Insomnia

Over 100 million Americans of all ages regularly fail to get a good night's sleep. Insomnia affects people of all ages, most commonly for only a night or tow, but sometimes for weeks, months, even years. It has many causes. Transit insomnia of up to several nights of poor sleep typically is triggered by the excitement or stress caused by the anticipation of an important event. Travel, changes in patterns of activity and brief illness may also interrupt sleep temporarily. Short-term insomnia experience for two to three weeks often develops during periods of severe stress at home or work. Relief from the situation that provoked the sleeplessness or a combination to it usually returns sleep to normal. Chronic insomnia experience over a period of months or years is a complex disorder with many possible causes. Some common causes of chronic insomnia include psychological depression, anxiety, stress and poor sleep hygiene. Tips for good sleep hygiene include keeping regular bed and rising times, going to bed only when sleepy and getting regular exercise. Tobacco, alcohol and caffeine all disturb sleep and should be avoided, especially around bedtime. People who work night shifts are especially prone to develop chronic insomnia.

Insomnia is the inability to sleep. It affects people of all ages and typically lasts for a night or two. In extreme cases, insomnia can last for weeks, months and even years. Most cases of brief insomnia are triggered by the anticipation of an upcoming event. Changes of schedule and brief illness my also interrupt sleep temporarily. Insomnia that lasts two to three weeks often develops during periods of severe stress at home or work. Sleep usually returns to normal once the source of the stress is relieved. Chronic insomnia is complex disorder with many possible causes. These include psychological depression, anxiety, stress and poor sleep habits. The experts on sleep disorders offer the following tips for improving sleep habits: Go to bed only when sleepy. Get regular exercise. Avoid tobacco, alcohol and caffeine -- especially around bedtime. Go to bed and awaken at the same time every day. If you work night shifts, maintain a consistent schedule, even on your nights off.

Snoring

Each year, the lives of millions of people are disrupted by sleep deprivation resulting from snoring and other sleep disorders. 45% of normal adults snore at least occasionally, and 25% of them are habitual snorers. Why do some people snore? Snoring occurs as a result of a structural problem. It is caused by the vibration of the uvula and soft palate at the back of the throat during sleep. People who are overweight are more likely to snore due to the looseness of excess fat and tissue. Gender and age also play a role. Men are more likely to snore than women, and the likelihood of snoring increases for both sexes as they get older. Alcohol consumption can also be a factor. In addition to being an annoyance to the listener, the snorer may not sleep well and may suffer from daytime drowsiness. A new procedure called Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty, also referred to as L.A.U.P., removes the excess tissue which causes snoring. Preliminary results of studies nationwide indicate an 80-90% success rate.

Sleep Apnea

Approximately 40 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders. Sleep apnea is one disorder that causes people to frequently stop breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea can be causes by: 1. A physical obstruction in the throat that blocks air from flowing in and out of the lungs. This is called obstructive sleep apnea. 2. The brain may not signal for you to breathe. This is called central sleep apnea. 3. Or, there can be a mixture of both central and obstructive sleep apnea. Some common symptoms of sleep apnea are restless sleep, loud snoring, lack of energy during the day or even falling asleep during the day. If you fell you may have a sleep related disorder, consult with your doctor. If sleep apnea is suspected, your doctor may order a sleep study to be performed. During the sleep study, your doctor can monitor your sleep and breathing patterns to determine, if any, a treatment. There are several options to treating sleep apnea such a surgery, weight loss, regulation o alcohol consumption and/or medication. Another treatment method is by the use of a machine called a CPAP (see-pap) machine. CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. CPAP delivers a small amount of airflow to "splint" open your airways as you inhale. This is done by wearing a mask that covers your nose and is attached to the CPAP machine while you sleep. Many patients report feeling refreshed and more energetic after having a "good nights sleep". That is one of the goals of CPAP therapy. It may sound a little imposing at first, but rest assured, CPAP is being used by thousands of people all across the nation. Once again, please consult with your physician if your suspect you may have a sleep disorder. A doctor's prescription is necessary to rent or purchase CPAP, and your physician can suggest which machine is appropriate for your individual needs

Childrens' Sleep Disorders

More than 100 million Americans of all ages regularly fail to get a good night's sleep. Many children at some point, suffer from sleep problems. Usually, these are temporary, but often they are chronic and may require treatment. Sleepwalking or somnambulism is most frequent in children ages 4-8 years old. Although children usually outgrow this behavior, medical treatment is sometimes necessary, especially when there's a danger that the children might be injured while sleepwalking. Sleep terrors are most common between the ages of 4-12. Although frightening to parents, these episodes will not harm a child's psychological development. Sleep specialists generally view bed wetting as a disorder when it continues beyond the age of 5. Ignoring the problem can cause worry and embarrassment, and may lower the child's self-esteem. It most cases, bed wetting can be successfully treated without medication. A more serious problem is sleep apnea, a condition affecting normal night time breathing patterns that has been implicated in some cases of sudden infant death syndrome. Older children who suffer from apnea may seem either hyperactive or sleepy. Either way, the often perform poorly in school. This condition too, usually responds to proper treatment.