitted to a hospital for treatment, the other patients on his wing registered complaints about his thunderous snoring and requested to be moved elsewhere. If only CPAP equipment had been developed and then more than one of these historical figures may have lived a much different life.

The moral of the story is that we are not alone in this silent disease. It is not something ever cured and requires 1/4 of your life being tied to a Nasal CPAP Mask and machine. But always remember that these small inconveniences are nothing when 3/4 of your life now has more energy and vigor. As a star, or a commoner, controlling sleep apnea is one important way to a better life.

Michael McLane

If you liked this article come and check out information on Nasal CPAP Masks and other information on Sleep Apnea.


Original article

Sleep 101: Understanding Sleep Cycle

Nearly everyone is struggling to meet the demands of modern life. For some, cutting back on sleep seems like the only solution. They need to manage a hectic schedule at the expense of sufficient rest and recreation. Having eight hours of sleep really sounds great, but how many people can really afford to spend so much time sleeping? Many adults today spend more time working and only get a few hours of slumber. They tend to forget the importance of sleep.

Sleep has different cycles and stages. Each can restore and refresh your body and mind. Minimal sleep loss may affect your energy, mood, efficiency, and ability to manage stress. If you want to stay healthy, or you want to be in your best form, you shouldn't consider sleep as luxury.

Sleep belongs to physical and physiological needs. People should know more about its importance. It is also advisable to know what people can do to recover from chronic sleep loss and how to get a healthy sleep cycle.

Importance of sleep

Sleep is the state of unconsciousness from which a person is aroused. During this stage, the brain is relatively more responsive to internal stimuli than external ones. Sleep is very important for the normal and healthy functioning of your body.

Everyone knows sleep is important for their health and wellness. Still, many people fail to get enough sleep. According to a National Sleep Foundation (NSF) survey, over 40 million Americans suffer from 70 different sleep disorders, and 60 percent of adults report having sleep troubles a few nights a week and more.

Most people with sleep issues do not really seek medical attention. The report also shows that around 35-40 percent of adults experience daytime sleepiness at least several weeks a month, severe enough to interrupt their daily routines. 20 percent of them report sleeping problems a few days a week or more. The findings also show that 70 percent of children experience one or more sleep disorder a few night or more during a week. These sleep problems are affecting the normal sleep cycle.
Understanding the human sleep cycle

The human body regulates through different processes in the cerebrum. The response depends on how long you've been active, and the changes between daytime and nighttime. At night, the body responds to the loss of daylight. This is because it produces melatonin, a hormone that makes people sleepy. During daytime, sunlight may trigger your brain to reduce production of melatonin. This causes the human body to feel more awake and active.

There are factors affecting the sleep cycle. These include travelling across time zones, working night shifts, irregular sleeping patterns, and rare disorders like the Pickwickian Syndrome.

What is Pickwikian syndrome?

Pickwikian Syndrome or PS is a condition, which occurs mostly to severely overweight people. People who suffer from this syndrome experience breathing difficulty during sleep. This can reduce blood oxygen levels and raise carbon dioxide levels. Signs and symptoms may include obstructive sleep apnea. It is a condition characterized by snoring. This condition may also result to excessive daytime sleepiness.

Georgina Taylor is a fitness instructor knowledgeable on the normal sleep cycle and Pickwickian syndrome.


Original article

Losing Sleep Over Sleep? Sleep Aids Can Help You

If you are counting sheep and still not falling asleep or at best managing only a few winks, that too with too much tossing and turning and waking up countless times in between, then you need help. Prolonged sleep deficiency can wreak havoc with your immune system making you susceptible to viral attacks. Also during sleep, the body releases substances called cytokines that fight infection and help you recover from an infectious disease.

A Dangerous Slope

When lying awake and unable to go off to sleep, popping in a sleeping pill that can be obtained at the local drug store is probably the easiest option around, but it is certainly not the wisest. Apart from making you dependent on one to assist you in falling asleep, some sleeping pills induce harmful side effects and if taken for prolonged periods, can invoke a drug tolerance so that progressively you may need to use more of the drug to obtain similar benefits.

Some Serious Help

Thankfully, a wink of sleep isn't hard to come by when you use sleep aids that are made from natural and safe ingredients that do not expose you to the risks inherent in over-the-counter sleeping pills. Natural sleep aids may contain a variety of components like melatonin, valerian, chamomile, and passionflower that are known to induce sleepiness and also aid in reaching deep sleep.

The Positive Attributes of Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone produced in the human brain and controls the sleep-wake cycles in individuals. Research has shown that melatonin reduces the time it takes for you to fall to sleep, induce and increase feelings of sleepiness, and may also increase the amount of time you sleep. This component has been used successfully to combat jet lag and enhance the quality and duration of sleep in healthy individuals that is persons whose insomnia has not been triggered off by any underlying medical condition.

A Sleeping Ally

Valerian is an herbal extract and is one of the most commonly used natural supplements to reduce anxiety and combat insomnia in individuals. Some studies have shown that valerian reduces the time needed to fall asleep and can also improve the quality of sleep so that the user wakes up feeling more refreshed. What is more, taking sleep aids infused with valerian is also not associated with morning grogginess, unlike sleeping pills with benzodiazepines.

European Remedies

Chamomile and passionflower, the latter also known as maypop, are popular herbal sleep remedies that are being used for centuries. Chamomile, both the German and the Roman varieties, are known to have calming properties that in turn, help people feel relaxed and thus more prepared for sleep. A few studies have shown that passionflower has benzodiazepine-like nerve relaxant properties but without the accompanying harmful side effects. Passionflower is also used to treat "nervous" gastrointestinal disorders.

The Herbal Medicinal Route

Herbal sleep aids and those containing natural products not only produce the desired effects but also ensure that your body is not bombarded with harmful chemicals. Although these sleeping aids can be bought from your local drug store, ensure that you consult your physician for the appropriate dosage.

Ambiatol natural sleep aid contains both Melatonin and Valerian.

Jennifer Hughs is the pen name for the health and lifestyles writer who is compensated by Value Marketing, Inc. d/b/a Lab88. The author has 20+ years in the cosmetic and health industries and has worked with leading beauty and health publications.


Original article

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Understanding sleep apnea can help you realize whether or not you have the specific condition. Many people just let the condition go even when they don't know, causing for them to struggle some time in the future when they're not able to fix the problem that fast anymore. Understanding isn't exactly that difficult, and once you know how the problem occurs, you'll know all about the subject helping both yourself and other people.

What Exactly is Sleep Apnea?

Apnea is a sleeping condition that exists mostly in people who normally snore. Snoring is much more normal than most people think, but when snoring gets a little bit worse, it can become apnea. This condition is where a person has to naturally take around 1 or more stops in between their breathing. This happens when the passage airways just aren't opened enough for the breathing to be opened up. The truth is that this condition stops people from naturally breathing, so it can be a really serious problem when it comes down to leaving the condition alone. Most people are actually quite shocked to know that this can actually be deadly.

How is Sleep Apnea Deadly?

It's deadly because whenever you stop breathing, it creates carbon dioxide and even lowers down your oxygen levels. When this happens, it causes for it to create problems in the heart like high blood pressure and even heart failure. This happened many times to a variety of people, and those who weren't able to fix the problem weren't able to get better right away, or most of them did but after plenty of treatments. Most people die in different types of ways regarding problems with this health condition, and what's even more scary is the fact that some people have even died suddenly because of the problem. So, if you want to save yourself from getting extremely hurt, then you really need to cure the problem.

How to Cure Sleep Apnea

The best way to cure apnea is to learn how to cure snoring, as snoring is the main problem. What most people do to stop snoring is to simple sleep on their sides rather than on their backs. This helps open up the passageways more so than if you were to lay down on your back. As a way to cure it naturally, try to maintain a good sleeping schedule and always avoid heavy meals around two hours before bed time.

Apnea is one of the most common problems, but it's also very easy to get rid of them as well. I highly suggest that you try to educate yourself as much as possible to prevent yourself from gaining the problem. Most people have it, but most of them just let it go. Luckily, most of them are able to live through it. However, nobody ever said that you weren't allowed to fix the breathing problem. Try the few techniques above, as they can help you out a lot for getting rid of your sleep apnea. Understanding sleep apnea is great because you know what to do to avoid the problem.

Dalyn Baker, The Newbie Marketer, is a professional product review writer. If you are interested in finding out more information on sleep apnea and http://adultsleepapnea.com/ and receive your free access to my "Learn All about Sleep Disorders Newsletter " today.


Original article

Is It Really Possible To Learn While You Sleep?

This question has been a trending topic nowadays for research labs and universities. A lot of speculations arose but, nonetheless, no definite answer yet.

Some researchers would say that during the course of a person's sleep, there seems to be an accumulation of an unconscious form of memory, but is still yet to be understood. It's safe to say that even during sleep, the brain is continuously processing information without your awareness, and at a waking state, the said processed information may contribute to be part of your memory.

While other researchers are still in the process of understanding the complex process of the brain, a separate team of researchers had already introduced a new technique of learning while sleeping, they call it sleep learning. Sleep learning, as these researchers say, improves the power of your subconscious while sleeping, thus allowing you to digest learning materials better.

Some decades ago, some devices designed for the purpose of sleep learning were invented. The scheme was to introduce some knowledge into the person's subconscious during sleep, through slow intensity players placed near the person's head, then as the knowledge is being perceived by the brain unconsciously, the person might wake up after a couple of sessions with new knowledge stored in his brain without mental effort. Who knows what change it can bring to an individual's life if this is proven to be true. Philosophies may change, new knowledge learnt, opinions and beliefs might be altered.

But just like any other case, there's always a protagonist and antagonist in every story, and this is not an exception of course. Objections raised as well, with a good point also. As the method is claimed to be passive, it can only create "storehouses" of knowledge being unused fully by the body to which the brain belongs to, and are not really active knowledge, based on their level of mental growth.

With all of these claims, and interpretations, there's really no question as to how amazing the brain works, that even if a group of brains gather together just to study a part of the a single brain, it will still be to vast to comprehend. One thing is definite though, as long as you're alive, the brain continues to work, and as long as it continues to work, you will continue to learn.

In line with this, we can take note of one psychiatrist's research that said, "the unconscious mind that produces your dreams is your natural doctor and teacher". Once you learn the dream language and start understanding the unconscious messages, you become more intelligent. Thus, whether awake or asleep, you still learn.

The question now is how you put these acquired knowledge to life, because true learning is evidenced by action. But medically speaking, it's always good to have enough sleep for us to have a good performance at school or at work. It pays to be well-rested.

Let's treat our brains as much as we treat our bodies. It's not impossible to learn during sleep, but what's most important is what happens when you are awake.

Discover how you can learn while you sleep and find out how easy it is to use sleep learning.


Original article

How To Beat Insomnia and Sleep Yourself Healthier

Nearly 60 percent of all Americans suffer from some form of insomnia. Whether it's caused by stress, hormonal changes, or poor sleep habits, almost 20% of Americans are troubled by chronic fatigue. Many studies are proving this to be a health problem. Insomnia and waking up fatigued not only affects your mood and physical performance, it can affect your health in serious ways. Studies have linked insomnia to increased risks of obesity, cancer, heart disease, and a shorter life expectancy.

The Mind Body Connection - When you sleep, the body rebuilds the synapses of brain cells. This is how the brain communicates. The most disrupted connections are those controlling memory, attention, and alertness according to research.

Muscle and Skin - Your body produces growth hormone while it sleeps. Growth hormone helps our bodies build muscle, keep our skin healthy, and repair damaged tissues. Loss of sleep decreases growth hormone production and negatively affects these process.

Your Immune System - People who sleep fewer than 6 hours a night have 50 percent higher risk of viral infections. These people have an elevate risk of heart disease and stroke.

Blood Sugar Metabolism - Your body is more sensitive to insulin when it has proper rest. Without rest, your body can't metabolize sugars efficiently and can potentially make you 4.5 times more likely to develop pre diabetes.

Your Sense of Well-being - Lack of sleep leaves oneself cranky,,5 times more likely to become depressed, and 20 times more likely to develop anxiety disorders.

Don't Panic and Lose Even More Sleep. We can make some simple and effective changes to improve your sleep and health simultaneously. These include:

1. Dim the Lights - Light inhibits melatonin production which aids in sleep, turn off all electronics that produce light. At the very least, turn your alarm clock face away from you.

2. Check Your Mattress - Is your bed comfortable? If not, it's time for a new mattress. Another idea for your mattress is to purchase a dust mite resistant casing. Dust mites may cause allergies reactions, thus affecting the quality of sleep.

3. Reduce Room Temperature - The cooler the room, the slower your metabolic processes. These can prevent mental racing which can lead to insomnia. Turn the room temperature down to 68 degrees Fahrenheit and reduce further if needed.

4. Keep Your Feet Warm - The American Journal of Physiology suggest that wearing socks may help initiate sleep by drawing blood away from your core and cooling you off.

5. Don't Count Sheep - Don't just lie there and count sheep. This can lead to anxiety and create insomnia. Take an over-the-counter sleep aid if need be. Look for ones that contain melatonin, chamomile, GABA, and 5-HTP. These natural components and amino acids are far more affective than antihistamines such as diphenhydramine and Doxlamine (ingredients found in Benadryl and Sominex)

6. Exercise at the Right Time - Research has shown exercising 3 to 4 times per week increases sleep by 1.25 hours each night. Workout timing is also important. Workouts should be finished at least 2 hours before bed. The best time to workout is late afternoon or early evening.

7. That Massage is Good for You - A massage or even a warm bath can make nodding off easier. Don't be afraid to treat yourself to either one.

8. Lose Weight - Excess weight or obesity can cause sleep apnea, specifically obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA occurs when the soft palate at the back of the throat collapses and blocks your airway during sleep. This is what football great Reggie White died from OSA also increases risk of heart disease and stroke. Research has shown that losing 10% percent of your body weight improves symptoms of OSA.

Try implementing some of these changes in your lifestyle. I'm confident you will sleep better and improve your health likewise. Sleep and your health go hand-in-hand. Don't take either for granted.

Adam Nagy, PhrmD., SFN

Adam Nagy is a Doctorate of Pharmacy, Certified Personal Trainer, and Specialist of Fitness Nutrition. Dr. Nagy recommends Prescription Nutrition products as they are formulated by health care professionals, of superior quality, and provide real results. If you would like to get a better nights rest try an all natural formula such as Lights Out available at http://www.rxwhey.com/. A one-of-a-kind specially formulated capsule to promote relaxation and restful sleep.


Original article

How Do You Know If You Have a Sleep Disorder?

Many people experience some occasional difficulty sleeping and/or daytime fatigue. But how does a person know if he or she has a temporary sleep problem that can be remedied with some simple behavioral changes, or if it is a legitimate disorder such as snoring, sleep apnea, sinusitis or nasal obstruction that should be diagnosed and treated properly?

Lifestyle Habits and Sleep Problems

One thing a person can do is question if their lifestyle habits are contributing to the difficulty sleeping and/or fatigue and irritability during the day. Ask questions such as:

Am I watching TV or using the computer late at night and too close to bedtime?Am I consuming too much caffeine during the day?Am I taking a medication that may be affecting my sleep quality and duration?Is there something particularly stressful going on in my life that is causing me worry and anxiety?Am I exercising enough to help alleviate some of that stress and tension?

Many sleep problems can be remedied by making some common sense behavioral changes. However, persistent sleep problems left untreated can lead to myriad health problems, including memory and concentration problems, increased risk of high blood pressure, hypertension, stroke and heart attacks, depression, diabetes and sexual dysfunction. Severe cases of sleep apnea can even be fatal.

Besides these sobering health risks, an untreated sleep disorder can also be the root cause of poor performance at work or school, car accidents and other activities that require focus and concentration.

Societal Risk of Sleep Disorders

New research is exposing the societal risk that can result from untreated sleep apnea and other sleep disorders. The National Sleep Foundation's 2012 "Sleep in America" poll which focused in on the sleep habits and performance of transportation workers, states that about one in 10 Americans are likely to fall asleep at an inappropriate time and place, such as during a meeting or while driving.

Other results of the study: About one-fourth of polled train operators (26%) and pilots (23%) admit that sleepiness has affected their job performance at least once a week, compared to about one in six non-transportation workers (17%).

Even more concerning: One in five pilots (20%) admit that they have made a serious error and one in six train operators (18%) and truck drivers (14%) say that they have had a "near miss" due to sleepiness.

Common Symptoms of Sleep Disorders

Sleep problems are prevalent in our society, and people need to be aware of the symptoms and risks associated with them. Some common symptoms of sleep disorders include:

Trouble falling asleep at nightWaking throughout the nightChronic snoringMorning headachesPoor memoryDaytime sleepiness/falling asleep during the day/low energyBad moods/irritabilityIncreased depressionTrouble concentrating/driving/making decisions

Symptoms vary between disorders, such as snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, nasal obstruction, narcolepsy, so it pays to do some research based on what you are personally experiencing.

If you experiencing one or more of the above symptoms on a regular basis, see a qualified sleep doctor to get diagnosed and treated properly. There are multiple options and minimally invasive techniques available today to treat your sleep disorder.

David Volpi, M.D., P.C., F.A.C.S. is a board-certified otolaryngology surgeon with Ear, Nose and Throat practices, Otolaryngology Associates, on the Upper West Side and Upper East Side and is a staff member of the best teaching hospitals New York City. David Volpi, M.D. realized that there is a lack of information on the part of the public about the potential severity of snoring. With the need for accurate information, diagnosis and treatment so necessary, he founded Eos Sleep, formerly Manhattan Snoring and Sleep Center to be a place where snoring patients can go for total, expert treatment -- and he created this site to be a thorough information resource for the education of snoring sufferers throughout the world.

For more information, visit http://www.eossleep.com/.


Original article

Is A Memory Foam Mattress Your Key To More REM Sleep?

If you've ever slept on a truly comfortable bed you understand that not all sleep is created equal. As you sleep, your body cycles through five stages of brain activity. Each stage offers different neurological and physiological benefits. The stage of rapid eye movement, commonly referred to as REM. During REM your circulation and brain wave activity increase. The combination of neural stimulation and circulation allows your brain to solidify learning and memories, explains the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School. There are factors that reduce, delay or may even eliminate REM cycles leaving you more tired in the morning than you were when you went to bed the night before. Sleeping on a memory foam mattress can help increase the length of your REM by improving the quality of your sleep environment.

Temperature Regulation

Sleeping in a hot room might be annoying, but being too cold while you sleep actually prevents your body from entering REM.

• REM means your body is comfortable and relaxed enough to begin restoration.
• If you sleep on a mattress that doesn't retain heat well or in a cold room can cause you to shiver which reduces your circulation.
• Never feeling comfortably warm in your bed means never experiencing REM.
• A night with insufficient REM is a recipe for fatigue and exhaustion the next day.

Memory foam is viscoelastic, which makes it sensitive to both heat and weight-density. Traditional spring box and coil spring mattresses don't have the open, breathable cells like memory foam mattresses do which absorbs and redistributes body heat throughout the mattress which won't cause you to overheat.

• A memory foam bed, such as a Tempur Pedic mattress, warms your body more quickly by redistributing and retaining your body heat throughout the night.
• The quicker you get warm and comfortable the quicker you'll fall asleep and enter REM.
• Promptly starting your REM cycle means increasing the length of your restorative sleep.

Movement Resistant

Your body enters REM 70 to 90 minutes after you fall asleep. But falling asleep is nearly impossible with your partner flopping and twisting on the other side of the bed. Anything that delays falling asleep means your REM cycle is delayed as well.

• The layers of connected springs and coils in a box-spring mattress actually transfer movement between different areas of the bed.
• Individual cells in a memory foam mattress prevent you from experiencing your partner's every toss and turn.
• Lying on a Tempur Pedic mattress lets you be still without experiencing any external disturbances.
• By having fewer interruptions to your sleep helps to extend the REM cycle to its fullest potential.

When you find the best mattress for you, you will never miss out on the best night's sleep you could ever have.

Elijah Justice had always had trouble sleeping until he found a mattress store that sold Tempur-Pedic mattresses and now he sleeps like a baby. Urban Mattress is your one stop mattress company so you can have a good night's sleep.


Original article

Neuropathy and Sleep

It's four in the morning and you're still awake. You've been in bed, and you should have been asleep ages ago. Your alarm will go off in only a few hours, and you're dreading the long day ahead that you'll have to spend completely exhausted.

If you suffer from peripheral neuropathy, this scenario is probably all too familiar. Insomnia (lack of sleep) affects almost half of the overall population, but among neuropathy sufferers, that ratio jumps to over seventy percent. Experts recommend between seven and nine hours of sleep for most adults, regardless of their age or gender, an intimidating goal if you're someone whose chronic pain keeps them up at night.

Neuropathic pain can intensify in the evening hours, both in reality and in perception (fewer distractions of the day can cause a sufferer to focus more on their pain the closer they get to bedtime).

Research suggests that sleep apnea, a common cause of insomnia, can actually cause peripheral neuropathy, as well. Beyond a mere relationship, studies have shown that apnea is a high-risk condition among the insulin-resistant, which could likely be affecting incidents of neuropathy among diabetics in very direct ways.

Insomnia from neuropathy can perpetuate its own problem, too. Not only is neuropathic pain prodigious when it comes to nighttime restlessness, but the resulting lack of sleep can make the pain even worse! Rest is essential to recovery and treatment, and lack of sleep can lower your pain threshold drastically. You need that sleep, so what can you do?

There are several steps you can take if your neuropathy is keeping you awake at night. Your clinician can work with you to best help your specific situation, but here are some guidelines to get you started:

• Do your best to keep a regular sleeping schedule. Be persistent! Getting to bed and getting up at the same times each day is one of the best ways to train your body to sleep correctly.

• Limit your intake of caffeine and any medication that incorporates a stimulant (non-drowsy), especially in the evening hours.

• Avoid heavy foods in the evening. Our bodies metabolize food for hours after we eat, giving us a boost of energy! Energy is great when we need it, but can be a pain when we don't. Many cultures eat their biggest meal of the day in the morning and only a small snack at dinnertime for this reason. Try it out!

• Try turning off the TV and computer a few hours before bed. Mileage varies from person to person, but electronics tend to stimulate the senses. Try a book or quiet conversation, instead.

• Adjust your environment to be ideal for sleeping. Layer your covers to ensure you stay warm but not hot, and minimize light and noise.

There are a number of herbal and natural sleep aids as well, which may help you fall asleep quickly. Sleep expert Elizabeth Shannon recommends entertaining a number of stress-relief methods, psychological conditioning, and homeopathic solutions for insomnia before resorting to pharmaceutical sleep aids, which can often form dependencies and, over time, exacerbate the problems associated with restlessness. Always be cautious with medications, and consult your specialist clinician or other doctor before medicating.

Always remember, altering your sleep pattern won't happen overnight (so to speak)! It could be three to four weeks before any changes you make to your routine begin to have meaningful impact on your success getting to and staying asleep, and don't be surprised if your restlessness gets worse before it gets better. Contact us, and we can help you find a clinician in your area and give you even more information about how to get the rest you need while suffering from neuropathy.

Always remember, altering your sleep pattern won't happen overnight (so to speak)! It could be three to four weeks before any changes you make to your routine begin to have meaningful impact on your success getting to and staying asleep, and don't be surprised if your restlessness gets worse before it gets better. Contact us, and we can help you find a clinician in your area and give you even more information about how to get the rest you need while suffering from neuropathy. Dr. John Hayes, Jr. is an Evvy Award Nominee and author of "Living and Practicing by Design" and the bestseller "Beating Neuropathy-Taking Misery to Miracles in Just 5 Weeks!"

Peripheral neuropathy doctors, physical therapists and patients will find more information as well as post comments and questions at http://neuropathydr.com/


Original article

Sleep Deprivation Symptoms Plus Habits

All living things must rest. While our awareness about sleeping remains partial, scientific tests show sleep has an effect on our body's progression and recovering procedures. Deprivation or a sleep disorder has numerous negative side consequences, and this further establishes the concept that living things won't be able to make it without going to sleep. If anyone or possibly your co-workers display sleep deprivation signs, you shouldn't take it carefully. Scientific tests show sleep disorders may place your wellbeing at serious risks, and might multiply your odds of dying from a heart related illnesses.

Sleep plays such a major function in our everyday life that many powerful people came up with humorous sleep quotations and terms. We sometimes have a good laugh about these quotations about sleep, particularly ones about sleep deprivation symptoms and traits, but they do contain many facts. Here are a couple of those quotations and the facts behind them.

"A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow."

This simple quotation from Charlotte Bront says a whole lot about insomnia, or lack of sleep. While there are numerous possible reasons behind insomnia, the most common ones have to do with a person's mind issue. Men and women being affected by mental strain usually have problem getting to sleep, and so do people who just have way too many details on their mind. In order to avoid being affected by sleep deprivation symptoms, clear your mind of many nerve-racking thinkings and avoid mentally exhilarating exercises before going to bed.

"Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

Of the several sleep quotations acknowledged to Benjamin Franklin, this is most likely the most famous one. Going to sleep early and waking up early helps to regulate your sleep period, and guarantees you get the perfect amount of sleep. Scientists from the University of London and the University of Warwick found getting too little or too much sleep may increase your risks of death. The right level of sleep for an common adult is seven to eight hours.

"The feeling of sleepiness when you are not in bed, and can't get there, is the meanest feeling in the world."

Based upon this quote, it seems like author E.W. Howe knows just what exactly insufficient sleep feels like. Sleep disorders will make you truly feel sick and inadequate, and might lead to complications. These disorders get even worse if you're out of the home and can't sleep them off. This typically leaves you feeling aggrieved or moody, which could have a bad effect on your performance at work.

"No day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap."

The majority of sleep quotes from comedian Carrie Snow might have been jokes, but this one is in fact real. Naps are brief treatments for anyone battling from difficulty in sleeping warning signs.

Based on some scientists, lack of sleep builds up "sleep debt". The more sleep debt you build up, the tougher it will be for your brain to work at full potential. Like consumer debt, you need to start paying it off and avert it from becoming too big to take care of sometime soon. Taking naps, even simple ones, can help work off your sleep debt.

Georgina Taylor is researching about sleep deprivation symptoms, and seeking for interesting sleep quotes.


Original article

The Causes of Sleep Deprivation

The importance of sleep in your life is often overlooked due to terrible habits and unawareness of what is happening to your body and mind when you do not rest enough. Making the bedroom a place of relaxation and a peaceful sanctuary can greatly help the appeal of getting enough rest. Making sure that you have a mattress that is supportive of your body in regards to your spine and back is important. Not getting enough sleep can result in headaches, blurred vision, loss of appetite or general tiredness. Your mind tries to keep up with your daily activities but the loss of even an hour of sleep can unfortunately result in a one third reduction in daytime alertness.

Your mood is also affected by sleep deprivation. Without allowing your mind and body a full night of rest, it would not be surprising to find yourself moody, edgy or irritable. Your attitude is more likely to be uncooperative and feelings of laziness are common. Your cognitive recognition of simple tasks, such as object naming, speaking, or general coordination will definitely not be as sharp as those who have full nights of sleep. You are even more likely to lose your balance, have hallucinations and have difficulty learning new things. Those who are sleep deprived are more prone to body discomfort, memory lapses and even paranoia.

This may seem like an overwhelming list of effects just from not having enough sleep, but this is the reason as to why getting a full night of sleep is so crucial to your overall health and performance. Unfortunately, the list is worst for those who are consistently not getting enough sleep. Some long-term effects of being sleep deprived include obesity, higher chance of divorce and social problems, depression and mood disorders. There are also severe consequences for your health such as being more prone to having a heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, mental impairment and frequent infections due to having an impaired immune system.

Although there are studies that continue to research what exactly the body does during sleep cycles, we already know that sleep is strongly linked to a healthier and happier lifestyle. Ignoring these facts would only work against a better and healthier you. Make sure that your mattress is up to par with properly supporting you and your partner's bodies throughout the night. Having a proper mattress is the first step in making sure that you are getting the sleep you deserve. It will also make you feel more comfortable and you may find the entire idea of sleeping much more appealing.

For better sleep, visit one of the top quality mattress stores in Phoenix AZ. Mattress Direct will answer all questions you have regarding mattress firm Phoenix. For a healthier lifestyle, browse for your next mattress at mattressdirectwarehouse.com.


Original article

How to Get to Sleep

Many people suffer from some form of insomnia to a greater or lesser degree and the art of getting a good night's sleep will be a topic we have all considered.

There are many factors that may affect our sleep patterns from physical or mental symptoms to our surroundings and atmosphere. The first action to take if physical or mental disorders are affecting sleep patterns is to see a Doctor.

Other solutions that may help include:
Setting the mood - Take a warm soothing bath or have a massage. Listen to calming music or sounds.Drink relaxing beverages - A glass of warm milk or herbal tea shortlty before bed has been found to help.Avoid stimulants - Common problems are caused by Caffeine, Tobacco and Alcohol.Keep to a routine - have a regular time for going to bed, avoid daytime naps, don't sleep in, get up earlier in the day, if you can't sleep - get up.Excercise - Try to do some form of physical excerise during the day

The one thing most people agree on is the need for a good quality bed to sleep on. So what do you need to look for when buying a new bed?

The Base Unit / Bed Frame

The base of the bed is the first thing to consider as this is what will provide the support for the mattress. A new base purchased with a new mattress is recommended because together they could last 10 years, putting a new mattress on an old base might not provide the proper support to the mattress if the base is worn or damaged.

Bases are available in a wide variety of designs of bed frames - metal, wooden, leather, or divan bases with storage options.

The Mattress

The mattress is possibly the most important part of the bed. If the mattress is a spring coil type then the more coils it has, the more support it will provide to the body. Usually the more coils the mattress has, the firmer it is.

The coils will also have a gauge rating. Heavy gauge coils are thicker and offer more support than the lighter thinner gauge coils. Beware mattresses with a low coil count and heavy gauge springs as it maybe firm initially, but can soon become lumpy due to the lack of coils.

Memory foam mattresses can provide more comfort by moulding to your body shape. Usually made from a Visco-Elastic foam that is responsive to body weight and heat it will mold to your body's shape and position. A heavier foam is recommended as it will last longer.

Finally, there is also Latex Foam that offers a hypo-allergenic, dust-mite resistant mattress that is breathable. This means it removes body moisture keeping you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. A latex foam rubber mattress usually lasts a lot longer than other types of mattress and can although initially expensive, can quite often be the best value for money in the long term due to it's life expectancy.


Original article

Sleep Apnea Treatment Available to the Affected People

Sleep apnea is not a disease but a disorder that is characterised by difficulties in breathing. This results in lack of sleep for the victim. There are different types of sleep apnea treatments available to the affected individuals. These treatment options range from home remedies or behavior changes to nonsurgical and surgical options. However, each treatment option is administered to the affected person depending on the severity of his or her problem.

Home remedies/behavior changes:
These include things you can do yourself in order to ease the impact of sleep apnea on your body. Again, this form of treatment is applicable in the instances where the disorder is not severe, meaning the disorder is mild or moderate.

Home remedies/behavior changes that can be used involve lifestyle changes which include:

Loss of weight:
Various researches show that loss of excess weight can completely correct mild to moderate disorder among obese people. In fact, even a slight weight loss can help in opening the throat of the affected person thus improving symptoms.

Quitting smoking:
Smoking is known to cause sleep apnea by increasing inflammation and fluids retention in the throat plus the upper airway. Thus, quitting smoking can go a long way in easing the effects of the disorder. Other home remedies and behavioural changes that can act as sleep apnea treatments include avoiding alcohol, sedatives and sleeping pills especially before bedtime since they make the throat muscles relax and thus interfering with the breathing mechanisms. Additionally, you should avoid heavy meals and caffeine within one hour of going to sleep.

Nonsurgical options available for sleep apnea treatment include:

Continuous positive airway pressure:
This type of nonsurgical option is administered to patients who have moderate sleep apnea. However, most people find this method rather cumbersome and uncomfortable since it involves a machine that generates air pressure through a mask that is placed over the patient's nose while the patient is asleep. The generated air pressure is put slightly above the surrounding air, thus it helps in keeping the patient's upper airways passages open in order to prevent apnea and snoring. It is important to contact your doctor if you use this treatment and still continue to snore.

Adjustable airway pressure devices:
If the above option is not working, this type of treatment is applied to the patient. The pressure device routinely adjusts the pressure when the patient is asleep.

Oral appliance:
This is another nonsurgical treatment option available. The oral appliance is placed in the patient's throat to keep it open. The oral appliances are easy to use and they are used to open the patient's throat by bringing their jaw forward, thus relieving mild obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. Supplemental oxygen is another nonsurgical treatment option available to victims. The supplemental oxygen is used in instance where a patient has central sleep apnea. It is important to know that there are different forms of oxygen available as well as various devices that are used to administer oxygen in the patient's lungs.

Surgery:
This treatment option is considered to be the last option for treating the disorder when all other options have failed. The main aim of surgery is to remove excessive tissues from the patient's throat or noise that may be vibrating thus causing the patient to snore. Also, surgery removes the tissues that may be blocking the upper air passages thus causing the condition.

About the Author:
Sleep Apnea
Finding the best Dentist to take care of you, especially those near to you is easier online.
Click here for Sleep Apnea Treatment.


Original article

Health Benefits of Sleep For a More Productive Life

Over the last couple days I've been sick and figured I ought to write about the health benefits of sleep. You see, I've been running full speed and haven't taken much time to just sit back and relax. I believe this has caught up to me and is the body's way of telling me I need to be getting additional rest. As a result I have also slept for 12 of the last 24 hours.

So really, what are the healthy benefits of sleep? Well for starters if you're getting enough sleep then your body would not react in ways that make you feel very uncomfortable. It will help lower stress levels while at the same time allowing your body to recharge from the previous day. What is enough sleep? For the majority of the population that would 7-8 hours a night. There are the rare individuals who can operate on less than that, but which is the minority.

Another of the health benefits of sleep is that your attention span is much clearer and sharper. When you get the sleep you want you are going to be able to think more clearly which allows you to be more productive. Trying to manage with little sleep will mean the quality of your work would suffer because you are in more of a fog and can't think clearly.

It is additionally believed that sleep aids you get to a healthy weight level and to maintain that wait. Dr. Rapoport of the NYU sleep disorders program states that: "Sleep and metabolism are controlled by the same sectors of the brain. When you are sleepy, certain hormones go up in your blood and those same hormones drive appetite." which just proves why so many individuals have the late night munchies. Your system is really telling you that you ought to be sleeping however in reality you begin eating instead.

Whether or not you think that you need additional sleep you can now you can see the health benefits of sleep. You ought to be encouraged to strive to get the rest you need in order to live a healthier lifestyle that will allow you be more concentrated on not only your health and fitness goals, but additionally whatever individual goals in life and business.

Sleep is the number one health benefit you could receive. Without it anything else you try to achieve is going to be worthless. Be sure to get your sleep and with enough then you can clearly focus on other areas of your life without the need for rest becoming an issue.

When getting enough sleep, you could concentrate more on other areas of your life. These top health tips will assist you remain engaged. A good exercise routine such as the Turbulence Training Program will also assist you get better rest.


Original article

Use the Stages of Sleep to Learn How to Sleep Better

As a person sleeps they traverse through different stages. Scientists describe five stages of sleep, which are most commonly named stages 1, 2, 3, 4 and Rapid Eye Movement (REM).

Sleep begins as the mind phases into the first stage. Stage 1 can be described as light sleep. In this stage a person can easily be awakened. This stage is also characterized by a slowing heart rate, reduction in body movements, and a diminishing body temperature. You've likely had the experience of suddenly becoming much cooler right before you fall asleep. This is most notable and appreciated on nights when it is uncomfortably warm.

As you pass through stages 2, 3 and 4 your sleep becomes deeper and deeper, and the quality of rest grows. In stages 3 and especially 4 you become a lot more resistant to being awakened by external disruptions. Also, in stages three and four of sleep you get the most restorative sleep. Another characteristic of these late-sleep stages is that, if you are aroused from sleep while in these stages you will probably experience a lot of grogginess, disorientation, and it will probably take some time to wake up fully.

The last stage of sleep is commonly referred to as REM sleep, or Rapid Eye Movement sleep. This is because at this point of sleep the eyes move rapidly about behind their eyelids. Vivid dreaming is another prominent feature of REM sleep. Breathing and heart rate also speed up, but the body, conversely, becomes quite still.

All together, these five stages of sleep make up make up one sleep cycle. A sleep cycle, for most people, will last about 90-100 minutes. It is normal for a person to sleep through 5-6 cycles in a typical night.

You may be wondering what the value of this information is. I believe there are at least a few ways you could utilize this information to improve your sleep experience:

Most of us have to wake up to an alarm clock daily for work. If you normally wake up feeling drastically groggy, it could be because you are being awakened during the deep sleep stages of the sleep cycle, in stage three or four. By changing the time you go to bed to just a little earlier or even a little later you may find that waking up is quite a bit easier because the alarm goes off when you are only dozing lightly in stage one or two.
If circumstances prevent you from getting more than a few hours of sleep at night you may actually do a lot better with a small change if you schedule the alarm to wake up during the transition to the next sleep cycle. In other words, if your normal sleep cycles last an hour and a half, you could actually feel better waking up after 4 1/2 hours of sleep than you would after 5 1/2 hours of sleep as a result of waking up gradually instead of being startled out of a deep sleep.
Small changes can have a significant impact on the restorative effects of your sleep. A small change of only 20-30 minutes of sleep on either end of the night may cause you to get through another cycle of stage 3 and 4 sleeping, which will have a much greater impact on your quality of sleep. It's a bigger bang for your buck, so to speak.

And finally, if you are interested in learning more about how to sleep better, please check out our online guide to better sleep at http://www.howtosleepbetterguide.com/.


Original article

Weight Loss: Sleep Center Or The New Fad Weight Loss Plan?

The answer to this question: "Whether to go to a sleep center for an evaluation or to will yourself into the newest weight loss plan?" can be the difference between living longer and healthier or suffering serious consequences from a lack of vital information.

If you are struggling with weight loss and the best weight loss and exercise plans are unable to give you the results that you and your doctor are looking for, perhaps the answer to healthy weight loss isn't so much what you put in your mouth, but rather how well you sleep? Sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea may contribute not only to weight gain but also create tremendous difficulty in weight loss. Studies have shown that getting only 5-6 hours of sleep or more than 9 hours of sleep will put you at risk to gain weight. If you are getting less than 5 hours a night you are nearly twice as likely to become fat. Dealing with obesity is a national problem with many sufferers also struggling with other serious health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure.

When you don't get appropriate levels of quality sleep, levels of the hormone leptin, which sends a signal to the brain that you are full, become suppressed. Levels of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite, also rise with lack of sleep. So now, because of your sleep deprivation, your body is telling you that you are both hungry and not full. It is a difficult combination to resist. That's when late night cookies or chips can do their damage. The next morning you have low energy and reach for a carbohydrate dense food and sweetened drink with caffeine to just wake up. So it continues day in and day out until obesity, diabetes and heart problems become your chronic health concern.

So you see the connection? Weight gain can be a symptom of poor sleep habits. And conversely, being over weight can create serious sleep disorders. Sleep apnea occurs when an individual's upper airway narrows or obstructs while they sleep. In mild cases it leads to snoring, but it can also cause high blood pressure, diabetes, and low blood oxygen levels. As you gain weight your neck size increases. This enhances the risk to suffer from sleep apnea. So here again the weight/sleep connection can dramatically effect your health.

It is important to understand the full extent of what is going on with your body when you sleep. And even more importantly, to realize what happens to your metabolism when you don't get enough sleep. The restorative nature of a quality night's sleep is not to be taken lightly. It can affect both the quality and length of your life.

So if you are having difficulty with weight loss and sleeping through the night, getting an evaluation by a sleep professional is the first step toward taking responsibility for a healthy weight loss plan. Information is power. And when you are talking about the quality of your health, more information is better. You may find out that solving your sleep problem is the best weight loss plan you can find. An easy way to see if you have a sleep problem is to take this free sleep risk assessment. In just a few minutes you can receive a personal report, which will let you know if you may have a sleep disorder. If so, see a sleep expert right away. Besides making weight loss easier, treating your sleep problem may save your life.


Original article

Problems With Sleep

The amount of sleep you get will directly affect how healthy you are and how successful you will be at losing weight. The average person needs approximately 8-9 hours of sleep but the exact amount will vary from person to person.

It is important to understand that even slight sleep deprivation will weaken your body's immune system, affect your memory, physical performance and even cause your body to put on weight. It is therefore imperative to get the right amount of sleep and to get quality sleep.

My problem was that I struggled to sleep in the first place and also the quality of sleep that I was getting wasn't great. In turn this left me tired during the day, de-motivated and no doubt had a part to play in the fact that I was so unhealthy and over weight. Fortunately I was able to fix my sleep problem and here are some tips so that you can too:

1. Make sure you have a good quality mattress. This will ensure that you are comfortable and it will prevent restless sleep, you know, the sort where you spend the entire night tossing and turning and by the time your alarm goes off you feel like you haven't even slept a wink.

2. Avoid over eating before bed and give yourself some time between dinner and bedtime. If you go to bed bloated or straight after eating you will not get a good nights sleep. Your quality of sleep will drastically improve by giving yourself some time after your final meal of the day. I normally ensure that I eat my dinner at least 1.5 hours before going to bed.

3. Sleeping position. Do not sleep on your front or flat on your back. The best way to sleep is on your side (either side). I found that sleeping on either side resulted in better quality of sleep. Furthermore, if I had indigestion or a stomach ache I found that for some reason sleeping on my left side provided relief. Give it a try the next time your stomach isn't feeling great.

4. Have a hot or cold shower before bed. The temperature change in your body will help you sleep. If you have more time to spare then take a nice warm bath and again this will help you relax and sleep.

5. Design an evening routine and make it a habit. For example, read before bed or listen to some relaxing music. I spend ten minutes stretching and doing some deep breathing before I go to bed. Most people go to bed with far too much on their mind, either thinking about things that happened during the day or things that they need to do the following day. This prevents you from relaxing and going to sleep. A relaxing routine before you go to bed will help calm your mind.

6. Turn off the electronics when it is bedtime. Do not sit at your computer or play with your phone just before you go to bed. If it is time to sleep then sleep is the only thing that you should be thinking about. Turn off all your electronics, don't let them get in the way of you relaxing and preparing for bed.

Give these little changes a go and I am sure you will find that you are able to fall asleep quicker and able to get better quality of sleep.

I have struggled with my weight for years however with some smart changes I was able to transform my body and my overall health. Visit my blog for more smart yet simple changes that will help you lose weight and improve your health: http://www.smarthealthandweightloss.com/


Original article

Types of Sleep Apnea and Its Symptoms

Sleep apnea is now considered a disease in current days and it has become the most common problem for every individual. It refers to the sleep disorder. It is caused by low breathing while sleeping. Abnormal pauses in breathing become the main reason of sleep apnea and each pause in breathing lasts for five to thirty times from few seconds to minutes and even to hours. The method of diagnosis of apnea is called sleep study or polysomnogram. Sleep apnea is mostly seen in adults but nowadays you can find this problem in kids too. It is mainly caused when you have cough or flu. The treatment of apnea can be done either surgically or using non surgical methods.

Apnea usually occurs when there is inadequate supply of oxygen level in the blood. Sometimes this apnea disrupts your sleep and wakes you up as your snoring sound becomes high. This apnea problem is not only a source of disturbance for the person who is having this disorder, but it is also a nuisance for the ones who sleep with the affected person. Some of the side effects caused by this apnea problem are daytime sleepiness, high blood pressure, stroke, insomnia, heart failure, and mood disorders get worsened. You need to treat this sleep disorder quickly so that it cannot cause further problems.

Apnea is found in three types, which are as follows: Central sleep apnea, obstructive apnea and mixed sleep apnea. The central sleep apnea involves the central nervous system instead of airway problem. It involves the failure of brain to send signals to the breathing muscles. Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common types of apnea which is caused when the soft tissues relax during sleep. It blocks the airflow and people snore. The third category is complex or mix sleep apnea, which is the mixture of obstructive and central types. It is not easy to find the main reason behind your snoring but some of the major signs and symptoms of apnea are as follows: Daytime sleepiness even if you sleep the whole day, breathing pauses, chronic snoring, choking while sleeping, sore throat, dryness of mouth, depression, moodiness, irritability, you feel out of breath after waking up, forgetfulness, difficulty in concentrating, increased urine during night, restless sleep, fitful sleep, insomnia, awakening at nighttime and morning headaches.

The symptoms of apnea in children include the following: Irritability, anger, hostile attitude, low school performance, inattention, hyperactivity, growth problems and developmental problems, breathing through mouth rather than through nose. These are some of the signs in children which show you that your kid is going through the problem. Now let me tell you that there is a big difference between snoring and apnea. Some of the people confuse in these two problems. Snoring is not a bigger problem but this can cause more problems for you. One of the biggest differences between these two terms is that snoring does not disturb the quality of sleep but sleep apnea does make your sleep abnormal. In apnea, you suffer from fatigue and sleepiness daytime. If you want to know that whether you are having snoring or apnea, you need to follow the two strategies. You need to maintain a sleep diary. In this diary, you can record number of hours you sleep. You should record how many times you have snored in one night and several other sleeping and snoring related questions. The next strategy is to make sleeping video or record your audio of snoring while sleeping. This can be done by your partner of course.

About the Author:
Sleep Apnea
Finding the best Dentist to take care of you, especially those near to you is easier online.
Click here for Sleep Apnea Treatment.


Original article