Sleep medication: Use and abuse

Insomnia or sleep disturbance is the most common of all sleep disorders. Insomnia is the difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep, even when a person can sleep in.

According to a report by the National Institutes of Health, it is estimated that around 30 per cent of the total general population complains about sleep disruption and over 10 per cent have been associated with symptoms of daytime functional impairment consistently, with the diagnosis of insomnia.

Treatment of insomnia depends on the severity of symptoms and underlying cause. Sleep medications are not the first line of treatment, and various other methods such as behavioural therapy or sleep hygiene must be tried first. Sleeping pills have a potential to make a person dependent on it when he/she takes those pills for a prolonged period.

Dr Mohammed Shakeel of Fortis Hospital, Kalyan, said the risks and benefits of various prescriptions for sleeping pills can differ.

Side effects of taking sleeping pills- Depending on the type, sleeping pills with prescription-might include the following:

• Frustration, fatigue, low energy, difficulty in concentrating, mood disturbances

• Severe headache

• Gastrointestinal problems, (E.g. Diarrhea and Nausea)

• Persistent drowsiness (due to consuming drugs that may help you stay asleep)

• Allergic reaction to certain things

• Behavioural changes in sleep (E.g. driving or eating when you’re not fully awake)

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Broadband internet can cause sleep deprivation

Did you know! Having access to the broadband internet can cause sleep deprivation.

According to a recent study conducted by Bocconi University, access to high-speed internet reduces sleep duration and sleep satisfaction in individuals that face time constraints in the morning for work or family reasons.

“Individuals with DSL access tend to sleep 25 minutes less than their counterparts without DSL Internet. They are significantly less likely to sleep between 7 and 9 hours, the amount recommended by the scientific community, and are less likely to be satisfied with their sleep,” Francesco Billari, principal investigator of the study, said.

The effect that the authors find is largely driven by individuals that face time constraints in the morning and by the use of electronic devices in the evening (not by their use throughout the day).

News Source : BS

Fighting Insomnia the Natural Way

The next day after a sleepless night is always challenging

The next day after a sleepless night is always challenging. One may not have been able to sleep because of chronic insomnia or work or some other reason but if an individual has not slept well then sleepiness and fatigue awaits him the next day. So, how to hold on despite lack of sleep and fatigue? Here are some natural methods and tips for rejuvenating oneself after a sleepless night.

Take a quick nap - This is a proven strategy, a quick rejuvenating power nap should be between 10 to 20 minutes. Anything over that will make the person fall into a deep sleep. One can also opt for a micro nap. Relax in sitting position with some article in your hand, feel your body relaxing. Five minutes later, as one will fall asleep the article in one’s hand will eventually fall to the ground and thus waking him up.

Massage - A self-massage can help one get back the required energy after a sleepless night. But please note that the massage has to be a spirited one as a soothing and relaxing massage will make one fall asleep, the goal here is not to fall asleep.

Also Read : Avoid these Simple Training Errors for Maximum Benefits

Scottish Shower - This good old method still works. Scottish Shower is a hot shower followed by 

splash of cold water. The Scottish shower is stimulating; it improves blood circulation and also helps to re-oxygenate the body. After this shower, one will be more tranquil.

Aerate - Taking a breath of fresh air is a good way to wake up. Inhale deeply to inflate your stomach and lungs. Then, slowly exhale. This will eliminate the toxins, clean the blood and fill you up with oxygen. A walk in fresh air in a park or a little jogging if at all possible will also help shake off the fatigue.

Drink a coffee and green tea - Coffee, just like an energy drink, gives a boost of energy for around 30 minutes. Under the effect of caffeine and sugar one will feel energised temporarily. But the energy levels will again drop after the effect of caffeine is over. Thus first drink a coffee to wake up well and then extend its effects with green tea with mint, without sugar. One can even drink green tea throughout the day. Mint is very energizing but if you're not a fan, you can replace it with a rosemary tea which has the same benefits....Read more

Common sleep disorders and how you can cure them

Sleep deprivation can lead to not only various medical problems but it can also severely diminishes the quality of life of an individual.

 

health news :A good night’s sleep is essential for good health and wellbeing of a person. Sleep deprivation can lead to not only various medical problems but it can also severely diminishes the quality of life of an individual. Common sleep disorders are the primary reason for sleep deprivation in a good number of people. There are many disorders that can be classified as sleep disorders. Some are common others are rarer, some are acute others are severe; some are chronic whereas others are temporary. Various sleep disorders can result in difficultly in sleeping, disturbed sleep, frequent and irregular sleep-wake patterns, bad quality of sleep and much more. Adults require 8 hours of solid sleep each night; short-term sleep deprivation can lead to issues such as mood swings, tiredness, drowsiness, reduced alertness and more. But in the long-term it can lead to serious issues such as weakened immune system, reduced life span, diabetes, hypertension, weight gain, impaired brain functions and accelerated aging. Sleep disorders can affect anybody irrespective of age, gender, social background and more. There are many reasons that can cause various sleep disorders; the foremost of them being stress, other factors that affect sleep negatively are excessive caffeine intake, hectic schedules and lifestyle including late working hours, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, physiological disorders and more.

Most Common Sleep Disorders

There are a total of 81 sleep disorders identified by experts. Some common sleep disorders are insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, sleep walking, sleep terrors, snoring, narcolepsy, nightmares, bedwetting, teeth grinding and more. Below are some details on some common sleep disorders.

Insomnia: Insomnia is the most common sleep disorders found in the general population today. Individual affected by the said condition have difficulty falling and then staying asleep. Insomnia can be an illness in itself or it can be a symptom of some other sleep disorder. Insomnia is roughly divided in to temporary insomnia and chronic insomnia. Temporary insomnia can last for few days, weeks of months whereas chronic insomnia is a more permanent condition.....READ MORE