More than one behavior can spread simultaneously across a social network. Recent studies have shown that behaviors such as happiness, obesity, smoking and altruism are "contagious" within adult social networks. In other words, your behavior not only influences your friends, but also their friends and so on...
Archive for the ‘Sleeping Disorders’ Category
A team of researchers at MIT and the University of California at San Diego has shown how cell division in a type of bacteria known as cyanobacteria is controlled by the same kind of circadian rhythms that govern human sleep patterns...
Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SOMX) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the New Drug Application (NDA) for Silenor® (doxepin) for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep maintenance...
"A good night's sleep" has long been the intention of millions of people suffering from sleep disorders around the world. However, this objective is scarcely met with ease. The reality of this scenario is that many will not seek the professional help to address the serious sleep disorders that plague them, resulting in numerous health consequences...
Taking vitamins or supplements to treat "adrenal fatigue" may do more harm than good, says Todd Nippoldt, M.D., a Mayo Clinic expert in hormone disorders affecting the adrenal glands...
GE Healthcare introduced MARS® Virtual Sleep Lab (VSL), the first device to provide a streamlined view of quantitative cardiac and sleep apnea analysis from any GE-monitored inpatient bed, helping enhance speed of diagnosis. MARS VSL is being featured at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 59th Annual Scientific Session, held March 14 to 16 in Atlanta...
The American Academy of Neurology has issued a new guideline recommending the most effective treatments to help people with Parkinson's disease who experience sleep, constipation, and sexual problems, which are common but often underrecognized symptoms. The guideline is published in the March 16, 2010, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology...
Rose K Taylor :
If you are prone to insomnia, is it easier to stay awake and keep busy or like in bed waiting for sleep to take you away? Sleeplessness can be discouraging night after night when the problem seems to persist.
Many struggle with the choice to take sleep aids or not to take them in order to get the rest they need. While sleep aids can help you sleep, if you have the time to devote to getting a full eight hours, but you may end up groggy the next morning. Another concern is the potential to become dependent on medication. If you are one of the many with these concerns, here are some suggestions:
Don’t consume stimulants: Any products containing stimulants will keep you awake for hours and possibly all night because they increase the heart rate and therefore blood flow. Although you may think that alcohol slows you down, and in fact, it does, but you don’t get a restful sleep as you would assume. Five hours prior to your bedtime, avoid sodas, tobacco, coffee, and alcohol.
Use your bed for sex or sleep: When you think of your bed, these activities often come to mind. What we don’t realize is that doing other things in bed might seem comfortable at the time but trains your body to stay awake. Instead of a quiet relaxing place to sleep, your bed is associated with reading, television, or doing work.
Get moving: Exercise gives you a relaxing sleep afterwards. At least thirty minutes of exercise is recommended on most days of the week according to the American Heart Association. You are bound to see a pattern of better sleep with regular a regular exercise program.
Establish a routine: There is something to be said for repetition. Going to bed at the same time each night gets the body ready for sleep. Relaxing rituals like showering or taking a bath every night before going to bed gives your mind time to unwind from the day and settle down.
Be comfortable: Turn your bedroom into the ultimate relaxation spot. The primary thing to pay attention to is your bed. Choose a comfortable mattress with soft sheets and a pillow conducive to sleep. Keep the air in the bedroom fresh with cool air and good ventilation. If your room is not dark enough wear a mask and possibly ear plugs if there are noises around you.
Don’t pressure yourself: Relax and let sleep come to you. Your anxiety will only increase if you let everyone know what you are trying to do. Too much pressure is a stressor that prevents sleep from happening. Turn your thoughts to happy memories or anything that is upbeat and relaxes you.
Relax your muscles: Try a little relaxation technique. One you get into bed, begin practicing a breathing pattern. When you are in a comfortable position, breathe in slowly and hold it. Slowly again, breathe out and imagine all that anxiety and stress is draining away. Keep practicing until you fall asleep.
Insomnia is a serious problem and one you shouldn’t take lightly. Try some of the tips to see if you can fall asleep faster.
A Sleep Disorder That Affects The Legs
Restless leg syndrome, known as RLS, is a sleep disorder that afflicts more than 15 percent of adults. It affects more women than men and the incidence of restless leg syndrome increases with age. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis and varicose veins, also increase the risk of developing restless leg syndrome.
This sleep disorder is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the lower legs, knees and occasionally the arms. Sometimes painful sensations accompany the urge to move. People that suffer from this sleep disorder describe the feelings and sensations in different ways. Many describe a tingling, itching or pulling sensation. Still others say it feels prickly or burns. Some feel as if they have worms crawling under their skin.
The sensations which are typical of this sleep disorder can occur anytime during the day or night. Restless leg syndrome occurring at night has a devastating effect on sleep. The symptoms can cause the sufferer to get in and out of bed repeatedly which can delay or disrupt sleep. Since sleep in repeatedly interrupted, extreme daytime sleepiness is common.
The combination of always feeling tired and the symptoms themselves can cause a person with restless leg syndrome to alter their lifestyle. Long trips, movies, concerts and eating in restaurants are some of the activities they usually avoid. Attending a long meeting at work can become very painful and uncomfortable. People that have this sleep disorder often suffer from depression.
Researchers believe that restless leg syndrome may be caused by malfunctions of the pathways in the brain that controls movement reflexes and sensations. Often this sleep disorder has a genetic base.
Restless leg syndrome cannot be diagnosed by one single test. Often standard neurological examinations show no signs of an abnormality. In many cases, a doctor makes the diagnosis of restless leg syndrome based on the description of the symptoms. They also take into account family history, and the results of a routine medical examination and blood tests.
Many times the treatment for restless leg syndrome is aimed at controlling the debilitating sensations that accompany this sleep disorder. Often iron supplements are prescribed because severe anemia has been linked to this disorder. Relaxation techniques, diet changes and the elimination of caffeine and alcohol help some sufferers of restless leg syndrome.
In most cases, this sleep disorder is treated with drugs. These drugs could include dopamine agents, benzodiazepines, opioids or anticonvulsants. Medications do not cure restless leg syndrome, but they manage the symptoms. People that suffer from this sleep disorder usually have to stay on their medications for the rest of their lives.
Another sleep disorder similar to restless leg syndrome is periodic limb movement disorder known as PLMD. There are two main differences between restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder. Restless leg syndrome occurs when the sufferer is awake or asleep; periodic limb movement disorder only occurs when the sufferer is asleep. Restless leg syndrome movements are voluntary responses to very unpleasant sensations; the movements of periodic limb movement disorder are involuntary and are not consciously controlled. Both of these sleep disorders can be effectively controlled with medical treatment.
Many Americans will lose an hour of sleep on March 14, the first day of daylight-saving time, when clocks are set ahead one hour at 2 a.m. local standard time-making it harder to wake up, causing difficulty in staying alert and increasing the chance of sleepy-driving car crashes. Ronald D. Chervin, M.D., says Americans can prepare for the daylight-saving time switch...