Natural Treatments for Your Insomnia

There’s an old joke that the best natural cure for insomnia is a good night’s sleep, but to those who suffer from chronic and consistent sleeplessness, this condition really is no laughing matter.  A lack of sleep on a regular basis can interfere with your career, your personal relationships, and your health overall.  So what are some of the common causes of insomnia and what can you do about it?

To really know how to properly treat insomnia it’s important to understand that the body works in terms of cycles.  We get hungry on a regular basis, need bathing on a regular basis, and need rest regularly as well.  The body adjusts itself to a schedule we may dictate to it but that doesn’t mean we can go without certain things.  What this means is that we’re going to get hungry about every four hours, regardless of when we actually eat.  If you have breakfast at 6:00 a.m., you’re going to need a snack at 10:00.  But if you’re a late riser and eat breakfast at 9:00 a.m., you’ll get hungry around 1:00.  The body is adjusting to this schedule you’ve decided for it, but it still working in cycles.  So it is with sleep.  Some cases of sleeplessness are caused by the fact that we interrupt our own sleep pattern and the body is adjusting to the pattern but still needs rest.  If you sleep in one day until noon of course you’re not going to be tired at ten o’clock that night.  Consistently interrupting the body’s sleep pattern like this on a regular basis will mean consistent cases of insomnia. 

You may have already heard about the importance of getting in and out of bed at the same time every day but it cannot be overemphasized when talking about insomnia.  However, when you’re in bed make sure that your body knows it’s time for sleep.  This means no eating, reading, puzzle solving, watching television or anything else in bed.  This will train you to associate the bed with sleep.  (Sexual activity is the only exception.)  Many cases of insomnia are caused by the body just not realizing that it’s time for sleep when your crawl into bed.

A good bedtime routine is also important when battling insomnia.  Avoid eating a lot of food and any amount of spicy foods, friend foods, and sugary foods as well; the digestive system will kick into overdrive to work on all that food in its stomach and keep you awake.  Stop exercising at least two hours before bedtime so your body’s metabolism can slow down as well.  Avoid taking sleeping pills as this will put you into an unnaturally heavy sleep.  And for very severe cases of insomnia, see your doctor for a full physical exam.  He or she may also be able to prescribe some treatment options just for you.

Calcium is needed for building of bone and control of electronic impulses transmitted through the nerves.  The lack of will cause the muscles cells to go into continuous contractions commonly refereed to as a case of nerves.

Magnesium works in partnership with calcium and is essential for healthy nerves.

The lack of Pantothenic acid will make you feel sleepy but you will have trouble falling asleep. 

Vitamin B6 often acts lake a tranquilizer for people who suffer from nervousness.

Niacin is necessary for a good nights sleep.

Brewers yeast supplies all the B vitamins that promote bedtime tranquillity.

Tryptophane is a substance used to manufacture serotonin which scientists believer is related to sleep.

Herbalist’s have promoted Chamomile teas as a sleep inducer.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

How to Cure Insomnia Self Hypnosis for Insomnia

Your cure for insomnia is available in your mind. You don’t have to worry about restlessness and sleepless nights when you remedy the situation using self-hypnosis. This is a viable option that cures this condition and it can be used to augment other therapies and medical interventions. Once you are cured of your sleeplessness, you will immediately notice the benefits.

Benefits of Sleep

Sleep is a very important part of your life. This is the time that your mind and body needs to restructure and recharge. Falling asleep can be difficult at times and this condition should not be ignored. Consider the benefits of getting a good night’s sleep.

Many may be surprised to discover that it takes less time to die from lack of sleep than it does from lack of water. This is mind-boggling considering the importance of proper hydration for good health. Your body needs sleep and it will die without it.

Restful nights help you stay alert and focused during the waking hours. People who stop insomnia in its tracks have better cognitive functioning and memory. Mental processes improve and you are able to think clearly and make quick, effective decisions with little effort.

Sleep also helps you stay in shape. Your body recharges during your rest and your metabolism relies on this state in order to function properly. When you get a significant amount of sleep, your metabolism improves greatly, allowing you to maintain a healthy weight. Lack of sleep can add pounds.

Cure for Insomnia

Insomniacs may find that there are physical causes for their restlessness in some cases. It is important that you speak with your physician for advice and guidance. Ruling out any physical problems is an important step in curing insomniac tendencies.

 

Self-hypnosis is an excellent support for guiding you into a deep state of relaxation. You are able to put your focus into getting the rest that you need and your subconscious mind helps you as you wake refreshed and ready to start your day in the morning.

 

Hypnosis also helps you create a healthy nighttime routine that is conducive to sleep. The subconscious mind creates a pattern of habit that you follow each night before you go to bed. If you are unable to follow the routine, your mind adjusts so you can still get the rest that you need. Following are some selections that can help.

 

Tina Taylor’s brilliant recording found here – Cure For Insomnia – is a prime example of a hypnosis recording that offers deep reflection and relaxation. Another excellent example found here – Stop Insomnia is by Duncan McColl, who uses beautiful language and soft music to relax listeners to sleep. Other helpful recordings are available here – Insomnia Self Help. Simply follow the links for more information.

Can modern – Part 1

Pirates, which is a label for sea robbers, terrorizes users of the sea.Modern day Pirates are even worse terrorists than Pirates of the previous millennium. The hard cold fact is that, modern day Pirates have easier access to better weapons, more advance technology, including night vision, and with more sophisticated boats and submarines, they are able to travel faster. They are also better able to track ships using advance navigation equipment as well.In the 17th century, one of the worlds most feared Pirate Henry Morgan, became a thorn in the flesh of ships returning from colonies in the Caribbean with prized possessions such as gold to places like Spain,England and France. Morgan operating out of his base in Port Royal Jamaica, would stop these ships out on the high seas and escort them to his hide out in Jamaica.

Today though, we have to be concerned about Pirates ability to carry out acts of terror, such as blowing up ships containing radio-active substances such as uranium as they carry wastes through the ocean. This would have devastating results on the environment for years to come.

Be Very Afraid With High Definition From Dish Network

High definition programming can enhance the effects of sertain types of programming more than others. For news broadcasts, it will allow you a better look at the old newscasters grey hairs that he hasn’t trimmed off his ears but only a few people will realy appreciate that. For horror movies, it is an entirely different story though.

If you think you can’t be frightened by horror films any longer because you are all grown up now, you might be discerned to know that high definition TV from DirecTV has changed all that. Now the mortifying screams of stark terror can be heard in digitized surround sound that incorporates Dolby noise reduction technology for a cleaner, crisper scream of mortal fear.

If you faint at the sight of blood, then you might need some smelling salts when you watch your first horror flick in high definition. With the HD audio effects, combined with the HD visual effects on a big screen HD TV in your living room, what you will get is the next best thing to having the carnage and mayhem right there in the safety and comfort of your own home.

Kids will love horror flicks in high definition, because they can review the high resolution scenes night after night, by way of night mares that are sure to have them waking up screaming in sheer joy for some time afterwards. There is nothing wrong with being frightened from time to time, because it can help to keep your heart pumping at a brisker pace and that is a healthy thing.

Getting your cardio exercise that your doctor recommended, can sometimes be exausting but not when you get your cardio boost while sitting on your couch, with your eyes bugging out, while you are terrorizing yourself with a great horror movie in high definition. A recent survey of leading sado masochists revealed that nine out of ten masochists prefer horror movies in high definition from Dish network as their first choice for self inflicted misery.

So if things have been going great for you and the sun seems to shine on you all fuzzy and warm in your life, maybe its time that you experience the type of stark terror that only can be had from a well made horror film, presented in high definition. The high definition picture is twice as distinct and clear, because the high definition TV has twice as many vertical lines of resolution and pictels that it uses to create the picture. For the big screened TV, this means that the picture is no longer vague or fuzzy when watched from up close. Just stop by your nearest electronics retailer and you can see their big screened HD TVs on display, with high definition programming playing on them. The high definition picture is something that everyone should see before they make the final decision on the type of programming package they are going to choose, for their home or business.

Transform Your Night Miraculously With Snoring Clips

Embarrassment and annoyance are some of the things that go hand in hand with snoring especially to those of you who have bed partners who are habitual snorers. You may choose to go for several therapies where you may be required to spend a lot of money so as to come out of this snoring situation but you may not get what you a looking for. Thanks to the new discovery which makes use of a device that works and at the same time cost you much less.Now every snorer has something to smile about!

The new discovery being talked about is the use of snoring nostril clips which usually come in four pairs of varying sizes.The snoring clips are put in pairs due to the fact that one is often yours and the other goes to your bed partner.One is able to manipulate the snoring clips because they have handles attached at their ends.

Easy nose clips have the ability to be inserted into your nose with ease and this helps you breathe using your nose.After the clip is inserted,your nasal passages are kept open while you inhale and exhale air.This makes you reduce heavy snoring among other things.

We also have Snore free nose clips which are small plastic devices that have double earth magnets. You are required to position the rings outside the nose which makes it more comfortable to wear. Just like the Easy nose clips,Snore free nose clip helps keep your nasal passages open and allow air flow easily via the nose.When the snoring clips act this way,snoring of course is prevented.No drugs are used in this device and thus making it safe for use.Also as there is no requirement to insert it to the nose,using it is not painful at all.

Nose brace is another comfortable device that allows free flow of air through your nose just like the other nose snoring clips do.It does not stick out of your nose and so nobody is able to notice that you are actually wearing the device. Nose brace minimizes stuffiness in noses,nose congestion and so forth.The gadget comes in various sizes and shapes so as to actually fit well in all types and shapes of noses.The device will never irritate your skin because there are neither chin strips nor springs.Again,like the other nose snoring clips,nose brace clears your nasal passage and hence you are able to breathe more easily.

Breathe Ez nose clips are usually U shaped and are able to fit perfectly in your nose.The device is made from soft urethane substance and they never aggravate or irritate your skin at any time.This device has over the time proved to be very effective in preventing snoring.

Lastly,we have Breathe with eez nose clips which are mostly recommended by various specialists of ENT. They are easy to use and also perfectly prevents snoring and other breathing problems you may be facing at that moment or during your sleeping times.The device can be reused by washing it all the time.The nose clips are part of the snoring remedies that have proven to be worth trying.So why not invest in one and let the nights pass by peacefully.

Attractions In Benidorm And The Costa Blanca Area

There are many opportunities for sightseeing in Benidorm and the Costa Blanca. This city is one of the main attractions in the region. Benidorm is located about 45 kilometres north east of Alicante. The city is a party in the summer with a very busy nightlife. With 30 discos and 1000 restaurants, there is plenty to do. There are a lot of tourists from the UK and Ireland here.

Attractions for Sightseeing in Benidorm and the Costa Blanca

The Castle of Conde de Alfaz offers a great dinner show that features knights fighting on horseback. You choose the color of the knight you want to support during the show. The fight features spears, swords and shields with knights in armor. While you watch, a Medieval dinner is served. The menu includes foods like roast chicken, pork ribs, potatoes, soup, bread, Sangria, beer and ice cream.

The show is two hours long and plays every Friday and Saturday night. At the end of the night, stop by the disco for more night life. The Pit of Terrors is included in the price. This contains a variety of science fiction characters.

Benidorm Palace is another great place to spend the evenings. The palace offers a three hour floor show on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. This is an amazing dinner show. There are a variety of shows performed at the palace including dances, singers, comedians and magicians.

During the day, the beaches remain among the biggest attractions in Benidorm as well as most of the Costa Blanca region. For a more active and busy beach, visit the Playa de Poniente. This is on a main road and gets lots of traffic. For a more relaxing place to enjoy the sun, visit the Playa de Levante. This beach is off the beaten track and is more quiet and tranquil.

Sightseeing in Benidorm and the Costa Blanca Theme Parks

Aqualandia Park is a popular water park in Benidorm. The park has waterslides and swimming pools. It has a slow river ride and slides like the Zig Zag and Kamikaze that are great for older kids and adults. The Adventureland area is perfect for little ones. This area has slides, fountains, pools and a labyrinth.

The Aqualandia Park is open from May 15 through October 12 each year. The hours are ten in the morning until five in the evening each day. On very hot days during busy travel times, it’s best to get there early before the park fills up. Children three and under get free admission to the park.

Terra Mitica is a well known theme park in the area. The theme of the park is Ancient History. The park features five Mediterranean civilizations and the legends and myths that are famous in those civilizations. The recipes in the restaurants are taken from each civilization. Even in the shops, you will find souvenirs related to them, including papyrus from Egypt, Greek statues and perfumed Iberian candles.

Terra Mitica features over eighty shows each day. The park is open every day from ten in the morning until eight at night. There is so much to see that you won’t be able to see it all in one day. Children four and under are admitted free to this park.

Mundomar Aquatic Park is another popular attraction in this area. It’s a great place for families to learn about marine mammals and their adaptation to the water environment. Seals and Sea Lions perform for the crowds. The park is also home to many dolphins, several of which have been born in the park. A large colony of many species of penguins also calls the park home.

Mundomar has a children’s park with slides, swings, bridges, nets and ramps. There are also climbing walls for the kids. After playing at the park, the kids will love going inside the galleon to observe the dolphins from under the water.

Short stories: Sinister tales

The Night the Power Ended

The celebration of the night with all its bright, flashing colored neon city lights was well under way on the crowded streets. It was the height of summer and everyone was out on the streets in the entertainment and restaurant region of downtown. This was the way it had been for as long as anyone could remember; bright lights, gaiety and usually clear pitch black skies. Lots of revelry, boisterous laughter, whistling and loud motor thundering of racing street bikes punctuated the darkening blackness of the night sky. Though the country was at war, no one seemed to know, much less care about what was going of half a world away. They were all too much joyous at the new liberty granted by speculative prosperity.

It started with a sudden flash followed by a deafening bang that briefly shook the pavements. The lights everywhere went out all at once, plunging the streets into instant total darkness. Hoped up sports cars and bikes suddenly went quiet and rolled to a stop everywhere. Perplexed drivers got out, some scratching their heads, others attempting repairs in total darkness as their flashlights had failed too. Restaurants and entertainment palaces emptied as the interiors were now completely dark except for candle light in the more romantic spots. At first the revelry continued but it stopped quickly when someone shouted;

“The sky! The sky! There’s something going on in the sky!”

More and more people looked up as were astonished and suddenly frightened. A few screams triggered a new frenzy of terror that surpassed the sudden darkness. A sudden chill flooded the body of Pete, who looked skyward and was suddenly terrified at what he saw. As long as he could remember, he never recalled anything like the spectacle he now saw. He was a thoroughly city raised person from birth. Some folks attempted to dispel the darkness with lighter flames. The former revelry had now turned to a mumbling in the pitch black, for overhead the sky appeared split asunder by a meandering band of shimmering light arcing from horizon to horizon from the Northwest to the Southeast. The parts that were not split were pin pointed by thousands of tiny pin pricks of light. An occasional light streak would zip noiselessly across the scene. The whole scene was shimmering slightly from the rising heat and occasional thin clouds temporarily dimmed the scene that appeared to be getting brighter and better defined. All eyes stood transfixed and someone in

Living with Sleep Apnea

Untitled DocumentThe most common kind of sleep apnea is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.Sleep apnea means "cessation of breath." It is characterized by repetitive episodes of upper airway obstruction that occur during sleep, usually associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation. In other words, the airway becomes obstructed at several possible sites. The upper airway can be obstructed by excess tissue in the airway, large tonsils, a large tongue and usually includes the airway muscles relaxing and collapsing when asleep. Another site of obstruction can be the nasal passages. Sometimes the structure of the jaw and airway can be a factor in sleep apnea.Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed. Doctors usually can’t detect the condition during routine office visits. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. This most often means that the airway has collapsed or is blocked during sleep. Central sleep apnea is a less common type of sleep apnea. It happens when the area of your brain that controls your breathing doesn’t send the correct signals to your breathing muscles.Always make sure you have a doctor who has done the procedure many times and is preferrably extremely knowledgeable about sleep apnea.Ask lots of questions and do your homework! All you wanted to know about sleep disorders but were too tired to ask. A comprehensive site that covers all sleep disorders.Sleep Apnea information is readily available.Read The SnoozePaper for new and interesting facts and information in the sleep disorder community.The Sandman has started a rating system to help web surfers find the best information. Jerry has sleep apnea, so it is a unique and useful book for sleep apnea sufferers.A child with sleep apnea may lag behind in many areas of development. The child may become frustrated and depressed.The severity of the symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe. Sleep Apnea in children where removing the tonsils or adenoids does not take care of the problem is usually treated with a C-PAP (continous positive airway pressure) or Bi-Level positive airway pressure. C-PAP is a machine that blows air into your nose via a nose mask, keeping the airway open and unobstructed.Bi-Level has an inspiratory pressure that is higher than the expiratory pressure. It is not a complicated machine like some mentioned in the above link to kidshealth organization, nor do you have to worry about 24-hour nursing care or your child being in intensive care unless there are more complicated problems. A one night stay in a sleep clinic to monitor the child’s breathing is generally all that is required.The standard definition of any apneic event includes a minimum 10 second interval between breaths, with either a neurological arousal (a 3-second or greater shift in EEG frequency, measured at C3, C4, O1, or O2), a blood oxygen desaturation of 3-4% or greater, or both arousal and desaturation. Sleep apnea is diagnosed with an overnight sleep test called a polysomnogram. Men are more typical sleep apnea sufferers, although the condition is not unusual in women or children. In people with epilepsy, the hypoxia caused by apnea may trigger seizures that had previously been well controlled by medications. In other words, a seizure disorder may become unstable in the presence of sleep apnea.Doctors estimate that more than 12 million Americans have sleep apnea. Men, people who are overweight, or over 40 years old are more likely to have sleep apnea, but it can affect anyone at any age. If you are interested in meeting other people who have sleep apnea, you can visit the American Sleep Apnea Association’s Web site to find the location of a support group near you. Your doctor can diagnose sleep apnea. He or she may ask you if you feel tired or sleepy during the day.When an apnea occurs, sleep is disrupted. Sometimes this means the person wakes up completely, but sometimes this can mean the person comes out of a deep level of sleep and into a more shallow level of sleep. Apneas are usually measured during sleep (preferably in all stages of sleep) over a two-hour period. An estimate of the severity of apnea is calculated by dividing the number of apneas by the number of hours of sleep, giving an apnea index (AI). Like apneas, hypopneas are associated with a 4% or greater drop in the saturation of oxygen in the blood and usually occur during sleep. Also like apneas, hypopneas usually disrupt the level of sleep.Not everyone who has these symptoms will have sleep apnea, but it is recommended that people who are experiencing even a few of these symptoms visit their doctor for evaluation. Sleep apnea is more likely to occur in men than women, and in people who are overweight or obese. Untreated, sleep apnea can be life threatening. Excessive daytime sleepiness can cause people to fall asleep at inappropriate times, such as while driving. Central sleep apnea (CSA) is caused by irregularities in the brain’s normal signals to breathe. Most people with sleep apnea will have a combination of both types.Test for sleep apnea are conducted in a sleep room much like a motel room. A technician will paste electrodes at certain points on your head, face, body and legs. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) appears to be the best and most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP flow generators develop a constant, controllable pressure to keep your upper airway open so that you can breath normally. Diagnosis of apnea is made by a physician specially trained in sleep medicine. After a physical examination of the upper airway and an interview with lots of questions, if it is determined that you might have sleep apnea, you will be asked to take a polysomnogram (sleep test).Researchers have reported high levels of certain immune factors called tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in people with sleep apnea, particularly those who are obese. High levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 produce a damaging inflammatory response, which can harm cells in the body, including those in the arteries. A weak, but still higher-than-normal association with high blood pressure has also been observed in those who snore, wake frequently during the night, or have mild sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is also associated with high blood pressure, a known risk factor for stroke. However, people who have sleep apnea, but not high blood pressure, are also still at increased risk for stroke.Whether the obstruction is incomplete (hypopnea) or total (apnea), the patient struggles to breathe and is aroused from sleep. Often, arousals are only partial and are unrecognized by the patient, even if they occur hundreds of times a night. Guilleminault C. Natural history, cardiac impact, and long term follow-up of sleep apnea syndrome. Sleep/wake disorders: natural history, epidemiology, and long-term evolution. Typically, a respiratory disturbance index (RDI) is calculated and expressed as the number of abnormal respiratory events per hour of sleep. Some sleep laboratories use an RDI of 20 episodes per hour as the cutoff point to consider continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, although the degree of symptoms is an important consideration regardless of the RDI.Sleep apnea is fairly common. One in five adults has at least mild sleep apnea and one in 15 adults has at least moderate sleep apnea. If you have mild to moderate sleep apnea, or are unable to use C-PAP, recent studies have shown that an oral appliance can be an effective first-line therapy. The oral appliance is a molded device that is placed in the mouth at night to hold the lower jaw and bring the tongue forward. At your first visit, your doctor will take a medical history and perform a head and neck examination looking for problems that might contribute to sleep-related breathing problems. An interview with your bed partner or other household members about your sleeping and waking behavior may be in order.If you know someone who seems to constantly sleepy during the day, perhaps a work colleague, or if your partner snores and you think they might have sleep apnea, send them off to the doctors without delay. It can affect any age group, male or female but is mostly found in overweight males over forty. Sleep apnea therefore is a dangerous disorder. How do you know if you are affected?Sleep apnea is very common, as common as adult diabetes, and affects more than twelve million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. Risk factors include being male, overweight, and over the age of forty, but sleep apnea can strike anyone at any age, even children. Untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, and headaches. Moreover, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for job impairment and motor vehicle crashes. Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated. Several treatment options exist, and research into additional options continues.If you have any questions please go to The Sleep Apnea Homepage. You may also try the Sleep Test and see how you score for OSA. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome is characterized by repetitive episodes of upper airway obstruction that occur during sleep, usually associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation. In other words, the airway becomes obstructed at several possible sites. There is also Central Sleep Apnea. It also is characterized by the cessation of breath due to a lack of effort in breathing during sleep.Central sleep apnea usually occurs in people who are seriously ill. For example, it can occur in people with a variety of severe and life-threatening lower brain stem lesions. The brainstem controls breathing. As a result, any disease or injury affecting this area may result in problems with normal breathing during sleep or when awake. For idiopathic apnea, the outlook is usually favorable. In congestive heart failure, an aggressive treatment of the heart may improve the outlook.Central sleep apnea is a neurological problem in which the brain fails to signal the lungs to breathe. Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of both problems. Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person?s breathing stops and starts many times during sleep. These interruptions in breathing last at least 10 seconds and sometimes as long as two minutes, minutes. There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central and mixed. Obstructive sleep apnea, which accounts for about 90 percent of cases, is a mechanical problem in which relaxed muscles at the back of the throat block the air passage.Benjamin Pipkin is a 37 year old resident of Milwauke WI. He has suffered from OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) for most of his adult life. If you would like to read more about sleep apnea, feel free to visit his site at http://www.helpmebreath.com

Night terror symptoms

Night Terrors as “Death in the Nick of Time”?

Last night I had a grizzly dream that would have curdled even Stephen King’s blood. It progressed from bloody knives in the eye of a bad guy to a chase scene down dark narrow hallways while fighting off attacks of panic and claustrophobia. My autonomic nervous system was working over time. It was having a heck of a job getting my centers of consciousness, the reticular activating system, to wake me up out of the terror.

In my nightmare I raced away from scenes of mayhem while physically my heart was working harder and harder, as though I was truly running. I was drenched in sweat. Try as I might I could not escape the conundrum of horror, violence and destruction that my dreams had conjured up. I was stuck in a dream web that included a Hannibal Lecterish nacho fest interlaced with World War II bomb scenes, airplanes crashing and storm troopers at the door, knocking loudly, demanding entrance. I rushed down a flight of stairs. Finally, I fell.

Why is it that falling in a dream wakes you up, yet we are always trying to “fall asleep”? It was the fall into a deep abyss that did it and not a moment too soon as the dream was about to truly end my life. And that is my point.

I have come to realize that Night Terrors are actually healthy. They truly are saving my life. How is this possible?

Have you ever been snoring so hard that you drown out the television commercials in the room below you? No. Well have you ever snored so hard that you found yourself waking up in a startle? That little startle moment could have been an episode of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a medical condition that is complicated by snoring and includes multiple episodes where an individual completely stops breathing, usually several times throughout the night. They may be seen as multiple nano near death experiences.

If you have a partner in bed with you, your snoring might not be a secret. Need evidence?Check for rib pain. If you sleep alone, pay close attention when you wake up in the middle of the night to discover your devoted Fido sitting on your chest licking you in the face. He may be performing a frantic form of doggy CPR in response to your frightening episode of sleep apnea.

The brain, heart, kidneys all become stressed during bouts of sleep apnea which leads to a lack of oxygen in the body known as hypoxia. The brain is especially sensitive to hypoxic episodes. So maybe that nightmare wasn’t caused by the gooey cheesy, picante nacho concoction you ate before bed. Yet in some way it was about proper night time nutrition. Your brain may have literally been starving from lack of oxygen. Those horrific nightmares may be the brain’s way of waking you up and forcing you to gasp in some quick breaths to get the body oxygenated again.

Now I see those horrible nightmares in a different light. I let them wake me up at night then I get up, stretch, breathe deeply, plump my pillow and go back to sleeping on my side. Sleeping on my side helps to stifle snoring, lessens the bouts of sleep apnea, and allows my ever vigilante German Shepherd rescue dog a chance to get some shut eye too.

Movie reviews: The Transformers (2007)

TRANSFORM YOUR IMAGINATION.

I walked into the movie theater with my two step-nephews (8 & 9) with the presumption that this movie might have a lot of extreme carnage in it like Spielberg’s last movie that I saw, The War of the Worlds. However, these toys of my youth had transformed themselves into movie stars of my nephew’s youth and I couldn’t resist delving myself into a night of fun with my two hang arounds.

This movie’s content was very smartly crafted by way of remembering who the general audience’s were going to be. It has childish humor, Bumblebee (the Camero) ‘draining’ his fluids on a S7 G-guy. There is enough teenage humor in it, performed by Shia Labeouf, that it reminded me of my younger dating days – if only I had Bumblebee back in those days! And, since it can be classified as a war movie in a variety of ways, it has it’s adult, story behind the story theme.

For instance, “Their War, Our World”, can easily be translated into our, the U.S.’s, war on terror in Iraq. The Autobots are the coalition forces, the Deceptocons are al Quaida, and the USAF soldiers are the Iraqis who are fighting in concert with the coalition forces. There is more to this story than meets the eye, but I’m going to refrain from making this into a political bruhaha.

And that was one of the things that I liked about this movie. It was packed with action, special effects, storyline, acting – and it rolled it all into a way that each age group would be able to enjoy it at their own level.

Now, there is truly no critic like a child critic. I took both of these guys to see Spiderman 3 and not much was said after the movie. However, before we could even walk out of that movie theater it was a complete night and day because every single thing they saw they imagined it would transform into some kind of robot. The soda fountain machine, cars in the parking lot, the stop sign, the stop light, motorcycles, and on and on. The younger of the two asked me what would happen if a house transformed to which I replied that we already have those – they’re called mobile homes. But, by far my personal favorite was also the younger’s imagination at work while at Taco Bell, “What if the cash machine transformed and gave us all money!” If you can capture a child’s imagination like that, then you know this will be a mainstay form of entertainment for years to come.

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