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It’s estimated that close to seventy million Americans experience some sort of insomnia. As a matter of fact, a staggering one in every five Americans over twenty years of age develops chronic insomnia. Seeing as the figures happen to be so high it’s no wonder that there are countless TV commercials pushing prescription and over the counter insomnia medicines.  Individuals who have problems falling asleep in the evening soon become so distressed that they will do just about anything to remedy the disorder. Consequently, the drug companies make millions of dollars every year by offering remedies in the manner of insomnia medications like Nytol, Tylenol PM, Ambien CR and Lunesta. But equipped with some good advice on sleeping disorders, anyone can go back to getting a peaceful night’s rest.

Prescription Treatments Are Not a Long-term Answer

There is not much doubt that the sleep products which are promoted in television ads can work very good in regards to remedying occasional sleeplessness. But, these drugs aren’t helpful chronic insomnia cures. When it comes to over-the-counter sleep disorders drugs, the body rapidly builds up a resistance so they’re only beneficial for a short period of time. Doctor prescribed insomnia medicines will often cause a dependence and additional harmful side effects like daytime drowsiness, headache pain, loss of muscle coordination and slurred speech. Therefore, when it comes to chronic sleep disorders, natural treatments that don’t cause any side effects are obviously a more healthier alternative.

A few Preemptive Treatments

A number of insomnia treatments just require plain old common sense and are totally free of charge. For instance, a decent well balanced diet is an effective preventative therapy for insomnia, as is a good multivitamin product. When we eat well and receive all the nutrients the system requires it can synthesize the correct amount of hormones like melatonin which tell the brain to fall asleep each evening.

Physical activity is another pre-emptive insomnia therapy. If you do not expend sufficent energy during the day, you cannot expect to get to sleep effortlessly at night. On the other hand, if you work out daily the mind and body can actually be prepared for rest at the close of the day. Your work out routine ought to be comprised of regular cardio exercises and resistance activities such as yoga.

There are a number of other insomnia treatments which don’t require the use of some type of medicine. Drinking a glass of tepid milk or taking a hot tub resets your body’s thermostat and this reminds the mind to get some rest. You ought to be certain the bedroom is cool, has good air ciculation, quiet and darkened. Avoid bedspreads or nightclothes that are fashioned from synthetic substances, substitute serene organic cotton as an alternative. Follow effective sleep habits by getting to sleep at a consistent time each night and awakening at the same hour every morning. Avoid doing anything but sleeping in your bedroom. When you cannot fall asleep after twenty minutes, get up and do something else.

Reeducate the Mind

A lot of doctors propose that the best insomnia therapy involves modifying the manner in which you think with reference to sleep. As soon as the time to go to sleep moves near, a normal individual looks forward to getting a good night’s rest, while an insomniac doesn’t. Instead, the insomnia sufferer starts to think panicky notions concerning whether or not they’ll have the ability to get to sleep. An insomniac watches the alarm clock and thinks about how much sleep he will get if he falls to sleep in the next 10 minutes. He correspondingly thinks vivid notions instead of sleepy ones. If the insomniac alters the way he thinks, he’ll receive some sleep. This can be done through self-hypnosis tapes or by meetings with a hypnotherapist.

Are you sick of being labeled a lumberjack in the morning? Is “sawing logs” during the night causing you grief? Well, if you’re like me and have a problem with snoring, read on for some tips to help you out.

To make the most of your efforts to stop snoring, it’s helpful to understand what exactly causes you to snore.  Simply put, snoring is a result of the narrowing of your air passages. When the air passage is constricted, the soft, floppy tissue in your throat vibrates and creates the snoring sound.  The narrowing of the air passage can be accredited to several different reasons, but the two that are most frequently associated with snoring are poor sleep posture and abnormalities of the soft tissues in your throat[1].

Abnormalities, you say?  Well, yes– but don’t worry.  I promise you’re not weird or anything, and you’re certainly not alone. Chances are that if you’re a middle aged man, these irregularities will apply to you. Men naturally have narrower air passages than women, and that explains why it’s mostly men who are condemned to the couch at night. Another reason for such irregularities can be attributed to heredity: if your mom or dad snored, chances are they passed it along to you.  Other factors that can cause your throat to relax more and create that unpleasant snoring sound include smoking, a history of asthma or allergies, alcohol, certain medications, and just being middle aged.

Now that we’ve pinpointed some of the reasons you snore, let’s take a look at what you can do to stop the problem. The first step is to make some small changes to your bedtime routine, and the following are a few tips to help keep the sawmill quiet when you get between the covers:

If your snoring persists in spite of taking these steps, you may need to seek professional medical help.  Observation by a either a dentist or an ear, nose, and throat specialist may reveal specific problems that are beyond your own control, and in these instances, you may be prescribed the use of particular devices such as a CPAP [Continuous Positive Airway Pressure] machine, or a mouthpiece which will keep your air passages open throughout the night. Some extreme cases may even require surgery.

Whether you’re a mild snorer or someone at risk of having a chronic snoring disorder that requires medical attention, one thing is certain: you need to monitor the problem and get some help if your own efforts to control it don’t work.  Snoring, believe it or not, can be both an indicator and a cause of serious health risks that can take a toll on your body.  A lack of air through those passages at night will create pressure on your heart, which is often linked to high-blood pressure.  Just a simple case of snoring is often not the problem, and sleep apnea may instead be the proper diagnosis.  This disorder occurs when the air passage is so constricted during the night that breathing completely stops, and the sufferer will often wake up for a second to gasp for the next breath– thus interrupting their REM cycle.  When REM sleep is interrupted, a fatigued feeling is prevalent throughout the next day.  In the worst cases, the sleeper may not wake up at all, and the problem can be fatal.

My best advice for all you lumberjacks out there: try to get some relief from the tips I’ve listed, but above all, don’t ignore the problem.  It could be more serious than you think.

Insomnia is a sleeping disorder which prevents one from sleeping for extended periods of time or it can even prevent a person from being able to fall asleep altogether. Insomnia can be caused by diet, stress, drugs or alcohol and even certain feelings such as fear or dread. Sometimes, people suffer from insomnia because they simply have an overactive mind or sometimes people cannot sleep because of other physical reasons, such as excruciating pain. Whatever it is, to cure this sleeping disorder problem, it is important to understand exactly what is causing it.
Is It Something You Been Doing?
The first thing you should do if you find yourself lying in bed, unable to fall sleep is to determine whether there is something you are doing throughout the day that may be causing insomnia. For example, if you drink coffee up until nine o’clock at night, you may need to look no further as to what’s causing your sleeping disorder. Caffeine, especially at night, is a huge culprit behind this sleep preventing disorder. There are also certain foods that can keep you wide awake. If you’re not sure about your diet that may be causing your disorder, do your research or talk to a dietitian. Having that last cup of coffee could be costing you hours and hours of necessary rest and relaxation that you deserve.
If you are on some kind of medication, ask your doctor if the drug you’re taking is causing your insomnia. Some illegal drugs also cause insomnia, especially amphetamines or uppers. Alcohol, can also cause this sleeping disorder. It all comes down to monitoring exactly what is going into your body system. Very often, it’s what you’re consuming that is causing your insomnia.
Of course, if you have some challenging deadline and you’re under a lot of stress or you are dealing with some sort of extreme guilt or even if you’re really afraid of something, these, too, can cause insomnia.
However, if you are stress free (envy), besides the fact that you’re stressing that you can’t sleep, try an experiment. Try eating different foods or try eliminating certain things from your daily diet. If you suddenly find yourself sleeping like a baby, then you’ve found your culprit. The key is to listen to your body. Your body needs sleep to recharge and you need sleep so that you’re not such a bear to your co-workers in the morning. Do yourself a favor and find out what’s causing your insomnia today.

Do you suffer from sleep deprivation? You know by now how you feel without a good night sleep: tiredness, irritability and a loss of concentration are high on the side effects list for insomnia. Therefore, it is very important that you find your cause of insomnia and an insomnia cure as soon as possible.

Sleep deprivation and sleep apnea affects our nervous systems by leaving us drowsy and unable to concentrate. Even losing sleep a few nights a week can significantly impair your ability to function and decrease the quality of your life. Not getting enough sleep also leads to poor memory. If sleep deprivation continues, hallucinations and mood swings will develop. In the same vein, sleeping problems are common in both mental and physical disorders including schizophrenia and depression, stroke, cancer, and head injuries.

Insomnia treatment and cure: For getting a proper sleep at night, do the following:

Sleep only when sleepy. This reduces the time you are awake in bed.

If you can not fall asleep within 25 minutes, just get up and do something boring until you feel sleepy. Sit quietly in the dark listen to some nice relaxing music. Do not expose yourself to bright light while you are up.

Do not take naps. This will make you tired at bedtime. If you just cannot make it through the day without a power nap, sleep less than one hour, before 4 pm.

Go to bed and get up the same time every day. When your sleep cycle has a regular rhythm, you will feel much better.

Refrain from exercise at least four hours before bedtime. Regular exercise is recommended to help you sleep well, but the timing of the workout is important. Exercising in the morning or early afternoon will not interfere with your sleep.

Develop sleep rituals. Listen to relaxing cds, read something soothing for twenty minutes, have a cup of warm milk, and do relaxation exercises.

Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol at least four hours before bed. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants that interfere with your ability to fall asleep. Alcohol may seem to help you sleep in the beginning as it slows brain activity, but you will end up having a restless night.

Have a light snack before you go to bed. If your tummy is too empty, that can interfere with sleep. However, if you eat a big meal before bedtime, that can interfere as well.

Take a hot bath ninety minutes before bedtime. This will relax your body and will help you fall asleep.

Make sure your bedroom and bed are quiet and comfortable.

Getting a good night’s sleep is as important as having a proper healthy diet and exercising to keep a healthy body. A good night sleep makes your skin look fresh and it also helps make your brain more alert. Though in a busy lifestyle we always try to sacrifice sleep for work but it is very important that you set aside enough hours for some good old-fashioned beauty sleep. The average person needs eight hours of sleep, while infants need sixteen hours of sleep, and teenagers need about nine hours.

Scientists believe that sleep maintains and repairs our bodies and minds. Every night we cycle through three stages of sleep ranging from light sleep to deep sleep, and finally, to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. A complete sleep cycle takes ninety to one hundred minutes on average. While we sleep our brains are using important neuronal connections that might otherwise get worse from lack of activity. During deep sleep, brain activity that control emotions, decision-making processes, and social interaction stops, allowing us to maintain optimal emotional and social functioning when we are awake. Cell repair and cell growth takes place to combat the affects of stress and UV rays in this stage as well. Hence, deep sleep is really beauty sleep.

Sleep also strengthens our immune system and helps our bodies fight infection. This is because our immune system releases a sleep inducing chemical while fighting a flu or an infection. Sleep helps the body conserve energy and other resources that the immune system requires to mount an effective attack. Start your insomnia treatment as soon as possible to prevent sleep deprivation.

It’s not just the economy that keeps many of us wide-awake in the dark – although it certainly doesn’t help!

Sleep disorders are becoming more and more common in todays’ ‘hurry-hurry, busy-busy’ world. With so much to do, and so little time, sleep is starting to be seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. But your body disagrees wholeheartedly.

Sleep is absolutely necessary to your physical and emotional health, and when we don’t pay attention to our bodys’ need for our full 8 hours of sleep, there’s a price to pay.

INSOMNIA

A dictionary definition of insomnia is… ‘a prolonged and usually abnormal inability to obtain adequate sleep’. This could mean you have difficulty falling asleep, or staying asleep. You may climb into bed and then lie awake until 1am staring at the ceiling. Or maybe you fall asleep right away, but wake up at 1am….and again at 2am…. and again at 3:30am… you get the picture. You may even fall asleep, stay that way for a few hours and then wake at 4am and stay that way until your alarm clock goes off.

All these scenarios can be covered by the term ‘insomnia’, and this sleep disorder can have physical or emotional causes. When we’re stressed to the max, or going through an emotional upheaval, it can interfere with our sleep patterns. Many cases of insomnia fall under the ‘Transient Insomnia’ heading, and can last for just a couple of nights, to one week. ‘Short-term Insomnia’ covers sleep disturbances lasting anywhere between one week and one month, while ‘Chronic Insomnia’ can go on indefinitely.

And it’s not just adults that suffer from insomnia, increasing numbers of teenagers and younger children are also finding sleep difficult to come by. There are many approaches to treating insomnia, these include :

Improving your sleep hygiene and setting up a regular bedtime routine/sleep schedule

Paying close attention to your diet – certain drinks/foods/activities can make it more difficult to sleep well. It’s also been found that other foods/drinks can increase your chances of getting a good nights’ sleep

Reducing stress and anxiety levels with alternative remedies such as relaxation or hypnotherapy techniques, aromatherapy and more

SLEEP APNEA

This sleep disorders’ name is derived from the Greek word ‘apnoia’, which simply translated, means ‘without breath’. And that describes it pretty well. Sleep apnea sufferers literally stop breathing multiple times during sleep, and they may or may not, be aware of it! Excessive snoring, accompanied by snorting/grunting/gasping sounds, is the prime symptom of this disorder, and is often most easily recognized by the sufferers’ sleeping partner or roommate. If you think you are getting a full nights’ sleep, but feel constantly exhausted, sleep apnea may be be the culprit.

There are serious health issues which can result from untreated sleep apnea, in addition to chronic daytime sleepiness, these may include often waking up with a sore/dry throat, recurrent/persistent heartburn, frequent waking during the night with the feeling that you’re gasping for breath, weight gain, high blood pressure, heart irregularities (such as palpitations or ‘pounding’) and more.

Luckily, sleep apnea is easily treated using CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). Sufferers wear a mask attached to a machine that provides a constant flow of air into their lungs while asleep. This keeps the airways open and prevents the episodes of apnea.

RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

Also known as RLS, this sleep disorders’ name is pretty self-explanatory. People with RLS experience an uncomfortable sensation in their legs (it can vary from person to person and has been described as a ‘crawling/prickling/cramping feeling (and other similar terms).

This feeling makes it extremely uncomfortable, even impossible, to keep your legs still…. hence the name! Although scientists and researchers still have a lot to learn about this disorder, there are certain conditions and activities that they believe cause (or contribute to) Restless Leg Syndrome, they include ;

Being overweight or obese

Having ADHD

Hormonal fluctuations – such as during pregnancy, or menopause

Certain illnesses including anemia, arthritis, diabetes and others

There are a few medications that are available to treat RLS, but for many people finding (and eliminating) the ‘trigger’ behind their restless legs, and/or using massage, relaxation or exercise techniques are very effective.

SNORING

Researchers estimate that about half of all the adults in the US snore, and about 50% of them do so chronically (on a regular basis). Quite a number of children and teens also experience this. Although snoring is sometimes thought of as a bit of a joke, it’s not funny to the sufferer and most definitely not amusing to his sleeping partner or room mate/s!

The most common causes of snoring are enlarged tonsils or adenoids, being overweight or obese, allergies and poor muscle tone in the throat due to smoking/alcohol/aging. There are also several others.

Figuring out what is causing you to snore is vital, and your doctor can help here. If your snoring is severe, or accompanied by gasping/snorting/coughing and so on, consider Sleep Apnea as a possibility.

There are all kinds of treatments for snoring, from losing weight or giving up alcohol, to dental appliances, minor surgery and more.

NARCOLEPSY

This sleep disorder is much less common than the ones mentioned above, but it is pretty disruptive and often scary for people who experience it.

It’s characterized by an overwhelming desire to sleep, and narcolepsy sufferers are at risk of falling asleep at any time whether they’re working, driving or participating in any other daily activity. This is obviously a dangerous situation.

Other symptoms of narcolepsy sometimes include sudden muscle weakness or sleep paralysis, and vivid hallucination-like dreams which occur just as they fall asleep or wake up. Although there isn’t a cure for narcolepsy just yet, there are various treatment options which are effective at controlling the symptoms so that sufferers can live their lives normally (and safely!).

Sleep is so important to the human body that you will actually die if you’re deprived of sleep indefinitely. Even on a less dramatic scale, it’s certainly very destructive to your health to go without adequate sleep on a regular basis.

If you are always exhausted, you’re emotions are volatile, your patience/temper is short, you seem to be extra ‘clumsy’ or are always having minor accidents, if you frequently feel drowsy when driving…………… or there are any other signs that you are not getting enough restful sleep, it’s very important to see your doctor.

He/she will be able to find out what is causing the problem and prescribe treatment, or even refer you to a sleep lab or sleep clinic for further evaluation.

We spent one third of our life sleeping – an activity seemingly to be useless. But we need sleep as much as we need oxgen and food. Sleep is important to us : it increases one’s work efficiency, extends one’s lifespan, cures illnesses. One should not deprive him/herself of sleep.

But during our lives, we will experience some sleepless nights which are considered normal. But for some people, poor quality sleep is a recurring or even a lifelong problem.

When your sleep quality is affected, the end results could well be feelings of fatigue during the day, irritability, poor memory, loss of productivity and loss of interest in family and social life.

Thus, focusing on improving your sleep quality is very important to your health. The quality of sleep is associated with number of sleeping hours. Doctors normally recommend that adults should need 7 to 10 hours of sleep daily and children would require more hours. But it varies among individuals. What matters is, for the duration you sleep, are you achieving the right quality of sleep?

Insomnia, or the inability to sleep well, is a common problem which could affect anyone at one time or another. A person with insomnia may have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, wake up frequently during the night, or wake up earlier than desired the next morning.

There are two kinds of insomnia, acute insomnia and chronic insomnia.

Acute insomnia, which can last from one night up to several weeks, may be caused by:

1. A single stressful event

2. A period of emotional stress

3. Illness

4. Temporary pain or discomfort

5. Disturbances in the sleeping environment such as noise, light or sleeping in a different bed

6. A change in the normal sleep pattern, caused by jet lag or working in a late shift

This kind of insomnia usually doesn’t last long once the root cause(s) is resolved. But be extra careful as insufficient sleep could cloud your judgement, leading to accidents while driving or at work.

Chronic insomnia is more serious as it can last for months or even years. The likely causes are:

1. Existing mental health situations eg. depression, anxiety or stress.

2. Poor sleep habits, such as watching television programmes in bed or going to bed at different times.

3. Excessive consumption of caffeine or nicotine laden items like coffee, tea or cigarettes.

4. Excessive drinking

5. Lack of regular exercise

6. Existing medical health problems such as breathing or heart problems, hormonal or digestive disorder, or chronic pain

7. Side effects of certain drugs

8. A different sleep disorder such as sleep apnea.

Before we go on, a little more explanation is required here for sleep apnea. It is a condition whereby a person regularly stops breathing, or has slowed breathing during sleep for 10 seconds or longer. Depending on the frequency the breathing stops (apnea) or slows (hypopnea), we classify the condition as mild, moderate or severe.

A person suffering from sleep apnea may snore loudly, and have restless sleep with difficulty breathing. As a result, he may wake up with a headache and tiredness which last the whole day. But, you can cure sleep apnea by adjusting your sleeping habits. Sometimes, doctors may suggest use of devices to help easier breathing during sleep or even surgery.

Insomnia can be cured as long as the victim develops a regular sleeping habit.

Here are some remedies to help you ease or eliminate your sleeping disorder:

1. Reserve your bedroom for sleeping and sex only i.e. avoid eating, working, computers, TV, video or loud music in the bedroom

2. Create a clean and comfy environment for sleeping

With a large percentage of the public suffering from sleep disorders and
it’s no wonder why many people cannot concentrate, are forgetful and are generally not functioning at an optimal level on a daily basis. Many people suffering from these sleep disorders and rely on sleep aids to place a band-aid on the problem. The problem with that is that there could be many uncomfortable side effects and these substances can become addictive.

Our bodies definitely need sleep and although it may vary from person to person
it is best to average from six to eight hours of sleep every day. Also the release of your natural growth hormone is released during your sleep time which enables your body to stay healthier and more youthful. You will notice in yourself that if you don’t sleep well for more than a few days there is a dazed look in your eyes, your skin will look a little tired and dull and your attention to detail definitely diminishes. Your body needs the proper sleep to keep you young, healthy and sustain life.

So what can you do, maybe naturally to assist your body to calm down, relax your brain and body so that you can enjoy a healthy relaxing peaceful sleep and enable your body to replenish itself with a good sleep night after night.

Food is a very important part contributing to your health and wellbeing. It also plays a major role in enabling the body to release the correct chemicals, naturally into the body to enable good solid sleep. For one, an amino acid called tryptophan, which is found in turkey, is the precursor to melatonin and serotonin, the natural sleep hormones. You see there is some truth that turkey makes you tired as illustrated when Uncle George falls asleep on the couch after Thanksgiving Day dinner.

There are also other foods that can be eaten in the early evening that can assist your body to release the correct chemicals and set up the proper conditions for sleep.

Firstly don’t eat after 7 pm. A large meal after this hour will take time to digest and may cause heartburn or indigestion which will affect your sleep patterns. It’s best to eat small portions or snacks two or more hours before bedtime. Try eating a small piece of cheese, a couple of slices of turkey, a few tablespoons of pure yogurt containing no sugar, or a handful of sunflower seeds, all of which contain or assist your body in producing tryptophan .

Dairy products also assist your the body to induce sleep. The old saying a glass of warm milk will put you to sleep does have significant. Milk and products containing calcium help the brain to manufacture tryptophan. Also the mineral magnesium which is a natural sedative can be found in wheat bran, brewers yeast, seaweed, almonds and cashews. Other things you can do are to always have a complex carbohydrate with a small piece of protein at dinner Also avoid snacks with sugar and stimulants like coffee and soft drink after 2 pm.

So when you are sitting there on the couch trying to relax from your long busy day don’t think about your sleep disorder or think about running to the medicine cabinet for another sleep aid but instead try having a cup a Chamomile tea and a handful of cashews, even try warming the cashews for 20 seconds in the microwave. It relaxing, soothing and will help your body sleep and stay more healthy and youthful.

It’s not just the economy that keeps many of us wide-awake in the dark – although it certainly doesn’t help!

Sleep disorders are becoming more and more common in todays’ ‘hurry-hurry, busy-busy’ world. With so much to do, and so little time, sleep is starting to be seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. But your body disagrees wholeheartedly.

Sleep is absolutely necessary to your physical and emotional health, and when we don’t pay attention to our bodys’ need for our full 8 hours of sleep, there’s a price to pay.

INSOMNIA

A dictionary definition of insomnia is… ‘a prolonged and usually abnormal inability to obtain adequate sleep’. This could mean you have difficulty falling asleep, or staying asleep. You may climb into bed and then lie awake until 1am staring at the ceiling. Or maybe you fall asleep right away, but wake up at 1am….and again at 2am…. and again at 3:30am… you get the picture. You may even fall asleep, stay that way for a few hours and then wake at 4am and stay that way until your alarm clock goes off.

All these scenarios can be covered by the term ‘insomnia’, and this sleep disorder can have physical or emotional causes. When we’re stressed to the max, or going through an emotional upheaval, it can interfere with our sleep patterns. Many cases of insomnia fall under the ‘Transient Insomnia’ heading, and can last for just a couple of nights, to one week. ‘Short-term Insomnia’ covers sleep disturbances lasting anywhere between one week and one month, while ‘Chronic Insomnia’ can go on indefinitely.

And it’s not just adults that suffer from insomnia, increasing numbers of teenagers and younger children are also finding sleep difficult to come by. There are many approaches to treating insomnia, these include :

Improving your sleep hygiene and setting up a regular bedtime routine/sleep schedule

Paying close attention to your diet – certain drinks/foods/activities can make it more difficult to sleep well. It’s also been found that other foods/drinks can increase your chances of getting a good nights’ sleep

Reducing stress and anxiety levels with alternative remedies such as relaxation or hypnotherapy techniques, aromatherapy and more

SLEEP APNEA

This sleep disorders’ name is derived from the Greek word ‘apnoia’, which simply translated, means ‘without breath’. And that describes it pretty well. Sleep apnea sufferers literally stop breathing multiple times during sleep, and they may or may not, be aware of it! Excessive snoring, accompanied by snorting/grunting/gasping sounds, is the prime symptom of this disorder, and is often most easily recognized by the sufferers’ sleeping partner or roommate. If you think you are getting a full nights’ sleep, but feel constantly exhausted, sleep apnea may be be the culprit.

There are serious health issues which can result from untreated sleep apnea, in addition to chronic daytime sleepiness, these may include often waking up with a sore/dry throat, recurrent/persistent heartburn, frequent waking during the night with the feeling that you’re gasping for breath, weight gain, high blood pressure, heart irregularities (such as palpitations or ‘pounding’) and more.

Luckily, sleep apnea is easily treated using CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). Sufferers wear a mask attached to a machine that provides a constant flow of air into their lungs while asleep. This keeps the airways open and prevents the episodes of apnea.

RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

Also known as RLS, this sleep disorders’ name is pretty self-explanatory. People with RLS experience an uncomfortable sensation in their legs (it can vary from person to person and has been described as a ‘crawling/prickling/cramping feeling (and other similar terms).

This feeling makes it extremely uncomfortable, even impossible, to keep your legs still…. hence the name! Although scientists and researchers still have a lot to learn about this disorder, there are certain conditions and activities that they believe cause (or contribute to) Restless Leg Syndrome, they include ;

Being overweight or obese

Having ADHD

Hormonal fluctuations – such as during pregnancy, or menopause

Certain illnesses including anemia, arthritis, diabetes and others

There are a few medications that are available to treat RLS, but for many people finding (and eliminating) the ‘trigger’ behind their restless legs, and/or using massage, relaxation or exercise techniques are very effective.

SNORING

Researchers estimate that about half of all the adults in the US snore, and about 50% of them do so chronically (on a regular basis). Quite a number of children and teens also experience this. Although snoring is sometimes thought of as a bit of a joke, it’s not funny to the sufferer and most definitely not amusing to his sleeping partner or room mate/s!

The most common causes of snoring are enlarged tonsils or adenoids, being overweight or obese, allergies and poor muscle tone in the throat due to smoking/alcohol/aging. There are also several others.

Figuring out what is causing you to snore is vital, and your doctor can help here. If your snoring is severe, or accompanied by gasping/snorting/coughing and so on, consider Sleep Apnea as a possibility.

There are all kinds of treatments for snoring, from losing weight or giving up alcohol, to dental appliances, minor surgery and more.

NARCOLEPSY

This sleep disorder is much less common than the ones mentioned above, but it is pretty disruptive and often scary for people who experience it.

It’s characterized by an overwhelming desire to sleep, and narcolepsy sufferers are at risk of falling asleep at any time whether they’re working, driving or participating in any other daily activity. This is obviously a dangerous situation.

Other symptoms of narcolepsy sometimes include sudden muscle weakness or sleep paralysis, and vivid hallucination-like dreams which occur just as they fall asleep or wake up. Although there isn’t a cure for narcolepsy just yet, there are various treatment options which are effective at controlling the symptoms so that sufferers can live their lives normally (and safely!).

Sleep is so important to the human body that you will actually die if you’re deprived of sleep indefinitely. Even on a less dramatic scale, it’s certainly very destructive to your health to go without adequate sleep on a regular basis.

If you are always exhausted, you’re emotions are volatile, your patience/temper is short, you seem to be extra ‘clumsy’ or are always having minor accidents, if you frequently feel drowsy when driving…………… or there are any other signs that you are not getting enough restful sleep, it’s very important to see your doctor.

He/she will be able to find out what is causing the problem and prescribe treatment, or even refer you to a sleep lab or sleep clinic for further evaluation.

It’s not just the economy that keeps many of us wide-awake in the dark – although it certainly doesn’t help!

Sleep disorders are becoming more and more common in todays’ ‘hurry-hurry, busy-busy’ world. With so much to do, and so little time, sleep is starting to be seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. But your body disagrees wholeheartedly.

Sleep is absolutely necessary to your physical and emotional health, and when we don’t pay attention to our bodys’ need for our full 8 hours of sleep, there’s a price to pay.

INSOMNIA

A dictionary definition of insomnia is… ‘a prolonged and usually abnormal inability to obtain adequate sleep’. This could mean you have difficulty falling asleep, or staying asleep. You may climb into bed and then lie awake until 1am staring at the ceiling. Or maybe you fall asleep right away, but wake up at 1am….and again at 2am…. and again at 3:30am… you get the picture. You may even fall asleep, stay that way for a few hours and then wake at 4am and stay that way until your alarm clock goes off.

All these scenarios can be covered by the term ‘insomnia’, and this sleep disorder can have physical or emotional causes. When we’re stressed to the max, or going through an emotional upheaval, it can interfere with our sleep patterns. Many cases of insomnia fall under the ‘Transient Insomnia’ heading, and can last for just a couple of nights, to one week. ‘Short-term Insomnia’ covers sleep disturbances lasting anywhere between one week and one month, while ‘Chronic Insomnia’ can go on indefinitely.

And it’s not just adults that suffer from insomnia, increasing numbers of teenagers and younger children are also finding sleep difficult to come by. There are many approaches to treating insomnia, these include :

Improving your sleep hygiene and setting up a regular bedtime routine/sleep schedule

Paying close attention to your diet – certain drinks/foods/activities can make it more difficult to sleep well. It’s also been found that other foods/drinks can increase your chances of getting a good nights’ sleep

Reducing stress and anxiety levels with alternative remedies such as relaxation or hypnotherapy techniques, aromatherapy and more

SLEEP APNEA

This sleep disorders’ name is derived from the Greek word ‘apnoia’, which simply translated, means ‘without breath’. And that describes it pretty well. Sleep apnea sufferers literally stop breathing multiple times during sleep, and they may or may not, be aware of it! Excessive snoring, accompanied by snorting/grunting/gasping sounds, is the prime symptom of this disorder, and is often most easily recognized by the sufferers’ sleeping partner or roommate. If you think you are getting a full nights’ sleep, but feel constantly exhausted, sleep apnea may be be the culprit.

There are serious health issues which can result from untreated sleep apnea, in addition to chronic daytime sleepiness, these may include often waking up with a sore/dry throat, recurrent/persistent heartburn, frequent waking during the night with the feeling that you’re gasping for breath, weight gain, high blood pressure, heart irregularities (such as palpitations or ‘pounding’) and more.

Luckily, sleep apnea is easily treated using CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). Sufferers wear a mask attached to a machine that provides a constant flow of air into their lungs while asleep. This keeps the airways open and prevents the episodes of apnea.

RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

Also known as RLS, this sleep disorders’ name is pretty self-explanatory. People with RLS experience an uncomfortable sensation in their legs (it can vary from person to person and has been described as a ‘crawling/prickling/cramping feeling (and other similar terms).

This feeling makes it extremely uncomfortable, even impossible, to keep your legs still…. hence the name! Although scientists and researchers still have a lot to learn about this disorder, there are certain conditions and activities that they believe cause (or contribute to) Restless Leg Syndrome, they include ;

Being overweight or obese

Having ADHD

Hormonal fluctuations – such as during pregnancy, or menopause

Certain illnesses including anemia, arthritis, diabetes and others

There are a few medications that are available to treat RLS, but for many people finding (and eliminating) the ‘trigger’ behind their restless legs, and/or using massage, relaxation or exercise techniques are very effective.

SNORING

Researchers estimate that about half of all the adults in the US snore, and about 50% of them do so chronically (on a regular basis). Quite a number of children and teens also experience this. Although snoring is sometimes thought of as a bit of a joke, it’s not funny to the sufferer and most definitely not amusing to his sleeping partner or room mate/s!

The most common causes of snoring are enlarged tonsils or adenoids, being overweight or obese, allergies and poor muscle tone in the throat due to smoking/alcohol/aging. There are also several others.

Figuring out what is causing you to snore is vital, and your doctor can help here. If your snoring is severe, or accompanied by gasping/snorting/coughing and so on, consider Sleep Apnea as a possibility.

There are all kinds of treatments for snoring, from losing weight or giving up alcohol, to dental appliances, minor surgery and more.

NARCOLEPSY

This sleep disorder is much less common than the ones mentioned above, but it is pretty disruptive and often scary for people who experience it.

It’s characterized by an overwhelming desire to sleep, and narcolepsy sufferers are at risk of falling asleep at any time whether they’re working, driving or participating in any other daily activity. This is obviously a dangerous situation.

Other symptoms of narcolepsy sometimes include sudden muscle weakness or sleep paralysis, and vivid hallucination-like dreams which occur just as they fall asleep or wake up. Although there isn’t a cure for narcolepsy just yet, there are various treatment options which are effective at controlling the symptoms so that sufferers can live their lives normally (and safely!).

Sleep is so important to the human body that you will actually die if you’re deprived of sleep indefinitely. Even on a less dramatic scale, it’s certainly very destructive to your health to go without adequate sleep on a regular basis.

If you are always exhausted, you’re emotions are volatile, your patience/temper is short, you seem to be extra ‘clumsy’ or are always having minor accidents, if you frequently feel drowsy when driving…………… or there are any other signs that you are not getting enough restful sleep, it’s very important to see your doctor.

He/she will be able to find out what is causing the problem and prescribe treatment, or even refer you to a sleep lab or sleep clinic for further evaluation.

Many people snore and many snorers also have obstructive sleep apnea. Here are 5 common myths about these two conditions that many people, and even some doctors continue to perpetuate:

1. Sleep apnea occurs only in older, overweight, snoring men with big necks. Although the stereotypical description does fit people in the extreme end of the spectrum, we now know that even young, thin women that don’t snore can have significant obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea begins with jaw structure narrowing, and later involves obesity. It’s estimated that 90% of women with this condition are not diagnosed. Untreated, it can cause or aggravate weight gain, depression, anxiety, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

2. It’s healthy to sleep on your back. For some people, sleeping on your back is ideal, but many people naturally prefer to sleep only on their sides or stomachs. They must sleep in this position for a good reason: Their tongues fall back due to gravity, and in deep sleep with added muscle relaxation, and they can stop breathing with frequent arousal. Dermatologists are telling female patients not to sleep on their stomachs, to prevent facial wrinkles. But this will actually worsen wrinkles, since you won’t sleep well at all.

3. I know I don’t snore, or I know I don’t have apnea. I feel fine. There’s no way of proving that you don’t snore or don’t have apneas (where you stop breathing while sleeping) without undergoing a sleep study. Even bedpartner’s can’t really tell. Most people do stop breathing once in a while. Also, if you don’t snore, you may not be breathing either. There are people who stop breathing 50 to 70 times every hour and feel absolutely normal. But they’re at increased risk for heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.

4. If I lose weight, I’ll cure myself of sleep apnea. Sometimes. It’s definitely worth trying, but in general, it’s very difficult to lose weight if you have sleep apnea. This is because poor sleep aggravates weight gain as well as to increase your appetite. Once you’re sleeping better, it’ll be easier to lose weight. This is the one ingredient with many dietary and weight loss programs that’s missing or not stressed at all. It’s not enough just to tell people to sleep more.

5. Snoring comes from the nose, so if I unclog my nose, my snoring will stop. Having a stuffy nose can definitely aggravate snoring and sleep apnea, but in general, it’s not the cause. A recent study showed that undergoing nasal surgery for breathing problems cured sleep apnea in only 10% of patients. Snoring vibrations typically come from the soft palate, which is aggravated by having a small jaw and the tongue falling back. It’s a complicated relationship between the nose, the soft palate and the tongue.

The bottom line is, if you snore, you have a high chance of having undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. Even if one of the over the counter snore aids help somewhat, the snoring usually comes back. If you have any of the complications of untreated obstructive sleep apnea (such as depression, anxiety, diabetes, heart disease, obesity or frequent urination), there’s even more reason to get checked.