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Prescription Sleep Medicine
Sleep Drugs - What You Need to Know
Posted by admin in Prescription Sleep Medicine on June 03rd, 2010
Getting adequate quality sleep is very important for your overall well-being. A good night sleep is one of the mainstays of mental, emotional and physical health. Unprovoked anger, sudden irrational outburst, moodiness, inability to handle stress, lack of energy and lack of focus are some of the consequences of simply not getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation is one of the leading causes involving automobile accidents.
Millions of people suffer from sleeping disorder. Many people with sleep problems end up on prescription sleep medicines. A high number of the population turn to sleeping aids such as sleep drugs as quick fix to address sleep problems. Prescription sleep drugs should only be used for short-term basis and only by doctor prognosis and recommendation.
The Food And Drug Administration has mandated strong warnings to be placed on large numbers of common prescription sleep drugs. Researches at the University of Toronto conducted studies on the risk versus benefits of short term sleep drugs and the results obtained were alarming. The compiled data indicates that pharmaceutical sedatives improved sleep but side effects were a major significant concern.
Some of the long-term side effects include adverse psychomotor events such as dizziness, loss of balance, falls and morning sedation. Some patients also experience daytime fatigue and cognitive impairment such as memory loss, confusion and disorientation. In severe circumstances, psychological disorder is not unheard of and may even lead to suicidal thoughts.
Over dosage of some these sedative drugs could harm the liver, affect hormone balance, intoxicate the body and in serious condition triggers seizure or mental breakdown. The answer to sleep disorder is not sedative drug that merely treat the symptoms and not the root cause.
Sleep disorder is primarily caused by neurotransmitter imbalances in the brain. Neurons, better known, as nerves are unique cells found in the brain and other parts of the body. Neurotransmitters are nerve signaling chemicals released by the neurons and it carries electrical information that allows cells to communicate.
Neurotransmitter affects various aspects of the human body such as sleep regulation, memory, emotions and motivations. Symptoms such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, joint pain, food craving, headaches, weight gain, sleep disturbances and many other diseases are usually caused by imbalance of the neurotransmitter level.
Optimizing neurotransmitter level and functions can alleviate many of the symptoms pertaining to sleep disorder. To address these imbalances, you are advice to work with a doctor skilled in diagnosing and treating them.
In summary, there are simple solutions to address sleep disorder. Prescription sleep aids for instance sedative drugs should not be the primary option to consider. It is unfortunate though there are some doctors who are too quick to recommend prescription sleep aids to their patients. Long-term usage of sleep drugs only cause more harm than good.
Anti Snoring Mouthpiece Facts
Posted by admin in Prescription Sleep Medicine on March 30th, 2010
Your snoring problem can earn you plenty of criticism and frustration though it is not an intentional harm you cause. It’s best to tackle it at the initial stages to curb physical and social consequences. A number of remedies have been suggested to control and arrest this habit among which an effective technique is that of using an anti snoring mouth piece.
The anti snoring mouth piece, also referred to as a mandibular advancement split are dental fixtures which have been tried by a number of people suffering from this habit to find it extremely effective. They are especially useful in the case of people suffering from sleep apnea.
This dental device has to be inserted in your mouth and its main function is to hold your lower jaw forward which has an effect of tightening the soft tissues and muscles on the upper airway. The tongue is also prevented from relaxing and falling backwards. Thus it helps to arrest snoring caused by a backward prolapsed tongue. Also the air passing through the tightened tissues of the upper tract doesn’t cause any vibrations, so control on snoring is brought about. They also claim to bring in more oxygen to the body and help to prevent daytime fatigue.
This fixture can only fixed by a dentist so you need to take an appointment with one as well as get your dental device molded according to the size and shape of your mouth. But this might prove to be a bit heavy on your pocket. There is also the option of various mouthpieces available in the market which comes in all shapes and sizes. These are more cost effective.
The main hitch lies in the lack of comfort associated with it since after all the user has to learn to sleep with this device in his mouth. Some other problems have also been associated with it namely an excess of salivation, shifting of teeth positions etc. To prevent this, the user should go for periodical visits to his dentist to ensure that there is no abnormality in his mouth or teeth.
There are also other options like the chin strap which ensures that the mouth remains closed during sleep. The intention here is to help you get accustomed to sleeping with a closed mouth which you will eventually do without the aid of this piece.
It’s also better to try out an inexpensive model before investing in a custom made one. Within some time you will be able to tell if this device seems suitable for you or not.
How Alcohol Causes Insomnia
Posted by admin in Prescription Sleep Medicine on November 19th, 2009
Many people like to drink wine, beer or other alcoholic beverages after work or in the evening, and because of the muscle (and mind) relaxation that occurs, may believe that alcohol helps them sleep.
Ironically, while a few drinks may bring on a sleepy state, they will disrupt the normal sleep cycle and create very restless sleep. The reason for this is that once asleep, the body starts to metabolise the alcohol and this affects brain activity. Alcohol in the blood stream actually disrupts the normal sleep cycle which involves cycling four or five times a night through deep, restful sleep and more active periods of dreaming and high brain activity. Alcohol disturbs the sleep pattern and makes it erratic.
Studies have found that alcohol consumed six hours before bedtime disrupts the second half of the sleep period. Active? alcoholics experience specific sleep disturbances such as needing increased time to fall asleep, frequent awakenings and poorer sleep quality as well as daytime fatigue. Further, these people undergo a vicious cycle when they try to stop drinking since an abrupt reduction or end to drinking usually triggers alcohol-withdrawal difficulties as well as pronounced insomnia and sleep disturbance.
Beyond withdrawal, sleep patterns may never return to normal in people with alcoholism. After years of abstinence, alcoholics tend to sleep poorly, with increased nighttime wakefulness contributing to daytime fatigue.
In addition to the effects of alcohol on the brain, drinking high quantities of any beverage before bed is going to increase the need for urination during the night, creating a further sleep disruption.
The occasional evening of drinks is not a problem, but a pattern of heavy drinking can set up insomnia problems. It can also lead to sleep apnea where the throat’s soft tissues can relax to the point of obstructing breathing during sleep.
Cutting back on alcohol consumption, or stopping it entirely is advisable for people keen to restore restful sleep.
Insomnia Help - How Alcohol Causes Insomnia
Posted by admin in Prescription Sleep Medicine on November 01st, 2009
Many people like to drink wine, beer or other alcoholic beverages after work or in the evening, and because of the muscle (and mind) relaxation that occurs, may believe that alcohol helps them sleep.
Ironically, while a few drinks may bring on a sleepy state, they will disrupt the normal sleep cycle and create very restless sleep. The reason for this is that once asleep, the body starts to metabolise the alcohol and this affects brain activity. Alcohol in the blood stream actually disrupts the normal sleep cycle which involves cycling four or five times a night through deep, restful sleep and more active periods of dreaming and high brain activity. Alcohol disturbs the sleep pattern and makes it erratic.
Studies have found that alcohol consumed six hours before bedtime disrupts the second half of the sleep period. Active? alcoholics experience specific sleep disturbances such as needing increased time to fall asleep, frequent awakenings and poorer sleep quality as well as daytime fatigue. Further, these people undergo a vicious cycle when they try to stop drinking since an abrupt reduction or end to drinking usually triggers alcohol-withdrawal difficulties as well as pronounced insomnia and sleep disturbance.
Beyond withdrawal, sleep patterns may never return to normal in people with alcoholism. After years of abstinence, alcoholics tend to sleep poorly, with increased nighttime wakefulness contributing to daytime fatigue.
In addition to the effects of alcohol on the brain, drinking high quantities of any beverage before bed is going to increase the need for urination during the night, creating a further sleep disruption.
The occasional evening of drinks is not a problem, but a pattern of heavy drinking can set up insomnia problems. It can also lead to sleep apnea where the throat’s soft tissues can relax to the point of obstructing breathing during sleep.
Cutting back on alcohol consumption, or stopping it entirely is advisable for people keen to restore restful sleep.