Category: Blog

Sleep: What You Need To Know

Mankind has never been busier before than they are now. Today is all about hustling. And it is becoming a norm. At work, there are a lot of things that need to be done in a short period of time. The same goes at home. Getting sleep is almost a luxury. Time ticks so fast that often times we have a hard time getting a hold of it. But if you don’t know it yet, sleep is a vital part of life.

 

Sleep, more specifically enough sleep and good quality sleep, is crucial so you could work efficiently and safely. Not getting enough of it can lead to many problems.

According to the NSF, these are some of the ramifications of sleep problems:

  • Decreased alertness and attentiveness
  • Increased irritability and relationship difficulties
  • Decreased concentration and judgment
  • Decreased performance and productivity
  • Increased risk of accidents

(Via:https://www.parents.com/parenting/moms/healthy-mom/adult-sleep/)

 

Sleep deprivation can cause lessen work efficiency and competence. It can also affect relationships. And most of all, it can get you in an unwanted accident. So if you want to be at the top of your game, all you might be missing is a good night’s sleep. Safety is crucial as well. Getting enough sleep will prevent road accidents from taking place.

 

The recommended hours of sleep is at 7-9 hours a day. But for some people who aren’t getting enough sleep lately, the numbers may change. To determine it yourself, you can do a simple test.

The amount of sleep needed varies with each individual. The NSF suggests a simple experiment to determine your optimum amount of sleep. You need a week or so to determine it, so you should be able to go to sleep when you’re tired and wake up naturally with no alarm clock. Taking a vacation or planning to have someone to help with your children is necessary to do this test.

Simply go to bed when you feel tired, and get up when you feel ready — don’t set an alarm clock. For a few days, you might be sleeping more if you’ve been deprived of sleep. But once you catch up, your body will tell you just how many hours you need to restore yourself each night. Once you’ve learned this important fact about yourself, you can adjust your schedule accordingly.

(Via:https://www.parents.com/parenting/moms/healthy-mom/adult-sleep/)

 

Napping is also a good way of resting. In fact, it can be great.

According to the NSF, a 15- to 20-minute nap can be very beneficial. It can help your alertness and memory, and reduce feelings of fatigue. Napping is a good way for exhausted parents to take the edge off their tiredness. But remember, in the long term a nap is not a substitute for a good night’s sleep.

If you’re unable to get a good night’s sleep, you need to get help for safety’s sake. If attending to small children is causing sleep loss that affects your daily functioning, work out a sleep schedule with your partner, enlist the help of a relative, or pay a child-care provider to help you get more sleep. If insomnia or another sleep disorder is the issue, you may need to see a specialist.

(Via:https://www.parents.com/parenting/moms/healthy-mom/adult-sleep/)

 

But for those who are suffering from sleep disorders, there are available treatments you can discuss with your doctor.

There are successful treatments for sleep disorders, so you don’t have to suffer in silence if you’re not getting enough sleep. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms so he can refer you to a sleep disorders specialist. You’ll have an initial consultation and will probably spend a night or two at the specialist’s clinic to evaluate your sleep problems. You’ll likely be given a polysomnogram, a painless and unobtrusive test that monitors brain waves, muscle activity, heartbeat, and more. After your condition is evaluated, the specialist can give you the appropriate treatment.

(Via:https://www.parents.com/parenting/moms/healthy-mom/adult-sleep/)

 

Sleeping is important. Not getting enough sleep can cause problems along the way. Don’t let snoring stop you from getting a good sleep. Visit https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/zquiet. For more details, you can click here as well.

Can This Smart Strap Actually Stop Snoring?

Snoring is such a big deal nowadays. Well, it should be. Considering the high percentage of habitual snorers these days, it’s high time we take snoring seriously.

According to research, 40-percent of adult men and 24-percent of adult women snore habitually. It’s cited as a key issue in preventing people from getting a solid night’s rest, either because they themselves are snoring, or the person next to them are.

(Via: https://www.slashgear.com/philips-sleepsmart-snoring-relief-band-health-implications-sleep-apnoea-26574840/)

Snoring not just affects the snorer. It also affects other people who are bothered by the loud noise. It’s hard to sleep with someone who snores. No one gets quality sleep with a snorer around. That pretty much contributes to the reason why snoring is such a big deal these days.

It all sounds faintly ridiculous, but snoring is a big deal – both in terms of annual relief spending, and for potential long term health implications. Snoring can be a strong risk factor for hypertension, for instance, while if left untreated it can eventually lead to Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, or OSA. That’s where the walls of the throat narrow during sleep, making it harder to breathe.

(Via: https://www.slashgear.com/philips-sleepsmart-snoring-relief-band-health-implications-sleep-apnoea-26574840/)

OSA is a serious disease. It can lead to other health issues that could be deadly at some point.

Over time, OSA can lead to an increased risk of stroke or heart attack, to atrial fibrillation, and even make it more likely that you’ll develop type 2 diabetes.

(Via: https://www.slashgear.com/philips-sleepsmart-snoring-relief-band-health-implications-sleep-apnoea-26574840/)

That explains why there is an urgent need to stop snoring.

Stopping snoring isn’t going to instantly prevent all that from happening, but it’s a good first step, and doctors typically look at snoring as an early symptom that there’s something going wrong when you’re in bed.

(Via: https://www.slashgear.com/philips-sleepsmart-snoring-relief-band-health-implications-sleep-apnoea-26574840/)

The question is, can a smart strap like the Phillips’ Smart Snoring Relief Band actually stop snoring? Before we answer that, let’s take a close look at it first.

The latest addition to the company’s sleep-focused range, the Philips SleepSmart Snoring Relief Band replaces giving your bedmate a swift kick when they’re making too much noise.

Unlike straps that claim to keep your nasal passages more open, or bizarre headgear, the snoring relief band takes a more straightforward approach. People typically snore when they’re lying on their front or back, but not when they’re on their side.

So, Philips’ band basically tracks when you’re lying on your back, and encourages you to shift to your side. To do that, it promises to gently vibrate. Not enough to actually wake you up, but just enough of a disturbance to get you to change position. It’s a similar strategy to the micro-changes Philips’ Somneo Connected Sleep & Wake-up Light tried to make in the bedroom, but which can cumulatively add up to a big difference in your sleep – and your health.

(Via: https://www.slashgear.com/philips-sleepsmart-snoring-relief-band-health-implications-sleep-apnoea-26574840/)

Sounds promising but the thing is, this smart band has to be worn around the chest and is dependent on a battery.

Philips’ SmartSleep Snoring Relief Band is worn around the chest, like a heart rate monitor. There’s a minimalistic display to show status and things like battery life, and a USB-C port for charging. The sensor unit itself slots into the band, which is resizable to suit different wearers.

(Via: https://www.slashgear.com/philips-sleepsmart-snoring-relief-band-health-implications-sleep-apnoea-26574840/)

Another thing about this smart band is that we don’t really know how much it’s going to cost.

How much it will cost, and how exactly you’ll control it, remains to be seen. Philips has been pushing its digital health portfolio over the past few years, including building links between the apps on individuals’ phones and the infrastructure their healthcare providers rely on. Recent smart toothbrushes from the company, for example, support two-way communication between the brusher and their dentist. We’ll find out more at IFA 2019 this September.

(Via: https://www.slashgear.com/philips-sleepsmart-snoring-relief-band-health-implications-sleep-apnoea-26574840/)

Until then, we just have to wait. In the meantime, we could resort to using snoring mouthpieces that are readily available in market. The https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/sleeptight is very simple to use and it works to stop snoring right away.

Must Try Snoring Remedies

Snoring is an annoying habit. The deafening buzzing sound can drive you insane and won’t allow you to sleep a wink at night. Habitual snoring can affect your sleep quality leading to sleep deprivation and daytime fatigue. You may feel constantly drained of energy and always drowsy during the day, so you are unable to focus on your tasks and even puts you at risk of accidents like falls as well as road accidents if you drive to get to and from work.

Snoring is especially common among older adults and it can also keep the people around you awake, tossing and turning in bed for hours on end and imagine them having to go through this on a daily basis. While there is no known cure yet for snoring and sleep apnea, the condition that causes one to snore habitually, there are remedies you can try to at least reduce snoring and make it easier for you and your partner to finally sleep soundly at night.

Aside from making lifestyle modifications, another remedy you can try is to assume specific sleeping positions that are known to deter snoring. Find out which sleeping positions are best against snoring and which ones to avoid because they can significantly improve your sleep and it is not just limited to sleeping on your sides.

Snoring could be stopped by adopting certain sleeping positions.

The condition is “very common” said the NHS in a nod to the nation’s lost sleep.

“Snoring is caused by things such as your tongue, mouth, throat or airways in your nose vibrating as you breathe,” they said.

“It happens because these parts of your body relax and narrow when you’re asleep.”

Philanthropist Sara Davenport recommended two positions to help someone avoid snoring.

The foetus

Sleeping in this position means lying on the side, with hands lying infant of the face and legs tucked up underneath.

“This is the most popular of all the sleep positions and the way 51 per cent of all women sleep,” said Sara in her new book ‘Reboot Your Health: Simple DIY Tests’.

(Via: https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/995825/stop-snoring-how-to-sleep-positions-aids)

However, you can’t really tell the position you end up sleeping in once you drift off to sleep but assuming these positions can help lull you to sleep. If the snoring still persists, your partner can also wear earplugs to drown out the loud buzzing but that does not do anything at all for the root problem with sleep apnea. The best thing you can do is to pay your doctor a visit and if possible, stay for the night at a sleep facility to undergo specific tests that are meant to diagnose if you have sleep apnea or not.

2) Use a nasal strip or nasal dilator.

These devices may help widen your nasal passages, making it easier for air to flow through unobstructed.

Nasal strips adhere to the outside of the nose and pull your airways open. Nasal dilators like anti-snoring devices go inside your nostrils and gently push your airways open.

3) Use an over-the-counter mouthpiece.

Anti-snoring mouthpieces “may also be effective,” Aouad says. These devices typically work by adjusting the positions of your jaw and tongue to help you breathe more easily, and thus prevent snoring. You can try this ZQuiet anti-snoring treatment.

(Via: https://www.menshealth.com/health/a23066346/how-to-stop-snoring-immediately/)

By now, it no longer comes as a surprise that snoring is a major medical dilemma but it is embarrassing too. If you want to spare yourself the embarrassment of being laughed at behind your back because you snore so loudly once you sleep, you can try using anti-snoring mouthpieces that are mostly effective against snoring. Some have jaw adjustment features wherein the device subtly pushes the jaw forward to correct the structural anomaly in your mouth, so the tongue no longer relaxes and falls back on your throat in your slumber.

Give an oral device like https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/snorerx a try to be able to breathe easier when sleeping and experienced reduced vibrations that are responsible for the loud snoring that breaks the stillness of the night.

Can’t Live Without These Anti-Snoring Products

Snoring is not just a nasty habit but it is also the main symptom of a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. This condition is characterized by a constricted air flow because of thickened carotid wall arteries from the throat and the nasal tract leading to loud vibrations commonly known as snoring as air passes through the narrowed airway in your sleep. It can cause relationship problems not to mention the many health dangers it poses. A person literally stops breathing for a few seconds and it happens many times throughout their sleep.

There is insufficient oxygen reaching the brain and all the cells in the body making you predisposed to life-threatening conditions like cardiac diseases and heart attack that are some of the main causes of human mortality. Fortunately, technology has afforded us with innovations that may not yet cure sleep apnea but at least curb its loud snoring and other symptoms. If you sleep better, your body will be in a better shape and you’ll be able to live longer by getting enough quality sleep at night without constantly worrying about the dangers of sleep apnea or the discomforts caused by snoring.

The rising awareness towards the hazardous health effects of snoring across developed nations has escalated the demand for anti-snoring treatments in the market. The increase in the number of alcohol and cigarette consuming population, who suffer from snoring problems at some point in their life, is also a major factor to foster the growth of this market. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), per capita alcohol consumption in half of the member countries of WHO such as USA, U.K, Russia, Ukraine, Kenya, Georgia, etc is expected to witness a continuous rise up until 2025.

Significant increase in the percentage of obese population across developed nations has been predicted by Organization for Economic Co-operation And Development (OECD). It has been estimated that by the year 2030 the percentage of obese population in United States, Mexico and England will reach to 47%, 39% and 35% respectively.  Obese population being prone to catch sleeping disorders and snoring more rapidly are one of the major escalating factors for anti-snoring device and snoring surgery market globally. However, complications associated with snoring surgeries, high cost of surgery and anti-snoring devices and lack of awareness about the severity of the problems associated with snoring are some of the restricting factors for the growth of anti-snoring treatment market.

(Via: https://sectorhealthcare.com/anti-snoring-devices-and-snoring-surgery-market-recent-developments-and-new-market-players-trends-and-forecast-2017-2025/)

There is no need to suffer anymore when you can see your doctor or a sleep expert to help you out. There are prescription devices like oral mouthpieces that your dentist can fit you to clear your airway and help you breathe easier in your sleep. There are also over-the-counter oral devices that most snorers can use without a prescription that has proven to be helpful in alleviating snoring and allowed snorers and their unfortunate partners to have a good night’s sleep once more.

While CPAP is the a decent treatment management for sleep apnea, not many people use it for long because of the severe discomfort one may feel when using it in their sleep. Hence, they’d rather stick with a more cost-effective alternative like stop snoring mouthpieces to get over snoring and its many risks and discomforts.

  1. Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD)

MADs try to keep the jaw in a forward position during sleep. This can help with snoring because while asleep, the mandible, or the jaw, tends to slide back towards the throat, resulting in snoring.

The teeth help to hold this device in place, which means it serves an additional role by preventing teeth grinding among people who have snoring problems. Additionally, this device helps keep the mouth closed, which means breathing occurs through the nose. Still, MADs will have small holes that can let the air to pass through when breathing through the mouth.Benefits of MADs

– They are generally very effective at preventing snoring
– The device are highly affordable
– A number of them can offer a custom fit experience using a boil and bite process
– They are generally very easy to use
– MADs can even be used by people with misaligned jaws
– People who grind their teeth can also benefit form using these devices

(Via: https://www.tgdaily.com/health/best-snoring-mouthpiece-for-you-types-and-availability)

Surgery is rarely considered too because it does not always guarantee positive results. There are different anti-snoring mouthpieces to choose from that can work for you depending on your comfort and preference. There are mandibular advancement devices that correct the anomaly in your mouth structure that is often congenital and leads to snoring and tongue stabilizing devices hold the tongue in place while sleeping. There are likewise chin straps and other accessories that have the same goal of stopping snoring for good.

Don’t hesitate to explore your options because the market offers you a lot of choices. From https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/zquiet to https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/sleeptight and many others, your nights will be quieter and more restful now with devices that keep your airway clear when you are out for the night.

Understanding Sleep Apnea Mouthpieces

Sleep apnea is a silent killer. That is without a doubt. For years, the public has turned a blind eye to the dangers of sleep apnea and only noticed the annoying loud snoring sound made by people suffering from this condition. We have even gone past the joke already and see sleep apnea for the real health danger that it is. You can see it everywhere around you. There are more sleep clinics now that cater to patients with sleep problems that often stem from sleep apnea. It is an obvious acknowledgment that its dangers can no longer be ignored and we should finally put modern medicine into good use and relieve chronic snorers from this pesky habit and let them enjoy a safe and restful sleep once again.

There is even no need to head to the OR table to go under the knife to remedy this problem or wear a bothersome CPAP mask that has a very low compliance rate because it is too challenging to use especially when you are asleep. Even if you miss out on the gold standard of sleep apnea treatment, there are more convenient anti-snoring mouthpiece options right now that can work for whatever lifestyle. These are relatively affordable and easy to use as well, so there is no more reason for you to keep on losing sleep when there are different anti-snoring mouthpieces to choose from.

The 18 million Americans with obstructive sleep apnea sufferers are a powerful incentive for device manufacturers, and there are myriad alternatives to CPAP in the marketplace and under development. Some of them are even seeking backers on internet fundraising sites. Newer FDA-approved treatments include Provent — nose plugs that create pressure when air is exhaled and Winx — a device that sucks the tongue forward to keep the airway open. But they are expensive and may not be covered by insurance. Mandibular advancement devices — a form of dental night guard — have been around for awhile. They are the only CPAP alternative that is likely to be covered by Medicare and other insurers.

(Via: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/oral-appliances-may-work-for-mild-but-not-severe-sleep-apnea-201506058063)

These mouthpieces can address the deadly breathing gaps that people with sleep apnea experience all throughout their slumber. There are mouthpieces you can customize for a tailor-fit device that will work perfectly on you. Or you can opt for a mandibular advancement device that slightly pushes the jaw forward to correct the anatomical problems that lead to narrowed or constricted airways. The snoring sound is made by the air passing on narrowed airways that leads to vibration. All these things are corrected with the help of the sleep apnea mouthpiece of your choice. Just bear in mind, though, that not all are created equal so you need to do your research first and find out what each brand’s pros and cons are.

Oral appliances can cause discomfort, foreign body sensation, excessive salivation or mouth dryness. They should typically be used after a sleep study has been performed to identify the risk factors for OSAS and to diagnose it, if present, as well as to provide a baseline to assess progress with the use of the appliances. They are reversible, simple to use, affordable, and effective, and so offer an alternative to CPAP in many patients.

Adjustable oral appliances require orthodontic skills and are, therefore, much more expensive than fixed appliances. They take more time to fashion, and tolerance buildup is slower; however, they are more effective in reducing snoring among all types of patients with OSAS. The highest success rates are found in younger patients with a slimmer build and lower BMI, who have mild to moderate OSAS.

Fixed appliances are relatively more inexpensive, easy to fit by the patient, and act faster. They cannot be adjusted to provide greater or less mandibular protrusion and thus fail to correct snoring.

(Via: https://www.news-medical.net/health/Guide-to-Anti-Snoring-Devices.aspx)

Anti-snoring mouthpieces can’t entirely replace CPAP or what surgery can offer (although getting surgical intervention isn’t always entirely guaranteed and there are risks too) but they are betting than nothing, right? Sometimes it can take a while for a person to finish getting tested and undergo sleep studies then choose from the various sleep apnea treatments available on the market today. While doing so, you can benefit from a handy oral appliance that will not just stop you from snoring but in a way lengthen your life by giving you a good night’s sleep and saving you from all the risks posed by this deadly yet often underrated condition.

Easily one of the best sleep apnea mouthpieces right now is the SnoreRX (review here). It offers value for money and an answered prayer to years of snoring. It is both easy to use and is able to correct any physical deformity that leads to snoring when the mouthpiece is inside your mouth.

The Sleep Clinic Boom

Sleeping is more of a luxury for many folks these days. It is rare for people to get that needed eight hours of sleep daily. Most of the time, it is normal for a person to lack sleep, especially if they have a deadline to catch or they are busy with a certain event that they lose track of time because of all the preparations. However, people rarely get themselves checked or treated for lacking sleep. I mean, you just have to deal with it and get on with your life even if you didn’t sleep well the night before. It is something you don’t talk openly to other people.

However, a lot has changed over the years. People are more open now in discussing the various health issues they have to deal with in secret like their sleeping habits. The number of sleep clinics these days is a testament to how people take their sleep seriously today. Numerous studies show that your health deteriorates with chronic sleep deprivation. People are increasingly becoming more health conscious that our modern sedentary lifestyle is quickly catching up to us. If you truly suffer in your sleep, you can confirm it after undergoing sleep tests in reputable sleep clinics.

Not too long ago, sleep was barely on the radar of concerns for the vast majority of businesses, neither in regards to employee wellness nor as a way to reach consumers. Typically, the issue of sleep was treated as an afterthought or inconvenience.

And while bragging about perpetual sleep deprivation and burning the candle at both ends is still a commonplace for many, in the past few years, perspectives have started to shift. A growing body of research and increased public awareness of sleep has led this trend.

In turn, the new awareness of sleep has awakened industries both old and new on several fronts.

  1. The elevated awareness of sleep’s benefits and necessity

In the past decade, science has made significant headway into understanding sleep. While it may seem like a basic function, shuteye is actually quite complex and interconnected with several other aspects of mental and physical health.

(Via: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/248030)

Some people actually feel uncomfortable at first at the thought of spending the night in a sleep clinic that is so sterile you feel overly conscious. Then, you’d be strapped all over with leads and a stranger is watching your every move all throughout your stay. Mind you that the real action actually happens once you sleep. But as uncomfortable it may seem, a stay at a sleep clinic can do you more good than whatever it is you are worried about especially if you really are suffering from an undiagnosed sleep disorder.

Lisa: Would you talk about the risks of not treating sleep apnea?

Dr. Gosman: Not treating sleep apnea can cause long term health issues, including high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks. It can also limit a person’s abilities to perform duties at work, operate a car or heavy machinery safely.

Lisa: Debbie, can you tell us about a sleep study, what it is and what it will tell you?

Debbie: Patients watch a short video so they know what to expect and have an opportunity to ask any questions. Then the patient settles into one of the center’s hotel-like rooms.

During the study, we measure their oxygen and monitor their heart rate. Generally, once the patient lies down and realizes that they can sleep on their side if that’s more comfortable, most patients do well.

(Via: http://www.nrtoday.com/life/health/important-to-get-sleep-disorder-treated/article_f35d55b2-097e-5ee9-be58-db30348b2585.html)

Two types of people get tested in sleep clinics. First, the ones who volunteer to get tested oh so desperately. Second, there are the ones who are still in denial of their condition and quite clueless of what to expect. In particular, patients with sleep apnea are afraid of the unknown. Many of them don’t know what happens during sleep tests. They think it might be painful especially that electronic leads will be attached to them. They’re also conscious about how to act when someone is watching their every move. They’re even conscious if others can tell what they are dreaming about. Some find it hard to drift off the sleep but despite these initial worries, they still manage to sleep and get tested after all.

More often than not, the culprit is sleep apnea. It is a deadly sleep disorder that causes breathing pauses in your sleep and may lead to sudden death if not treated right away. Better get it over with and get on the waiting list of the nearest sleep clinic now than suffer in silence in your sleep, or better yet, the lack of it. You’d likely get prescribed to have CPAP or a similar snoring mouthpiece or gadget that can address any physical aberration and prevent those deadly breathing pauses during your sleep. Try https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/zquiet or https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/snorerx. Both are convenient to use and works great. You can now sleep soundly at night without worrying if you’d still be able to wake up the next day.

Say Goodbye To Sleepless Nights

We can get too preoccupied during the day and do so many things at once that it can leave us exhausted by the end of the day. Being busy is not only a good thing because it indicates how productive we are but it can also ensure we sleep soundly at night out of pure exhaustion. If only that is true all the time then life would be so much easier. However, there are people suffering from sleep disorders that keep them tossing and turning at night even though they have been through a lot during the day.

And it no longer comes surprisingly that many people actually suffer from these disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea – characterized by loud snoring – than many would like to admit. Men are mostly diagnosed with sleep apnea, meaning there are countless wives out there all over the world who have to endure their husband’s loud snoring but still manage to like being around them. Sleep clinics do help quite a bit. However, sleep apnea poses far more danger than just losing sleep at night.

Do you feel tired and just “unrested” even after what seemed like a good night’s sleep? Have you been told you snore very loudly and toss and turn all night? Do you find that you wake up with a dry, sore throat or a headache? Or that you feel yourself nodding off during daytime hours? You could have a very common – but very serious –sleep disorder called sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea occurs when a person’s breathing stops repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. This means the brain may not get enough oxygen and definitely never gets enough rest. Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form of apnea, is caused by the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapsing during sleep, which blocks the airway and can cause loud snoring.

(Via: http://www.orlandomagazine.com/Blogs/Metropoly/April-2017/Health-Hub-Sleep-Apnea/)

Fortunately, there are many ways to combat sleep apnea. Modern science now offers various sleeping disorder treatments than snorers had access to in the past. From handy anti-snoring mouthguards and mouthpieces to more old-school treatments like CPAP, snorers now have a better chance at beating sleep apnea for good and are able to sleep again without having to worry about snoring ever. However, alternative treatment is also available for those who don’t mind to experiment with newer technologies.

If you are having trouble getting your sleep in, you may want to try calcium and magnesium supplements both are natural sleep aids (A deficiency in magnesium has been shown to cause insomnia and restless leg syndrome). Melatonin is also a supplement (not a vitamin), and is available without a prescription and is sometimes used by some people to help them fall asleep.
Remember, a good nights sleep will help you in your journey to better health, helping you lose weight, keep you more alert during the day, improve your memory, reduce inflammation and reduce stress. Good-night and sleep well my friends.

(Via: http://valleypatriot.com/sleep-yourself-to-better-health/)

We all think of gadgets as bad for our health especially that it takes our time away from sleep aside from the unnecessary exposure to dangerous radiation. However, there is a way to make gadgets work for you and help you sleep better.

We’re losing sleep over … sleep.

Blame it on job stress or the circadian-rhythm-wrecking blue light of cellphones and tablets, but studies show that nearly half of Americans don’t sleep well and that significant percentages of us suffer from chronic insomnia and sleep apnea, and that causes us to turn to prescription sleep aids. This lack of overnight recovery creates stress, ruins productivity and batters your health.

And here are a number of smart gadgets you can use to help you sleep better and soundly at night:

  1. Smart Pajamas

  2. Smart Breathing

  3. Smart Aromas

  4. Smart Music

  5. Smart Pillow

  6. Tiny Sleep Tracker

  7. Whole-body Magnetic Resonance

  8. Smart Mattress

  9. Smart electro-strap

  10. Smart Bed

(Via: http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-high-tech-gear-to-help-you-sleep-20170408-story.html)

The market is full of amazing and innovative products and gadgets that can help everyone who suffers from the lack of sleep caused by these various sleeping disorders. There is something for everybody at a price you can afford. No need to suffer from the inconvenient CPAP or undergo invasive surgeries to improve sleeping and breathing during sleep. Now you know that not all gadgets are distractions to our sleep if you just know which gadgets to avoid come bedtime and which ones to use.

Earplugs: Friend or Foe?

earplugDepending on what your sleep arrangements are like, you might be one of those who need to wear earplugs to get a good night’s sleep. Maybe you have a partner that snores or maybe you’re living in the middle of a construction zone. You could be one of those people who sleep so lightly that a fly breathing wakes you up or the party down the street is just a touch loud tonight. There are several ways to deal with excess noise when you’re trying to get a little shut-eye. Some people leave a fan running or use a white-noise machine. Some need to have specific music or an eye mask. Then there are those people who must have a pair of earplugs in to get some shut eye. The question then becomes, is that healthy?

Never put anything smaller than your elbow into your ear” is something we’ve been wisely cautioned against at some stage or another. But more of us are ignoring this advice.

We use in-the-ear-headphones to listen to music, car keys and hair pins to scratch that particularly unpleasant itch, and hearing aids to enable better communication.

Many of us also use disposable foam earplugs to protect from damaging noises in the workplace, or to block the noise of snoring partners, loud traffic outside bedroom windows, dogs barking and any other bothersome sounds that prevent a good night’s sleep.

If you regularly use earplugs to sleep, is it damaging? On the internet, people ask whether doing so can cause tinnitusinfections or ear pain. Can regular earplug use cause wax or pressure build up in the head? Can it cause headaches?

The facts about wax

To answer these questions, I should first explain a few things about ear wax.

Wax is good for the ear but too much can be bad for you. Wax comes from small glands in the outer part of the ear. It starts off looking like honey but the longer it stays in the ear, the darker and harder it gets as it traps dirt, grit and gunk.

Normally the wax will be “walked” out of the ear by its self-cleaning mechanism. Anything that slows down or reverses this mechanism can cause wax to build up. Unfortunately, anything smaller than your elbow can do this, sleeping plugs included. But everyone’s ears are affected differently.

An ear full of wax works like a built-in ear plug – great for sleeping, but if it ends up resting on the eardrum, it can cause discomfort and sometimes tinnitus.

Most of the problems people associate with earplugs are actually due to too much wax in the ears, although the wax may be caused by being a consistent earplug user.

If you are a consistent user and think you may have too much wax, ask your doctor to check inside your ear. Or better still, make an appointment to see your local audiologist. They may have a camera that can show you how much wax actually is inside your ear and whether something should be done about it.

A good night’s sleep

A good night’s sleep has many health benefits, and sleeping poorly can have follow-on issues such as concentration and memory problems.

Studies have demonstrated the benefit of sleeping aids such as ear plugs and eye masks in improving sleep for patients in hospitals. In fact, the studies show the aids can reduce the need for sleeping medications.

Via: http://theconversation.com/health-check-is-it-bad-to-regularly-sleep-wearing-earplugs-60374

The good news is that you won’t wreck your precious ears if you regularly wear earplugs to bed. The trick then becomes proper care and maintenance with said earplugs. Make sure you’re disposing them when they get too gross or it won’t just be snoring that prevents a good sleep.

Say Ah: What’s in Your Mouth?

mouthSnoring is a common sleep disorder although many just brush it off. Some people think snoring is caused solely by eating or drinking too much before bed, sleeping on your back or being sick. While these can contribute to snoring, the fact of the matter is that there are physical components of snoring. While you sleep your whole body relaxes, right? The means more than just your mind; your muscles relax as well. When the muscles in your mouth and throat relax they can cause your tongue to fall to the back of your throat and block your airways.

This causes that snoring sound we are all too familiar with. The kind that can only be remedied with a stop snoring mouthpiece like the ZQuiet (https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/zquiet). If the situation is intense, snoring may also be a sign of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes a person to stop breathing completely, for a few seconds, dozens of times a night. There are other physical betrayals for sleep apnea:

Enlarged uvula can lead to snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Among normal adults, 45 percent are occasional snorers and 25 percent are habitual snorers. Most commonly seen in males, snoring may be a result of an obstruction, so it should be considered a serious symptom to address with your doctor.

There are numerous causes for snoring, including poor muscle tone of the tongue and throat, excessive bulkiness of throat tissue, long soft palate or uvula, or obstructed nasal airways.

Snoring can result in a health condition known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is when a person stops breathing numerous times throughout the night. Being overweight or having high blood pressure can contribute to OSA, but another common cause is an enlarged uvula, the dangling piece of flesh at the back of the mouth.

The role of uvula is not fully understood, but its possible functions are assisting with speech formation and production of saliva.

Inflamed or swollen uvula is the main symptom of a health condition uvulitis, which can contribute to sleep apnea. If the uvula becomes very swollen, it may even reach the tongue, causing an obstruction. Other signs and symptoms of a swollen uvula include redness, as well as difficulty breathing or swallowing.

If your uvulitis does lead to sleep apnea, you may also suffer from high blood pressure, daytime headache, constant low energy or fatigue, and weight gain. Treating enlarged uvula and sleep apnea is important for reducing your risk of complications.

Enlarged uvula treatment methods

You should see a doctor for your enlarged uvula if you experience severe pain, difficulty breathing, uneasiness due to lack of oxygen, severe pain or difficulty swallowing, grunting and choking, pus or blood from the uvula, or if you stop breathing throughout the night.

Via: http://www.belmarrahealth.com/enlarged-uvula-can-lead-to-snoring-and-obstructive-sleep-apnea/

Snoring can be a very real indicator that you or someone you love suffers from sleep apnea. The problem with this disease is that it can often go undiagnosed for those who live alone or for those who brush off their snoring issue. It is imperative if you snore, and have continued to do so even after you’ve tried to stop it, that you meet with a health care professional. You may need to undergo testing in a sleep lab to find out if you suffer from sleep apnea. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

If You Want Good Grades, Get Some Sleep

collegeIt’s the time of year again. Students are swarming schools all over the country from kindergarten all the way to university and college. It’s back to school and that means a more regimented schedule should be implemented for everything. This includes parents as well as students. For those who are finding themselves in post-secondary for the first time might have a harder time trying to control themselves. Safeguards, like parents, might not be there and the newfound sense of independence and freedom could very well be their undoing.

If you want to be successful at anything in life, you need to put your best effort into it. This holds true for education. Lack of sleep can be the simplest cause of your undoing when it comes to performing in the workplace, and at school:

College students who deprive themselves of sleep are more at risk of losing academic success, according to health professional Dr. Keith Willmore.

Willmore, medical director of the BYU Student Health Clinic, said there is definitely a connection between lack of sleep and poor academic performance. He said cognitive functions are worsened due to sleep deprivation.

“Most students tend to stay up much later and sleep in, resulting in both less quantity and quality sleep,” Willmore said in an email.

Daniel Kay, an assistant professor of psychology, explained there is a danger for students when it comes to this “sleep debt.”

“‘Sleep debt’ as it’s called, accumulates over time,” Kay said. “So if an individual obtains 15 minutes less sleep than is needed on a nightly basis, after a week or two that starts to add up, and can have an impact of daytime functioning that is as great as going a whole night without sleep.”

An article written by Dr. Ronald D. Chervin and Dr. Shelley D. Hershner, published in the Journal of Nature and Science of Sleep, states “the consequences of sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness are especially problematic to college students and can result in lower grade point averages, increased risk of academic failure, compromised learning, impaired mood and increased risk of motor vehicle accidents.”

Students who slept for more hours had higher grade point averages than shorter sleepers, according to the article.

The article also said “students with sleep disorders probably do not achieve optimal academic performance, and up to 27 percent of students may be at risk for at least one sleep disorder.”

Via: http://universe.byu.edu/2016/09/06/health-officials-say-lack-of-sleep-can-negatively-affect-students-grades/

University and college are not cheap, by any stretch of the imagination. Even if you’re lucky enough to be the recipient of a scholarship or have family who are able to pay the way, that’s still a hefty chunk of change. You don’t want all the hard effort you put into your courses to go down the drain because you’re having issues with your sleep schedule. Lack of sleep can be brutal for your health.

Like any other health concern you might have, you should visit a doctor if sleeping, or lack of sleep, is happening more often than not. It could be that you’re suffering from insomnia or maybe you snore in your sleep and need to wear a mouthpiece. It doesn’t have to be a struggle if you get help for it sooner rather than later. You just have to take charge of your life and if that means missing out on a party or two so you can get some proper sleep and not bomb that final exam in two days, then maybe that’s what you need to do.