Know The Facts: What Are Some Provigil Side Effects?
November 12, 2009 by insomniac
Filed under Narcolepsy
Whether you’ve recently been prescribed Provigil for the treatment of your narcolepsy or hypersomnia, or you are just looking for more information on the drug before pursuing it as a means to treat what ails you, it’s important to consider what effects it can have on your body before you start taking it.
What is Provigil?
Provigil is commonly prescribed for patients who suffer from a wide variety of ailments relating to hypersomnia. These ailments include narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. It treats these illnesses by providing a stimulant to the patient that increases alertness and enhances the mood. Unlike other types of stimulants, like amphetamines, Provigil will not cause anxiety, irritability or moodiness.
Provigil has also been prescribed more recently in the treatment of ADD/ADHD and severe depression. These uses are not yet FDA approved and the relationship between depression and Provigil use in the long term is not yet known.
Is Provigil Right for You?
If you suffer from one of the illnesses that Provigil treats, it’s important to consider the side effects of the drug before taking it, just like with any other type of medication. Provigil side effects vary from person-to-person, but a few appear regularly in a wide variety of patients. Common Provigil side effects include headaches, nausea, diarrhea and insomnia.
Provigil side effects increase when the drug is taken before, during or after alcohol consumption. Like with any potent medicine, doctors will advise you to stay away from alcohol while on this medication. Other lesser known Provigil side effects include the inability to reason or control reaction time and motor skills. This is why doctors also recommend that patients avoid this drug while driving or operating heavy machinery.
For women, Provigil side effects can prove to be very problematic if sexually active. Provigil can alter the effectiveness of some forms of birth control. Women are advised to use a second, non-hormonal, method of birth control to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Women who use Provigil and are trying to get pregnant should stop using the medication and still use a second form of birth control for a month after stopping. This allows the medicine to completely work its way out of the body and will avoid any effects on the developing fetus.
Where to Turn for Answers
If you still think this medication is right for you after seeing potential Provigil side effects, it’s important to visit with your doctor to discuss your treatment options. Your doctor understands this drug better than anyone and can advise you whether it’s a good option for your ailment. Your pharmacist will also be able to answer questions pertaining to potential (and possibly) serious drug interactions.
Seeking treatment for your illness, whatever it may be, is a great step toward your overall health. Visit your doctor as soon as possible to discover your options with Provigil. Don’t let your illness keep you from enjoying the life you deserve.
Sleep Disorder Tips To Save Your Health Now
September 6, 2009 by insomniac
Filed under Treatments
Insomnia or lack of sleep may have a big effect on judgment, memory, hand to eye coordination, well-being, and reaction-time. Many people who get only four hours of sleep at night take naps during the day. If you’re sleep deprived you can easily be more irritable and anger easily whereas if you’re not sleep deprived you might feel more relaxed and happy as you went about the day.
Sleep deprivation can suppress or damage the immune system and people whose immune systems are already compromised with various ailments and illnesses will suffer even more. It’s reported that the average adult needs about nine hours of sleep, but many studies and people dispute this; report range from four hours to ten hours a night. Some of the most common sleep disorder treatments are directed at insomnia, which in and by itself is a symptom of other disorders, such as, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome and narcolepsy.
Make sure to see your sleep specialist as soon as possible if you think you may have sleep apnea or if your spouse or partner says that he or she hear you stop breathing during sleep; take them seriously and get check out by your doctor right away. If not treated, eventually, this sleep disorder – sleep apnea, can sometimes cause a stroke; sleep apnea can cause death if not treated. The disturbed sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, is caused by a problem with the windpipe, a neurological disorder, or sometimes an unknown factor; it causes loud snoring and blocked airways.
The person suffering from a sleep disorder may have difficulty getting to sleep at night or staying asleep as well as having difficulty staying awake throughout the day; they may also experience completely different types of behaviors that prevent them from staying asleep during their normal sleeping hours. Many people who suffer from chronic insomnia worry during the day about not being able to fall asleep and this just contributes to the problem. There are a number of sleep disorders that can appear in different people and even those with similar sleep disorders often display very different symptoms.
The sleep disorder Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is an irresistible urge to move legs while sleeping and often accompanies Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD.) Hypopnea Syndrome is an abnormally shallow breathing or slow respiratory rate while sleeping. Narcolepsy is the sleep disorder of falling asleep spontaneously and unwillingly.
When you’re trying to fall asleep in bed do try to focus on anything pleasant, long enough to distract you from any worries that are keeping you awake. Many doctors are very reluctant to prescribe sleep medication unless it becomes absolutely necessary, which may be the case for you or anyone who is suffering from an injury that is accompanied by severe pain. Your pillows may make you feel as though you’re lying uphill or downhill and if they are too hard may press into your head uncomfortably, which will reduce the chance of your falling asleep.
Many contend they have trouble getting to sleep if they go to bed hungry, but research indicates that large meals before going to bed can cause indigestion and even additional sleeping problems; it takes the body a minimum of 2 1/2 hours to go through most of the digestive process and to be fully digested it takes about four or five hours or more but taking enzymes with your meals can speed up the digestive process. Some tips for getting to sleep include taking a warm bath, drinking warm beverages like a warm herb tea for example – but no caffeine, getting a gentle massage, listening to soothing music, repeating positive affirmations or other natural remedies. Some people say that sleeping with your head facing the north helps you fall asleep because your body is better aligned with the earth.
Check out your mattress to see if it’s too firm, too soft, or too lumpy etc. By going to bed at the same time each night, your body develops a natural rhythm as it begins to realize it’s bedtime. You might be allergic to something in your pillow – dust mites, the materials used, or the detergent or fabric softener used when it’s washed.
Concentrating on a few of the insomnia tips you’ve heard in the past may put your mind at ease long enough to allow you to get a good night’s sleep. Some doctors may offer sleeping drugs or medications as a short-term solution along with some insomnia tips, but hopefully will seek to find the underlying cause of the sleeplessness and treat the cause instead of the symptom. Some health experts suggest that contracting the muscles then relaxing the muscles starting with your toes and proceeding upwards as you lie in bed can help you relax.
Finding the best solutions to your sleeping problems or sleep disorder will be worth the investment in time. The choice of a specific treatment depends on your diagnosis, medical and psychiatric history, and personal preferences, as well as the expertise of the sleep specialist or sleep doctor. The doctors and other sleep specialists will have many treatment plans or remedies to offer once you’re diagnosed, if you go to a sleep disorder center.
Learn Many Great Ways To Stop Snoring
The greatest way to stop snoring depends greatly on how often snoring occurs. Infrequent snoring from colds, allergies, or other illnesses is treated easily by treating the dominant cause of the snoring (the sickness) plus adding nasal strips to help open airways whilst asleep. Many nasal strips are even available mentholated which many people find soothing when they are ill.
For serious snorers, the solution will usually warrant medication, surgery or a change in lifestyle. Medication usually means pharmaceutical products such as throat sprays, snoring pillows, or mouth guards for ways to stop snoring.
Changes to One’s Lifestyle
Many habits that people have can actually contribute to their snoring. Smoking, drinking large amounts of alcohol, and being overweight all could cause snoring. So, quitting smoking, drinking less and the loss of weight viadiet and exercise are great ways to stop snoring.
Booze and Ciggies
Alcohol tends to relax all the muscles in the human body, including all the soft tissues of the mouth and throat. For this reason, reducing the amount of alcohol one consumes will prevent this over relaxation and could be a way to stop snoring.
Smoking is bad for every part of the respiratory system and it doesn’t come as a surprise that it would make snoring worse or even be the source of loud snoring. Quitting smoking is a huge benefit to a person’s overall health and may consequently be a way to quit snoring.
Being Overweight or Obese
People who are overweight, especially around the region of the neck, have an increased risk of the condition known as sleep apnea. Losing weight will incur various health benefits including being a way to quit snoring. Also, a regular and healthy diet and exercise can help a person sleep more soundly which also leads to less snoring.
Keeping a Regular Routine
Keeping a regular sleep regime is important for people who want a way to quit snoring. Waking and going to sleep in a more regular manner at the same time every day can prevent snoring and help in feeling more refreshed after each sleep.
Cat napping during the day can cause people to sleep less well at night. Waking during the night contributes to the snoring problem. Omitting naps from a person’s daily schedule is another great way to quit snoring.
Your Sleep Position Is Related To Snoring
For many people sleeping on their side prevents them from snoring, hence the reason many wives may elbow their husbands throughout the night. Something as simple as sewing tennis balls into the back of a person’s pajamas is a way to quit snoring, as that person wouldn’t be able to comfortably rest on their back!
What ever the cause of each person’s snoring, finding a way to quit snoring is possible. If the snoring doesn’t subside with the use of these tips it may be necessary for the person to see a doctor to be tested for a more serious condition called sleep apnea.
Insomnia Through Trauma?
Many people are suffering insomnia directly from trauma. Since the September 11 ordeal, millions of people each day are finding it difficult to rest. Some are trapped in the 2000 ordeal and are having difficulty leaving the past behind, while others are direct victims of the attack and suffering insomnia while they fight to control their painful thoughts.
If you are suffering trauma that is causing insomnia, thus it is time to get help now to deal with this ongoing disorder. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder-PTSD has claimed the minds of many throughout the years. When a person suffers this disorder they often suffering ongoing insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, fear, flashbacks, increasing nervous conditions and so forth that makes it difficult for the mind to cope.
Thus, few techniques are available outside of therapy that will help the person cope in the meantime, but for the most part ongoing therapy and medications are needed to help this persons survive insomnia.
Trauma is one of the leading stresses in life that causes insomnia. Still, other ailments and medical conditions contribute to symptoms of insomnia. When the central nervous system and elements of the brain are affected, a person might find it hard to rest peacefully. If you are suffering various illnesses medical attention is required in order to receive the medications needed to help you cope with the problems.
The most important training available to reduce stress and help a person to cope with stress and trauma is to help them to come to terms in the mind where they no longer blame them self for what has happen to them. In few cases, which are rare the person may not suffer guilt while enduring insomnia and trauma. The few cases are on track; however, techniques are necessary to help these people deal with other types of symptoms that occur when the mind is consumed. The main thing is learning to continue the fight to reestablish your identity. When you are robbed of self due to illnesses, it can make a person feel a sense of loss and lack of concentration continues since the mind is consumed.
Insomnia is one of the leading sufferings that are targeting millions round the globe each day. Technology development is ongoing, which is increases changes in the environment, which is one of the causes of acute insomnia. When a person has to continue to adapt to newer situations the mind sometimes feels overloaded, thus the mind finally shuts down the elements in the brain that helps a person find a source of relaxation.
When the psyche is powerless to discover a resting space, in the fullness of time the mind causes an individual to undergo continuing turbulence all through the daylight hours and night hours. Insomnia single-handedly can bring on symptoms of nervousness, panic attacks, irritation, annoyance, grogginess, and so on. Thus, when an individual has a mental disorder enforcing the sleeplessness it elevates the problems, thus coping skills are decreased. However, insomnia again never stands alone, unless the symptoms are linked to a recent tragedy or event. Light symptoms of insomnia may appear when death occurs, during a birth, switching jobs and so forth.
Additional steps can be intriguing while helping an individual cope with stress and work in the direction of sleeping calmly throughout night hours. Specified medications may well help those tormented by Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, since the symptoms of the disorder often trigger chemicals in the brain and will often affect the central nervous system.
It is important when suffer PTSD and insomnia that you avoid alcohol and drugs at all costs. It is also important to avoid nicotine, caffeine and alcohol before going to bed. The chemicals and substance will cause the mind to elevate in patterns, thus avoiding these harmful contaminates will help you rest during night hours.
Persons with PTSD will often avoid socializing, thus you may want to try to visit a friend that is caring so that you will avoid triggers, thus help your mind to find comfort.
Sleepwalking causes
July 20, 2009 by insomniac
Filed under Night Terrors
Sleepwalking is a sleep disorder that causes people to get up and walk during their sleep. They are unaware of what they are doing and it can be very dangerous for them as well as for other people around them. Although sleepwalkers are not generally violent they do act out their dreams and it is possible.
The level of sleep walking that you have depends on how often it happens and what you do while you are sleepwalking. Some sleepwalkers just simply sit up in the sleep and others actually walk around and go outside and even have been known to drive a car, go jogging, cooking, bathing, dressing themselves, dancing etc. So needless to say it can be a serious problem.
The direct cause of why some people sleep walk is not determined yet but may be linked to the following ~
Night Terrors ~ having bad dreams and acting them out
Fever
Certain illnesses
Sleep deprivation
Stress (both physical or emotional stress)
Hormonal changes
Alcohol
Personality disorders
Drugs
The frequency of your sleepwalking episodes should determine whether or not you should seek help from a professional. Most of the time it only happens once in awhile so the main concern is safety for yourself and others. It is mostly for themselves though since they could trip over something and they are not aware of what they are doing.
If you have sleepwalking problems then you should see your doctor and get an evaluation from them. They will do blood test on you to rule out any medical problems as to why you sleep walk. Your doctor may also ask you to get a psychological evaluation to see if stress or anxiety is the cause of your sleepwalking.
Sleepwalking normally occurs when one is in a deep sleep typically stages 3 or 4. It seems to affect children aged 6 to 12 years old but can affect younger children as well as adults. It is also known to run in families.
There are treatments available for those who suffer regularly from sleepwalking. So if you suffer from it talk to your doctor and explore your options. There are some things that you can do naturally without seeing your doctor.
Get plenty of rest, sleepwalking often happens when you are overtired.
Relax before going to sleep. Develop a relaxing routine before bedtime. Stress often causes sleepwalking so easing yourself into a peaceful sleep can help.
Try and make sure your bedroom is on the first floor of your house if you are prone to sleepwalking. you do not want to fall down stairs or open a window and fall out.
If you suffer on a regular basis from sleep walking you really should talk to a doctor about what you can do. Hypnosis has been known to help with sleepwalking as well, in both children and adults.
There is help for sleepwalking and if you are worried about wither yourself or a loved one then seek help!
