Sleep disorders are a highly common medical issue that affects millions of Americans each year. While some people suffer from mild sleeping problems, such as the occasional nightmare, others have extremely severe sleep disorders that can negatively affect their health if left untreated.In fact, 95 percent of people suffering from a sleep disorder remain undiagnosed. This staggering number means that a huge number... Read more >
Causes of sleep deprivation can be divided into four broad areas: lifestyle, health complications, medication side effects and clinical disorders. Finding out the cause of your sleep disorder is important because it will determine the type of treatment you need. For example, while those with lifestyle habits that affect their sleep will simply need to alter their lifestyle, those on medication or people who suffer... Read more >
Sleep deprivation can have serious effects on your health in the form of physical and mental impairments. Inadequate rest impairs our ability to think, to handle stress, to maintain a healthy immune system and to moderate our emotions. In fact, sleep is so important to our overall health that total sleep deprivation has been proven to be fatal: lab rats denied the chance to rest die within two to three weeks. Find... Read more >
If you suffer from a sleep disorder, getting treatment is important to maintaining good health. However, because the causes of sleep deprivation are so vast, ranging from physical disabilities to lifestyle choices to emotional disorders, it may be hard to identify just what exactly is disrupting your sleep.As a result, doctors will likely perform a series of tests and ask you about your lifestyle as they attempt... Read more >
Could you eat your way to a better night's sleep? If you're having problems sleeping at night, you might want to take a trip to your local grocery store and stock up on sleep-inducing foods. These foods will help you fall asleep and wake up well rested.
Top 10 Sleep-Inducing Foods
The following foods can make getting a good night's sleep a dream come true:
Almonds: Almonds contain both tryptophan, an amino... Read more >
For many, sleep is a natural end to the day. Sleep comes easily and without much effort. For others, getting a good night's sleep is an ongoing problem. Many are not aware of, or willing to accept, the fact that what they do during their waking hours can have a dramatic effect on their sleep. However, lifestyle can have profound effects on sleep quality and quantity.
What Affects Sleep?
Many things can affect... Read more >
Tracking nighttime patterns with sleep diaries is a common way for people to identify distractions and disruptions that prevent them from getting adequate sleep. By logging when you sleep, what wakes you and what factors contribute to better sleep, someone with sleeping problems is more likely to select the right treatment option. In fact, keeping a sleep history can detect more serious, potentially... Read more >
Many pregnant women will sleep more than normal during the first trimester of their pregnancies. Don't be fooled, however: This period of getting extra hours of sleep won't last forever for expectant moms. As the baby grows, a pregnant woman's body will undergo a number of changes, many of which make sleeping difficult.
Sleep in the First Trimester
During the first three months of pregnancy... Read more >