Narcolepsy treatments – Part 5

Narcolepsy is an inability to control suddenly falling asleep. Treatments for narcolepsy are not for cures but are for alleviation of symptoms. A person afflicted with this diseased sleep process is unable to control their sudden

attacks of day time sleep. They are apt to fall asleep anywhere, anytime, while at work or while talking with friends.

Normal sleep begins with non-rapid-eye-movements as the brain waves gradually slow

down for the first hour or so. Then REM (rapid-eye-movements) begins and the brain

speeds up its activity and dreaming takes place. In narcolepsy sleep is shortchanged: the non-rapid-eye-movement phase is eliminated, and immediately the REM phase begins.

So, scientists believe there is an absence or an imbalance in the brain chemicals that regulate sleep patterns. One in particular, hypocretin, that gets you up in the

mornning and keeps you awake during the day is lowered in narcolepsy patients and in

some absent. This is normally found in spinal fluid, but is absent or lower in these

patients.

In addition to this fact possibly leading to a diagnostic test for narcolepsy (to rule out some other sleep disorder, apnea, as one example) present research is looking toward finding an abnormal gene. Narcoplepsy shows no favortism toward men, women, race or ethnic groups, but do seem to have an affinity for countries. In the United States 1 in 2,000 are afflicted; in Israel 1 in 500,000, in Japan, 1 in 600 people.

There is much work going on in the field of sleep and in particular how to diagnose

and how to deal with narcolepsy. Sleep specialist have now set up shop and are

studying and evaluating normal and abnormal sleep patterns. Questionaires,

polysomnograms, (electrodes place on scalps during sleep and measuring brain activity are popular means of evaluating and helping patients cope with this disability.

Medicines are available if the physician in charge thinks this is advisable but most

of what’s available have side effects and are addictive. Stimulents, such as modafinil, the newest, (Provigil) supposedly is less addictive and causes no highs and lows; Methylphenidate (Ritalin) or several amphetamines are being used but have serious side effects such as nervousness and palpitations and are addictive.

Another medication, Sodium Oxybate (Xyrem) give to control catalepsy, an often time

associative condition with narcolepsy. With this condition there are noticeable

physical changes such as slurred speech, muscle relaxation and sometimes a falling

down. This medication is given to improve night time sleep but often improves

drowsines during day.

Problems with it however are often serious side effects such as sleep apnea,

sleep waling, and bedwetting. It is such a contradictory drug that it is strickly

regulated by the FDA. (Food and Drug Administration)

There are likewise self-care recommendations:

1.rigid sleep schedule.

2.short napping during day 3.no nicotine and no alchohl 4.regular exercise

Source:

www.mayoclinic.com/health/narc olepsy

The World Needs You Now

Thank you for showing up to read this article. Now is the right and perfect time for you to read this material because the content of what you are about to read was designed specifically for you. It was co-created by you to fulfill the intention of what you are choosing to be right now.

The world needs you right now! You are an essential spoke in the cosmic wheel that is turning another chapter in the evolution of the planet we inhabit known as Earth. You are a huge player in what is going on here. The direction that you choose for your life after reading this article may determine if there will even be a planet worth inhabiting in the near future.

There is a revolution in the making and the human form, as we know it, lies in the balance. These words are not meant to scare you, they are meant to wake you up! Even though your soul brought you to the material you are reading for the sole purpose of waking you up, some of you will continue to be sleepwalkers. It is entirely your choice. Reading these words has a profound effect on the universe. There is an old maxim that states, “When the student is ready the teacher will appear.” The universe must respond. It has no choice.

You are ready and the teacher is here. It is up to you to choose whether reading this article will wake you up, and in so doing, change the course of your life, which in turn will change the course of mankind. Such a promise may sound a little dramatic but we are at a crossroads in this venture here upon this planet. The world needs you to be awake and aware of what is going on so that you can make conscious choices about the direction that you, and mankind, make about the viability of our continued existence in human form on this planet we call Earth (and home).

An important point you will come to understand throughout this narrative is that we, as spiritual beings, never really die. When we leave our human body, we change form and go onto our next creation. For now, just be aware that it is important for you to be awake (consciously aware) in order to save our planet. If we, in our collective consciousness, choose to continue on the same path, then we put our planet at risk of not being able to sustain the human life form. As spirits, we will live on, but we may not be able to live and occupy this planet until nature cleans it up and makes it fit for human habitation again.

If you choose for the material in this short article to wake you up, you will be a willing participant in the revolution that is forming to end the suffering and misery that has become our way of life. You will choose to end the evil that we do to each other, and you will help to end the suffering inflicted upon the planet needed to sustain us in this human form. Individually and collectively we sleepwalk into the unintended consequences of our unconscious choices. This is why we keep saying things just happen to us. We don’t see the connection between how we think and what shows up in our lives. This is the lament of the sleepwalker.

We need to wake up and be aware of the natural consequences of our conscious choices. With conscious choice we can direct and create what we want in alignment with our conscious desires and intentions. By waking up to what our thoughts are, and being conscious about which thoughts we wish to pursue, we develop an awareness, both individually and collectively.

Our unconscious choices still create our desires and intentions but, because we are sleepwalking, we are unaware of what our desires and intentions actually are. Therefore we are surprised by what shows up as the consequence of those creations.

Why do you need to be awakened? Because you are unconscious. Not all of us are unconscious. Some of us are aware of what’s going on, but even those who are aware need to be shaken up now and then to keep reminding us who we, as human beings, really are.

It is all explained very succinctly by the French Philosopher, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin when he said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” That is who you really are. You are a SPIRITUAL BEING. You are not a Human Being. You are a SPIRITUAL BEING having a Human experience.

Try living the next few days from that perspective and see if the world starts looking different to you. From a spiritual standpoint you can see very clearly how important you are to the world right now.

Examining Insomnia In Children

Sadly sometimes children are faced with medical problems usually associated with adults and adult behavior. While the age difference between children and adults can be substantial, the negative impacts can be as severe with a child as it is with an adult. Sometimes the child’s negative impact can be more dramatic and harmful than the adults. When this happens, it is unfortunate that the children haven’t built up the strength or immunity to fight it.

The effects of insomnia in children can be quite dramatic. There are a number of residual effects with a child that suffers from bouts of insomnia. These effects can make the child’s life very difficult. Difficulty in school, an inability to maintain a social life and a host or other problems can result from a poor night’s sleep. Successful treatment for insomnia in children always starts with a proper diagnosis. A proper diagnosis leads to effective proper treatment. There are lots of conditions that could lead to the insomnia. Insomnia can be the result of both mental and physical problems. As with many disorders, there is an unfortunate tendency for parents to downplay a potentially serious condition that is in fact quite serious.

Ascertaining a Proper Diagnosis of Insomnia in Children

Most people will have to deal with insomnia at one point or another within their lifetime. If the insomnia becomes continual, that may indicate a serious underlying condition. Parents must take insomnia in a child seriously. If it isn’t taken seriously, then a proper diagnosis can’t be made and without a proper diagnosis, proper treatment can’t take place. This doesn’t help the child and may, in fact, lead to a worsening of the underlying condition. If your child displays signs of general tiredness or his attitude changes or his mental process slows down, it may be a sign of poor sleep. It has been proved that a child’s IQ suffers more from poor sleep than exposure to lead. Get it checked.

Insomnia in Children and the Parent’s Role

If you as a parent notice the presence of insomnia in your child, it is then your responsibility to make sure the condition is treated properly. In your primary role as caregiver, you must not neglect this responsibility. Neglecting the condition won’t help and in fact can make it worse. The ramifications can be dire. So many things in our adult lives are planted in us as a child. Let your child have all the chances to grow up strong and confident. No sleep equals limited abilities.

As a parent you must not ignore potentially serious conditions and while insomnia may not seem like a serious condition, it can be. A superficial analysis of a problem by an untrained person isn’t the way to go. Insomnia in children should be diagnosed and treated by a professional. There are sleep doctors in most major cities. If you child is suffering from insomnia, search out a sleep doctor or have your family doctor refer your child.

Treating Bruxism Through Hypnosis – Part 1

Right now, hypnosis is used to treat a lot of behavioral problems. And during the recent years, experts are taking advantage of its use for bruxism. Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding. Teeth grinding is that annoying sound people unknowingly make while asleep. s Bruxism can be caused by a lot of factors. Research show that bruxism could develop due to the physical defects of the jaws and teeth. However, stress is also a big factor why people grind their teeth at night. And it is also on this cause where hypnosis is most effective at. s Practitioners say that hypnosis is the best solution to bruxism caused by jaw tension. While a night guard may do a good job in preventing denture damages, it cannot reduce the pain in the head and the neck that are also caused by teeth grinding.s sRead our articles and find out more about How To Stop Teeth Grinding, Night Teeth Grinding at TeethGrindingCure.com

Sleep disorders treatment – Part 6

You’ve probably heard that you need eight to ten hours of sleep to function well. But for many, going to sleep is not just as easy as getting to bed. Sleep problems can have many causes. For example, decreased sleep is often an aspect of aging. Your brain chemistry changes as you get older. Levels of receptors in the brain that respond to sleep-associated hormones, like melatonin and Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH), decrease as you age. Some sleep disturbances can be caused by illness. Heart disease, respiratory problems, and restless legs syndrome (RLS) can be associated with insomnia. Mental illnesses like depression and Alzheimer’s also can be accompanied by sleep problems, as can neurological problems like Parkinson’s disease.

Not all sleep problems have a biological basis and when that’s the case, there are some habits you can change to improve your sleep. For example, keeping a regular sleep schedule is one habit you can control. Go to sleep and wake up at a regular time. Decrease daytime naps (though nothing’s wrong with an occasional power nap).

Do exercise. This may increase serotonin levels and generally will improve your health. But try to avoid exercising right before you go to bed. Try to minimize non-sleep related activities in bed. Don’t eat or watch television in bed. Although it’s a good idea to do gentle relaxing exercises in bed (e.g., being conscious of your breathing, meditating), don’t use bedtime as the time to try to figure out what went wrong with your day. Needless to say, try not to drink alcohol or caffeine before bedtime and even though it might relax you, avoid smoking before bedtime.

You also can ensure that your environment is conducive to sleep. Make sure the temperature is comfortable, that there’s not too much ambient light, and that it’s quiet. Dress for comfort as well. Loose clothing is best.

Sleep medications may seem like the easiest, quickest fix, but there’s reason to make these products a last resort. Sleeping pills do have side effects. These can include cognitive impairment or confusion, dizziness, dry mouth, and a cloudy feeling you may have a hard time shaking off during the day. Seniors or individuals who may be prone to cognitive illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease should be cautious about their use. Since a sleep problem can be caused by a medical condition or made worse by a mental illness, you should always consult with a physician if your sleep problem is prolonged.

Is Chronic Insomnia Dangerous?

Chronic insomnia usually happens because there are some underlying ailments that may trigger sleepless nights. It usually arises from asthma, some mental disorders, arthritis, constant back pains, and so on. The difference between chronic insomnia and acute insomnia is that the latter does not need any underlying reasons and it strikes only so often.

Is chronic insomnia dangerous? Take a look at this example: the child suffers from chronic insomnia and every night she finds it difficult to go to sleep. Oftentimes she is up the whole night, playing computer games or watching TV. As the child´s mind does not rest, the child finds it difficult to concentrate during the daytime. Soon she starts yelling at people, especially if they ask her to handle some task or becomes extremely frustrated at school, here’s where the first problems begin. The more time the child suffers from insomnia, the worse the results, up to the point of dropping out (or being expelled) of school. As you see, chronic insomnia is more than the lack of sleep, there is much more than that. If the child does not receive any help, she will begin enduring severe health problems: chest pains, nervous disorders are among the less acute.

If not treated, chronic insomnia may lead to heart strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes, and eventually to premature death. The lack of sleep causes the mind and body to cease function as soon as any problems arise. The deterioration, health and mental, is prolonged but steady, slowly making its way toward the end.

Chronic insomnia treatment should be started from finding out what the problem is by searching for professional medical treatment. If the doctor can’t find any physiological reasons triggering insomnia (uncommon, but possible), then seeking out a psychologist is the next necessary step.

There are lots of mental disorders and ailments that may be responsible for insomnia. Post-Traumatic Stress Disease (PTSD), various sleeping disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or such problems as schizophrenia, some psychoses, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Impulsive Control Disorder (ICD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), all of them may be an underlying cause of chronic insomnia.

The point is that the underlying sources of insomnia have to be treated before it is possible to cure the insomnia itself. This may require pharmacological treatment or a psychotherapy. For the better part of the treatment, most of the work is up to the doctor who will need to create a working strategy which may require the patient to setup a schedule for dieting or exercise, but will also bring fast results.

However if a patient is found having Antisocial Personality Disorders, Oppositional Defiant, schizophrenia, severe psychosis of one kind of another or any other major mental disorders, he will need a constant advisor, because such patients are able to become violent for no reason at all. Especially if the patient is suffering from chronic insomnia, his mind is prone to falling apart at any time and for any reason. In such case a long-term psychotherapy and may be even inpatient care will be necessary

The Common Symptoms of Chronic Insomnia – Nervousness – Anxiety – Attacks of panic for small reasons or no reason at all – Problems with concentration – Increasing frustration – Increased aggression level – Incoherent thoughts – Periodic hyperactivity or restlessness – Problems with following even the simplest directions – Increased muscles’ tension – Feelings of indifference

If you or your loved ones show any of the symptoms above, you have to seek out some professional help: immediately.

Live With A Partner That Snores? Easy Home Remedies for Snoring

If you live with someone that snores on a nightly basis, you may be searching for home remedies for snoring that will ease the noise and give you a night of peaceful sleep. The good news is that home remedies for snoring do exist and for some can prove to be quite helpful, the problem is finding the one that works best for you and your snoring partner. A commitment to trial and error should offer you with the opportunities to experiment with different home remedies for snoring until you settle on the one that works best for you.

Reach for the Stars, At Least With The Head Of The Bed

One idea in home remedies for snoring is to simply elevate the head of the bed. Raising the height of the head of the bed, by placing the two feet of the bed on bricks or another supportive product can often reduce the snoring of the person sleeping in the bed. As a home remedy for snoring, this one is also beneficial for those that become congested during the night or are suffering from a cold or intense allergies. It is by elevating the upper torso that it is possible to prevent the nasal passages from becoming congested and causing the snoring. When lying flat the person sleeping will get congested and sleep with their mouth open and thereby increase the sound and amount of snoring that occurs.

A Pillow Fight Might Provide A Home Remedy For Snoring

Science has determined that for a person that suffers from snoring, pillows only further enhance the problem. Anything that actively places a kink in the neck while sleeping can cause an individual to snore. For someone that is prone to snoring, this is a combination that will most definitely lead to a noisy and disruptive night. So, a quick home remedy for snoring might be to get rid of the pillows all together and thus prevent that primary kink in the neck and the ensuing struggle over pillow comfort and snore volume.

Tennis Anyone? The Tennis Ball Provides a Home Remedy for Snoring

An instantaneous home remedy for snoring is the modification of the snoring individuals sleeping position. If your partner snores less when sleeping on their side, consider implementing a sleeping idea that keeps your partner asleep and still keeps them on their side. Purchase a tennis ball and sew it into the back of the pajamas that your partner wears to bed. The tennis ball provides a discomfort when the snoring partner rolls over onto their back, thus forcing them to return to their side and maintains a snore free position.

This home remedy for snoring does not work for everyone but it is a good place to start. The use of the tennis ball is to modify the sleeping style and pattern of the snoring individual. The idea is that the ball will reduce the habit of sleeping on the back and increase the desired behavior of side sleeping. It is believed that the tennis ball will provide the stimulus to create and modify the unwanted behavior and soon the tennis ball will no longer be necessary once the habit is changed.

Understanding sleep disorders and sleep disorder treatments – Part 1

There comes a day for each of us when Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd, no longer does the trick. At one time or another nearly everyone has a problem falling asleep. For some however, the challenge of living with a sleep disorder can be a real nightmare.

Sleep disorders are medical disorders and can disrupt virtually every aspect of daily life. There are many types of sleep issues ranging from occasional insomnia to more severe disorders such as violent sleep disorder.

INSOMNIA

There are varying types of insomnia including inability to fall asleep, difficulty staying asleep, and sleep state misconception, where the individual actually does sleep, but believes they have not slept at all. In the case of insomnia, the problem can last for a few days to over a month.

Treatment will involve the proper diagnosis and ruling out of any more severe medical or psychological problems. Therapists can assist with behavioral changes and helping to identify and alleviate anxieties and stressors that may be contributing to the lack of sleep. Therapists skilled in Cognitive behavioral therapy or Relaxation therapy can be most beneficial and found easily on line. In some cases, medications may be introduced however, long-term use of sleep medication should be medically monitored.

NARCOLEPSY

An excessive need to sleep during the daytime hours and suddenly falling asleep is another sleep disorder known as narcolepsy. “Sleep attacks” can occur anytime, any place and have a duration of seconds to a half an hour.

Treatment will take the form of behavioral and medical therapies. Stimulants and antidepressant medications are helpful. Consulting with a physician will be necessary to ensure treatment is appropriate.

SLEEP APNEA

Difficulty with breathing during sleep is known as sleep apnea. The most common type is Obstructive Sleep Apnea where the patient, usually snoring, pauses breath for up to 60 seconds due to an obstruction in the throat. With Central Sleep Apnea, the paused breath is caused by a delay in the signal from the brain to take the next breath.

In more mild case, treatment can be limited to simple behavioral changes. Often times weight loss and sleeping on one’s side is sufficient, however, mouth devises might also be used to help keep airways open. In more severe cases the patient is treated with a continuous positive airway pressure machine or C-PAP. This devise blows air into the nose keeping the airway open. The Bi-level (Bi-PAP)

Facts About Insomnia – Frequently Asked Questions

If you want to learn more facts about insomnia, then you’ll want to read this article. We’ll go over frequently asked questions related to certain facts about insomnia that you may want to know about. While many people do suffer from insomnia, some don’t know how to deal with it. Hopefully, these answers will give you a starting point to quality sleep.

How much sleep should I be getting at night?

On average the body reportedly needs 8 hours of sleep. However, most of the time, the quality of sleep is more important than the amount of hours of sleep you get. Getting the right amount of sleep has many benefits. The most important benefit is optimal brain function. This is most crucial because long periods of no sleep can lead to many physical and mental problems. You may suffer at work because of lack of focus on your projects. Your attitude can be short and testy so make sure you remind yourself to do your best to be courteous to others in the office so you can try to avoid employment challenges.

Are there different types of insomnia?

There are many types of sleep disorders and insomnia is one of them. However, when it comes to insomnia itself, we’ll discuss two types: primary and secondary insomnia. Primary insomnia is when insomnia is the main medical condition and treatment is directed at the insomnia itself. Secondary insomnia is a little scarier than that. Secondary insomnia is when insomnia is a symptom of another medical condition. The facts about insomnia here are that you deal with the other medical issues you may have so you’ll finally have a chance of falling asleep at night.

What role does my brain play when it comes to getting to sleep at night?

The brain plays a major role in your sleep schedule. So you want to make sure you have a clear mind when going to bed. You see, when you are ready for sleep, your eye supposedly sends a signal to the brain. Then the brain releases hormones to your body and slightly lowers your body’s temperature so you can fall asleep. So the way to get quality sleep at night is to get rid of your obsessive thoughts.

After reading this article you should be able to get an estimate of how many hours of sleep you should get at night, learn about the role the brain plays in your sleep efforts and the different types of insomnia. Once you learn more of these facts about insomnia, hopefully you’ll be on the right path.

Common sleep disorders and how you can get a good nights rest

Sleep Apnea, Insomnia and Narcolepsy are among three of the most common sleep disorders across the population. Sleepwalking, Sleep Talking and Night Terrors tend to present mainly in infants and young children, though there are adults who also experience incidences of these disorders.

Sleep Apnea sufferers do not get enough oxygen while they sleep as for brief periods during the night they stop breathing with severity ranging from mild to severe. This condition tends to worsen as sufferers age, so needs to be monitored closely. Symptoms of Sleep Apnea include:

Loud constant snoring

Waking with headaches on a consistent basis

Waking up unenergized and feeling sleepy throughout the day

Waking up due to excessive sweating

Waking during the night with a sense of choking

Waking with the need to gasp for air

Frequent toilet trips during the night

Suffering from Insomnia

Insomnia can be categorized in different ways, with the most common being difficulty falling asleep, difficulty in remaining asleep or waking up too early on a continual basis. Within these categories, they can be further classified into:

Transient insomnia lasting a few nights.

Short-term insomnia one week to one month.

Chronic insomnia poor sleep most or every night lasing one month or longer.

Symptoms of Insomnia include:

Difficulty sleeping

High anxiety levels

Feeling sleepy during the day

Loss of concentration

Memory loss

Narcolepsy sufferers find that no matter how much sleep they get, they continue to feel that they need further sleep. Sufferers experience sleep attacks’ where they fall asleep during normal waking hours, with an episode lasting from 30 seconds to longer than 30 minutes. Symptoms of Narcolepsy include:

Constant and extreme sleepiness

Vivid visions or dreams when falling asleep and upon waking

Transient loss of muscle control, especially when agitated or excited

Unable to move or talk briefly after waking

For all three disorders, behavioral techniques are recommended to help treat the complaint. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, getting regular exercise, dietary changes and utilizing relaxation techniques can all help towards treating the symptoms.

Medication for chronic forms of Insomnia and Narcolepsy are sometimes prescribed, but must be monitored carefully by a doctor. Severe Sleep Apnea is treated with special breathing apparatus’, used to regulate a sufferers breathing patterns when they sleep.

There are many websites available on the internet that offer tips and advice on how to deal with sleep disorders, and many contain valuable information. However, if you feel that you may have a sleep disorder, it is important to talk you your doctor, as the disorders can greatly decrease your quality of life, and in some cases can result in fatality.

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