What causes high blood pressure? What is the connection between high blood pressure, chocolate and sleep? First we need to state the difference between primary and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension accounts for 95% of all high blood pressure cases (roughly 72 million Americans) it is multifactorial, that means, there are multiple factors or causes that contribute to producing high blood pressure and is far more common than secondary hypertension that is caused by a specific abnormality. The basic causes are not always known but certain associations have been recognized in people that are prone to high blood pressure; like those that intake a lot of salt and are advancing in age, African Americans, obese, genetically predisposition and suffer from renal insufficiency. Read more »
Extreme Tiredness in Women
Extreme tiredness in women differs from tiredness associated with occasional fatigue or afternoon sleepiness. Occasional fatigue or afternoon sleepiness goes away with adequate rest and sound, deep sleep. Extreme tiredness that does not go away with rest and nutrition may indicate an underlying disorder or cause that your physician should evaluate. An ongoing physical or mental condition that causes extreme tiredness may or may not be treatable. According to LiveStrong.com the following are four reasons why women (and men) may be suffering from extreme tiredness. Read more »
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms
The number one symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an overwhelming tiredness or exhaustion that lasts at least 6 months and does not get better with rest. This exhaustion is so severe it interferes with daily life. Other names of CFS include Epstein-Barr, yuppie flu and me (myalgic encephalomyelitis). There are eight official chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms besides fatigue and they are; loss of memory, enlarged lymph nodes in neck or armpit, unexplained muscle pain or weakness, joint aches and pains, sore throat, chronic headaches, numbness or tingling in hands and feet and afternoon sleepiness. Other common symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome may include; fever and chills, irritable bowel, night sweats, chest pain, shortness of breath, chronic cough, sensitivity to light, allergies, irregular heartbeat, dizziness (orthostatic hypotension), balance problems and psychological problems like depression, mood swings, anxiety and panic attacks. Read more »
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) and Muscle Spasms are Symptoms of Low Potassium in Women
This article will cover potassium and how it affects sleep, good sources of potassium in foods, potassium deficiency symptoms, potassium supplements and potassium supplements side effects, including overdose. Potassium symbol K for the Neo-Latin term kalium is a vital and necessary mineral for the proper function of organs, fluids and muscles. Because it contributes to muscle function restless leg syndrome (RLS) and muscle spasms are symptoms of low potassium in women. Do you ever wake up during the middle of the night grabbing your calf from a painful charley horse? Do you find it hard to fall to sleep easy at night because of restless leg syndrome (RLS)? Do you have muscle spasms in your legs or arms that disrupt your sleep? An article written by the New England Journal of Medicine in 1998 illustrated how low levels of potassium has various effects on the central nervous system causing conditions like tinnitus, memory loss, anxiety, sleep problems from muscle cramps, irregular heartbeat, afternoon sleepiness and confusion. Read more »
Sleep Better with a Memory Foam Futon Mattress vs a Traditional and Innerspring Futon Mattresses
Today you can pick up a futon for as little as $150.00 at your local Wal-Mart or Target store and that includes the futon frame and the mattress. A futon is great for a smaller guest bedroom, basement or den. It still provides an option for a bed and a sofa and today’s futons are much more stylish and comfortable. I purchased a futon in 1994 for $300.00 and the mattress was very hard to sleep on. You have a choice of futon mattresses today; the traditional foam and cotton, the innerspring and the memory foam mattress. Read more »
Sleep Apnea vs Depression
For many years I had felt exhausted, suffering from poor sleep and was told I was a loud snorer. See: Why do I snore for more information. As I got older I began to gain weight because I was always too busy to exercise. Putting on 50 lbs in 10 years I no longer had any energy for an active life. Caffeine became my friend as I drank coffee and tea constantly to stay awake, but eventually that stopped working. In addition to my declining health I developed hyperhidrosis a condition where you constantly sweat. My family life began to suffer because all I wanted to do was sleep which is a symptom of depression. I had a hard time falling asleep easy, but once I did I wanted sleep nine or more hours. Read more »
Why do I Snore
Are you asking yourself “Why do I snore”? If you have sleep apnea, your airways can be blocked or narrowed during sleep because your throat muscles and tongue relax more than usual, your tongue and tonsils are large compared to the opening into your windpipe, you’re overweight due to the extra soft fat tissue can thicken the wall of the windpipe causing the inside opening to narrow and make it harder to keep open, the shape of your head and neck may cause a smaller airway size in the mouth and throat area or the aging process limits the brain’s ability to keep your throat muscles stiff during sleep causing your inability to fall asleep easy and stay asleep during the night. Read more »
Grief Depression and Insomnia
Hundreds of mourners gathered Monday, August, 15, 2012, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds to remember five people killed when high winds caused an outdoor stage to collapse onto an audience awaiting the start of a country music concert. Four of the victims died at the scene: Alina Bigjohny, 23, of Fort Wayne; Christina Santiago, 29, of Chicago; Tammy Vandam, 42, of Wanatah; and 49-year-old Glenn Goodrich of Indianapolis. Nathan Byrd, a 51-year-old stagehand from Indianapolis who was atop the rigging when it fell, died overnight. Read more »
Sleep Better with Panicyl for Anxiety
According to Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) stress and anxiety may cause sleep related problems or make physical and mental health conditions worse. An anxiety disorder can cause insomnia symptoms; can’t fall asleep easy, can’t fall back to sleep after waking up during the night, wake up too early and afternoon sleepiness. While sleep disorders like sleep apnea, sleepwalking, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome (RLS), bruxism (teeth grinding) not only keep you awake but they also interfere with physical, mental and emotional functioning that causes stress and anxiety. There are many health concerns when people don’t get enough sleep such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and obesity. There are many anti-anxiety drugs on the market, but many have bad side effects and can be addicting. So what can you do? You can sleep better with Panicyl for anxiety, because it is not only manufactured in an FDA registered facility to adhere to many quality control and safety standards; it contains ingredients like GABA which will not only help you to relax, it can also reduce anxiety. Read more »
Coconut Water Health Benefits Sleep
Anxiety can affect our sleep and natural anxiety remedies are more readily available on the market than ever. Magnesium is a vital mineral and perhaps one of the most important natural remedy for anxiety because of its effectiveness, record of safe use, availability and value. Anxiety impairs our ability to fall asleep easy which can lead to many a sleepless night. Over time insomnia can develop which puts you at risk for other health problems such as; heart disease, obesity and diabetes. Although there are many anxiety medications, these medications only relieve the symptoms and are not a long-term solution. Coconut water health benefits sleep because it contains magnesium which naturally calms the nervous system and the muscles that help you to relax. Read more »
Too Much Magnesium Side Effects – Hypermagnesemia
If you do not get enough magnesium you can develop sleep disorders such as not being able to fall asleep easy due to anxiety, insomnia and restless leg syndrome (RLS). It is also known to cause muscle weakness, abnormal heartbeat, low blood pressure, hyperventilation, mental confusion and possibly eye twitches. It is best to contact your doctor to see if you have a magnesium deficiency otherwise too much magnesium side effects are drowsiness, blurred vision, difficulty breathing, coma and muscle paralysis. Although not very common is hypermagnesemia a condition when the kidneys are unable to eliminate excess magnesium from the body. Your body regulates magnesium levels by shifting magnesium into and out of cells. When there is a breakdown or destruction of cells, the electrolyte magnesium moves from inside the cell, to outside of the cell wall. This shift of magnesium outside of the cells causes hypermagnesemia. Read more »
Preschoolers Naps and Nap Mats
Getting enough sleep for young children is crucial for physical and mental development and naps provide much needed downtime for growth and rejuvenation. Naps help children from becoming overtired, which not only improves their mood but helps them stay focused on school learning and physical activities. There is no right answer when it comes to how much naptime is needed, since it depends on their age and how much sleep they had during the night. If a child gets 13 hours of sleep at night they don’t need to take a long nap verses a child that only sleeps 9 hours at night may require at least a 1 to 2 hour nap in the afternoon. Preschool children between the ages of 3 and 4 need 10 to 12 of sleep each day and/or night, no matter how they get it. Most parents underestimate the amount of sleep their child needs, so be sure to watch for signs of sleep deprivation, which can range from afternoon sleepiness to problems with behavior and schoolwork. Remember if they do nap don’t have them sleep late in the afternoon as this may interfere with their ability to fall asleep easy when you put them to bed at night. Preschooler’s naps are essential if your child is acting sleepy during the day, acting cranky and irritable, has a hard time waking up in the morning and/ or behaves in an impatient, hyperactive or aggressive manner. Read more »
Sleep Number vs Tempurpedic
When purchasing a bed it is important to find the one that is “just right”, not only in size but also with comfort to help you fall asleep easy and stay asleep throughout the night. The Sleep Number and the Tempurpedic are two choices in a long line of bedding options. What are the comparisons between the Sleep Number vs Tempurpedic? See full vs queen size bed for more information. Read more »
Back to School Sleep Schedule
With a new school year starting for many this month, your kids are now used to staying up late as well as sleeping in during their summer break; they would have a tough time waking up if school were to start tomorrow. It is NOW time to start their back-to-school sleep schedule, so they are getting enough sleep to feel refreshed and well rested for their first day. Keeping up with school work and after school activities is hard enough without fighting afternoon sleepiness caused by not getting enough sleep at night. Lack of sleep can cause your child to develop learning difficulties, lack of focus and delayed physical reactions in addition to showing signs of ADD (attention deficit disorder) and weight gain. Your child needs to ease into this sleep schedule gradually at least two weeks before school starts so they can fall asleep easy by the time school starts. Keeping healthy sleep habits throughout the school year and even on the weekends will help them wake up with the amount of sleep they need for their age. According to the National Sleep Foundation, children between the ages of five and 11 require 10 to 11 hours of sleep. Since children older than age five usually don't nap at school, this means that they need 10 to 11 hours of sleep at night. Children ages 13 to 18 generally require 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep, just a little more than required by those 19 and older. See How Many Hours of Sleep do Teenagers Need for more information. Read more »
Marriage Sleep Positions and What They Mean
A National Sleep Foundation 2005 poll discovered that 61% of married couples spend nearly one-third of their lives sleeping together. Before we reveal what body experts have found out about certain marriage sleep positions and what they mean let’s talk about the 39% who can’t sleep well together. Why do couples sleep together? Dr. Beth Malow, a sleep specialist from the University of Michigan believes that couples who cuddle in their sleep find comfort, emotional intimacy and generally have a healthier marriage. Many married couples have problems sleeping together because their full bed is too small for comfort or a snoring spouse causes you to stay wake and wakes you up periodically during the night. In order for you to fall asleep easy you kick him/her out or leave yourself to find a quiet spare bedroom. The National Sleep Foundation found that sleep deprivation impacts marital satisfaction. 47% of those with less marital satisfaction are sleeping less today and many will develop a sleep problem. Read more »
Co-Sleeping – Is it Wrong to Sleep with Your Mother and Father
Co-sleeping, bed-sharing and sleep-sharing are all terms associated with parents sleeping with their babies. Co-sleeping, is it wrong to sleep with your mother and father? According to askdrsears.com many parents believe that a baby shares more than bed space, they share an interaction that is both safe and healthy. Your child trusts you to be with him during the night as you are during the day and accepting your baby’s needs can help you realize you are not spoiling but nurturing when you welcome them into your bed. Studies have found that co-sleeping brings about synchronous arousals between the child and the parents. When the parent stirs, the baby also changes position without waking. When the parent breathes deeply in sound sleep, the baby also breathes deeply. They also shared the same stages of sleep; fell asleep easy and slept longer between feedings. If they are breast fed, they could breastfeed more often, but fall back to sleep easily because they felt safe and secure. Many mothers (myself included) did not report awakening more frequently. Read more »