Sleep Disorders

How Severe Is Your Insomnia?
Most people have difficulty sleeping, often suffering from occasional bouts of insomnia. Each year thousands of people suffer from chronic insomnia unecessarily. When is your insomnia severe enough to justify a trip to the doctor? Find out in this interesting guide.

Caffeine & Sleep Cycles
Do you know if you have caffeine induced insomnia? Find out if you are at risk for sleep problems caused by too much caffeine.

Sleep and Insomnia
How much sleep is enough to keep you healthy? Do you need three hours or four? Seven hours of sleep or eight? Research on sleep and sleep disorders including insomnia may sometimes confuse patients. Some studies suggest you need 7 to 8 hours of sleep, and others less. So how much sleep do you really need? Find out in this interesting article on insomnia and sleep.

Insomnia Research: Secondary Insomnia Caused By SAD
Do you suffer from secondary insomnia? If you suffer from sleeplessness or sleeping problems at night, you may have seasonal affective disorder or SAD, not primary or chronic insomnia. There is evidence that suggests sleep problems may result from seasonal changes, which can affect your mood and your behavior. Many researchers have found that mood and behavior often correlate with complaints about the duration of sleep or the quality of sleep. SAD is a type of depression that typically occurs during the fall and winter seasons, although it may occur in the spring and summer in some people. How do you know if your insomnia is caused by SAD?

You will have to call your doctor to find out whether your insomnia is caused by an underlying condition like SAD or from some other disease process. If SAD does cause your insomnia, you may experience symptoms of depression as well, which include having trouble falling or staying asleep. What causes SAD and the resulting side-effects like sleeplessness? Unfortunately doctors do not know the exact causes of SAD, although many factors that may contribute have been identified, including your body temperature and hormone regulation. If you find you need more sleep than usual, experience insomnia-like symptoms or feel fatigued after sleeping throughout the night, be sure to check in with your doctor.

You may have secondary insomnia, a type of insomnia that is a symptom of an underlying disorder or disease process like SAD. Your doctor or other health provider will work carefully with you to help treat your underlying disorder first, and then work with you to find an appropriate insomnia cure if the need still exists. The signs and symptoms of insomnia often mimic those of other diseases, so make a point not to self-medicate before you see your doctor, no matter how tempting you may find an over-the-counter sleeping aid.

Insomnia Research: Secondary Insomnia Caused By SAD originally appeared on About.com Insomnia on Thursday, February 21st, 2008 at 16:38:04.

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Insomnia Cures: It’s All In The Breath
Do you suffer from insomnia? Try this insomnia quick tip… BREATHE. Most people do not realize the impact breathing has on their health and wellness. The next time you find you are up late at night, pay attention to your breathing. Are you holding your breath? If you are stressed, the chances are high you will say YES.

The next time you find you are suffering another endless night of sleeplessness, try this fun and simple exercise. Focus on nothing but your breathing for two minutes. Sit down in bed comfortably. Make sure you don’t have to use the bathroom. Now on your inhale, take a deep, deep breath. Inhale on the count of one, two and three. When you get to the top, hold your breath for one second. Then, exhale S-L-O-W-L-Y. It should take you TWICE as long to exhale than to inhale. When you are done, pause and repeat. You should notice that your belly rises and falls in time with your breath.

Here are some other bedtime exercises and quick tips you can use to battle insomnia.

Insomnia Cures: It’s All In The Breath originally appeared on About.com Insomnia on Friday, April 18th, 2008 at 15:48:29.

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Causes of Sleep Disorders
Explore some of the causes of the most common sleep disorders, including: snoring, insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and more.

The Importance of Adequate Sleep
An occasional sleepless night usually isn’t much of a problem, but running a sleep deficit over time can cause a lot of problems. Every system in your body is affected by lack of sleep.

Natural Insomnia Remedies
Did you know that over 40% of adults worldwide presently suffer from insomnia and difficulties with sleep? Having suffered from insomnia after some time, perhaps you’ve tried many different treatment options and still have been unable to sleep peacefully. One of the most successful natural insomnia remedies currently available relies on the power of your own mind to bring a cure to your sleeping problem.

Sleep Study Expectations
So your doctor recommends you undergo a sleep study, but what should you expect? Though you may have some anxiety about the experience, take a few moments, and lay those fears to rest.

Pediatric Insomnia
Insomnia and children. Discover treatment choices for pediatric insomnia and learn whether medications are safe or dangerous for treating your child’s insomnia. Find out how to create a sleep routine that will help your child fall and stay asleep.

Insomnia Symptoms 101
Insomnia symptoms are sometimes difficult to recognize. People with insomnia have many different symptoms. Discover the signs & symptoms of chronic insomnia, pregnancy insomnia and stress insomnia. Learn how to differentiate between insomnia and related sleep disorders.

Artificial Pancreas Helps Type 1 Diabetics During Sleep (HealthDay)
HealthDay - THURSDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) — New research suggests that young children and teenagers with type 1 diabetes could benefit by using an artificial pancreas device to lower the risk of dangerously low blood sugar levels during sleep and help them control their disease.

Rotating shift work may raise irritable bowel risk (Reuters)
Reuters - Rotating shift work can wreak havoc with bodily functions such as sleep and bowel movements. Now study findings hint that rotating work schedules may also increase risk for irritable bowel syndrome.

Alternative Treatments
Many people suffer from sleep disorders like insomnia, and look for natural ways to treat it. There are many herbs for insomnia that can help resolve many of the signs & symptoms of sleep disorders. Find out what natural cures for insomnia are available to you.