Friday, July 19, 2013

All About Sleep Disorders


Most of us have problems sleeping from time to time, but for other people, sleep is a much bigger issue. If you find yourself not able to fall asleep at the right time or waking up often in the middle of the night, you may be suffering from one of many different sleep disorders. Sleep is not a luxury – it is a necessity. In order to maintain your health, happiness, and energy levels, you need a sufficient amount of quality sleep on a daily basis. Failing to get this proper sleep will affect your health significantly.

What Are The Most Common Sleep Disorders?


There are actually many different kinds of sleep disorders, some of which people just think of as fairly normal about their life. The most common of all the sleep disorders would be snoring, which is when a person makes a noise during their sleep. This voice is usually cause by inhaling air through the mouth and allowing the tongue to vibrate in the back of the throat when this occurs.

Snoring may seem like an irritating habit, especially to those who live with the snoring person, but the reality of it is that this can be extremely disruptive to sleep and can have long-term health effects for everyone including the person who is snoring. Snoring is closely related to sleep apnea, which is when a person fails to breathe on a regular basis during sleep. This can occur for a number of reasons, but usually because of the upper airway being blocked by the tonsil.

What Is Insomnia?


For the most part, insomnia is when you are unable to fall asleep at the correct time. In many cases, this is a short-term issue, such as what occurs when you are experiencing jet lag, when you were sleeping in an unfamiliar setting, or when you are forced to sleep at different hours than normal. It is fairly common for people to suffer from insomnia from time to time, especially during periods of great stress or worry.

If you are not able to fall asleep easily or you find yourself waking up many times throughout the night, you are suffering from insomnia. Insomnia only becomes an issue when it is chronic, and when someone feels as if they need medication or sedatives in order to fall asleep. 
   

Narcolepsy


One of the sleep disorders that is often shown in movies, but rarely seen in real-life is narcolepsy, which is a dramatic sleep attack at an inappropriate time. In movies where a character has narcolepsy, they fall asleep at the drop of a hat, creating a variety of problems for them and those around them.

A more common description of narcolepsy is simply sleepiness during the day, which can be the result of a night’s worth of snoring, too much food during the daytime, or the effects of medication. It is actually quite rare that a person has narcolepsy and will fall asleep unexpectedly.

Sleepwalking


Sleepwalking tends to be fairly common among young children, particularly those between the ages of three and five. This also occurs in adults, though usually it is the direct result of some medication they are taking, but it can be equally dangerous.

People who are sleepwalking are also prone to various activities while they are essentially asleep and mobile, such as eating, leaving the home, attacking others, or simply screaming. When you live with someone who is a chronic sleepwalker, it can be quite frightening because they are not essentially in control of their actions.

Sleepwalking is closely related to nightmares and night terrors, both of which are when someone experiences very bad dreams and cannot seemingly wake up from them. Normally, when a person is frightened in a dream or nightmare, they will wake up, but that does not occur during night terrors. A child in particular may continue to scream while they are sleeping, with no knowledge of what they are doing.

What Effects Can Sleep Disorders Have On Your Life?


It is rare to find a person who can fall asleep at exactly the right time every night and sleep right on through the night. Most of us will have problems sleeping at one time or another, because of pain, worry, disruption in our life, or other reasons.

But, chronic sleep disorders can have a serious effect on your health and even lead to health issues like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health issues. If you feel that you are suffering from chronic sleep disorders of any kind, then you should definitely talk to your doctor to see if there is a solution for you. You may be a candidate for a sleep study, in which case you will get more information on the kind of disorder you have.

Useful References:

Wed MD (Accessed 30 May 2013)

Medline Plus (Accessed 30 May 2013)

National Sleep Foundation (Accessed 30 May 2013)

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Should You Use A Snoring Mouthpiece?



If you are one of those people who tends to snore, then you should know that not only are you disturbing others in your household, but you are also doing a great deal of potential damage to your own body.

People who snore tend to weigh more than others, have a greater tendency for heart disease, and can also suffer from a variety of disorders that are related to a lack of proper sleep. Therefore, finding a cure for your snoring has as much to do with protecting your own health as it does the health of those in your home.

Why Do You Snore?


There are a couple of different reasons for snoring, but the most common of these is sleeping with your mouth open. Generally, people who sleep on their backs will allow their jaw to fall open, allowing their tongue to fall back into their throat. This creates a vibration and sound that can echo throughout an entire home.

It has been proven that people who are overweight are more likely to snore simply because of the added tissue in their throat. If you drink alcohol or smoke, or take any kind of sleeping pill or sedative, then you will also snore more than you otherwise would.

Snoring is also a side effect of sleep apnea and various related sleep disorders, all of which can actually interrupt breathing during the sleeping process.

What Are The Effects Of Snoring?


Snoring is both a symptom of health issues and a cause of others. For instance, snoring can be a sign that you are overweight while it can also be a cause of you putting weight on in the first place. In some instances, snoring may be a sign that you are suffering from sleep apnea, diabetes, or heart disease. It should also be considered that long-term snoring can eventually cause some of these problems to occur.

When you are a chronic snoring person, it means you are not getting sufficient sleep throughout the night. There is also a chance you are not getting enough oxygen either. As a result of both of these, you will be more prone to suffering from sleep deprivation and related illnesses. This can lead to weight gain, heart disease, and other health problems that could potentially be fatal.

How Can You Stop Snoring?


There are several different methods that you can use to stop chronic snoring, including losing weight, reducing alcohol intake in the evening, stopping smoking, and sleeping on your side. It has been proven that using an elevated pillow can help reduce the sound of snoring as can using some type of snoring mouthpiece.

Snoring mouthpieces in particular have become very popular recently because they are inexpensive and can put an end to your snoring from the very first time they are used.

While these may not be comfortable for people with dental or jaw-related issues, for most people, this is the easiest solution to a snoring problem. Snoring mouthpieces keep the jaw in position so that it cannot fall back. This allows a person to breathe fully through the mouth during the night without any sound.

Are There Any Other Snoring Cures?


One of the most common causes of snoring is congestion, you may want to get to the root of your allergy issues or use nose strips to help keep your nostrils open throughout the night. There are also various types of snoring sprays and drops that may be able to help you, though these are rarely very beneficial for people with chronic snoring problems.

Which Snoring Mouthpiece Is Best?


If you have been looking into different devices to help you stop snoring, then you may be interested in learning more about the Good Morning Snore Solution. This is a unique anti-snoring device that has been proven to work by thousands of people.

The Good Morning Snore Solution was developed by a number of top researchers in sleep science, and it has been proven to be one of the safest and most comfortable devices to stop snoring.

Where Can You Buy This Product?


The only place that you can purchase this snoring mouthpiece is online from the official website. When you do, you will get a 30 day money back guarantee that will give you plenty of time to try this out for yourself. If you find that this doesn't work for you, then you can return it for your money back.

Since there are so many health problems associated with snoring, it is certainly in your best interest to put an end to it is quickly as possible. By using a product like the Good Morning Snore Solution, you and everyone else in your household will finally get a good night’s sleep.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Do You Suffer From Sleepwalking?



There is nothing more important to your health and well-being than getting a good night’s sleep every night. If you find that you are not getting a good night’s sleep, or are waking up and not feeling as rested as you should, it is likely that you suffer from some type of sleep disorder.

If your sleeping partner or others in your home have noticed that you often get up and wander around in the middle of the night but you do not remember it the next day, it is likely that you suffer from a sleep disorder known as sleepwalking. Sleepwalking is one of the strangest and yet most common sleep disorders out there.

A sleepwalking episode typically occurs during the deep stages of a person's sleep. The sleepwalker is unable to respond to others while sleepwalking and will not remember the episode after they wake up. In some cases, sleepwalking can be associated with incoherent talking and mumbling.

Sleepwalking occurs most often in childhood, but it can also continue on into adulthood. Often when children sleepwalk, they will behave in ways that are inappropriate such as urinating in places around the house. This can cause the child extreme discomfort and embarrassment upon waking up if they are told what they have done.

If you suffer from sleepwalking, it can really have a negative effect on your day to day life and health. It can even be dangerous to yourself and others. If you are suffering from sleepwalking, it is important that you educate yourself about this sleep disorder so that you can determine the best way to deal with it. Read on to find out everything you need to know about sleepwalking.

What Are The Symptoms Of Sleepwalking?


If you are wondering if you suffer from this sleep disorder or not, there are a couple of symptoms which indicate that a person has been sleepwalking. If someone in your family tells you that you got up and walked around in the middle of the night but you do not remember doing so, this could be a sign that you have been sleepwalking.

When a person is sleepwalking, they usually have opened glassy eyes. They will not be able to answer questions that you ask them. They may act in ways that are inappropriate. Sleepwalkers often act as if they are trying to escape from their environment, which is what makes sleepwalking potentially dangerous.

What Causes Sleepwalking?


There is no single known cause of sleepwalking, but there are a variety of factors which can increase your chances of suffering from this sleep disorder. The first cause of sleepwalking is genetics. If someone in your family sleepwalks, it is more likely that you will as well.

Environmental factors can also cause a person to sleepwalk. Sleep deprivation has been associated with sleepwalking. Being stressed out or having a chaotic sleep schedule can also cause a person to sleepwalk. Being intoxicated or using certain drugs can also cause sleepwalking.

The third factor that can cause a person to sleepwalk is if they suffer from certain medical conditions. Abnormal heart rhythms and high fever can both cause a person to sleepwalk. Sleep apnea and night-time asthma is another possible cause. If you suffer from severe anxiety, and have symptoms which include panic attacks, or if you suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, these things can all also cause you to have this disorder.

How Can Sleepwalking Affect Your Day To Day Life?


If you are starting to realize that you do sleepwalk, you are probably wondering how this can affect your health and day to day life. Like any other sleep disorder, the most important effect that sleepwalking can have on your life is that it can affect your quality of sleep. The first way that sleepwalking can negatively affect your life is by preventing you from getting a good and restful night’s sleep.

If you find that you are waking up after a full night’s sleep and still feeling exhausted, it is likely due in part to the sleepwalking. This is bad for your health and can cause numerous diseases and health issues. Another reason that sleepwalking can affect your daily life is that it can be dangerous to both yourself and others.

There have been accounts of people getting out of their home and even driving their car during extreme sleepwalking episodes, which can be very dangerous. This is why it is important for you to find a way to deal with it so that you can improve your sleep, have a better quality of life, and avoid hurting yourself or others.

Last Updated 13 July 2013

Useful References

1. WebMD (Accessed 13 July 2013)
2. Sleep Foundation (Accessed 13 July 2013)
3. MayoClinic (Accessed 13 July 2013)

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Narcolepsy: An Overview

Photo Credit: Wikimedia.org

If your sleep and wakefulness patterns seem off somehow and you have wondered why you do not get the high quality sleep that others seem to, you might be suffering from a sleep disorder and not even know it.

Narcolepsy is one of the most serious sleep disorders, and if you do suffer from it, you have probably noticed that there is something really off about your sleeping patterns and the quality of the sleep that you are getting.

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder which affects the part of the brain which controls sleep and wakefulness. If you suffer from narcolepsy, you have probably experienced excessive daytime sleepiness and may find that you fall asleep during the day.

There are stages of sleep and the deepest one is known as REM sleep. For most people, REM is only achieved after they have been sleeping for a while and have gone through the other stages. For those suffering from Narcolepsy, REM sleep can occur frequently throughout the night and also multiple times throughout the day.

Narcolepsy can really have a negative effect on your health and well-being, so it is important that if you do suffer from it, you get it diagnosed and treated properly. Narcolepsy most commonly occurs in people between the ages of 15 and 25, but it can occur at any age.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about Narcolepsy so that if you do suffer from it, you can get it properly taken care of.

What Causes Narcolepsy?


It is unknown exactly what causes narcolepsy, however scientists have made progress in identifying potential causes. There are genes that are now widely believed to be the major cause of narcolepsy in most people that suffer from it. There is also a theory that narcolepsy is caused by a deficiency in the production of a brain chemical called hypocretin.

What Are The Symptoms Of Narcolepsy?


It is important that if you do suffer from narcolepsy, you get it properly diagnosed by a doctor so that it can be treated. You should see a doctor if you suffer from any of the following symptoms, as they are all possible signs that you are suffering from this sleep disorder.

The first symptom associated with narcolepsy is excessive daytime sleepiness. If you find that you are sleepy during the day for no apparent reason on a regular basis, or that you often fall asleep randomly during the day, this could be a sign that you suffer from narcolepsy.

Sudden loss of muscle tone is another symptom of narcolepsy. This can cause you to feel weak, give you loss of voluntary muscle control, cause your speech to become slurred, or cause you to collapse depending on the muscles that are being affected. Hallucinations are another possible symptom of this disorder. If you suffer from sleep paralysis, this is another sign that you could potentially be suffering from this sleep disorder.

How Is Narcolepsy Diagnosed?


If you have experienced any of the previously mentioned symptoms, you should see your doctor so that you can determine if you are suffering from narcolepsy or whether the symptoms are being caused by some other medical issue. There are a couple of different ways that narcolepsy can be diagnosed.

The first step towards diagnosing narcolepsy is to give your doctor a detailed physical exam and extensive medical history. Once you have done this, there are countless tests that can be done in order to confirm the diagnosis. These tests generally need to be done in a sleep disorder clinic.

Two tests which are considered essential in confirming a diagnosis are a polysomnogram and a multiple sleep latency test. Once you have undergone this extensive testing, if it is determined that you do have narcolepsy, you can move on to treating this disorder.

How Is Narcolepsy Treated?


You may be wondering how you can deal with this condition so that you can start sleeping normally and return to your regular life. There is no known cure for narcolepsy, however, there are some lifestyle adjustments that you can make and some medications that you can take which can reduce the effect of this disorder on your life and help you to deal with the sleep disorder.

The most common medication that your doctor will likely recommend to you if you suffer from narcolepsy is a stimulant. These products stimulate the central nervous system and can help you to stay awake during the day if you suffer from narcolepsy.

One important lifestyle adjustment that you should ensure that you make if you suffer from narcolepsy is to avoid any over the counter medication that lists drowsiness as a possible side effect, as this can worsen the sleepiness for people who suffer from this condition during the day.

(Lasted Updated 7 July 2013)

Useful References

1. WedMD (Accessed 7 July 2013)

2. MayoClinic (Accessed 7 July 2013)

3. Sleep Foundation (Accessed 7 July 2013)