Sunday, April 22, 2012

Enhance Your Sleep Quality

Many people have felt night-time anxiety quite a few instances in their lives; having said that in case you are one of the millions of people that suffer from bedtime anxiety on a daily basis; you understand that from time to time even contemplating receiving into bed can be an anxiety inducing situation; and you no doubt could use some anxiety relief. For those who have ever located oneself lying awake at night hour immediately after hour listening to the clock - and your personal heart beat racing - you might be suffering from panic disorder.

The human physique produces human growth hormone through the pituitary gland and releases this hormone into our bloodstream while we sleep. As a result, the much less good quality deep sleep we're able to get each night the lower the levels of HGH made and released into the bloodstream will be. Beginning in our twenties, the pituitary gland produces less and much less HGH that contributes to a lack of quality sleep as we age. It's a vicious hormonal circle.


A lot of people that have already been in this situation who, rather than threat their well being, have sought out extra natural remedies to assist them by way of their day-to-day lives. Performing analysis into my personal sleep anxiety problems I've found fairly some things that have worked for me and I hope that after reading this, it is possible to be helped, as well.

Human growth hormone injections might be prescribed by a medical doctor. Having said that, such treatment plans require a painful process that's costly and inconvenient for many prospects. The treatment plans require a monthly investment of up to $2,000 and upwards of 48 injections. Despite the overwhelming well being and sleep benefits of HGH, this choice is just not cost-effective or feasible for many.

In conclusion, for those who are either not pretty keen on taking prescription medications or have attempted these medicines only to locate that they don't bring anxiety relief to you, please give some of these suggestions a try. As generally, talk to your medical doctor prior to trying any with the herbal supplements. Even though they may be usually identified to be safer than most narcotic sleep aids, when you possess a pre-existing condition they are able to exacerbate that.

A Quick Review of Sleep Apnea Machines and BiPAP Machines

Selecting the right sleep apnea machine to fit your individual needs can sometimes be complicated. CPAP machines range from simplistic and no-frills to sleek and stylish with sophisticated technology. When APAP (automatic positive airway pressure) machines and BiPAP machines (bi-level positive airway pressure) are considered, the options become even more unclear. Sleep apnea machine vendors and suppliers have many different types of available CPAP, APAP and BiPAP machines for your evaluation. The DeVilbiss IntelliPAP Auto CPAP is just one of the many options for CPAP users. It is considered to be the next generation of auto sleep apnea machines. This Auto Adjusting system features the smallest surface area of any leading sleep apnea machine, making it very travel-friendly. The Devilbiss IntelliPAP also does away with the bulky power brick, keeping this CPAP machine lightweight. Smart Flex technology has been built into this machine, providing exhalation relief along with transitional pressure when necessary. Moreover, the Devilbiss IntelliPAP comes with a five-year warranty making it the longest warranty in the CPAP machine domain.

In contrast to the standard functionality of the Devilbiss IntelliPAP Auto CPAP, there is the ResMed S9 Auto. The ResMed S9 Auto is considered by many to be the best sleep apnea machine available, featuring sophisticated technology and a heated tube. Included in the ResMed S9 Auto is their patented Easy-Breathe Technology for expiratory pressure relief (EPR). Expiratory pressure relief makes drawing a breath with the ResMed S9 Auto feel significantly more natural as it responds to the CPAP user on a breath by breath basis. This sleep apnea machine also includes a Climate Control feature, as well as heated CPAP tube, helpful in preventing rainout. Sophisticated technology and data are a strong aspect of the ResMed S9. This APAP machine's algorithm has been enhanced to detect the difference between an open and closed airway. The integrated SD data card holds five years of user data, enabling fine tuning to hone in on individual needs. All of this can be accomplished by way of a few slight button pushes or clicks of the dial. The Resmed S9 Auto also looks more stylish, sleek and less like a clunky, clinical medical apparatus than its predecessors.

Whichever CPAP machine is chosen, the Devilbiss IntelliPAP Auto or the ResMed S9 Auto, compliance is truly the path to a better quality sleep. Either machine will provide the foundation from which to build more consistent sleep patterns and an enhanced quality of life.

Can a Sleep Apnea Machine Combat Depression

A recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a correlation between the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea and depression. Obstructive sleep apnea, often abbreviated as OSA, is a condition that causes interruptions or pauses in normal breathing while a person sleeps, occasionally manifesting as total cessation of breath for a few seconds, and even up to a full minute. These interruptions can be so severe as to cut off the sufferer's oxygen supply not just to the brain, but the entire body. Daytime fatigue, irritability, high blood pressure to as severe as stroke are just a few of the consequences linked to endless nights of unfulfilling sleep. This condition is best combatted by use of a sleep apnea machine or CPAP machine, which requires a doctor's diagnosis of OSA.


A lead author for the CDC study states that this interruption in sleep, while not always fully waking the patient, does bring that person out of the deeper levels of restful sleep necessary for recovery and rejuvenation. This is why OSA sufferers who aren't on a regimen that includes the use of a CPAP or BiPAP machine suffer from exhaustion and listlessness throughout the day. This recent study included analysis of some 10,000 American adults. Researchers discovered a correlation between the likelihood of diagnosed depression in those participants that reported periods of gasping for breath and interruptions in breathing during sleep. Only approximately 6 percent of men and 3 percent of women that enrolled in this study reported having actually being diagnosed with OSA. There was a notable portion of participants that were not formally diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, but did describe instances of gasping, snoring, unfulfilling sleep and fatigue during waking hours.There is also a direct correlation between diagnoses of obstructive sleep apnea and obesity, especially in people over the age of 40 with larger than average neck size (the area around the throat is directly linked to instances of sleep apnea. The larger the area, the more stress put on the airway during sleep). While this study does add an important element the understanding of depression and its link to OSA, readers are cautioned to carefully consider the findings due to the self-reporting nature of the study.


Sleep Apnea Machines, CPAP Machines, & BiPap Machines


Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea can be as intricate as surgery to remove excess tissue from the affected area. More commonly and typically more effective is a prescribed regimen including the regular use of a sleep apnea machine. Sleep apnea machines better known as CPAP machine are still the most effective and widespread treatment for OSA. However, the availability of treatment doesn't have a measureable effect on reducing the suffering that OSA patients endure if they don't utilize it. There are estimates that approximately 80 percent of people who snore or suffer from interruptions in breathing five nights a week or more do not seek treatment, and therefore, go undiagnosed.

6 Tips For How to Fall Asleep Fast

If you are one of those people who seem to lay awake all night, trying harder and harder to get to sleep but not quite making it then help is at hand. Follow these simple tips on how to fall asleep fast and see what works best for you.

1. Unwind before going to sleep

One of the reasons we find it hard getting to sleep is that we treat sleeping like a switch. The trouble is that our mind doesn't work that way. It can't stop working on a dime. It takes time for it to slow down. So allow yourself time to slow down and unwind before going to bed. An hour or so of low key activity, away from your computer screen or "heavy" viewing like the television news will help you to do this.

2. Keep to regular times

We're creatures of habit. If you go to bed at ten o'clock one night, midnight another night and the early hours of the morning another night, your body will get confused and won't know whether it's supposed to be sleeping or not. Keeping a reasonably regular bedtime schedule will help your body to adjust and it will begin to instinctively know that it's time for you to get your nightly rest and recuperation.3. Blackness is best

You're hopefully too old to need a light on at night to keep the monsters away. So aim for a totally darkened room. That includes the display on your alarm clock, the standby light on your television, the light the creeps through an open bedroom door, anything that interrupts the pattern of darkness. If you can upgrade your curtains so that they're the blackout versions, even better. But aim for the easy stuff first - you'll find it helps you get to sleep fast as otherwise the light from even small devices disrupts your sleep patterns.

4. Watch the temperature

Generally speaking, a cooler room is better for a decent nights sleep. This can be awkward, especially at the change of seasons where the outside temperature can shoot all over the place. Pay attention to the temperature in your bedroom and the layers of duvets that you use. If they're too warm than that can wreak havoc with your sleep patterns and make it more difficult to get to sleep fast.

5. Cut down on the caffeine and alcohol

Caffeine is great (in moderation of course!) as a pick me up during the day but that same caffeine buzz will disrupt your ability to get to sleep at night. The same logic goes for alcohol - it disrupts your sleep pattern and even if you drink so much that you just fall asleep that's not a good thing to do for your body's sake.

6. Take a nice, long, bath

This is really just another relaxation method but it's one that doesn't normally involve you tapping away at a computer keyboard or watching the TV news. So it's a good way to help you to relax before hitting the sack.

Are You A Sleep-Talker

Somniloquy or sleep-talking is not an illness, and it's not at all harmful. It can be quite embarrassing though, even annoying, especially for the people you disturb when you blurt things out at night. You can't censor what you say, and you can't really tell if you sleep-talk - you normally have to be told by someone who heard you. The shame in that alone might motivate you to learn about how to stop talking in your sleep.

Sleep-talking is a symptom of parasomnia. Basically, parasomnia is characterized by non-restful sleep: You have trouble moving from one stage of sleep to another, and part of your mind wakes up while part of it stays in slumber. This may cause you to sleep-walk, grind your teeth, or talk.

Sleep-talking can take the form of moans or mumbles, or even long monologues with complete sentences. It's more common in children than in adults, simply because children have less-developed brains. Most kids grow out of it but it can occur in adults, particularly when triggered by certain factors.

There are no definite cures for it, but there are ways to avoid sleep-talking. Below are practical steps you can take.

1. Know the triggers.

First of all, you need to know the things that aggravate parasomnia. The most common are:

- Stress / tension

- Illness or fever

- A lack of proper sleep

- Eating before bedtime

- Anxiety disorders or mental health issues- Substance abuse

Knowing these triggers will allow you to address them properly.

2. Reduce stress in your daily life.

Since stress and anxiety aggravate sleep-talking, it will benefit you to manage your daily activities. Keep a schedule and a list of things to do. Address whatever problems you can as soon as possible so you don't have to worry. If there are things you can't immediately remedy, relieve stress through meditation, physical exercise or talking to a trusted friend.

3. Take time to relax daily.

Set a few minutes each day for whatever soothes you - be it jogging, swimming, reading or having a foot massage.

4. Have a regular, fixed time for going to sleep and waking up.

The human body is inclined for routine. Condition yourself to sleep and rise at the same time daily; this will help your mind establish your sleeping patterns.

5. Get a good amount of sleep each night.

Give yourself around 8 hours. Avoid staying up late.

Begin winding down after dinner - do only low-stress things, nothing challenging or work-related. Don't watch or read anything exciting or upsetting at night. It may help to move your desk, computer or television out of the bedroom. Reserve your bedroom only for sleeping and lovemaking.

6. Improve the quality of your sleep

You can take a warm shower to stimulate the melatonin in your brain. If it makes you sleep more restfully, darken your room or adjust the temperature. You may even want to reposition your bed to a quieter, more comfortable spot. If you share a room with someone else, it helps to place a curtain or folding screen between your bed and the rest of the room.

7. Eat light at night

Heavy dinners or snacking just before bedtime causes your digestive system to work when it should be resting. This can lead to indigestion and disturbed repose.

Be sure to have a healthy diet. Cut down on caffeine, sugar and alcohol, as these substances disrupt sleep cycles.

8. Involve your roommate or companion

Talk to them about the things that trigger parasomnia. It's important for them to understand your sleep-related needs, and for you to get their cooperation.

If a restful sleep still eludes you, consult a doctor about medication that can help you relax or sleep deeper. But take this option only when it's really necessary; remember that all drugs have side effects.

Since parasomnia can be hereditary, you might have to take sterner measures if all else fails. As a rule of thumb, seek professional help if you don't know how to stop talking in your sleep.

Sleeping Problems and Ways You Can Banish Them

All of us have experienced what it is like to lie awake in the middle of night, tossing, turning, and finding it hard to sleep. When we experience this, we usually have a terrible start to our morning and it follows us throughout the day as we go about our work and activities. It is a big problem already when this happens. Now, this may be a rare occurrence to some people but just imagine if sleeping problems occur to you on a regular basis which would later progress into a habit.

It will hamper your ability to function properly and think logically. Once you realize this happening to you, then it is time you address the problem immediately.
Know the symptoms and the signs involved so you can determine whether it was just another bad night or a sleep disorder has already formed.
If you are experiencing these signs then chances are you are suffering from a sleeping disorder.

    Do you often feel irritable and sleepy during the day?
    Do you have difficulty concentrating?
    Do you have a slow reaction time to most situations?
    Do you get easily irritated or have a hard time controlling your emotions?

If you answered "yes" to most or all of these questions then you may be dealing with a sleep disorder. Some sleep disorders may require you to visit your doctor and ask for professional treatment there are still so many ways which you can improve the sleeping problems you feel on your own.

One of the best ways to help you sleep better is to improve your hygiene to encourage good sleep habits. Having a warm (not hot) bath before you go to bed will help your body prepare itself for sleep.
But you need to do this an hour or more before your daily bedtime as you need to give your body a chance to cool down.

The warm water will help alleviate tension and relax your muscles. Using chamomile or lavender oil has been proven to aid people relax and get better sleep as well.

There is a need for the body to cool down in order for it to fall asleep and stay asleep. Therefore, keeping your room cold will help you achieve the sleep that you so crave. Find the temperature that works best for you and keeps you relaxed. That way you will be able to sleep more soundly.

Find out ways to block out unnecessary noise. Now, white noise can be useful if you can tolerate it. That means that you can actually have a much longer sleep even when you hear noises outside your bedroom. But loud, aggressive noise is not only irritating but your ears actually still pick up the sound making your brain process it while you sleep. That is why when you wake up with the radio left on the whole night you feel less restful.

The Importance of Sleep Studies for Diagnosis

Heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure these are just some of the risks you will be facing if you suffer from sleep disorders. In fact there are other medical conditions too that will affect you when you do not seek treatment for this problem. Apart from medical concerns, lack of sleep has been linked to other accidents as well. It ranges from falling (for the elderly) to horrible road accidents.

However, you should not panic because sleep disorders can be treated now and with better results too compared to years ago. Consult a visit with your doctor if you know that you snore regularly and you often feel very tired when you are at work or in school. Another common symptom is if you have trouble going to sleep and staying asleep. Waking up too early and having difficulty to go back to sleep again are also quite common with people suffering from sleep disorders.

If your doctor recommends that you undergo a sleep study then do not be alarmed. It can actually help you in a lot more ways than you can imagine. Having anxiety at the thought of being observed while sleeping is natural and normal but do take a few moments to think about it, read on this post, and put those fears to rest.

In order to give a more accurate diagnosis the doctor will need the results of your sleep studies and other relevant medical tests to help him or her pinpoint the problem. Your good doctor will be able to diagnose a sleep disorder based on factors like your sleep schedule and habits when you undergo a sleep study.

Sleep studies are tests that measure your body's response to sleep problems and gauge how well you sleep. Sleep studies are very important because of the risks involved with untreatePeople are not usually aware of their breathing, movements, and behaviors while they are sleeping.
Hence, they may never be able to talk about issues that could be related to their sleep problems.

Sleep studies can help the doctor diagnose the following:
•    Sleep apnea and other sleep-related breathing disorders
•    Sleep-related seizure disorders
•    Periodic limb movement disorder which might be connected to other sleep-related movement disorders
•    Sleep disorders that cause extreme daytime tiredness. An example of which is Narcolepsy
d sleep problems.