While sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders, it isn’t the only one affecting millions. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep (PLMS) are two other common disorders that lower sleep quality.
Regular exercise can help improve your quality of sleep, while promoting a healthier life style. Most health experts recommend getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day.
• White noise or delta brain wave patterns can lull stubborn minds into deep sleep by creating a soothing pattern of noise. White noise can keep people asleep during REM so they get more quality sleep.
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to fall into the cycle of dependence on prescription sleep aids just to get a little sleep. Since the inability to sleep can often stem from physiological issues, a visit to a sleep specialist could be extremely enlightening.
Care to guess how many hours of shuteye constitute a good night's sleep? Although the figure can vary based on a number of factors, including age, most experts agree that it hovers between seven and eight hours a night for adults. Extremes on either end of that range can have negative health implications.
• Many people suffer from inadequate sleep and rely on sleeping pills to get a night's rest. However these pills can cause grogginess and can be addictive when used for a long time.
Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders, also known as Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD), refers to individuals that prefer a delayed starting sleep time by about three to six hours, compared to more traditional times.
Almost 80 percent of sleepwalkers have a family history of this condition. Research shows that an identical twin is five times more likely to sleepwalk if his or her twin is a sleepwalker. However, help is at hand if you find that this condition is negatively impacting your life.
We all know how important sleep is but, did you know that we need different amounts during different stages of our lives? Babies and toddlers typically need more than 12 while schoolchildren require about 10. Adults on the other hand, require just 7 to 8 hours to get by.
Sometimes sleep studies are conducted during the day. Once such test is the maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT), which measures the ability to stay awake for a defined period of time under sleep inducing circumstances.
Are you the type of person who usually has trouble getting a good night’s sleep away from home? Remember, this common tendency won’t adversely impact your sleep study results.
Insomnia is defined as "the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep." Some people spend hours trying to fall asleep, and others wake in the night and then cannot fall back to sleep - both are frustrating and can be dealt with.
One way to treat obstructive sleep apnea is to position alarms that wake the person up if he or she rolls over on his or her back for more than 15 seconds. Most apnea incidents occur when a person is laying on his or her back.
If you've been sleepwalking recently, then it might be prudent for you to see a sleep specialist. Of course, you should also try to help yourself by getting adequate sleep, keeping sharp objects out of your room and if at all possible, locating your sleeping quarters on the ground floor.
The record for the longest period without sleep is 18 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes during a rocking chair marathon. The record holder reported hallucinations, paranoia, blurred vision, slurred speech, and memory and concentration lapses - not recommended!
A split night sleep study combines a diagnostic and CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) titration study. The first half diagnoses sleep apnea; then the CPAP is started and the sleep tech adjusts the pressure until breathing’s normalized.
While you may enjoy catching up on your favorite television shows right before bed, the blue light emitted from your TV screen could be the reason you can’t get to sleep at night. Try turning it off an hour before bed to see if that helps you fall asleep faster.
There's a biological explanation for why some people have a natural alarm clock. The unconscious anticipation of waking up triggers the release of the hormone adrenocorticotrophin, which can act as a natural alarm.
Sleep Quiz: Q: According to the American Sleep Association (ASA), what percentage of Americans adults report snoring? A) 15%; B) 24%; C) 48%; D) 68%. A: "C" and, apparently, all spouses.
Sleep studies are a common component of any sleep disorder diagnosis, but there are actually several different types of studies. These include polysomnography, multiple sleep latency tests (MSLTs), maintenance of wakefulness tests (MWTs), and actigraphy.
Are you struggling with getting a good night’s sleep? Stick with a schedule, making bedtime the same time every night.
Dysania is a sleep disorder in which a person finds it hard to get out of bed in the morning. While we all find it a bit hard to wake up in the morning, individuals suffering from dysania find it particularly challenging.
• During sleep, the body focuses on repairing injuries, maintaining the skeletal and immune system and rebuilding muscles. It takes an average of 15 minutes to fall asleep.
About 6 percent of Americans have some form of insomnia, according to the National Institutes of Health. One way to help get some sleep is to choose evening snacks wisely. Try eating snacks that include complex carbohydrates. These carbs usually increase tryptophan, an amino acid in your system that helps to induce sleep.
