Onset Insomnia

Can;t Get Any Sleep? Dealing With Insomnia

2011-01-08T14:48:00.000-08:00

Sleeplessness is a problem suffered by millions of people worldwide. So if you've been tossing and turning night after night, asking yourself why you "can't get no sleep", you are not alone.

Inability to sleep is known is insomnia. It is a very common problem, but only a few people seek proper medical treatment. Generally speaking, most people don't take sleeping disorders very seriously. They believe that not being able to sleep is a problem that they can handle on their own.

They end up trying to tough it out for weeks or months, perhaps trying some over-the-counter remedies from time to time. Their sleep deficit continues to build up and sleep deprivation increases their irritability and anxiety. Finally, when they can't take it any longer, they go to their doctor and practically demand a prescription for sleeping pills.

This predictable behavior provides profits to the pharmaceutical industry the rate of several billion dollars every year. Although people may think that they have fixed the problem, they're actually causing harm to their bodies. The drug themselves to sleep every night and then spend half of the next day struggling to wake up.

Regular, long-term use of sleeping medications can have a negative effect on your sleep cycle. In essence, your body forgets how to fall asleep naturally. You begin to rely upon the pill and truly believe that you can't get to sleep without it. If you try to stop taking sleeping pills, your insomnia will return with full force.

The problem with treating insomnia by taking prescription sleep medications is that it doesn't provide a cure. Insomnia is actually a symptom. It is your body's way of naturally informing you that something is wrong. Either there is a physical problem that needs to be addressed, or you have some lifestyle choices that need to be changed. If you're struggling through a period where you can't get no sleep, your first step is to figure out why?

Once you know why you have insomnia, you should have a good idea how to treat it. If there's a physical problem, then you can deal with that. If there are choices you're making that cause your sleeplessness, then you can start a new bedtime routine. If you still need help falling asleep, there are many natural remedies that work without the harmful side effects of prescription medications.

Wondering why you can't get no sleep? Don't ignore the problem and don't throw sleeping pills at the problem. Instead, find out more about insomnia, what could be causing it and how you can cure it naturally.

Just Can't Get Any Sleep? Sign up for our free newsletter at http://www.howtobeatinsomnia.com/cant_get_no_sleep.html

Can;t Sleep? 18 Ways to Get Some Sleep Despite Chronic Pain

2011-01-08T06:40:00.000-08:00

According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than 60% of Americans are getting less than eight hours sleep. Millions of these people live with a chronic condition that causes chronic pain and it's estimated that nearly two-thirds of those with chronic pain suffer from a sleep disorder.

Stop accepting, "I can't sleep!" and move the odds in your favor!

[1] Have a bed-time ritual. They aren't just for kids! Anxiety about going to bed can set the stage for a sleepless night. Whether it's a hot shower or a cup of tea, training your mind to know "it's almost time to go to sleep" can help dramatically.

[2] Avoid getting on the computer for at least 1 hour before going to sleep. The light, interaction with others, and activity will keep your brain stimulated. Same with the T.V. Record the shows that are on after 10 pm to watch another time.

[3] Avoid caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol and nicotine.

[4] Despite what your mom told you, wear a fresh pair of socks! According to Nicholas Romansky, a podiatrist that treats the U.S. World Cup and Olympic soccer teams, wearing fresh socks to bed can help stabilize your core body temperature. He suggests acrylic, polyester, polypropylene and cotton-synthetic blends that will keep moisture at bay. Don't use cotton socks.

[5] Listen to some music. Not only will it relax you, but research that studied drug-free methods to reduce postoperative pain, found that the combination of relaxation and music relieved postoperative abdominal pain significantly more than painkillers. (Source: The Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2005)

[6] Is your bed partner keeping you awake with snoring or late-night work on the computer in bed? Have a conversation about changes that need to be made, even separate rooms for awhile is okay.

[7] Use lavender in your bed-time rituals. According to studies at the University of Leicester in England and the Smell and Taste Research Center in Chicago, the aroma of lavender actually worked as well as sleeping pills in alleviating insomnia and tension. Try a linen spray for your sheets, lavender-scented bath oil, or a lavender-filled eye cover.

[8] Jasmine aroma has also been found to help sleep according to researchers who found that rooms infused with a faint jasmine scent seemed to sleep more peacefully and reported being more alert in the afternoon than people who slept in a lavender-scented room, or one with no added aroma. Scented oil sticks can be found at stores everywhere now, and they keep the room smelling fresh for up to six months with no fire hazards.

[9] When do you sleep best? Near the ocean? When it rains? Places like Sharper Image have many sleep aids such as a portable AM/FM radio/alarm clock that features a Sound Soother® and a dual-speaker stereo CD player. It includes "realistic, tranquil sound environments Seaside, Summer Night, Rain, and Brook."

[10] Invest in a comfortable mattress and extra bedding if needed. Personally, I use a Cuddle-Ewe and couldn't live without it. It feels like a feather bed on top of my mattress.

[11] Find pillows that are comfortable. I have one for my head, a different one for my arms that feel like they are filled with sand. One woman I spoke to uses a teddy bear to cushion her sore arm, wrapping the bear's arms around her own arm.

[12] Use a heating pad or a heated blanket. Try sleeping on top of a heated blanket for all over comfort. There are new ones on the market that are very padded.

[13] Wear comfortable clothing to bed. Invest in a pair of pajamas that you love, can turn over easily in bed, and that you will long to put on.

[14] Try the heat or menthol patches available at your local drugstore for pain relief in particular areas. I've found the menthol ones help me sleep because of the scent and are less bulky so stick longer.

[15] Although there is much controversy on the use of magnets for pain relief, some people swear they work. Start with an inexpensive item before investing in a large magnetic mattress. Google "insomnia home remedies" for a ton of other ideas.

[16] Have something relaxing to read or listen to once you get into bed. If you have an MP3 player, take advantage of downloading some relaxing music, inspirational talks or sermons.

[17] If all else fails, get up. If you positively can't sleep, change your surroundings. Read a book on the couch or write a letter to a friend. Soon you may be drifting off.

[18] Talk to your doctor about medications. Even if something helps you sleep for five years, it can suddenly become less effective. Find the right recipe for pain relief and sleep aids. Google "When Aches ... Pains Keep You Awake: Medication Chart" available at WebMD for a good breakdown of the benefits and side-effects of common sleep prescription medications.

If you have a chronic illness and chronic pain is keeping you awake at night, do everything you can to find a way to sleep because insomnia always impacts our bodies, oftentimes causing our illness to become worse. Don't hesitate to contact your doctor to find a remedy.

Do you have a chronic illness? Get the first 40 pages of "Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend" when you sign up for our monthly ezine HopeNotes at http://www.restministries.org/res-ezine.htm Plus find other articles all related to chronic illness and information on National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week at http://www.restministries.org Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries which serves the chronically ill through Christian resources and other programs and support group materials.

Do You Think You May Be Suffering From Insomnia and Want to Know How to Stop it?

2011-01-02T01:27:00.000-08:00

Do you have difficulty sleeping or falling asleep? Once you fall asleep are you having trouble staying asleep? Are you waking up several times during the night? If you have answered yes to either of these questions than you are most probably one of the more than 60 million adults who suffer from the sleep disorder known as insomnia.

Insomnia is a symptom not a diagnosis or disease. Wikipedia, defines insomnia as "difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or both and may be due to inadequate quality or quantity of sleep."

Some symptoms of insomnia include:

o Having difficulty falling asleep

o Having difficulty returning to sleep

o Waking up several times during the night

o Having trouble concentrating

o Irritable the following day

o Waking up too early

o Feeling sleepy during the day

There are three types of insomnia which have been identified:

1. Transient - which can last anywhere from a few days to weeks.

2. Acute - characterized as lasting between three weeks to six months.

3. Chronic - has been known to last for years at a time.

The National Institute of Health recommends that adults should get an average of 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night. There are many health benefits to getting the proper amount of sleep that your body needs.

Although the recommended amount is 7 to 8 hours it is important that you be in tune to your own body needs and get the proper amount you need to function. I have heard many say that 7 or 8 is too much for them and they function better with 6 or 7 hours of sleep. So, bottom line is listen to your individual body and treat it well and it will respond accordingly.

Sleep is essential for life and the human body. It is important in helping the body function in matters such as concentration, memory formation and also with repairing the damage of body cells during the day. Conversely, chronic lack of sleep increases the body's risk for developing problems such as diabetes, obesity, infections and cardiovascular diseases.

Thus, it is extremely important that insomnia be treated as soon as possible. There are a number of treatments available. For further information on Insomnia and the various treatments available click here!

For further information on Insomnia and the various treatments available Click Here!

Sleep Disorder - To Call The Doctor Or Not?

2011-01-01T17:08:00.000-08:00

Experiencing difficulty in sleeping for any great length of time may well indicate that you suffer from a common sleep disorder.

Today more than 35 million Americans reportedly suffer from a chronic sleep disorder (sleeping difficulty that lasts for more than one month) and as many as 30 million more suffer from a shorter term or "transient" sleep disorder (sleeping difficulty that lasts for less than four weeks).

Commonly triggered by upcoming events (such as important meetings or interviews), jet lag, or a passing illness (like a cold or the flu), a mild sleep disorder presents relatively little difficulty in terms of its management and, if left to its own devices, will often pass quite quickly. This said, many simple steps can be taken to both reduce the effects of mild insomnia and to speed its passing.

A persistent sleep disorder however will rarely disappear of its own accord and may well require pro-active treatment. Prolonged sleep disorders include conditions such as chronic insomnia, restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea and narcolepsy.

Difficulty in getting to sleep, staying asleep, waking through the night (and being unable to get back to sleep), or waking too early in the morning, when experienced for any length of time (and certainly for more than four or five weeks), warrants a diagnosis. You should also begin exploring natural sleep remedies that can help you get a better night's sleep, not to mention assisting you in effectively managing your problem.

The most commonly diagnosed sleep disorder, insomnia, also represents one of the easiest problems to treat. Simple lifestyle adjustments, structured relaxation or meditation, or a variety of herbal and natural sleep remedies will often provide a cure.

Like insomnia, sleep apnea is another sleep disorder that affects millions of Americans each year. The most dangerous of all sleep disorders, sleep apnea occurs when air flow through the windpipe is temporarily obstructed during sleep, often due to the relaxation or collapse of surrounding muscles. Sleep apnea is most commonly associated with snoring, although snoring alone is not necessarily indicative of sleep apnea.

Narcolepsy, a sleep disorder marked by uncontrolled "mini sleeps" during the day (even when the sufferer otherwise appears completely alert), is sometimes confused with sleep apnea; however, these represent two very different conditions.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), another sleep disorder that ranks as one of the most frequently diagnosed, affects more than twelve million people in the US alone each year. Unlike other common sleep disorders, restless legs syndrome combines the physical symptoms of a sleep disorder like insomnia with neural symptoms such as periodically uncontrolled limb movement and a tingling sensation in the legs and feet.

While a serious sleep disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea, chronic narcolepsy or restless legs syndrome requires the intervention of a medical professional, there are still various ways in which you can actively manage your sleep disorder. In fact, numerous natural sleep remedies can help you get a better night's sleep and effectively deal with your sleep disorder, without resorting to sleeping pills or artificial sleep enhancers.

These sleep remedies are too numerous to discuss them in any detail in this short article, but they include melatonin and Valerian root, two natural alternatives to sleeping pills, as well as aromatherapy, color or chroma therapy and guided relaxation and meditation. Chamomile or lavender teas and infusions are also an excellent natural remedy for managing various sleep disorders.

While some persistent sleep disorders do certainly merit investigation by your doctor, chronic insomnia can, more often than not, be cured without the need for medical intervention. Understanding the underlying causes of your insomnia and then making a number of simple changes to your lifestyle or routine can make a dramatic difference to the quality of your sleep. With the added help of one or two natural sleep remedies, you can then soon say farewell to this particular sleep disorder.

Donald Saunders is the author of a number of health related publications including: "Help Me To Sleep - A Guide To Natural Sleep Remedies", "Jet Lag - An Alternative Approach", "Shift Work Insomnia" and "The Art of Meditation - A Guide To Meditation, Breathing and Relaxation Techniques"
For further details please visit http://help-me-to-sleep.com

Taking A Sleep Disorder Test - First Step To Better Sleep

2011-01-01T09:00:00.001-08:00

Knowing whether you have a sleeping disorder is difficult to find out by yourself. However, it is important to find out if you are suffering from one in order to help yourself get better sleep and become more functional during the day. One sure way to find out is through a sleep disorder test.

Why You Need the Test

Most of us probably do not know what goes on even in our own bodies while we are asleep. A lot of people therefore may end up suffering from a sleep disorder simply because of a lack of awareness of the symptoms and the condition, hence a need for a good sleep disorder test.

There are several types of sleeping disorders but the most common ones are insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep apnea. All these sleeping disorder conditions can be fatal and it is believed that at least 1 out of 3 Americans suffer from a sleep disorder of some sort. At the least, undiagnosed sleep disorders could affect your quality of life, making you less able to interact productively with others and perform even simple tasks. The physical stress and drain of a sleep disorder could also be psychologically damaging, leading to feelings of intense frustration and helplessness. At the worst, a sleep disorder could either be a sign of an underlying medical condition or could lead to more serious medical conditions like stroke and heart ailments.

Taking a Self Test

Although you may not be aware of what goes on as you sleep, you can perform your own sleep disorder test. You simply have to look at your own symptoms as a basic sleep disorder test. You should be worried for example if you wake up and don't feel refreshed, if you have trouble sleeping or if you wake up frequently at night or too early.

Observe changes in your own disposition and behavior during the day. A quick temper, irritability, lack of concentration are only some points to note in your own sleep disorder test. Take note too if you frequently meet accidents and if you feel sleepy during the day.

Products for Self-Testing

Insomnia can be tested with a sleep disorder test pack that can measure your hormone levels. If you are doing a saliva sleep disorder test, look for the hormone melatonin. Melatonin is a naturally occurring substance in the body that manages a person's perception of night and day and the cycle of sleep and wakefulness. Some people with insomnia though may have lower levels of melatonin. A sleep disorder test that will check you melatonin levels will help you determine if you need to take added melatonin supplements that are available even without a prescription.

Professional Testing

If you are not sure about the signs and symptoms, a professional opinion may be necessary. There are many kinds of tests but the most common professional sleep disorder test involves a sleep study.

In a sleep disorder test done by a professional, you may be asked to stay in the sleep disorder clinic or hospital for several hours, depending on what sleeping patterns are being checked. The procedure entails wires to be attached to you in order to monitor your heart rate, brainwaves, and breathing. Qualified personnel will then score your results for your doctor to interpret. Your doctor will then provide you with the necessary treatment for your condition. A succeeding sleep test may be conducted to determine the effectiveness of the treatment.

Do you have any sleep disorder symptom? Read how a sleep disorder test can help as first step to gaining better sleep.

Possibilities on Why You Cant Sleep

2010-12-02T11:33:00.000-08:00

It's a pain when you can't sleep well at night. Waking up from a poor night sleep can be depressing especially when it's just the beginning of the week. It's hard getting yourself motivated about life and work when you feel fatigued and drowsy. When you can't sleep for nights in a row it can take a real toll on your physical and emotional health.

Tiredness and lack of concentration are common and obvious symptoms of poor sleep. These symptoms alone can make a dramatic impact on your day affecting your productivity and emotional well-being.

Other symptoms include achy and painful muscles, blurred vision, trembling, tension, headaches and palpitations. When your body is shouting signs at you - take note. If you can't sleep for days or weeks go seek professional medical advice. So often people ignore their health problems and it only gets worse.

Don't ignore the signs, if you can't sleep at night. You might just make it worse by prolonging the condition. Each sleep problem is different. Although most people associate lack of sleep with insomnia, there are other reasons why a person can't sleep properly at night.

This is why it's always a good idea to speak to your doctor, so you can eliminate other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and RLS. In some cases the reason why you can't sleep can be temporary; Jetlag, environmental disruptions such as noise, adjusting such as moving home - these are all possible reasons for temporary sleep disruptions.

Temporary sleep disruptions aren't anything to worry about, especially if you're expecting them. However if sleep problems don't reside and you still can't sleep well it's time to take action. Often sufferers of sleeplessness will go see a doctor only months after their first night of sleeplessness.

Tackling sleep problems when you can't sleep at the early stages will make treating sleeplessness a lot easier. In some cases the cause of sleeplessness can be addressed and treated. Leaving sleep problems lie will make causes of sleeplessness harder to find.

Often there is more than one factor causing sleepless nights and even addressing and treating the causes may not solve your sleep condition. This is because insomnia can develop into a learned habit.

When a person can't sleep for weeks or months, they become conscious of their inability to sleep. They begin worrying about sleep and assuming that they will have a bad night sleep. This negative conditioning can become the new cause for sleep problems.

Can't sleep? Tossing and turning through the night? Get rid of your sleep problems by downloading your guide on how to beat insomnia at http://www.howtobeatinsomnia.com/cant_sleep.html.

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The Endless List of Sleep Disorders

2010-12-01T18:24:00.000-08:00

The list of sleep disorders never seems to end...read some more on can't sleep disorder.

Sleep disorders can be classified and grouped in several different categories. Here in this post we look at some of the most common forms of sleep disorders.

Insomnia; this is a sleeping disorder in which the sufferer finds it extremely difficult to fall asleep and to stay asleep. People who suffer from this sleeping disorder find it difficult to sleep. Often because their conscious mind fails to switch off no matter how exhausted and desperate they are in need of sleep.

Other factors that contribute to a poor night sleep are medical, psychiatric and neurological disorders that range from pain to depression to anxiety attacks. These can rob you of your sleep, health and energy.

Although there are some sleep disorders which we have no control such as restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea, insomnia often develops from poor sleep habits and psychological stressors. Poor sleep habits include consuming excessive caffeine, staying up late at night and also going to bed at irregular times.

Environmental, emotional and physical changes are common causes of temporary sleeplessness; a change of job, moving home, a loss of a family member, financial difficulties and even jet lag can disrupt your sleep cycle and throw your natural circadian rhythm off course. People who work night shifts and work while the rest of the world is asleep are most likely to suffer sleeplessness. People who have biological clocks which are not in sync with the environment run a high risk of developing delayed sleep-phase syndrome.

Another factor that can disrupt sleep is snoring. It is all the more difficult for the room-mate or spouse who has to bear it all night long. Narcolepsy is another sleep disorder; in this case the victim may fall asleep suddenly and unexpectedly. People suffering from this condition often experience severe anxiety due to the unpredictable nature of their sleep.

Parasomnias are sleep disorders that cause unusual behavior while one is asleep. What makes this sleep disorder so unusual and also dangerous is the fact that the person engages in such activities in which one would engage in a fully awakened state of mind. These activities include walking about the house and even eating!

Indeed there are far more life threatening and unusual sleep disorders than insomnia, however this doesn't stop the fact that more than a third of all people suffer from this frustrating condition.

Sleep disorders usually have their roots in a medical problem or a prescription drug taken to treat a disease. The common diseases leading to sleep disorders are cardiovascular, neurological, mental, kidney, and gastroesopheal disorders as well as arthritis.

1. Cardiovascular Disorders

The most common cardiovascular disorders that cause sleep disorders are coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure. Both these disorders can cause obstructive sleep apnea.

Congestive heart failure is characterized by the inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to satisfy the requirements of the body. As a result of this, blood accumulates in the veins leading to the kidneys, and the resulting edema inflicts a lot of damage to the organs of the body.
Coronary heart disease is characterized by the accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries that carry blood to the heart, leading to a condition known as atherosclerosis.

2. Endocrine Disorders

Sleep disorders are also the result of endocrine malfunction such as thyroid disorder and diabetes. Diabetes affects the way in which the body stores and uses carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. People who do not manage and control their diabetic condition often suffer from restless leg syndrome.

The hormones released by the thyroid gland regulates the energy levels of the body. A person suffering from hyperthyroidism sweats profusely at night and is unable to enjoy a peaceful night's rest.

3. Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, strokes, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease are also responsible for sleep disorders.

Parkinson's disease affects the central nervous system. It's symptoms include difficulties in movement, tremors, unstable posture, slow movements, stiffness in the muscles, and difficulties in walking. Parkinson's disease causes sleep disorders such as sleep onset insomnia and REM sleep behavior disorder.
Alzheimer's disease impairs the intellectual functions of the brain and causes dementia. It also causes a sleep disorder called fragmentation.

Epilepsy affects the normal electrical functions of the brain and leads to short, sudden changes in it that are recurrent. People suffering from epilepsy are more likely to suffer from insomnia. Usually, stroke is associated with obstructive sleep apnea.

4. Respiratory Disorders

Those suffering from a respiratory disorder such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma usually suffer from an accompanying sleep disorder such as insomnia and sleep fragmentation.

The air passages of those suffering from asthma are inflamed. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD, is a group of respiratory disorders that cause untold damage to the lungs and lead to difficulties in breathing.

5. Mental Disorders

People suffering from psychological disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, depression, and schizophrenia also suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep fragmentation.

6. GERD

In gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD, the juices in the stomach flow back into the esophagus, and this leads to sleep fragmentation.

7. Kidney Disorders

In most kidney disorders, the kidneys are unable to filter the waste substances from the blood. They are also unable to maintain a proper balance between salt and water. Such a kidney disorder could lead to insomnia and restless leg syndrome.

8. Arthritis

The intense pain suffered by arthritis patients drives away sleep, resulting in insomnia.

If a sleep disorder is due to a medical condition, the medical condition should be treated first, not the sleep disorder. When the primary cause of a sleep disorder is successfully treated, it disappears, and the patient finds that he or she can enjoy good sleep.

Sleep Disorders - Which one do you suffer from?

2010-12-01T10:16:00.000-08:00

Onset Insomnia has been studied by medical professionals in much details and each one has tried to classify them according to what they thought was the best. But for a common person it becomes a bit confusing to know what type of onset insomnia he is suffering from.

Sleep Disorders - a few more types:

Different types of sleep disorders keep people awake and prevent proper sleep. Sleep disorders range from the common, self-correcting issues to physical and neurological disorders. Sleep disorders prevent people from resting properly whether it's getting to sleep, staying asleep or cycling through the stages of sleep. Sleep is vital to the body's ability to heal, to process information, to digest, to relax and to function. While a person can stay awake for days on end, they will begin to suffer the debilitating effects of sleep deprivation such as a breakdown in cognitive functions, weight gain and a weakened immune system. Sleep disorders are about more than missing one night of sleep here or there, sleep disorders indicate a persistent inability to rest.

Apnea Sleep Disorders

Apnea sleep disorders are related directly to respiratory issues. Hypopnea syndrome indicates very shallow or slow breathing while sleeping. The shallow breathing can sound like wheezing or mild gasping and reduces the level of oxygen saturation in the blood. The heart must pump harder to get enough oxygen. Obstructive sleep apnea is typically caused by a physical defect or weakness in the soft tissue of the throat. While sleeping, a person with OSA will periodically cease breathing due to the soft tissue collapsing and blocking the airway. They will experience an arousal to waking, gasping and choking for air. The arousal episodes occur several times during the night although the patient may only remember one in five of the waking episodes. Obstructive sleep apnea may be corrected by surgery. Central sleep apnea is caused by a neurological problem. The brain fails to send the right messages to the muscles controlling your breathing. Causes of central sleep apnea are related to neurological diseases, stroke, surgery and spinal damage.

Primary snoring differs from the snoring associated with apnea disorders. Most people snore at one point or another. Physical causes of snoring include a deviated septum, hypertrophy of the adenoids, swollen tonsils, tongue enlargement and a small oropharynx. Colds and allergies also cause snoring. Snoring alone is not indicative of a sleep disorder, but snoring can keep other people awake.

Movement Disorders

Movement disorders interrupt sleep patterns and the ability of the body to achieve the different stages sleep because physically they are moving or acting. The physical action may wake them up or prevent them from sleeping. The most well known movement sleep disorder is restless legs syndrome (RLS). RLS causes an irresistible urge to shift or move the legs. People who experience RLS complain of a creepy, crawly or pins and needles sensation. RLS patients often suffer from periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) which causes sudden jerking of the arms or legs while sleeping. Occasionally a person's leg or arm will twitch as their muscles relax, but PLMD causes persistent and involuntary motions that can jerk them awake. Bruxism is the grinding or clenching of the teeth while a person is sleeping.

The disorder can cause dental problems, headaches and general soreness of the jaw. Somnambulism is another movement disorder that is neurological in nature. Sleepwalking can cause a person to get up and engage in day to day activities without any knowledge of what they are doing. Sleepwalkers experience unexplained injuries and physical tiredness related to not resting properly. The last sleep movement disorder involves a lack of movement or sleep paralysis. The paralysis affects the physical body temporarily just before falling asleep or upon waking. A person with sleep paralysis usually experiences visual, tactile or auditory hallucinations and are usually suffering from narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a disorder where a person falls asleep suddenly and inexplicable, during normal waking hours.

Other Sleep Disorders

Other sleep disorders that affect people include rapid eye movement behavior disorder (RBD), delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS), night terrors, parasomnia and situational circadian rhythm sleep disorder. RBD causes patients to act out their dramatic or violent dreams while sleeping. For example, a person dreaming about punching a monster in a bad dream may physically lash out with a first. Night terrors are different from nightmares in that they cause severe, abrupt arousal from sleep experience terror. A child who experiences night terrors may wake screaming and unable to accept comfort.

Many patients who experience night terrors do not remember them upon waking, but do experience daytime sleepiness and stress associated with the physical terror response. Night terrors are considered a parasomnia as is sleep walking and talking during sleep. DSPS involves an abnormal circadian rhythm. The natural circadian rhythm involves waking in daylight hours and sleeping at night. A person with DSPS experiences difficulty sleeping at night and being awake during the day. A natural recourse for DSPS patients is to work off hours in order to facilitate their career with their waking hours. Situational circadian rhythm sleep disorder is different in that it is experienced by individuals with a normal circadian rhythm who are impacted by external, environmental factors. A person working third shift regularly who struggles to stay awake when they want to sleep.

Identifying Sleep Disorders

If a person suspects they are suffering from a sleep disorder, it is important to bring the information to the attention of a physician. Everyone experiences an occasional sleepless night, but persistent daytime sleepiness, difficulty sleeping or snoring may indicate a sleep disorder.

The Most Common Types of Can't Sleep Disorders

2010-11-30T12:28:00.001-08:00

Sleep disorders are disorders that interrupt a person's normal sleep patterns. In order for a sleep disorder to be classified as such, it must take place on a more or less regular basis. Occasional or rare sleep disruptions do not constitute as sleep disorders. Some sleep disorders cause problems with mental and emotional functioning while others manifest themselves in physical ways.

Some of the most common sleep disorders include bruxism, delayed sleep phase syndrome (PSPS), hypopnea syndrome, behavioral insomnia, jet lag (or desynchronosis), narcolepsy, night terror (or sleep terror disorder, also referred to by its scientific name which is Pavor nocturnus), parasomnias, periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) and rapid eye movement behavior disorder (RBD).

Other types of sleep disorders include restless legs syndrome (RLS), shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), sleep apnea, sleep paralysis, sleepwalking (also known as somnambulism) and snoring. Sleep experts break down sleep disorders into three categories. These categories include:

Dysomnias Parasomnias - Medical or Psychiatric Conditions

# Dysomnias...

Dysomnias take in a vast array of sleep disorders that are connected to either insomnia or hypersomnolence. Three subcategories of dysomnias are intrinsic (meaning that the origin comes from within the body), extrinsic (meaning that its origin is related to environmental or a variety of pathological reasons) and thirdly, disturbances related to the circadian rhythm of the body.

Examples of dysomnias include insomnia, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, hypersomnia, recurrent hypersomnia, periodic limb movement disorder, posttraumatic hypersomnia, "healthy" hypersomnia, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, delayed sleep phase syndrome, advanced sleep phase syndrome and non-24-hour sleep-wake syndrome.

# Parasomnias...

Parasomnias include sleep disorders such as REM sleep behavior disorder, sleep terror, sleepwalking (also called somnambulism), teeth grinding (or bruxism), sleep enuresis (bed-wetting), sudden infant death syndrome (or SIDS) and sleep talking (also referred to as somniloquy).

Psychiatric or Medical Problems

The third and final category of sleep disorders is psychiatric or medical problems that could serve to disrupt regular sleep patterns. Examples include psychoses (such as schizophrenia), mood disorders, anxiety, depression, alcoholism, panic, and sleeping sickness (which can be caused by the Tsetse fly). Please note that snoring is not considered a disorder on its own although it can be the symptom of a greater health problem and it can lead to more serious problems such as sleep apnea.

Factors Involved

There are varieties of factors that can cause a sleep disorder to begin. Lifestyle changes often play a role such as in those who work shift work (shirt work sleep disorder or abbreviated to SWSD). Other problems that can wreck havoc with consistent sleep patterns include pain or problems with the neck, shoulders or back, sciatica, noise in the environment, incontinence, a room that is too cold, too hot, too dark or too light and a variety of drugs, prescription or otherwise. A number of different drugs can affect sleep in its various stages and often taking sleeping pills or sedatives can make problems even worse because it disrupts the normal sleep pattern even more.

If you snore or find yourself extremely tired throughout the day and unable to concentrate on ordinary daily tasks it would be wise to go see your doctor. As well keeping a diary about your sleep habits can work as a helpful tool when it comes to diagnosing a sleep disorder.

Different types of onset insomnia

2010-11-26T10:14:00.000-08:00

Let us first find out what insomnia or can't sleep disorder is...

A person who is not able to sleep or is in a state in which he cannot remain sleeping for an optimum time for proper rest is said to be suffering from insomnia or can't sleep disorder.

According to medical experts and doctors it is necessary for adults to sleep for at least six to eight hours at night. And as an independent estimate more than 50 million people across the globe are suffering from this can't sleep disorder.

Insomnia is derived from Latin word which when segregated means no sleep ( In - NO and insomnia - sleep ) but the term insomnia is used to describe many types of sleeplessness.

The different conditions of insomnia can be broadly classified as:

# Sleeplessness or not able to sleep which is mostly prevalent in young people which may be due to fatigue, work pressure, mental tension, etc.

# Sleep restlessness where it is difficult to maintain sleep as the person keep getting up from his sleep and find it difficult to go back to sleep again often spending the rest of the night awake. This kind of insomnia is more common in people over forty years. Some younger people it may happen which could be mostly due to depression

Insomnia can be classified broadly into two categories:

Transient insomnia - which can be said to be a temporary one as it not long lasting and remains for a few nights or weeks only. This may be due to some unusual stressful event.

Chronic insomnia - which lasts for a long time and may affect a person for several weeks, months or even years also known as long term insomnai.

Alternatively insomnia may be termed as primary and secondary insomnia.

Primary insomnia is the most common type of insomnia which is not caused by health problems. The changes in job schedule, work pressure or jet lag may result in such type of insomnia.

Secondary insomnia is a symptom of another underlying condition due to some health issues that causes this can't sleep disorder. When you receive effective treatment for the underlying condition, the insomnia usually goes away.

As people get older they are not able to sleep soundly and as they sleep for a shorter spans, although they still need the same amount of sleep as was required in the younger days of their lives.

If we take a look at the overall statistics the patterns are amazing:

More than 50 percent of the cases of insomnia are due to psychological causes whereas the other 50 percent are due to behavioral causes which includes the sleep environment, medications & drugs and other physical causes.

Overall the final outcome is a poor quality sleep which leaves you unrefreshed in the morning that directly affects your normal working and causes daytime sleepiness and limits your energy level. A long term insomnia results in depression, irritability and loss of memory. The most common targets of such disorders are women and elderly people.

It's time to wake up now!

Are you sleeping well?

2010-11-26T09:54:00.000-08:00

Are you getting the amount of sleep that your body system need? After a long hectic daily routine our body systems need rest to recover whatever the losses in energy had taken place during the day. And if you are not getting a good night sleep things will go against nature and problems in our health will start happening.

Sometimes we are not able to get sleep and this is the initial stage of insomnia or can't sleep disorder. It may seem a matter of not much importance but in the later stages of this can't sleep disorder it can really cause big problems.

Basically insomnia is not getting a good sleep. It mainly occurs when there are long spells of wakefulness at night. It is normally believed that the duration of sleep is the main factor that is responsible for this but as a matter of fact the duration does not matter but it is the quality of sleep which matters. If one is sleeping soundly for a few hours that would be better than long hours of interrupted sleep.

Effects of insomnia :

There are many effects and side effects of insomnia but the majors ones are

    * Low mental efficiency
    * Depression
    * Forgetfulness
    * Anger and irritability
    * Lack of proper judgment

Causes for insomnia

The digestive disorder and constipation directly affects our sleep. Apart from this the problem in our respiratory system which takes care of the oxygen intake is also responsible for making us spend sleepless nights. Our relationships which are in trouble, loss of job, financial matters, anxiety, etc also directly affect our sleep and cause insomnia.

Simple cures for insomnia

There are many natural and herbal cures for insomnia but I will list some normal home cures for insomnia here which will definitely help you get rid of insomnia.

Reforms in diet : One of the home cure for insomnia is the changes in your diet which you can easily bring about. Just avoid all types of negative foods like fried food and sweets. Avoid tea or coffee especially at night. Try to take lots of fresh juices and coconut water. This will really help your digestive system. Honey taken with water before going to bed is really soothing to the nerves.

Personal hygiene will also help you out of insomnia. Foot bath with hot water for about 15/20 minutes followed with cold one before going to bed is really helpful. A spinal bath with cold water is also helpful.
Do avoid high pillows as they causes stiffness and tension in the neck muscles and also impede the normal flow of blood to the head area. Nigh clothing should be light and soft.

A common insomnia panic is use of sleeping pills and sedatives which should be completely avoided as the use such cures for insomnia is really harmful in a long run as these mainly suppress the symptoms and not cure the causes of insomnia. I hope these simple and natural cures for insomnia will give some relief.

Stay tuned for some more on insomnia.