Sleep Problems

The loudest snoring animal in the World!

colleen347 — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:25:02 +0000

thefrosties asked:

This my mums puppy! He is an 8 month old Newfie!

Restless Legs Syndrome - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods

colleen347 — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:46:11 +0000

Juliet Cohen asked:

Restless legs syndrome is a poorly understood and often misdiagnosed disorder and is believed to be a neurological disorder. Restless legs syndrome is a common cause of painful legs. Often called paresthesias (abnormal sensations) or dysesthesias, the sensations range in severity from uncomfortable to irritating to painful. It is characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move them for relief. Patients with RLS may also experience sleep disturbances and periodic leg movements either during sleep or while awake. It usually makes you feel like getting up and moving around. When you do so, the unpleasant feeling of restless legs syndrome goes away. The most distinctive or unusual aspect of the condition is that lying down and trying to relax activates the symptoms. People with RLS use words such as creeping, crawling, tingling, or burning to describe these feelings. Moving the legs eases the feelings, but only for a while. The unpleasant feelings may also occur in the arms. Restless leg syndrome usually begins slowly. Over time, the legs become more affected. Less frequently, restless leg syndrome can affect the arms.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is often unrecognized or misdiagnosed. Patients with RLS have an irresistible urge to move their legs, which is usually due to disagreeable sensations that are worse during periods of inactivity and often interfere with sleep. Restless legs syndrome may start at any age, including early childhood, and is a progressive disease for a certain percentage of sufferers, although it has been known for the symptoms to disappear permanently in some sufferers. Restless legs syndrome occurs in both genders, although the incidence may be slightly higher in women. It often affects members of the same family and recent research indicates that there may be an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Symptoms get gradually worse over time in about two thirds of people with the condition and may be severe enough to be disabling. The symptoms are generally worse in the evening and night and less severe in the morning. A variety of different classes of drugs (eg. dopaminergic drugs, benzodiazepines, opiates, and anticonvulsants) are available for the management of idiopathic RLS.

Causes of Restless legs syndrome

The common causes and risk factor’s of Restless legs syndrome include the following:

The cause of restless leg syndrome is unknown in most patients.

Smoking.

A family history of Restless legs syndrome.

Iron deficiency.

Chronic diseases such as kidney failure, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and peripheral neuropathy.

Psychiatric factors, stress, and fatigue.

Certain medications-such as antinausea drugs, antiseizure drugs.

Symptoms of Restless legs syndrome

Some sign and symptoms related to Restless legs syndrome are as follows:

Sleep disturbances and daytime sleepiness are very common.

Origination during inactivity.

An unpleasant feeling in the legs

Nighttime leg twitching.

Increased symptoms in the afternoon, evening and night.

Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep because of the unpleasant feelings in the legs or arms.

Treatment of Restless legs syndrome

Here is list of the methods for treating Restless legs syndrome:

Narcotic medications can relieve mild to severe symptoms, but they may be addicting if used in too high doses.

Patients with prominent varicose veins in the legs may benefit from Ted hose.

Get some exercise every day.

Decreased use of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco may provide some relief.

You may benefit from physical therapy, such as stretching, hot or cold baths, whirlpool baths, hot or cold packs, limb massage, or vibratory or electrical stimulation of the feet and toes before bedtime.

Physicians also may suggest a variety of medications to treat RLS, including dopaminergics, benzodiazepines (central nervous system depressants), opioids, and anticonvulsants.

Lucid Dreaming: How To Have A Lucid Dream

colleen347 — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:33:19 +0000

Tenzin Pemo asked:

Maybe pigs cannot fly yet, but you sure can. At least in your dreams. Lucid dreaming is a mysterious art form that many people wish they could master. You may have experienced a lucid dream, in which you were aware you were dreaming.

But would it not be great if you could have that self-awareness on a regular basis, and as a result able to influence your dreams?

Dreaming is realizing you are dreaming as you dream. When you reach the Lucid Dreaming state, you will be able to control your dreams and experience anything you wish.

Maybe you would like to take a flight through the sky or make other impossible things possible. Or maybe you would like to tell your boss you think he is unfair, without getting fired in real life.

There are many appeals to lucid dreaming, and if you can learn the elusive skill, then a world of excitement and an opportunity for personal growth await you.

I remember standing out on a deck in the foggy night air and having a most peculiar, amazing thought: I am dreaming right now. I can walk through walls. And then I immediately walked through a wall! Well, at least in my dream!

I will never forget this accidental lucid dream and I certainly would like to experience something like that again. But how? In order to become an expert lucid dreamer, you must understand the basics of the art.

1) Why not just have normal dreams?

What is the effect of lucid dreaming? Not only do we all desire to control our environment and make fantastical things happen, but a dream is a safe place to rehearse for our waking life.

This is not to say our real world fears and anxieties do not follow us into our sleep, but no character or plot we conjure up in our dreams can physically harm us and no one but the dreamer will know what happens in a dream.

This means that a baseball player can practice his swing, a politician can practice her speech, or a newly widowed man can find love again - all without actual consequences.

Lucid dreaming gives people a forum; a place they can test the water or fulfill their desires. It also gives them a place to confront their fears. When we are able to control our dreams, we can turn those nightmares into memorable, productive fantasies.

2) How to lucid dream

Many folks spend years and years perfecting the craft of lucid dreaming, but if you are like me, you are not about to dedicate your time and energy to such an endeavor.

After all, you probably have a full-time job or children to worry about! So what are some simple tips to having clear, lucid dreams? Luckily, there are easy things you and I can do to control our dreams.

a. Keep a dream journal

The first step toward effective lucid dreaming is to log all your dreams on paper. As soon as you wake up from a dream, jot down everything you remember from it.

Do this every morning as well. The better your dream recall, the better your ability to lucid dream will be. One of the goals of maintaining a dream diary is to find out if you are already having lucid dreams as is! You may very well be.

b. Notice trends

Now that you have a log of your dreams, you can begin to take them apart. Are there patterns to your dreams? For example, do certain objects always show up, is there a setting that you commonly dream about, do you feel your dream is first or third person, etc?

Once you notice these regularities, you can then train yourself to respond to them with the question - Am I dreaming or is this real?

If you raise your self-consciousness and doubt, lucid dreaming is all the more possible.

c. Expect to lucid dream

Every night before you go to sleep, write down on paper - I will have a lucid dream.

Studies have shown that when you suggest things to your subconscious, while conscious, your suggestions are often taken to heart!

So if you plan on having a lucid dream, say so.

d. Short is not as sweet

Many people complain that they cannot prolong their lucid dreams. There are three techniques to doing just that. When you realize you are in a dream, spin around, rub your hands together, and focus on an object in it, repeating to yourself - the next scene will be a dream.

After you practice some of these techniques, you may want to invest in lucid dreaming products and courses too.

One of the biggest mysteries about lucid dreaming is whether or not the ancient art serves to increase the frequency of lucid dreams or on the other hand, simply improves lucid dream recall.

Either way, the more aware we are of our dreams, the more aware we will be in our waking life. If we want clarity about real world problems, we can gain it by having clarity in our dreams!

Lucid dreaming is closely related to astral projection! So, I would be sharing some of my lucid dreaming journeys here and I wish you many sweet lucid dreams this evening.

What was your most amazing Lucid Dreaming experience?

colleen347 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:22:51 +0000

Benny asked:

For those who don’t know what Lucid Dreaming is, it’s whenever you dream, realize that you’re dreaming, and can control your actions. I’ve had a couple of these within the past month that I can still remember.
Example: Flying, having sex, or doing crazy stunts in your dreams that you control.

So what has been your craziest lucid dream?

How can I start dreaming, so I can lucid dream?

colleen347 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:06:21 +0000

Chaosis13 asked:

I want to start to lucid dream, but I cant remember any dreams I have any more. So I decided to start a dream journal (If I ever remember anything). Anyone have any other tips on how I can start dreaming again / remembering them again?

Or any tips on lucid dreaming?

Preventing Tragedies: Moving Air, From a Fan, is All You Need to Prevent Sids?

colleen347 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:05:33 +0000

Irwan Lee asked:

CUTS RISK 94% - Ventilation could disperse carbon dioxide

SIDS is the leading cause of 2,500 infants death aged 1 month to 1 year old annually, and the third leading cause of overall infant mortality in the United States, and deaths tend to peak in winter months. SIDS isn’t any one illness or disease, it is frightening because it can strike without warning, usually in a seemingly healthy infant.

Although many studies have been performed, yet no one could tell for sure what the cause of SIDS is. Based on studies, the American Academy of Pediatrics has some recommendations to reduce SIDS risks, which include avoiding cigarettes during pregnancy and breastfeeding, avoiding use of soft bedding and putting the baby to sleep on his back instead of tummy sleeping.

One theory says SIDS occurs due to the buildup of carbon dioxide when infants with inadequate sleep arousal responses re-breathe exhaled air trapped by soft bedding or proximity to other sleeping family members. These babies may have brain abnormalities that prevent them from gasping and waking when they don’t get enough oxygen.

It’s cheap, it’s easy, it’s not going to harm the baby, as long as you use a bedroom fan, your baby’s risk of SIDS decreases considerably, according to a new study published in October 6 issue of Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine. Could it be this simple? Moving air, from a fan, is all you need to prevent SIDS?

According to a recent study Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, California, published in October’s Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, a fan use might be another way to prevent SIDS. The result indicates fan use was linked to a 94 percent decrease in SIDS risks for infants who slept in rooms that exceeded 70 degrees Fahrenheit (above 21 degrees Celsius) and to an 84% decrease for babies who slept in rooms with closed windows. The findings were based on a survey of 185 mothers whose babies died of SIDS and mothers of more than 300 randomly selected babies.

A fan in the room improve air circulation and can help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome because it preventing the “re-breathing” exhaled air. As the baby breathes exhaled air, the oxygen level in the body drops and carbon dioxide accumulates which could contribute to SIDS.

Sleeping in a room with an open window was found to reduce the risk of SIDS by 36%, while sleeping with a fan in the room was associated with a 72% reduction in risk. The risk reduction with fan use was even greater in babies who were put to bed on their stomachs or had other sleep-related SIDS risk factors.

Parents who worry that their child will be chilled by a fan should know that fans do not cool the air, they simply move air around. However, parents should make sure to take normal safety precautions, keeping cords out of the way and making sure the fan can’t be knocked down by a toddler or pet.

The lead author of the study, De-Kun Li, MD, PhD. said although the use of fans and sleeping in a room with an open window was also found to lower the risk by more than 70%, however the fan use should not replace other sleeping strategies for lowering SIDS:

Avoiding soft bedding: pillow, waterbed, sheepskin, or other soft surface in cribs Place your baby on a firm mattress to sleep. To prevent “re-breathing”, do not put blankets, comforters, stuffed toys, or pillows near the baby.

Although babies can be brought into their parents’ bed for nursing or comforting, they should not share the bed when parents are sleeping.

Pacifiers also seem to protect babies, the researchers said, perhaps because the handles prevent a child’s face from becoming pressed against the mattress. A research study in 2005 found that use of a pacifier cut the risk of SIDS by 90%. Sleeping in.

There is strong evidence that overheating may significantly raise the risk of SIDS. Overheating can result from overheated room, wrapping or covering a baby with too many blankets, particularly when baby has a fever or respiratory infection. Keep the room at a temperature that feels comfortable for an adult in a short-sleeve shirt.

Do not smoke, drink, or use drugs while pregnant. Infants of mothers who smoked during pregnancy are three times more likely to die of SIDS than those whose mothers were smoke-free; exposure to secondhand smoke doubles a baby’s risk of SIDS.

Do not expose your baby to secondhand smoke.

Receive early and regular prenatal care.

Make sure your baby has regular well-baby checkups.

Breastfeed, if possible. There is some evidence that breastfeeding may help decrease the incidence of SIDS.

Growing public awareness of SIDS and the steps to reduce infants’ risk of sudden death hopefully will leave fewer parents searching for answers in the future for protecting their infants from SIDS tragedy.

lucid dreaming?

colleen347 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:12:09 +0000

keepitrural asked:

Ok lately I’ve been thinking about dreaming, and how cool it is to be subconscious and know what your dreaming about, and I really want to know, how can i lucid dream? Ive had maybe 2 experiences in my life where i had a lucid dream, but not on purpose. Any suggestions?

Why Everyone Should Always Keep a Jar of Honey at Home

colleen347 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:06:10 +0000

Ruth Tan asked:

While honey history dated as far back as 10 to 20 million years ago, this old-fashioned home remedy has some of the most relevant health benefits for our lives in this modern age.

Nature’s Energy Booster

The benefits of honey go beyond its great taste. A great natural source of carbohydrates which provide strength and energy to our bodies, honey is known for its effectiveness in instantly boosting the performance, endurance and reduce muscle fatigue of athletes. Its natural fruit sugars, fructose and glucose plays an important role in preventing fatigue during exercise and are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream digested by the body. It is known that honey has also been found to keep levels of blood sugar fairly constant compared to other types of sugar. So, to experience these health benefits of honey, here are a few tips for you:

1. Next time before you go for a workout, take a spoon of honey to enable you to go for the extra mile.

2. If you are feeling low and lethargic in the morning, try honey. Spread it on hot toast or replace the sugar in your tea with it for a refreshing surge of energy.

3. If your kids are finding hard to cope with the physical strain from the buzzing activities at school, prepare them some sandwiches with honey, butter and ham to make sure they have enough energy to sustain through the day. They will appreciate the great health benefits of honey by experiencing them.

Immunity System Builder

Amongst the many health benefits of honey, what is most impressive to me - it can be a powerful immune system booster. Honey’s antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties can help improve digestive system and help you stay healthy and fight disease. Start every brand new day with this cleansing tonic if you want to see this health benefit of honey: before breakfast, mix a spoonful of honey and juice from half a lemon into a cup of hot water and drink it.

Honey Remedy for Ailments

FOR CUTS AND BURNS:

For thousands of years, honey has been recognized as one of the most natural home remedies to treat a wide range of ailments and complaints. Its antiseptic properties inhibits the growth of certain bacteria and helps keep external wounds clean and free from infection. Honey has been used as a dressing and first aid treatment for wounds, burns and cuts as it is able to absorb moisture from the air and promote healing. Its antibacterial properties prevent infection and functions as an anti-inflammatory agent, reducing both swelling and pain, and even scarring. It is widely believed that UMF Manuka is the preferred honey for wound dressing due to its strong antibacterial property.

FOR HANGOVERS:

When you get a hangover from drinking too much alcohol, combat its effects by applying honey remedy. Honey is gentle on the stomach and contains a mix of natural sugars such fructose which is known to speed up the oxidation of alcohol by the liver, acting as a ’sobering’ agent. Follow this recipe: 15ml of liquid honey with 80ml of orange juice and 70ml of natural yogurt. Blend them together until smooth.

FOR SORE THROATS:

One of the better known health benefits of honey is that it is able to help treat sore throats. Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, honey not only soothes throats but can also kill certain bacteria that causes the infection. Professional singers commonly use honey to soothe their throats before performances. Direction: Take a spoonful of honey to soothe the inflammation or gargle with a mixture of two tablespoons of honey, four tablespoons of lemon juice and a pinch of salt.

For SLEEPLESSNESS:

Unable to sleep? Use the famous Milk and Honey Remedy. Take a glass of hot milk with a teaspoon of honey to calm the soul and induce sleep. Or, add 1 or 2 teaspoons of honey to a cup of chamomile tea and sip.

Snoring man

colleen347 — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:47:21 +0000

simonbisley asked:

Newsmaister

11 Cures for Insomnia by Changing your Sleeping Habits

colleen347 — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:19:26 +0000

Laura Ng asked:

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