2008 December

Why Can’t I Sleep?

By Lorie Johnson
CBN News Health Reporter
December 30, 2008

CBNNews.com – VIRGINIA BEACH – Nearly 50 percent of Americans don’t get enough sleep.

This insomnia comes in two forms: either folks can’t fall asleep or they can’t stay asleep.

This may explain why sleeping pills are some of the most widely prescribed medications in America. But sleep experts say those medications often do more harm than good, and should only be considered when other methods to fight insomnia have failed.

Like millions of Americans, Eldora Snowden ignores her alarm clock every morning, pushing the snooze button at least once.

"It’s almost torture," she claims. "Because when it goes off, at that point I can feel that my body finally fell asleep. But now I have to get up and I have to struggle in order to get up."

Signs of Sleep Deprivation

Snowden says she wakes up in the middle of the night and can’t fall back asleep. That’s a classic sign of sleep deprivation.

Other clues are: irritability, grogginess, difficulty concentrating or staying awake during meetings or classes and trying to catch-up on sleep on the weekends.

"Well, I know that I have insomnia and I do not sleep well at all," Snowden explained.

People like Snowden often first reach for the sleeping pills, when in reality it should be one of the last resorts.

Dr. Catesby Ware of the Sentara Sleep Center of Norfolk, Virginia says this medication is addictive, can have serious side effects and can cause drowsiness during the day.

Why Am I Not Sleeping?

"The person spends time trying to figure out what the best sleeping pill is, which is completely wrong," Dr. Ware pointed out. "What you should spend time doing is Read the rest of this entry »

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Sleep meds may do more harm than good for some

Posted: Dec 26, 2008 08:18 AM

Updated: Dec 26, 2008 08:18 AM

NATIONAL (NBC) – The World Sleep Foundation says more than 70 million of us in the U.S. have occasional insomnia.

For one in ten, the problem isn’t occasional, it’s chronic.

We spend 98 million dollars a year on over the counter sleeping aids, and another 50 million on caffeine tablets, just to stay awake!

Roy Hall hasn’t had a good night’s sleep in nearly five years.

"Usually I try to go to sleep four or five times a night and I’m back up again. Sometimes I just wander around or I’ll get a glass of warm milk I’ll do anything I can," said Roy.

His wife, Rosanne, says Roy’s insomnia is taking a toll.

"He is very irritable his memory is not very good," said Rosanne.

Like many of us, Roy sought relief from over the counter sleep medications.

Doctor Reena Mehra at University Hospital’s Sleep Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio said it’s not wise to just reach for a pill.

They have side effects too.

"People can actually have difficulty Read the rest of this entry »

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How To Stop Insomnia

The evidence is in. If you want to enjoy quality sleep, doctors suggest you avoid getting old at all costs. That’s because older people take it on the chin when it comes to lights out, but there is hope.

As we age, we take longer to fall asleep, spend less time in deep sleep and wake more frequently during the night – but that’s not all. If our rest is interrupted, we take longer to fall back to sleep.

These sleep changes, which are comparable to age-related changes in physical and mental skills, probably reflect the natural aging of the brain’s sleep system.

Other factors can magnify the problem, including common stressors among the aged. Loneliness, bereavement, worries about finances, health and death can all contribute to sleeplessness.

So what can you do? Anyone can take a few simple steps to improve what experts call Read the rest of this entry »

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Lotus Pond – Bismark Fruitful gifts

By R. VALENCIA S. BISMARK
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:08:00 12/19/2008

Filed Under: Food, Festive Events (including Carnivals)

IT’S great to give gifts produced by Mother Nature herself. Fruits can be the most flavorful, healing and nourishing gifts we can give to our loved ones. Desmond Tate’s book, “Tropical Fruit,” enumerates the benefits we get from them:

Watermelon. The flesh contains glucose, fructose and sucrose, while its seeds contain oil, protein and vitamin B. The amount of oil varies from one species to another—some of them produce enough to make cooking oil. Watermelon juice makes for a refreshing drink. The fruit serves as a dessert. Both flesh and juice are useful against heatstroke, fever and vomiting. It’s also known to cure urinary tract infection.

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Shaddock (pomelo or suha). The fruit is low in calorie and very high in vitamin C and potassium. A sprinkling of sugar or salt enhances its flavor. The thick rind is gaining popularity as a source for marmalade. The Chinese use it as an Read the rest of this entry »

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How To Treat Insomnia Effective Tips And Remedies

Insomnia (sleeplessness) is a common sleep disorder in which a person experience difficulty in sleeping. Depression and anxiety are the two main causes of insomnia. Poor concentration, short memory, decreased alertness and mental sluggishness are major symptoms of sleeplessness. Person suffering from insomnia feel irritability without any obvious cause.

Home Remedies to Treat Insomnia

1.Take your dinner at least 4 hours ahead of your bed time. Insomnia is often aggravated by digestive problems, and hence, it is best to avoid the problem altogether.

2.Avoid drink such as coffee, alcohol, and tea that influences sleep. In case you must have your regular cup of coffee, at least ensure that you take it before a minimum of four hours from your bedtime.

3.Regular exercise helps in relieving stress, depression, anxiety and sleeplessness. Even a walk for about 30 minutes daily is also good. Try to gradually increase it to one hour or so for best results.

4.If you find that you cannot sleep, do something that you enjoy (reading, listing to music, writing letters to dear ones, etc) aiming to relax your mind and body. Sleep usually comes after your body relaxes completely.

5.Self help and natural therapies also help in treating insomnia. Improve sleep habits and Read the rest of this entry »

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Having Trouble Sleeping ? Checkout The Sleeptracks Sleep Optimization Program

Until last year I would have done almost anything to solve my sleep problems. For most of my life I had been “one of those people” cursed with insomnia and troubled sleep. I have had sleep problems for about twenty years and needless to say it has affected my whole life. It would take me hours to fall asleep. I would awaken repeatedly every night, and then struggle to get back to sleep: my mind would start its merry-go-round and go on without respite until dawn.

I have discovered an amazing Brain Technology,(The Sleeptracks Sleep Optimization Program) that Will Make You… “Fall Asleep in Minutes Instead of Hours, Sleep Soundly Through the Night and Wake Up Rested — Without Resorting to Sleeping Drugs… Guaranteed!”

I now sleep less than before (6-7 hours per night) but I feel more rested. And I gradually uncovered extremely surprising and little-known facts about sleep and how the brain works during sleep. Instead of taking hours to fall asleep, I’m off in less than 10 minutes. I literally sleep like a baby and never wake up during the night anymore. Did you know that your sleep is Read the rest of this entry »

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