Insomnia is a sleeping disorder characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep despite the opportunity. It is typically followed by functional impairment while awake. Insomniacs have been known to complain about being unable to close their eyes or "rest their mind" for more than a few minutes at a time. Both organic and non-organic insomnia constitute a sleep disorder.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 60 million Americans suffer from insomnia each year. Insomnia tends to increase with age and affects about 40 percent of women and 30 percent of men.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Types of sleep disorders

Sleep disorders are unfortunately an everyday part of the life for millions of Americans, resulting in billions of dollars in economic loss each year. The range of sleep disorders, however, is very broad and if some people simply have nightmare and occasional disturbed sleep, others suffer from chronic insomnia and lack of proper sleep for weeks, months and even years. And if left untreated, these problems may affect the entire life of a person, resulting in serious health conditions and the inability to perform everyday tasks normally.

Having a good rest and healthy sleep is a natural necessity of the body for being refreshed and restored from stress and activity of the previous day. It is estimated that an average adult requires about 8 hours of sleep every day in order to feel perfectly refreshed from both the psychological and physiological perspectives. Of course, most of people these days believe that eight hours of sleep is a luxury they can't afford, depriving themselves from the needed sleep in order to enjoy different activities (work, socializing, etc.) The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports that more than 40 million Americans experience different types of sleep disorders every year, a large part of which is not even diagnosed and left untreated. Many people will either leave the condition as it is, hoping it won't develop into a chronic one, while others will use over-the-counter pills or order such prescription sleeping aids as Ambien online without their doctor's consent.

Types of sleep disorders

Before you go to your doctor to request Ambien prescription or any other treatment, try to define the actual sleep disorder you have. It is important for defining the right treatment option and will make it easier for you personally to be calm about your situation. Here are some of the most common sleep disorders millions of Americans suffer each year:

Sleep apnea: this disorder is characterized by shallow or interrupted breathing during sleep that causes for the person to wake up regularly. Known to many as heavy snoring, this is in fact a serious health problem that can result in a stroke. If you happen to experience sleep apnea, don't hesitate to consult with your doctor concerning a treatment, because the problem can have more serious consequences.

Disturbed sleep: in this case the sleep is interrupted during the night either by the problems in the windpipe (apnea) or neurological problems that make it hard for the muscles to relax. It is quite common in older people, who find it harder to fall asleep and wake up regularly during the night.

Insomnia: this is the inability to sleep or even fall asleep. Some people with insomnia manage to fall asleep but wake up too early without getting enough rest and can't manage to sleep again. Others can fall asleep at all. This is a serious condition that results in loss of concentration, irritability, drowsiness and more serious health problems. Drugs like Ambien are usually effective in such cases. However, before you buy Ambien or any other sleeping aid, consult with your doctor.

Narcolepsy: is the opposite of insomnia as it's characterized by having trouble with staying awake. A person suffering from narcolepsy can fall asleep any time of the day without even realizing that he or she is sleeping.



Autor: Nora Cross

Nora Cross has shared his vision and professional opinion on a vast array of topics and http://www.sleepingpillsonline.org/articles/not-for-all-types.html is one of the sites where you can read more of Nora Cross's contributions.


Added: June 27, 2010
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Types-of-sleep-disorder~

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

What is Insomnia and What is the Link between Age and Sleep Disorders?

Insomnia is a sleep which is very common and prevalent among people of all types and ages. However studies have shown that insomnia affects more women when compared to men, and adults more than children. Recently a greater rise has been noticed in the frequency of occurrence of insomnia, mainly due to the nature of the factors leading to the forming of this disorder.

This particular sleeping disorder can be caused due to many reasons. Stress and other mental disorders can lead to insomnia. Caffeine, nicotine and alcohol usage usually can be pointed to as causes of insomnia. Contrary to that, the withdrawal of these substances can cause as acute insomnia as the usage and abuse. Medications, in particular those with features that trigger hormones or stimulate feelings, can often cause insomnia. Diseases, disorders, cuts or injuries which are accompanied by pain can lead to insomnia, as well as the syndrome of frequent night-time urination.

It is important to try to identify what is insomnia and what are bad sleeping habits. Symptoms characteristic of insomnia are trouble going to sleep and staying asleep, and not feeling rested or refreshed afterwards. The duration too, is less than the average hours of sleep an adult needs to get.

Insomnia is a sleep which is very common and prevalent among people of all types and ages. However studies have shown that insomnia affects more women when compared to men, and adults more than children. Recently a greater rise has been noticed in the frequency of occurrence of insomnia, mainly due to the nature of the factors leading to the forming of this disorder.

This particular sleeping disorder can be caused due to many reasons. Stress and other mental disorders can lead to insomnia. Caffeine, nicotine and alcohol usage usually can be pointed to as causes of insomnia. Contrary to that, the withdrawal of these substances can cause as acute insomnia as the usage and abuse. Medications, in particular those with features that trigger hormones or stimulate feelings, can often cause insomnia. Diseases, disorders, cuts or injuries which are accompanied by pain can lead to insomnia, as well as the syndrome of frequent night-time urination.

It is important to try to identify what is insomnia and what are bad sleeping habits. Symptoms characteristic of insomnia are trouble going to sleep and staying asleep, and not feeling rested or refreshed afterwards. The duration too, is less than the average hours of sleep an adult needs to get.


Autor: Innovine

Health Tips and Advice - Health Care Tips and Medical Information To Help Improve Life Style


Added: June 9, 2010
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/What-is-Insomnia-and-Wh~

 
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