Can you imagine then how it must feel to know that as many as 1 in 5 of the population have been denied the above, simply because they suffer from insomnia a cruel condition that robs people of vital rest.

Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep and stay asleep. It can affect anyone at any time and at any age.

Common signs of insomnia include:
Waking up tired and not feeling rested.
Feeling tired or sleepy throughout the day.
Having difficulty focusing on everyday tasks.
Feeling irritable and depressed.

Sleep is essential for good health. It is the body’s way of rejuvenating and repairing itself, and without it health problems such as heart disease and diabetes can occur. Indeed studies from New York and Chicago Universities have shown that a good night’s sleep can cause you to live longer and even help you to stay slim!

There are two types of insomnia, primary and secondary.
Primary insomnia is insomnia that occurs without an underlying cause.
Secondary insomnia is insomnia that is caused by an emotional, physical or neurological disorder such as stress, grief, pain, jetlag or illnesses such as dementia or Alzheimers.

Secondary insomnia is easier to treat than primary insomnia as you can usually pinpoint the cause. When it comes to sleep everybody needs are different and we should have a rough idea of how much sleep we need to function well.

The following tips below are known to improve or restore the sleep of the sufferer.
We need to be in tune with our body’s natural rhythm and try to get up at the same time even on weekends.

Try not to take naps during the day.

Take moderate and regular exercise such as walking or swimming.

Drink alcohol in moderation, it may make you feel sleepy but it can cause you to wake early.

Avoid tea and coffee in the evening as it is full of caffeine and will make you more alert.

Do not eat heavy or late at night, a classic reason for insomnia.

Eat a light meal 4 hours before bed and choose protein foods such as eggs, fish or bake beans as these contain trytophan an amino acid which aids sleep.

Drink hot milk containing nutmeg as both are calming and can induce sleep.

Sprinkle a few drops of lavender oil on your pillow at night as this has a sedative affect.

Avoid doing anything mentally stimulating before bed, wind down and relax using meditation and yoga to prepare the body for sleep.

Keep your bedroom dark, quiet and well ventilated. Turn off the television or the computer.

Play soft music and make sure that the bed is comfortable.

Doing any or more of the above should encourage sleep to come back and allow you the privilege of a good nights rest.

Lay back, relax !! Follow the tips above and it will improve your sleep.

Here’s To Your Sleep !!

Snoring is a comparatively frequent occurrence with nearly 40% of adults in America. Many people have snoring problems every single night.

There is not a simple reason for snoring. Each person is different and there are many reasons you may experience the nuisance of snoring.

10 possible causes of snoring are:

Weight Gain:
Snoring can be caused by the fact that you have gained weight. Extra pounds cause excess fatty tissue to form and that fatty tissue in the neck can cause your throat opening to become smaller and increase your chances of snoring.

Genetics:
One cause of snoring can be traced to your heredity. Regrettably our ancestors can pass on the characteristic of a smaller throat which can cause you problems with trying to breath properly and lead to snoring.

Your Gender:
Males tend to snore more because they have more narrow airways in their body than females. This gives men more likelihood of snoring than women.

Aging:
As you get older your throat becomes more narrow. Also as you age, you begin to lose muscle tone in your throat. So the combination of weak throat muscles and narrower air passages can lead to snoring.

Drinking Alcohol:
If you drink alcohol it relaxes your body which includes your throat and tongue muscles. The more these particular muscles relax, the great chance of snoring.

Medical Drugs:
Some sleeping pills and antihistamines cause the same effects on muscle relaxation as does alcohol and this can lead to snoring.

Deformities of your Nasal Passages:
If you have a deviated septum this can cause snoring.

Sleeping on Your Back:
Sleeping on your back sometimes produces more snoring than sleeping on your side. Simply try sleeping in a different position to reduce snoring symptoms.

Sleeping with Soft Pillows:
If you sleep with a soft pillow, you can raise the slant of your neck, and that can obstruct your airways and cause snoring.

Allergies:
Quite often a symptom of allergies, is stuffy nose and clogged nasal passages. Lack of air flow makes breathing difficult and the labored breathing may cause snoring.

These causes of snoring are in no way a complete list. When trying to figure out your problem with snoring, reviewing this list will give you a starting point for which direction to go to get help with your snore problems. Your next step is to see your family doctor and get their opinion on what might be causing your snoring.

Snoring not only affect your sleep but also the sleep of your loved ones. Imagine having to sleep beside someone who snore the whole night !!

Snoring can be reduced if not cured ! Talk to your doctor today !!

Sleep Apnea is a disruption of breathing while asleep. About 90% of people who have sleep apnea don’t know that they have it. Usually it is the bed partner who fisrt notices that that the person is struggling to breathe.
If left untreated, this common disorder can be life threatening and can be a medical emergency !

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Frequent cessation of breathing (apnea) during sleep. our sleep partner may notice trepeated silences from your side of your bed.

Choking or gasping during sleep to get air into the lungs. Normally would sound as your snort and grunt !
Loud snoring
Sudden awakening to restart breathing
wakng up in sweat during the night
Feeling unfreashed in the morning after a night’s sleep
Headaches, sore throat, or dry mouth in the morning after waking up
Daytime sleepiness, including falling asleep at inappropriate times, such as during driving or at work.
- Note this: This disorder can kill you especially when you are driving (exactly where sleep can kill).

Recognize these warning signs and symptoms. Whether you are the one suffering from it or your loved one, you or your loved one need to talk to your doctor. Find out the source of your sleep problem and let the doctor prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Remember .. Sleep heals … proper sleep that is !!