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What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

May 31st, 2009

sleep medicine

Obstructive sleep apnea affects up to four percent of middle-aged adults, yet often goes undiagnosed. As with other sleep disorders, sufferers often experience sleepiness during the day, irritability and a number of other health problems. However, there are apnea treatment options, including surgery, that can relieve the symptoms of the condition. If you suspect that you have apnea, then read on for a list of symptoms to look for and options for treating the condition.

The most common features in patients with obstructive sleep apnea are loud snoring, disrupted sleep, nocturnal gasping and choking, daytime sleepiness and fatigue, and a short, thick neck. The patient is often brought to the physician’s office by a family member who is being disturbed by the patient’s loud snoring. The partner may describe episodes in which the patient stops breathing and then gives a loud gasp or snort when aroused by the apnea. These episodes may be worse after the patient drinks alcohol or takes sleep medicine because these sedatives decrease pharyngeal muscle tone.

Sleep apnea can come with other health conditions. Cardiovascular disease is common in patients. Hypertension and obesity increase the risk of cardiac disease and are frequent findings in patients with this sleep disorder. Patients with apnea who are smokers may also have coronary artery disease and obstructive airway disease. Psychosocial problems are common in patients who have sleep apnea. These patients often have depression, mood changes, poor memory, irritability and impaired concentration. Nocturnal panic attacks have also been associated with this sleep disorder.

Sleep medicine isn’t enough to treat apnea. Specialists usually recommend weight loss, and dental devices that modify the position of the tongue or jaw. Some doctors may prescribe the use of a CPAP mask. With this method, straps hold the mask firmly over the nose and the CPAP machine that generates the positive airway pressure sits on a table next to the bed. CPAP treatment is used in most patients who have sleep apnea. Jaw surgery is the most invasive surgical procedure used to treat this malady. The surgical procedure may be limited to pulling the tongue forward. An extensive procedure may entail moving both the mandible and maxilla. Extensive jaw surgery has a higher complication rate and a longer recovery time.

The severity of the symptoms will vary by patient, but it’s important to seek help as soon as possible because the condition can severely affect your overall health. In addition, obstructive sleep apnea causes daytime sleepiness which can result in accidents, lost productivity and interpersonal relationship problems. The sooner you get help, the sooner you can improve your quality of life.

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Natural Ways to Cure Insomnia

May 31st, 2009

Slept poorly last night? So what.

But sometime you may cross the line between a couple of nights of poor sleep and insomnia. This is where it starts to effect your life and your health. Then it is time that you treat your insomnia. How to know if you suffer from insomnia? Insomnia is when you have these 3 problems:

  1. Experience poor sleep in general. (falling asleep, staying asleep, or poor-quality sleep)
  2. Problems occurs despite having enough opportunity to sleep and a good sleep environment.
  3. The poor sleep results in problems when you are awake:
    • fatigue
    • sleepiness
    • aches and pains
    • mood disturbance
    • poor concentration
    • lack of energy or motivation
    • worry about sleep

If you believe that you are suffering from insomnia it is important to start treating it at soon as possible before it becomes sleep becomes a physiological problem. A good way to start is to look into Natural Insomnia Treatments:

Sleep routine

Develop a healthy sleep routine where you go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning. Make sure you plan your night for a good night sleep.

Herbs

Chamomile, lavender, passionflower and valerian can help you to relax and fall asleep. They are often used in a herbal tea.

Hot Bath

Take a long, hot bath one hour or two before bed time. The method is called “passive body heating” and it alters your body temperature cycle and help some people fall asleep.

Acupuncture

Certain meridian points on legs, arms, wrist, scalp and ears are effective in treating insomnia.

Reconditioning

Many people with insomnia get frustrated tossing and turning in bed. This frustration gets associated with the bedroom which only make the problem worse. Richard Bootzin has created a method to break this vicious circle. The method is called reconditioning but is also known as “stimulus control” and it has 6 steps:

  1. Go to bed when you’re sleepy
  2. Use the bed only for sleep and sex (no tv, books, food or worrying in bed)
  3. If you are unable to sleep in about 20 min, get up and go to another room until you are sleepy
  4. If you can’t fall asleep repeat step 3 as often as necessary
  5. Set your alarm and get up at the same time every morning, regardless of when you went to bed the night before
  6. Do not nap during the day

Sleep Restriction

The idea behind sleep restriction is to make sure that you get a full block of good undisturbed sleep. This helps you minimize the tossing and turning and its following frustration. Follow these 3 steps:

  1. Estimate the number of hours that you sleep
  2. Go to sleep the X amount of hours before you need to get up. No matter how tired you are do not go to bed earlier.
  3. When you have slept well for several nights add 30 min to you sleep and repeat the process.

For example: if you estimate that you get 5 hours of sleep each night and you need to get up at 7 am then go to bed at 2 am. Do not sleep less than 5 hours per night. If you get less than 5 hours sleep at night and still have trouble falling asleep contact a doctor.

Relaxation Techniques

Insomnia that is causes by stress or a worried mind can often be resolved with relaxation. Try techniques such as:

  1. Deep breathing
  2. Meditation
  3. Visualization
  4. Progressive muscle relaxation
  5. Biofeedback

On top of this there are also foods that you can eat to help you relax and fall asleep.

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With Melatrol Natural Sleep Aid You’ll Sleep Peacefully all night

May 31st, 2009

Sleep Aid: Ambien

OTC Sleep Aids

 Prescription sleeping medication such as Rozerem seems capable without the troubles of reliance and rebound insomnia. Though, people persist to seem to Sleep Disorder Medication  as options. These could not brag the similar efficiency as the prescription sleeping medication as well as their hangover side effects are notorious. Accompanying are the five actual reasons experiential why OTC sleep aids are yet very popular.

1. It is convenient: The most well-liked ones are the antihistamines which have FDA’s consent for use as the OTC sleep aids consequently you do not have to get the doctors’ prescription. It is a documented information at present that having the occasional or transient insomnia because of work or way of life circumstances is ordinary. OTC sleep aids are known to be helpful in such circumstances. The only trouble is that a few people might begin to rely on them and take them for long term instead.

2. There are less surprises: These antihistamines are about for a longer time, much longer than best-selling drug sleeping medications such as Lunesta and Ambien. Antihistamines are centuries old whereas non-benzodiazepines such as Ambien emerged in 1990s. Consequently, the likelihood of unidentified hazardous consequences is very lower for the antihistamine Over the Counter sleep aids.

Doctors are generally cautious of original sleeping medicines which have not placed the test of time. This is amongst the two major oppositions from the prescribers which any drug business faces although promoting a new medicine. Aching lessons were studied with the removal of drugs such as Vioxx, the anesthetic as well as Avandia for diabetes.

 It should be noted though that the supplement Sleep Disorder Symptoms vary from antihistamines. Supplements do not need FDA support as over the counter sleep aids as well as therefore, long term protection have not been recognized all along.

 3. The smaller evil: The side effects of OTC sleep aids are believed the minor evil. The majority of people put up with infamous hangover consequence or has just adapted how they get the OTC sleep aids, for example lesser doses or sleep earlier as well as longer. Granted these hangovers as well as other related consequences can be tremendous for a few people. Although, next day sleepiness appears less curious than unconsciously sleep walking on the prescription sleeping medicines. FDA has lately required that stronger cautions were added to the sleeping medications’ tags about these consequences that could be life frightening.

 4. Cheaper than the tin of coke: An OTC sleep aid charges only 30-40 cents as compared to Lunesta at $3-$4 per tab. People are content to determine their insomnia at lower risks and lower cost. Cost is forever a major deciding issue if the extra advantages of recommended sleeping medication do not correspond to the price distinction.

 

5. Instant lifestyle. Transform is steady and quick for this restless 24/7 generation. We wish for both immediate gratification and immediate solutions for our tension filled lives. OTC sleep aids are willingly pocketed with our Black Berrys as well as iPods.

 

It goes devoid of saying that there is no magical panacea for Chronic Snoring Cures. Over the counter sleep aids are finest used for occasional insomnia at suggested doses. You would develop patience if used longer than essential. As with suggested sleeping medicines, OTC sleep aids ought be taken reasonably that is being aware of probable drug interfaces with any present medicine, settling the fundamental cause of insomnia.

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Lound Snoring: A Sign of Trouble in Preschoolers?

May 31st, 2009

Three to 6 years old youngsters who snore have more signs of depression and stress, as well as attention and language issues, than their age-matched opposite numbers who don’t snore, Finnish researchers report.

“Our study brings out snoring as a likely risk factor for mood issues and cognitive impairment in preschool-aged children,” Dr. Eeva T. Aronen, of Helsinki School Central Infirmary , explains Among 43 preschoolers who snored once or more or two times a week, according to their folks, and 46 preschoolers who failed to snore.

Aronen’s team found a higher rate of mood issues, particularly indications of anxiety and depression, among the snorers. “Overall, 22 % of snoring kids had mood disorder symptoms serious enough to deserve clinical analysis, compared to eleven % of the youngsters who failed to snore,” Aronen related.

“Surprisingly and against our expectancies, behavioral sorts of problems,eg assertive and hyperactive behavior, were no more frequent among preschool-aged youngsters who snored in this study,” Aronen added.

According to a report of the study made public in the in the Book of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, the snoring youngsters were also rather more likely to have other sleep issues,eg nightmares, speaking in their sleep, or problems heading off to bed. Brain function tests also showed some major differences between the snorers and non-snorers, including reduced attention and language talents among kids who snored.

Snoring is a standard sign of sleep-disordered respiring, which is due to obstruction of the higher airway during sleep.

Knowing the psychological health and developmental impact of sleep-disordered respiring in preschool-aged kids will help pediatricians and other medical care execs recognize the underlying sleep problem, Aronen and comrades believe. “This makes intervening possible before underachieving at college or before tougher emotional and / or behavioral symptoms develop,” they wrote in their report.

What are other factors behind snoring?

Although improved nasal airflow can be extremely useful in the treatment of snoring, the diagnosis and treatment of other contributory elements is often critical to increase the chance for cure. A simple anti snoring device may be all that’s required to alleviate this problem in your youngster.

Other major risk factors for snoring include obesity, huge tonsils, long uvula and palate, and the presence of a big tongue with respect to the jaw size. In a few cases, snoring is an indication of a medical problem called obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea exists when major breath holding or shallow respiring episodes happen during sleep.

An exhaustive sleep study is usually needed to set apart between snoring and OSA. Similar treatments are profitable for both snoring and OSA. If you have nasal congestion, snoring, or suspect sleep apnea contact your local otorhinolarynology consultant.

A good alternative to expensive sleep apnea treatment can sometimes be something as inexpensive as a snoring mask

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Snoring Excessively Can be Dangerous

May 31st, 2009

Probably we have all snored at least one time. Babies snore as well and it is most frequent in adult males. Babies might snore since they nasal passages are not large enough. Pregnant women snore especially as time goes by during their pregnancy. People that are inebriated with alcohol tend to snore. Men have narrower air passages than women, causing them to want more snoring help.

When someone snores all the time and the sound is up to 80-90 decibels, then this can be considered to be excessive snoring. Obese people have too much fat around their necks and this narrows the air passage. As one gets older, the tongue and throat muscles can become more flabby. The tongue might fall back during sleep because of this extra flab.

Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea and strokes have been associated with excessive snoring. Sleep apnea is when someone’s breathing ceases for up to 30 seconds at different times during the night. Of course sleep apnea can be very serious. They will be sleep depraved and will not function during the day properly. This will lead to poor overall health besides being tired throughout the day.

How someone’s nose is shaped also plays a factor in the chances a person will snore. Enlarged tonsils and a deviated septum can cause someone to snore.

Many people who snore do not care to do anything to find a snoring solution. If it is not excessive they might be thinking it does not matter. But your snoring might be causing others to lose valuable sleep. This can be detrimental to their health. Snoring is said by some in the medical community to be a warning to health concerns listed above. Consult your Doctor to see if your snoring is excessive and if it might be a sign of some serious health issues.

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How to Fight Insomnia

May 31st, 2009

In the article, we will review some tips on helping a person fall asleep. How long does it take for an individual to fall asleep?It depends on a number of factors, including how tired the person is, what the person ate before they went to bed, and numerous other factors.If you have sleep problems, it might seem like hours before you fall asleep.

Insomnia Information: Insomnia means you are finding it very difficult to get to sleep.It also can mean that you are having a hard time staying asleep. Most people who struggle with insomnia say that they remember tossing and turning all night long, or remember being awake at night. Nights when I battle insomnia I just can’t seem to turn my mind off, and often I can’t even close my eyes. It often takes me about a half hour to fall asleep, but my son is asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow.

The TV helps me fall asleep — I have it on a timer so that it shuts off after 30 minutes. I also need total dark and my bedroom needs to be ice cold – even in summer. Admittedly, this does not help save energy!

Some treatments for insomnia are referred to as behavioral or natural. One effective relaxation technique is to tense different muscle groups and then relax them. Another method consists of repeating a set of visualizations to produce a state of relaxation. My favorite visualization is lying in the sun on a beach somewhere in the Bahamas.

It is also good to be able to manage the stress in your life, as this will allow you to more easily relax at night and when it’s time to go to sleep. Another helpful method is to associate the bedroom with just sleeping, by limiting the time spent in the bedroom for non-sleep activities.So take your office, television, and computer out of the bedroom. Also reduce the use of stimulants such as caffeine, and avoid large meals just before bed; this can help reduce insomnia. A person can also try soaking in a hot bath to relax or listening to some soft music before going to bed.

Melatonin is a well-known sleep aid. It is especially helpful for people who suffer from insomnia caused by jet lag or shift work. Melatonin occurs naturally in the body when serotonin is exposed to reduced light.

Other common over-the-counter sleep aids such as Sominex or Nytol can also be tried by adults but, again, one should consult with their doctor before taking any of these sleep aids, especially if you suffer from Parkinson’s disease, or are being treated for depression or other mental health problems. But it is also buying into the mindset of turning to a pill to solve a problem, which can cause problems in other areas of a person’s life. More insomnia info at bestinsomnia blog and how to stay asleep during the night.

It is advised that if you have trouble falling asleep and have tried all the natural tips in this article, then perhaps you should see a sleep management specialist. So many people have developed sleep issues, there is now a sub-specialty in medicine for such problems. Since insomnia may be a symptom of other medical problems, it is best to get a consultation with your doctor and discuss your sleeping problems with him.

Even with so many sleep tips, falling to sleep is very individual — you must find the way that is best for you.

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Helping You Understanding Sleep

May 27th, 2009

Sleep apnea is a disorder of interrupted breathing during sleep. It usually occurs in association with fat buildup or loss of muscle tone with aging. These changes allow the windpipe to collapse during breathing when muscles relax during sleep.

This problem, called obstructive sleep apnea, is usually associated with loud snoring (though not everyone who snores has this disorder). Sleep apnea also can occur if the neurons that control breathing malfunction during sleep.

During an episode of obstructive apnea, the person’s effort to inhale air creates suction that collapses the windpipe. This blocks the air flow for 10 seconds to a minute while the sleeping person struggles to breathe. When the person’s blood oxygen level falls, the brain responds by awakening the person enough to tighten the upper airway muscles and open the windpipe.

The person may snort or gasp, then resume snoring. This cycle may be repeated literally hundreds of times a night. The frequent awakenings that sleep apnea patients experience leave them continually sleepy and may lead to personality changes such as irritability or depression.

Sleep apnea also deprives the person of oxygen, which can lead to morning headaches, a loss of interest in sex, or a decline in mental functioning. It also is linked to high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and an increased risk of heart attacks and stroke. Patients with severe, untreated sleep apnea are two to three times more likely to have automobile accidents than the general population. In some high-risk individuals, sleep apnea can even lead to sudden death from respiratory arrest during sleep.

An estimated 18 million Americans have sleep apnea. However, few of them have had the problem adequately diagnosed. Patients with the typical features of sleep apnea, such as loud snoring, obesity, and excessive daytime sleepiness, should be referred to a specialized sleep center that can perform a test called polysomnography. This test records the patient’s brain waves, heartbeat, and breathing during an entire night. If sleep apnea is diagnosed, several treatments are available. Mild sleep apnea frequently can be overcome through weight loss or by preventing the person from sleeping on his or her back.

Many people try using an inexpensive anti snoring device prior to conducting exhaustive testing for a sleep apnea cure. These can sometimes reduce snoring so expensive sleep apnea machines are not necessary.

Other people may need special devices or surgery to correct the obstruction. People with sleep apnea should never take sedatives or sleeping pills, which can prevent them from awakening enough to breathe.

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Why Sleep Aid Pills are Not a Long Term Solution to Insomnia

May 27th, 2009

If you’re having difficulty sleeping, it is very tempting to take sleep aid pills to help you get some rest. These types of pills can now be bought over the counter in drug stores and it seems that every year a new pill comes onto the market. But are they safe to take? What are the side effects? Do they help cure sleep problems or actually make them worse? Can you take these pills whilst using other medications?

 

Taking sleeping pills is only a short term term answer to insomnia and is in no way a cure. In fact taking any sleep drugs can actually make insomnia worse by causing an addiction to the drugs and serious withdrawal symptoms if the drugs are stopped suddenly. Drug tolerance may also be an issue, tolerance is needing to take ever increasing doses of the drug to achieve the same effect.

 

Apart from the above there are also more serious problems to consider when using drugs to help you to sleep. These can include side effects such as drowsiness and dry mouth, interactions if you are taking other medications such as painkillers or different sedatives and rebound sleep disorders once you stop the medication. Another serious problem when taking sleeping pills is covering up another illness that prevents you from sleeping.

 

Sleep medications are strictly for short term use only. If you suffer with chronic or long term insomnia, there may be other better ways of managing this condition such as cognitive behavioral therapy, stress relief or brainwave entrainment. If you still choose to use sleeping drugs, make sure your doctor prescribes those suitable for your particular case.

 

When deciding to take sleeping aid medication, make sure that you follow the dosage correctly, inform your doctor if you are taking any other types of medication apart from the sleeping pills, and also inform your doctor if you have any other type of illness or allergy to medication. It is also recommended not to drink any type of alcohol whilst taking sleep aid pills as they can interfere with the medication.

 

When dealing with severe or long term insomnia, sleep aid pills may not be your best option. Better and more permanent solutions may be had from cognitive behavioral therapy, stress relief or brainwave entrainment. The latter can slow you brainwaves down slowly and safely allowing you to fall into a deep and refreshing sleep.

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Getting Snoring Relief to Improve the Quality of Your Sleep

May 27th, 2009

Snoring relief can improve the quality of your health. Really? It is very important to get snoring relief for people who have thecustom, of snoring when they are sleeping. If you are one of them, it’s not main to debate about when you have realized that you are snoring, since long time ago or just realize lately. Instead, you require to realize that you need to get snoring relief NOW. You will get two things all together: you can breathe better at night and return back people’s good sleep.

You don’t have enough reasons for allowing your housemates to be annoyed by your snoring, so it’s time for you to do something about it. Snoring relief is tolerable as long as you know where to look, what to do and what all to try. There is a way of snoring relief, but the main point is that you require to get stated as soon as possible.

One of the significant things is finding out about why you are snoring. It is because snoring relief may be as easy as dropping a few extra pounds that you have packed on over years. Another easy procedure in snoring relief is sleep in a different position. Sometimes, those who sleep on their backs and snore find out that those can be really helpful to diminish or even eradicate the snoring all together. Are you still uncertain with that simple and wonderful way in snoring relief?

Different Way

But if none of those ways are advantageous, you can attempt the most possible way. It is by struggleing something that can be picked up at your local drugstore. There are many reliable objects available as your perfect snoring relief.

You cannot compare the result between you and another people, since what works best for someone else doesn’t mean what is best for you. So, when you feel that you can’t get the best outcome, you should undertake another product that may be the best solution for snoring relief. But if it’s also doesn’t work, it’s time to get another direction.

The fact that none of those fact don’t work will make you feel that there is no remaining solution for you. Get a doctor’s help for snoring relief, as snoring could be a hard warning concerning the indication of a trouble in your body. After estimating the problem with your doctor, you will know the precise cause of snoring. You can get snoring relief from the doctor’s suggestions as well. You may think that snoring is a small thing, but it will become a more dangerous problem when it is left uncontrolled. So don’t neglect the problem.

Want to know further about snoring relief? Let’s explore more on the links here and you will get much more about landscaping as well as any thing related.

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Sleep & Aging – There Is A Connection

May 27th, 2009

Sleep and Aging

Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as young adults—between 7-9 hours each night. But older people tend to go to sleep earlier and get up earlier than they did when they were younger. And they may nap more during the day. If you sleep too much during the day, it may be hard to fall asleep at night. Also, feeling sick or being in pain can make it hard to sleep. If you don’t get a good night’s sleep, the next day you may be:

  • irritable,
  • forgetful,
  • depressed,
  • likely to have more falls or accidents.

There are two kinds of sleep—REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and non-REM sleep. We dream mostly during REM sleep, and have the deepest sleep during non-REM sleep. As people get older, they spend less time in deep sleep, which may be why older people are often light sleepers.

Insomnia

Insomnia is the most common sleep problem in adults age 60 and older. People with insomnia have trouble falling and staying asleep. Insomnia can last for days, months or even years. If you’re having trouble sleeping, you may:

  • take a long time to fall asleep,
  • wake up many times in the night,
  • wake up early and be unable to get back to sleep,
  • wake up tired.

There are many, many causes of insomnia. Some of them you can control, but others you can’t. Insomnia may be a sign of other problems. If you are excited about a new activity or worrying over your bills, you may have trouble sleeping.

Sometimes insomnia is a side effect of a medication or an illness. Often, being unable to sleep becomes a habit. Some people worry about not sleeping even before they get into bed. Worrying sure doesn’t help and it may make insomnia worse.

Older adults who have trouble sleeping may have memory problems, be depressed, have more nighttime falls, use more over-the-counter sleep aids, or feel very sleepy during the day. Using prescription medicines for a short time usually helps. But remember, these medicines aren’t a cure for insomnia. You need to develop habits that will help you get a good night’s sleep.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is another serious sleeping disorder. A person with sleep apnea pauses in his or her breathing while sleeping. These pauses may happen many times during the night. Waking up over and over each night makes you feel very tired the next day.

You very well may not even know you have sleep apnea. But your extremely loud snoring and gasping for air will keep other people awake. Feeling sleepy during the day and being told you are snoring loudly at night are signs that you may have sleep apnea.

If you think you have sleep apnea, see a doctor who knows about sleep problems. Treatment may include learning to sleep in a way that keeps your airways open. Sometimes a medical device called Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP), a dental device, or surgery can help. If not treated, sleep apnea can lead to other problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, or memory loss.

An alternative to CPAP machines can often give relief without the cost of a CPAP apparatus. A good example is a sleep apnea mask such as the type profiled by 60 Minutes and can be a good alternative to sleep apnea machines.

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