Archive for the ‘Health And Fitness’ Category
Did you realize that women are twice as likely as men to have sleep disorders? Women are known to have frequent sleep problems during their reproductive years.
There are numerous factors which can influence a woman’s ability to have normal sleep patterns. These can include hormone levels, stress levels, lifestyle, sleep environment and menstrual and pregnancy related issues. It’s quite common for women to experience premenstrual sleep disturbances during which they have difficulty falling asleep, may awake during the night, or have difficulty waking up. They may experience daytime sleepiness or suffer from insomnia, which is sleeplessness, and is one of the more common symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Many women acquire unhealthy sleep patterns due to the demanding roles they face as mothers, wives and career women. Women tend to choose to ignore fatigue and work long hours, both of which cut into their sleep time. On top if these, women also frequently have their sleep interrupted by their responsibilities as mom.
Women older than 40 years of age report more sleep disturbances than do women in their 20s or 30s. Lack of sleep in perimenopausal women can contribute to decreased job performance, decreased ability to concentrate, a decline in social interaction and a lack of general well-being.
Pregnancy can also be a major factor in sleep disturbance. The sheer demands of pregnancy on the body can make a woman feel sleepy during the day and yet inhibit sleep at night – especially in the first trimester. The pregnant woman may receive better sleep in the second trimester, only to face sleep issues again in the third trimester due to the size of her abdomen and the aches and pains of pregnancy.
Lack of sleep, or poor quality of sleep during pregnancy are often attributed to frequent urination, heartburn, discomfort from bodily changes, fetal movement, low back pain, leg cramps, vivid nightmares, sleep apnea and snoring which can occur or worsen during pregnancy.
As women age other sleep disturbances tend plague them due to menopause. The causes of sleep problems during this time of a woman’s life can often be blamed on hot flashes and night sweats which wake them up or make it difficult to fall asleep.
The most common sleep complaint that women report is insomnia. Women have many reasons for having insomnia (sleeplessness) including physical pain, anxiety or worry, medical conditions that disrupt their sleep, and breathing disorders.
Statistics also show that sleep apnea increases in women who are over the age of 50. As women age they are far more likely to have restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder or even narcolepsy.
There are some natural ways to combat insomnia such as herbal teas, herbal baths and aromatherapy. Here are a few you can try to help you get a good night’s sleep:
Sleep Easy Bath
* 2 drops Ylang-Ylang essential oil
* 3 drops Lavender essential oil
Add to tub full of warm water and mix well.
This is a soothing, relaxing blend that helps ease away a day’s stresses and strains.
Insomnia Aromatherapy Blend
Ingredients:
10 drops Roman Chamomile
5 drops Clary Sage
5 drops Bergamot
Directions:
Blend the oils well in a clean dark-colored glass bottle. Add 1-2 drops to a tissue and place inside your pillow to aid you in falling asleep.
If you prefer to make a Diffuser blend that you enjoy during the hour before bedtime, make a blend with a ratio of 2 drops Roman Chamomile to 1 drop Clary Sage to 1 drop Bergamot and add to your Diffuser.
Lavender can also help provide relaxation and drowsiness, but using more than 1-2 drops can have the opposite effect.
Sleepless Night Tea
* 1 part Chamomile flowers
* 1 part Catnip herb
* 1 part Lemon Balm herb
* 1 part Passion Flower
Use a heaping teaspoon and steep 10 minutes in boiling water. Sweeten with honey or molasses to taste.
Treatment For Sleep Deprivation – Insomnia Treatments
Lewis Waller asked:
The search for the perfectly effective treatment for sleep deprivation or insomnia has brought about some interesting breakthroughs in this field of study. For one thing, subliminal audio therapy just simply doesn’t work, at least not beyond psychosomatically, to affect a cure for this stressful malady. Self affirmations as well… well, that whole concept should speak for itself. However, there has been lots of data uncovered on the science behind this syndrome, and cures have been effectively produced.
The use of sounds as a treatment for insomnia and sleep deprivation for example, has had some very satisfactory results. Excluding music which has been seeded with subliminal or hypnotic suggestions, those that have an excellent effect are those that use tones and pulses in various frequencies. Of the most effective types of this brand of remedy is what is known as binaural audio therapy. Two specific, slightly out-of-sync frequencies of sound, one for each ear, are sent through stereo headphones where the brain then processes the data, which in turn induces the desired brainwave activity conducive to sleep.
Now, this has been rather effective – the only drawback is obvious… trying to fall asleep with headphones on, and not letting them get moved off your head while you sleep, as well as the wearing of them (and the movement of them on your head in sleep), waking you up again. This is one big matter that causes this to be more that a little counterproductive.
Fortunately, the most recent breakthrough in the quest for the perfect treatment for sleep deprivation and insomnia is what is known as isochronic pulses – tones and pulses of changing frequencies speak to the brain in its own language, requiring no stereo equipment, directly inducing the precise brainwave activity to allow the constant chatter in the brain to quiet down, achieving restful sleep.
The search for the perfectly effective treatment for sleep deprivation or insomnia has brought about some interesting breakthroughs in this field of study. For one thing, subliminal audio therapy just simply doesn’t work, at least not beyond psychosomatically, to affect a cure for this stressful malady. Self affirmations as well… well, that whole concept should speak for itself. However, there has been lots of data uncovered on the science behind this syndrome, and cures have been effectively produced.
The use of sounds as a treatment for insomnia and sleep deprivation for example, has had some very satisfactory results. Excluding music which has been seeded with subliminal or hypnotic suggestions, those that have an excellent effect are those that use tones and pulses in various frequencies. Of the most effective types of this brand of remedy is what is known as binaural audio therapy. Two specific, slightly out-of-sync frequencies of sound, one for each ear, are sent through stereo headphones where the brain then processes the data, which in turn induces the desired brainwave activity conducive to sleep.
Now, this has been rather effective – the only drawback is obvious… trying to fall asleep with headphones on, and not letting them get moved off your head while you sleep, as well as the wearing of them (and the movement of them on your head in sleep), waking you up again. This is one big matter that causes this to be more that a little counterproductive.
Fortunately, the most recent breakthrough in the quest for the perfect treatment for sleep deprivation and insomnia is what is known as isochronic pulses – tones and pulses of changing frequencies speak to the brain in its own language, requiring no stereo equipment, directly inducing the precise brainwave activity to allow the constant chatter in the brain to quiet down, achieving restful sleep.
No items matching your keywords were found.
http://www.telfordcomputers.comInsomnia Information – Insomnia Problems and How to Deal With Them
Sean Saunders asked:
Insomnia problemsstrongbrbrwhen it comes to mindbrbr poor memory you no matter who youre in matter who youre doing you have been listed belowbrbr sleep soundtracks specially composed soundtracks specially composed soundtracks specially composed soundtracks can help out great herbal teas with sedative properties right before bed will actually upset your sleeping rhythm lessen.
Insomnia problemsstrongbrbrwhen it comes to mindbrbr poor memory you no matter who youre in matter who youre doing you have been listed belowbrbr sleep soundtracks specially composed soundtracks specially composed soundtracks specially composed soundtracks can help out great herbal teas with sedative properties right before bed will actually upset your sleeping rhythm lessen.
No items matching your keywords were found.
http://www.internet-book-shop.comInsomnia in Children and Women and Various Prescribed Medicines for Insomnia
Before beginning, be aware of your medical condition. Anyone that has a family history of heart problems should probably consult their doctor first. Even those without any history would benefit from taking a full physical examination before starting an exercise program.
Don’t push yourself too hard, instead pick rhythmic and repetitive exercises that will boost circulation and start off at a comfortable intensity.
Your chosen exercise should be interesting enough that you feel you will be able to sustain it.
Be sure to wear attire that is both comfortable as well appropriate for the weather and exercise.
If you have chosen walking as your exercise, then be sure to select a location that has an even and soft surface, very little traffic, good lighting and is safe. Some senior citizens even enjoy walking in shopping mall areas.
Sometimes, having someone along when you exercise on a regular basis helps you keep to a routine and can even be fun.
Don’t ever forget to stretch. For senior citizens, muscular elasticity would invariably have deteriorated, so take the time to warm up and cool down properly with full, slow, stretching exercises.
Never bite off more than you can chew if you haven’t been exercising regularly. Start slowly, and build on it.
Depending on conditions, it may be a good idea to drink water every 15 minutes. Sometimes relying on sense of thirst can prove to be a bad idea, as it may not be entirely dependable. Better safe than sorry, especially on sunny, humid days.
Insomnia can be caused by many varied reasons. However, figuring out the cause is important because the type of insomnia remedies that work best are entirely dependant on the reason behind the insomnia itself. Hence, one must have a fair idea about the underlying cause of the disease for proper treatment of insomnia.
Insomnia varies from person to person and so is the treatment. Sleep disorder or insomnia can be caused by many different things. For some people, it is a physical condition caused by hormonal or chemical imbalances. For others, insomnia is caused by emotional or mental issues. A particular treatment or a remedy which has yielded positive result to someone may not be beneficial for other.
At present, there are different ways to cure insomnia. Positive lifestyle changes like exercising regularly, having nutritious diet, reducing caffeine, alcohol intake and taking positive perspective towards life goes a long way in curing insomnia. In severe and chronic insomnia medical advice, counseling, psychotherapy may become necessary. In some chronic insomnia cases medications become necessary because often medications helps to restore balance in neurotransmitters a chemical whose imbalance cause depression leading to insomnia.
Another alternative is using Home remedies for insomnia. In the recent times, this method is gaining prominence because it has often proved to be quite helpful in curing insomnia. For insomnia treatment home remedies are safer because they have the least side effects and are inexpensive.
For insomnia remedies it is safer to follow the natural path because home remedies for insomnia often yields positive and fruitful results. Some commonly used home remedies are as follows:
Exercise regularly
Maintain a regular sleep schedule
Take warm bath before going to bed; it is relaxing and induces sleep
Limit caffeine intake
Excess consumption of alcohol should be avoided
A cup of warm milk with honey before bed often helps in getting sleep
Poppy seeds added to milk with adequate sugar helps to get a good night’s sleep
Yoga and meditation brings balance and harmony. It makes us calm and peaceful, which in due process helps us to fall asleep.
Controlled breathing induces sleep.
Some herbs like lavender oil, lemon verbena tea helps in curing insomnia. If the sleeping pillow is filled with peppermint, rosemary, rose leaves, lemon verbena and slept on throughout the night, it can help get you to fall asleep and prevent insomnia.
Sleep is vital for our life and if we fail to get adequate sleep both our professional and personal life get negatively affected. Our performance level drops and concentration diminishes. We become lethargetic and irritable. Insomnia shakes the very root of our overall well being. So insomnia should be curbed. Home remedies for insomnia can go a long way towards curing insomnia. But in severe insomnia medications, relaxation therapy and/or psychotherapy often needs to be applied.
Insomnia+Cure+-+Three+Surefire+Tips+to+Cure+Insomnia%7C%3Cbr%2F%3E%3Cbr%2F%3EInsomnia+is+not+really+an+illness+or+condition+by+itself.+It+is+rather+a+symptom+of+other+conditions.+Therefore+it+is+not+sensible+to+prescribe+medications+for+insomnia.+It+would+be+faster+and+more+effective+if+the+cause+of+insomnia%2C+or+the+condition+for+which+insomnia+is+the+symptom%2C+is+cured.%3Cbr%2F%3E%3Cbr%2F%3EThere+are+basically+two+types+of+insomnia+cure%3A+behavior+therapy+and+medications.+Medications+can+give+you+instant+relief+and+for+short+term+you+will+be+able+to+sleep+peacefully.+Behaviour+therapies+on+the+other+hand+focus+on+complete+elimination+of+the+condition%2C+and+consequently+the+symptom.%3Cbr%2F%3E%3Cbr%2F%3E%E2%80%A2First+of+all%2C+consult+with+a+professional+physician%2C+and+figure+out+if+there+is+some+other+condition+like+stress%2C+anxiety%2C+depression+that+is+causing+insomnia.+If+there+are+other+causes%2C+then+try+to+take+medications+or+therapies+for+that.%3Cbr%2F%3E%3Cbr%2F%3E%E2%80%A2Next%2C+try+to+make+slight+changes+to+your+sleeping+habits.+Also%2C+watch+your+eating+habits+and+try+to+make+it+healthier.%3Cbr%2F%3E%3Cbr%2F%3E%E2%80%A2If+that+does+not+help%2C+it+is+time+for+other+insomnia+cure.+Try+some+relaxation+techniques+and+see+if+it+helps.+One+thing+to+remember%2C+try+not+to+think+about+sleeping%2C+just+relax+and+imagine+you+have+no+worries+and+you+are+in+no+hurry+to+sleep.%3Cbr%2F%3E%3Cbr%2F%3EGo+for+medication+ONLY+if+the+other+methods+don%27t+work%2C+DON%27T+start+any+type+of+medication+without+consulting+a+doctor.%3Cbr%2F%3E%3Cbr%2F%3EIn+my+experience%2C+the+best+treatment+for+insomnia+is+relaxation.+There+are+many+relaxation+techniques.+The+simplest+one+happens+to+be+most+effective.+Lie+down+in+your+bed.+Take+a+deep+breath%2C+and+while+exhaling+just+imagine+all+the+worries+and+stresses+leaving+your+body.+Continue+this+several+times+and+DON%27T+try+to+watch+when+you+fall+asleep.+You+will+know+that+when+you+wake+up.
Binaural Beats and Insomnia – Improving Your Sleep, Concentration and Creativity
Richard Coldman asked:
No items matching your keywords were found.
http://internationalarticledirectory.com/
Have you ever had chickenpox? After exposure to chickenpox, the virus that caused it (varicella-zoster virus) remains in the body, residing in some nerve cells. This virus can become active again in the form of a disease called shingles which results in pain and blisters. Senior citizens are at especially high risk for developing shingles. It is important that seniors and those involved in caring for senior citizens know about shingles.
The onset of shingles is similar to chickenpox in that it produces feelings of being sick and rashes on the body or face. The main difference is when these diseases develop – that is, chickenpox mostly affects children while shingles will always occur in adults, usually after the age of 50. Shingles is somewhat rare (only occurring in 1 in 5 people). Once activated, the virus travels along the paths of the nerves to the surface of the skin producing rashes and pain.
Because shingles is caused by a virus present in the body from a previous infection of chickenpox, it is not contagious. However, you can catch the virus which will cause chickenpox in the recently infected individual. If you have never had chickenpox before, it may be best to stay away from people who develop shingles. Recently, a vaccine has been developed that can keep you from getting shingles. It is only available for senior citizens.
Risk Factors
Although there is no way to detect whether the dormant virus will become active in someone who has already recovered from chickenpox, there are certain risk factors than make activation of the virus more likely. These include:
Advanced age. This may be due to the fact that older people have a harder time of fighting off infection. The risk of shingles dramatically increases after the age of 70. Immunodifficiency – difficulty fighting off infections. If the immune system is compromised for other reasons than those due to aging, you are more likely to develop shingles. Some factors that may weaken the immune system include HIV infection, cancer, cancer treatment, organ transplants, and physical or mental stress.
Symptoms
People who develop shingles often complain of:
Burning, tingling, or numbing of the skin Feeling flu-like sickness – chills, fever, upset stomach, or headache Fluid-filled blisters Skin that is sensitive to the touch Mild itching to strong pain
There is a natural progression of the disease that proceeds in the following manner:
1. Tingling or burning of the skin occurs.
2. A few days later, a red rash is visible.
3. The rash develops into blisters that dry up and crust over within a few days.
4. The overall duration of the illness can last from 3-5 weeks.
Other complications that can result from shingles are due to blisters becoming infected and causing scarring or blindness if they develop close to the eyes. Other people experience hearing loss, brief paralysis of the face, or swelling of the brain (encephalitis).
Treatment
If you think that you might have shingles, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible in order to treat the virus. Shingles is often treated at home with medications prescribed by your doctor. These medications can be antiviral drugs, pain relievers, or anti-depressants. If these medications are used within 72 hours of a rash developing, they can effectively shorten the duration of the illness and risk for other complications that can occur. Although most people only get shingles once, it is possible for it to recur again.
There are things that you can do to relieve the symptoms of shingles if it develops. These include:
Getting enough rest, avoiding stress, and eating right Simple exercises like stretching or walking if it is safe and not too painful Applying a cool damp washcloth to blisters Doing activities that take the mind off the pain like watching TV, reading, or Spending time with loved ones and friends Relaxation or listening to music that you enjoy Talking about your pain and emotions with others that you trust Asking for help when you need it
Some people experience ongoing pain after recovering from the virus. This pain is called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) and usually affects the areas of the body that had rashes before. This pain has been described as sharp, throbbing, and stabbing and can interfere with daily activated for older adults who have developed shingles. Doctors can prescribe medications for the long lasting effects of PHN which older people are more at risk for.
If you’re always having trouble sleeping and end up being unproductive during the day, these facts about insomnia can give you a clearer awareness of the condition and direct you to the right insomnia treatment. If you already know some basic facts about insomnia, you may unravel some goldmine tips to conquer insomnia from this informative article.
Basic Facts About Insomnia
Simply put, insomnia is the inability to fall asleep when you want to. It is characterized by little or poor-quality sleep.
There are three types of insomnia depending on the duration of the condition: 1) Transient or short-term insomnia, as the term implies, lasts only for one night to a few weeks; 2) Intermittent insomnia is short-term but recurring; 3) Chronic insomnia is the most serious as it happens at least three times a week for a month, year, or even a lifetime.
A main effect of insomnia is excessive sleepiness, which can be accompanied with restlessness, fatigue, lethargy, and irritability, among others. It can also cause problems in concentrating and focusing. The insomniac is there but not quite there. This is most common among chronic insomnia sufferers, who may find themselves in a constant state of limbo.
Insomniacs can be also more accident-prone. The cause of one out of every five highway accidents is the driver falling asleep momentarily.
In the long term, insomnia can affect relationships at home and work, hobbies, recreational activities, and general state of mind. More than just a sleep disorder, it can greatly affect quality of life; that’s why it is vital to know the facts about insomnia.
Insomnia Causes
Sleeplessness may be caused by any or a combination of the following:
1) Diet high in stimulants. Caffeine is the main culprit. Drinking too much coffee, tea, colas and eating too much chocolate, especially in the evening, can cause problems sleeping. Alcohol is also not recommended – a nightcap may induce sleepiness at first, but prevents you from going into deep sleep, or the REM state, and thus, lets you sleep less soundly.
2) Environmental factors. Noise, light, sudden weather changes, a room that is too hot or too cold, can disturb sleep, if not delay it.
3) Change in routine. Traveling often, sleeping in an unfamiliar bed, and a job with variable schedules are examples of routine interruptions that can cause insomnia, though short-term.
4) Stress or stressful life events. Work-related problems, relationship problems, anticipation of an upcoming event like a presentation or medical exam, and sudden life events like divorce and death of a loved one are only some examples. Anxiety related to stress may very well be the number one reason why you can’t catch a wink.
5) Medical conditions. Asthma, eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, peptic ulcer, anxiety disorders, can prevent you from falling into restful slumber.
6) Hormones. A woman suffering from menopausal symptoms like hot flushes and night sweating may have trouble sleeping. Insomnia in teenagers, meanwhile, occur mostly because of the onset of puberty, where sleeping needs and sleeping patterns usually change.
Insomnia Treatment the Natural Way
There are different insomnia treatment options, ranging from the natural insomnia herbs to the medical. Medical treatment, usually through sleeping pills, have unpleasant side effects and can ironically cause further insomnia in the long run, so therapy and natural methods are safer and more effective. Below are some examples.
1) Aromatherapy. For bouts of sleeplessness from time to time, taking a bath before going to bed using a few drops of essential oils like lavender, marjoram, or ylang-ylang can help. Or you can drop these oils directly on your pillow.
2) Flower essence therapy. White chestnut particularly helps cure insomnia gradually, usually in just a few weeks. Flower remedies can be bought in some health food stores or via mail in some websites.
3) Herbal therapy. Valerian is known as the best herbal treatment for insomnia, as it decreases nervous system activity. Use as per dosage instructions in the pack.
4) Relaxation therapy. This involves progressive muscle relaxation training, imagery training, hypnosis among others. This can be learned alone or with the help of a qualified practitioner. These techniques can relax your body and mind and make you feel drowsy and ready for bed.
5) Reconditioning. This method involves re-associating the bedroom and bed with sleep only. In applying this technique, activities like eating, reading, and watching TV cannot be done in bed. Napping for more than 30 to 45 minutes during the day is also discouraged. A fixed wake-up time is also scheduled to train the body.
Knowing these facts about insomnia, you and your loved ones can deal with the condition better should it come.
