Monday, May 25, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
What is fibromyalgia syndrome?
I was searching for articles on sleep and this problem that affects women mostly popped out?
It is estimated that around 7 to 10 million mostly female americans suffer from FMS (fibromyalgia syndrome).
"It can begin spontaneously or after an injury, particularly when associated with serious emotional stress. Fibromyalgia is characterized by a consistent pattern of non-restorative sleep or insomnia, widespread body pain and stiffness, chronic fatigue and varying degrees of anxiety and depression. Symptoms include light sensitivity, PMS, tension and migraine headaches, environmental sensitivities, TMJ, irritability and mood swings. And these symptoms are magnified when exposed to stress -"
I never knew that! So with the economic climate as it is more people are susceptible to this syndrome - and therefore become sleep deprived.!
So anyone who deals with stressful situations or facing layoffs or other situations and already has insomnia; it is important to keep in mind to try to prevent this from happening by trying to release some of that stress. Also be more aware of how to better get your daily 8 hours of sleep to stave of fibromyalgia syndrome.
It is not easy but prevention is better than a cure my grandfather always said.
It is estimated that around 7 to 10 million mostly female americans suffer from FMS (fibromyalgia syndrome).
"It can begin spontaneously or after an injury, particularly when associated with serious emotional stress. Fibromyalgia is characterized by a consistent pattern of non-restorative sleep or insomnia, widespread body pain and stiffness, chronic fatigue and varying degrees of anxiety and depression. Symptoms include light sensitivity, PMS, tension and migraine headaches, environmental sensitivities, TMJ, irritability and mood swings. And these symptoms are magnified when exposed to stress -"
I never knew that! So with the economic climate as it is more people are susceptible to this syndrome - and therefore become sleep deprived.!
So anyone who deals with stressful situations or facing layoffs or other situations and already has insomnia; it is important to keep in mind to try to prevent this from happening by trying to release some of that stress. Also be more aware of how to better get your daily 8 hours of sleep to stave of fibromyalgia syndrome.
It is not easy but prevention is better than a cure my grandfather always said.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Sleeping is not actually easy for some people to do
I was reading about an article from a patient who suffers from sleep disorders and related other conditions and she was complaining that it is not really easy to fall a sleep even with practicing good sleep hygene and sleep practices
Sleep deprivation is equal to being drunk
Getting less than 6 hours a night can affect coordination, reaction time and judgment; posing "a very serious risk." says a british study
Drivers are especially vulnerable, the researchers warned. They found that people who drive after being awake for 17 to 19 hours performed worse than those with a blood alcohol level of .05 percent. That's the legal limit for drunk driving in most western European countries, though most U.S. states set their blood alcohol limits at .1 percent and a few at .08 percent.
The study said 16 to 60 percent of road accidents involve sleep deprivation. The researchers said countries with drunk driving laws should consider similar restrictions against sleep-deprived driving
The British Medical Association warned that there are other problems associated with sleep deprivation beyond impaired motor skills. People who get too little sleep may have higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression, and may take unnecessary risks.
And the dangers aren't limited to drivers. People who work long shifts or night shifts, such as medical personnel or other emergency workers, may also have troubles.
This is according to a CNN article -
Wow a better way to get rid of depression and stress is to sleep a little bit more
Check out http://www.blackout-curtain-togo.com/
Drivers are especially vulnerable, the researchers warned. They found that people who drive after being awake for 17 to 19 hours performed worse than those with a blood alcohol level of .05 percent. That's the legal limit for drunk driving in most western European countries, though most U.S. states set their blood alcohol limits at .1 percent and a few at .08 percent.
The study said 16 to 60 percent of road accidents involve sleep deprivation. The researchers said countries with drunk driving laws should consider similar restrictions against sleep-deprived driving
The British Medical Association warned that there are other problems associated with sleep deprivation beyond impaired motor skills. People who get too little sleep may have higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression, and may take unnecessary risks.
And the dangers aren't limited to drivers. People who work long shifts or night shifts, such as medical personnel or other emergency workers, may also have troubles.
This is according to a CNN article -
Wow a better way to get rid of depression and stress is to sleep a little bit more
Check out http://www.blackout-curtain-togo.com/
Monday, May 18, 2009
Portable blackout curtains for travellers!
Blackout Curtain ToGo AKA Blackout To Go is a unique sleep assistant that all light sensitive travelers should take with them.
Blackout ToGo is a kit of multiple sized Blackout Curtains that block light from LED lamps, alarm clocks, any electronic device that emits light when off and light from outside your room.
Blackout ToGo will take a light polluted hotel room or home environment and in a few minutes convert it into a darkened room that is easy to fall asleep in.
If you can not use an uncomfortable blindfold to sleep with this is a great alternative!
Blackout ToGo is a kit of multiple sized Blackout Curtains that block light from LED lamps, alarm clocks, any electronic device that emits light when off and light from outside your room.
Blackout ToGo will take a light polluted hotel room or home environment and in a few minutes convert it into a darkened room that is easy to fall asleep in.
If you can not use an uncomfortable blindfold to sleep with this is a great alternative!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
I was reading and article in Web MD about sleep disorders
According to that article the most important thing you can do is prepare to go to sleep throughout the day and have a positive attitude toward sleep - some people have resistance to going to bed - take my 6 year old " she hates to go to sleep" too scared she might miss something!
My son on the otherhand will go to sleep right on time - even in other people's houses.
More tips on going to sleep include
- Set clear boundaries to sleeping - and dont bring work to bed
- Do not procrastinate important things - like filing for Taxes before april 13th LOL
- Do not have a computer or television in your bed room
- Have a bed time routine - even reading to your kids is a routine for you to unwind
- Get proper excerise in the day
- Have a comfortable sleep environment - no clutter in your room, have a great bed
- NO Caffeine in the afternoon
I think those are great tips and if we can at least adopt one habit per week and try to keep it up we might see an improvement in our sleep habits dont you think?
Monday, May 11, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Here is what I found on the Dr. Mercola's Health blog
"However, the story that caught my attention in last month’s issue wasn’t about the usual stuff of people, animals or the environment. The article was entitled Our Vanishing Night and it discusses the problem of light pollution.
The first time I’ve heard of light pollution, I just shook my head because I was surprised to learn that light can also be a pollutant. Light pollution is the excess light generated by human activities that shines outward and upward into the night sky and is enough to obscure many stars and other heavenly bodies.
When man-made light spills into the natural world, some aspect of life like migration, reproduction and feeding will be affected. Because light is very powerful biological force, it draws many animals to it like a magnet. For example, migratory birds can collide with tall buildings with bright lights. Songbirds sing during unnatural hours in the presence of artificial lighting. Sea turtles, which lay their eggs on dark beaches, have difficulty finding their nesting spots.
Many nocturnal mammals also look for food more cautiously due to light pollution because they’ve become easier targets for predators.
Light Pollution and your Health
We humans also need darkness. I learned through the article that darkness is important for our biological welfare because the regular oscillation of waking and sleep is a biological expression of the regular oscillation of light on Earth.
A group of cells in your brain located in the hypothalamus called the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN) controls your biological clock because the cells that form the SCN react to light and dark signals. Light travels through your eyes’ optic nerves to your SCN where it tells your body that it’s time to wake up. Light also signals your SCN to start other activities associated with being awake, like increasing your body temperature and producing hormones like cortisol.
When your eyes signal to your SCN that it’s dark outside, your body will begin to secrete melatonin, the hormone that induces sleep. How much melatonin you produce is related to the amount of bright sun exposure you have had the previous day. The less bright light, the lower the production of melatonin.
Aside from inducing sleep, there are many studies that show that melatonin also decreases your risk of cancer. So if your sleep is disrupted by light pollution, your melatonin levels will go down, increasing your risk of cancer."
Very thought proviking article dont you think???
The first time I’ve heard of light pollution, I just shook my head because I was surprised to learn that light can also be a pollutant. Light pollution is the excess light generated by human activities that shines outward and upward into the night sky and is enough to obscure many stars and other heavenly bodies.
When man-made light spills into the natural world, some aspect of life like migration, reproduction and feeding will be affected. Because light is very powerful biological force, it draws many animals to it like a magnet. For example, migratory birds can collide with tall buildings with bright lights. Songbirds sing during unnatural hours in the presence of artificial lighting. Sea turtles, which lay their eggs on dark beaches, have difficulty finding their nesting spots.
Many nocturnal mammals also look for food more cautiously due to light pollution because they’ve become easier targets for predators.
Light Pollution and your Health
We humans also need darkness. I learned through the article that darkness is important for our biological welfare because the regular oscillation of waking and sleep is a biological expression of the regular oscillation of light on Earth.
A group of cells in your brain located in the hypothalamus called the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN) controls your biological clock because the cells that form the SCN react to light and dark signals. Light travels through your eyes’ optic nerves to your SCN where it tells your body that it’s time to wake up. Light also signals your SCN to start other activities associated with being awake, like increasing your body temperature and producing hormones like cortisol.
When your eyes signal to your SCN that it’s dark outside, your body will begin to secrete melatonin, the hormone that induces sleep. How much melatonin you produce is related to the amount of bright sun exposure you have had the previous day. The less bright light, the lower the production of melatonin.
Aside from inducing sleep, there are many studies that show that melatonin also decreases your risk of cancer. So if your sleep is disrupted by light pollution, your melatonin levels will go down, increasing your risk of cancer."
Very thought proviking article dont you think???
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
