By Andy | March 2, 2010 - 6:26 am - Posted in News

Whether it’s sipping decaffeinated hot tea, blocking out all noise and light or spritzing lavender on a cushy pillow, many of us do what we can to get a blissful night’s rest. Take this quiz to figure out your sleep personality, and find strategies best suited to your sleep style.

Next questions are designed to test sleep knowledge. Answers address sleep disorders, myths, drowsy driving, age-related changes and sleep need.

Please choose True of False for each statement and check your answers below!

1- During sleep, your brain rests.


2- You cannot learn to function normally with one or two fewer hours of sleep a night than you need.


3- Boredom makes you feel sleepy, even if you have had enough sleep.


4- Resting in bed with your eyes closed cannot satisfy your body’s need to sleep.


5- Snoring is not harmful as long as it doesn’t disturb others or wake you up.


6- Everyone dreams every night.


7- The older you get the fewer hours of sleep you need.


8- Most people don’t know when they are sleepy.


9- Raising the volume of your radio will help you stay awake while driving.


10- Sleep disorders are mainly due to worry or psychological problems.


11- The human body never adjusts to night shift work.


12- Most sleep disorders go away even without treatment.


Answers

1 False. While your body rests your brain doesn’t. An active brain during sleep prepares us for alertness and peak functioning the next day.
2 True. Sleep need is biological. While children need more sleep than adults, how much sleep any individual needs is genetically determined. Most adults need eight hours of sleep to function at their best. How to determine what you need? Sleep until you wake up on your own…without an alarm clock. Feel rested? That’s your sleep need. You can teach yourself to sleep less, but not to need less sleep. Read The Full Story…

By Andy | February 26, 2010 - 4:05 am - Posted in Drugs, News


Sleeplessness is a big problem in America. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), almost six out of ten Americans report having insomnia at least a few nights weekly. In a recent NSF poll, they found that as many as 25 percent of the people in the U.S. use medications in an effort to combat insomnia and get some rest.

Most sleeping pills, especially when taken over long periods of time, stay in the bloodstreamdrugs-300x199 Side Effects from Sleep Medications/Drugs and give a hangover effect the next day and beyond. They impair memory, reduce performance on the job and at home, and contribute to machine and car accidents.

The antihistamines used in OTC sleep aids can produce side effects. Effects can be stronger in older adults. As with any medication, it is advisable to consult with your doctor before taking over-the-counter sleep medication. This is especially important if you have glaucoma, trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland, or a breathing problem such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

Allergic Reactions: Other rare but potential side effects of sedative-hypnotic drugs are a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and severe facial swelling (angioedema), which can occur as early as the first time the product is taken.

Sleeping drugs can wreak havoc on one’s health and well-being. The right blend of natural minerals can be an effective natural insomnia remedy that helps the sleepless get some good rest.

By Andy | October 21, 2009 - 5:46 am - Posted in News, Sleep Habits

We spend about a third of our life sleeping. The average adult sleeps 7 to 8.6 hours a day. Children statistics-292x300 Sleep facts and statisticssleep more than adults; they spent about 10 hours a day sleeping. Newborns, however, may sleep for nearly two-thirds of their day. There is an age-related difference in average time spent sleeping. As a person ages, they require less sleep. The elderly only spent around 6.5 hours a day sleeping.

The amount of time spent sleeping may be genetically influenced. Deprived of sleep, we run the risk of fatigue; depressed immune system; impaired concentration, creativity, and communication; irritability; and deteriorated performance. In the long-run, sleep deprivation may contribute to obesity, hypertension, and memory impairment.

Who is More Stressed?

- 26% of women report trouble sleeping at least once a week compared to only

- 16% of men

- 19% of individuals ages 45-64 admit to losing sleep due to stress a few nights per week

Sleep Facts

- Up to 15% of people is sleep walking

- Approximately 15% of people have restless leg syndrome

- Vehicular crashes are the third leading cause of death and injury in the United States, and up to 20% of them are sleep related

- Untreated sleep apnea causes 500,000 motor vehicle crashes annually

- One in 20 men have sleep apnea

- Seizures occur more commonly during sleep than during waking hours

- Many tranquilizers actually decrease deeper stages of sleep that are

required for the restoration and fresh feeling in the morning

- Jet Lag is worse when traveling toward the East

- Sleep loss of four hours is equivalent to being drunk with a blood alcohol

level of 0.1%

- One-third of young adults are pathologically sleepy during the day Read The Full Story…

By Andy | October 15, 2009 - 5:44 am - Posted in News

Stomach ulcers form when acid comes into contact with unprotected tissues in the lining of the stomach. The healthy stomach protects itself from erosion through a mucosal layer secreted by special cells on the stomach wall. Occasionally however, this protection breaks down for various refluxdefenseheader-300x60 Reflux Defense Systemreasons. The result is basically an open sore that develops on the lining of the stomach. Most people used to think that ulcers were caused by stress or by eating too much spicy food. While either of these can cause more acid in the stomach, it has now been found that most ulcers are caused by H. pylori, but only when certain conditions are present. In fact, many people have H. pylori in their gut, but never develop ulcers.

What causes Stomach Ulcers?

The direct cause of peptic ulcers is the destruction of the gastric or intestinal mucosal lining of the stomach by hydrochloric acid, an acid normally present in the digestive juices of the stomach. Infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is thought to play an important role in causing both gastric and duodenal ulcers. Helicobacter pylori may be transmitted from person to person through contaminated food and water. Antibiotics are the most effective treatment for Helicobacter pylori peptic ulcers.

Acid Reflux occurs when the tube that you uses to intake the food from the throat to stomach is not strong enough to handle the acid. The food intaken by you is digested by the stomach with the help of an acid produced and stored by it. The stomach walls are built strong enough to store that acid without causing damage.

Here is Remedies for Acid Reflux Disease, Reflux Foods and Side Effects of Antacids.

Injury of the gastric mucosal lining, and weakening of the mucous defenses are also responsible for gastric ulcers. Excess secretion of hydrochloric acid, genetic predisposition, and psychological stress are important contributing factors in the formation and worsening of duodenal ulcers.

Another major cause of ulcers is the chronic use of anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin. Cigarette smoking is also an important cause of ulcer formation and ulcer treatment failure.

How long can humans stay awake?

J. Christian Gillin, a professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego, conducts gardner-sleep-295x300 Sleep Deprivation World Record: Randy Gardner, stayed awake for 264 hours (eleven days)research on sleep, chronobiology and mood disorders. He supplies the following answer.

In 1964, as a 17-year-old high school student in San Diego, California, Gardner stayed awake for 264 hours (11 days) with the help of friends, TV reporters, and shooting hoops His stunt was part of a school science project on sleep patterns.

The effects of sleep deprivation on Randy Gardner included moodiness, problems with concentration and memory, paranoia and hallucinations. After four days, he had the delusion that he was a famous American football player winning the Rose Bowl. He also mistook a street sign for a person.

On the 11th day, he was asked to subtract seven repeatedly, starting from 100. He stopped when he got to 65… and said he had forgotten what he was doing. Read The Full Story…

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common problem in women characterized by mood or physical symptoms that appear regularly in the luteal phase and remit during or shortly after menses. Severe, predominantly affective symptoms can markedly impact a woman’s ability to function at home or the workplace or in her relationships.

Women with PMS tend to report more sleep-related complaints, including pms PMS and Sleep: Women with Severe PMS Perceive Their Sleep Quality To Be Poorinsomnia, hypersomnia, tiredness or fatigue, disturbing dreams or nightmares, lethargy, and inability to concentrate.

Women with severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) perceive their sleep quality to be poorer in association with their symptoms in the late luteal (premenstrual) phase, despite there being no specific alterations in sleep structure associated with premenstrual symptoms, according to a study published in the October 1 issue of the journal SLEEP.

The study, authored by Fiona C. Baker, PhD, of the Human Sleep Research Program at SRI International in Menlo Park, Calif., and the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, focused on nine women with PMS or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and 12 controls. The subjects, all 18-40 years of age, had laboratory-based polysomnographic recordings at two phases of the menstrual cycle: follicular phase and late luteal phase. Read The Full Story…

By Andy | July 8, 2009 - 11:54 pm - Posted in News

Freedom Treatment Center is a drug rehabilitation facility located in Albion Michigan. Freedom treatment center has become one of the best online services that would help you in many ways to find a reliable Illinois drug rehab center. Freedom treatment center is the only option, the only way that individuals that have been afflicted with addiction will be able to break the chain of addiction and begins to have their normal lives back again.

A review of national averages on other alcohol rehab or drug addiction pic31 Freedom Treatment Center  Can Save and Change Your Lifetreatment programs shows that the long term recovery rate is around 16 – 20 %. The majority of these drug rehabilitation program focus on a 12 step or psychiatric approach. The Narconon drug rehab program is a truly unique approach in the field of addiction treatment – established in 1966 it has a long and proven history in helping addicts actually overcome their addiction and lead productive lives where they are able to contribute to themselves, their family and society without the need to rely on substances of any sort.

Check more detail information about the drug rehab at Freedomdrugrehab.com. Make sure that you check this site first to get guidance on how to choose the most reputable drug rehab for your loved one. For further information, you can contact them via phone.

By Andy | July 6, 2009 - 3:45 am - Posted in News

thedrugrehab.com is main goal is to save lives. drug rehab is the only option, the only way that individuals that have been afflicted with addiction will be able to break the chain of addiction and begins to have their normal lives back again.

chapman31-300x80 Drug Rehab Programs can Change Your Life

From a study in the United States stated that a lot of young people who follow the rehabilitation program said that they consume alcohol or drugs-drugs of 2 years before their parents find out. Therefore, making communication with children as early as possible and do not wait until your children are involved in a problem page.

When a person is destined to be a victim of his office, eliminating the responsibility of the person who abuses drugs or alcohol. The drug rehabilitation with the highest success rate is one that offers a drug rehabilitation in Michigan or alcohol rehab facility such as sauna for drug detoxification, counseling, therapy, and life skills training. Read The Full Story…

By Andy | May 12, 2009 - 11:13 pm - Posted in News

Sleeping myths are very common and are frequently confused with sleeping facts.

Some of these sleeping myths you may find evident, others you may not. With this list I will improve your knowledge on sleeping myths so you can improve your sleep.

Myth 1: The older you get, the fewer hours of sleep you need.sleep-1-300x233 Top 10 Sleep Myths – Busted!

Fact: Sleep experts recommend a total sleep time of seven to nine hours of sleep for the average adult. Sleep patterns change as people age, but the amount of sleep they generally need does not. Older people may wake more frequently through the night and may actually get less nighttime sleep, but their need for sleep is no less than that of younger adults. Older people tend to sleep more during the day because they may sleep less during the night.

Myth 2: Sleep is a time when your body and brain shut down for rest and relaxation.

Fact: No evidence shows that any major organ (including the brain) or regulatory system in the body shuts down during sleep. Some physiological processes actually become more active while you sleep. For example, secretion of certain hormones is boosted, and activity of the pathways in the brain needed for learning and memory is heightened.

Myth 3: Snoring is Normal

Fact: While snoring is common during sleep, frequent snoring can indicate serious sleep disorders like sleep apnea. If you are a frequent, loud snore, see your doctor about being assessed for sleep apnea. Treatments are available and you (and your partner) will have more energy during the day. Read The Full Story…

By Andy | April 28, 2009 - 5:11 am - Posted in Insomnia, News, Sleep Therapy

The free relaxing music and nature sounds can aid sleep, reduce stress, and provide a relaxing atmosphere for activities such as yoga, tai-chi, and meditation.

Brainwave entrainment means that a particular beat or rhythm will guide your brain’s electrical pulses, which are called brainwaves, into a new rhythm. Your brain, when it “hears” the new beat will follow it and begin to pulse at the same rate.

When brainwave entrainment is used to cure insomnia the brainwaves we want to guide you into are the waves of sleep. When you are sleeping your brainwaves slow right down. The brainwave entrainment audio you are listening to will guide your brainwaves into the rhythm of sleep. When this happens you will fall asleep.

Examples of sleep-sounds:

- Rhythmic drumming creates a hypnotic effect to help induce sleep sleep-sounds2 Sleep-Sounds: Sounds to Promote Sleep and Relaxation

- The sound of the vibraphone is calming, and may reduce stress

- Rain acts as a white noise machine that masks household noises such as refrigerators, heaters, and creaking floors

- The booming sound of thunder helps to mask loud stereos, barking dogs, and traffic

- The sound of steady, rhytmic ocean waves provide a sensation of relaxation and calm.

- Birds and windchimes are comforting sounds that provide a relaxing and stress free atmosphere

- An atmosphere of rain and thunder may be especially relaxing, because one feels they cannot go out to work

- Ocean waves may remind one of a relaxing and calm vacation Read The Full Story…