This Common Drug Could be Causing Your Insomnia

It should not be a surprise that caffeine can have an impact on one's ability to get a good night's sleep. While some people can drink a quad venti mocha right before bed with no troubles, others will toss and turn all night if they consume any caffeine during the day.

If you are suffering from insomnia, you may want to take a look at the amount of caffeine that you ingest as being a possible culprit. Before taking drastic measures, such as taking sleeping pills, see what happens if you eliminate caffeine from your diet.

To some this may seem impossible, but if you can start to get a proper amount of sleep each night, that will do far more to boost your energy level than downing cup after cup of coffee. When you also consider that a lack of sleep can have an impact on your overall health, it should be an easy decision to try and cut out caffeine to see if that will relieve your insomnia.

If you insist on that morning cup of coffee, at least avoid all caffeine starting about lunchtime. While it would best to avoid caffeine altogether, at least if you keep your consumption of it to the morning hours, it will mostly have worked its way out of your system by bedtime. It is important to keep in mind that cutting out coffee and tea does not mean that you are eliminating all caffeine. Caffeine is found in a number of products, some of which you may never imagine would contain caffeine.

To cut your caffeine consumption you will, obviously, have to eliminate coffee and tea. You will also need to avoid most types of soda (caffeine-free varieties are fine). Some candy contains just as much caffeine as a small cup of coffee, so it should be avoided as well.

One of the biggest surprise sources of caffeine is in some over the counter medications. Some, such as Midol and Excedrin contain nearly 50 mg of caffeine. When you consider that a small cup of coffee contains about 100 mg, that amount is quite significant.

You may not have to avoid caffeine forever. Just try to cut it out, or at least way down, to see if that helps with your insomnia. If it does not, then you will know that you need to investigate other possible reasons for your inability to sleep. This may include a visit to your doctor or making other behavioral changes.

If your insomnia is helped by reducing caffeine, then you should try to continue to avoid it. If, however, you want to try to drink coffee or tea once again, try to add it only in small doses. If you used to drink 3 cups of coffee a day, try to stick to just one. Also, if you just miss the experience and taste of your coffee or tea, consider one of the many decaf varieties. Many taste just the same as caffeinated drinks. Cutting caffeine may be the answer to your insomnia. When you think of the alternative solutions, such as sleeping pills, it is certainly worth a try.
by: Paul Stevens
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4 Ways to Deal With Stress and Insomnia

It is not difficult to understand why stress and insomnia go hand in hand. When one is under a lot of stress, and is not taking successful steps to control that stress, sleep is just one of the secondary conditions that may arise.

There are many factors that can cause stress such as a new job, a death of a loved one or feeling like you have more responsibility than you can handle. It is possible to be under a lot of stress and not even realize it. Below are some of the most common symptoms of stress.

* Sudden inability to sleep

* Waking frequently during the night

* Finding it difficult to concentrate, even on simple tasks

* Rapid heart rate

* Headaches and muscle aches

* Stomach pain

* Mood swings

Of course, many of those symptoms can be caused by something other than stress, but if you have had a major life change or are feeling overwhelmed, you should consider the possibility that stress is the cause.

When stress and insomnia are both present, it can make the stress even worse. If you look again at the list of symptoms you will see that many of them sound similar to symptoms of insomnia.

Just the stress alone can bring on mood swings and fatigue. Add insomnia and it will only serve to make those symptoms even worse. When that happens, the stress level is likely to increase and a vicious cycle is in place.

While, in an ideal world, the advice may be to eliminate the factor that is causing the stress, the fact is that usually that is not possible. Instead, you must learn to deal with your stress and insomnia in ways that will minimize their impact on your emotional and physical health. Below are some stress management tips.

* Avoid negative people. This is not always possible, but when you do have control choose to be around people that make you happy.

* Learn your limitations. You cannot do everything that is asked of you and you will never be able to please everyone. Stop trying. Instead, do those things that you need to do and then add extras, such as volunteering, in areas that are important and meaningful to you.

* Learn time management. Why can some people hold a job, raise a family, keep the house spotless and still have time for a night out? It's because they learned about time management.

* Forget trying to be perfect. Everything does not have to be in its place. You do not have to raise the most money, get the most new clients and never burn dinner. Just learn to laugh at some of your faux paux.

If your own attempts to deal with stress do not work, you should see a doctor or therapist for help. If left untreated, stress and insomnia can cause serious health problems.

Stress and insomnia can each be made worse by the other. Learn to deal with them both so that you can be your best for yourself and your family.
by: Paul Stevens
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Solving Insomnia and Sleep Problems Without Drugs

If you’ve been watching TVand paying attention, both of the best selling and most advertised drugs for sleep problems (Lunestra and Ambien) have been causing serious problems for some users.

If you really listen to their TV ads, (and all drug advertising ads) you’ll learn that both have various (and dangerous) side effects. As with all drug ads, a “spin” of the facts is done so as to make them seem pretty harmless, but if you listen carefully, these are actually pretty dangerous drugs, not “safe” for many people. Who wants to drive a car while asleep? (The clever “spin” in these ads does fool most people.)

Insomnia affects many thousands of persons. It is often a component of depression, and/or other “brain problems”, such as ADD/ADHD. It was recently estimated that up to 25% of teenagers are not getting sufficient sleep. Many of these are also having attention problems in school as well, even if not diagnosed as ADD or ADHD.

24 million prescriptions were filled for insomnia last year according to Nightly News of NBC. This is a 2 billion dollar business.

Up to now, there have been three alternatives for sleep problems:

1. Suffer with it.

2. See a doctor and get a prescription with possibly dangerous side-effects.

3. Spend large amounts of money on EEG biofeedback (AKA neurofeedback).

Because of the cost of EEG BF, the only real alternative for most families has been prescription drugs. This is the same situation that applies to most “brain problems” - including depression, insomnia, ADD/ADHD and many others.

Now, there’s an inexpensive alternative that actually does the same thing that EEG BF does - namely raise one brain wave, and lower another. Most people don’t know what EEG BF does, and most of the people getting rich using it don’t want you to know the facts and how simple it really is.

There are thousands of audio signals that are actually generated as the brain goes abut its business. Some have compared it to a “Symphony in the brain”. These signals are extremely weak, on the order of a few millionths of a volt. As the ability of electronics grew over the last century, it became possible to actually amplify these signals, and to even see and hear them.

Of course, if you just put them on a speaker, it’s a cacophony of noise without rhyme or reason. However, as electronic filters were developed, it became possible to filter out all except a narrow band. These were classified by early experimenters into several bands, and partially classified as to what each “band” was doing. It was an attempt to “read minds”, but, of course, it didn’t succeed.

In 1969, a Dr Sterman found that by raising a small band of waves just above the Alpha brain wave some strange effects were noticed. Later this small band (12-14 Hz (cycles per second) was re-named SMR (Sensory Motor Response) because the “usual” sensor location on the head was over this brain area.

Sterman and many after him found that if the amplitude of SMR was raised, several important effects were noticed. In particular, cats that died from exposure to hydrazine (anaphylaxis) normally didn’t die after being trained to raise SMR. Other experimenters found with biofeedback training, most other “brain problems” of ADD, ADHD, depression, insomnia, and many others either lessened or were solved!

This was an important clue, because the cats died from anaphylactic shock - that is severe allergy response (well known to people who are highly allergic to things like peanuts, bee stings, etc) When I first found out about EEG BF, I theorized that raising SMR somehow changes the brain affect from allergens. As an Orthomolecular Psychologist, I was very aware that allergy/sensitivity can cause any and all of the “brain problems” such as ADD/ADHD, Depression, Insomnia, and many others, even Schizophrenia.

In 2000, I started a company devoted to lowering the cost of EEG BF so that mid and non-rich families would have an alternate to Ritalin and the rest of those very dangerous drugs. (Again, the cost of “clinical” EEG BF runs upwards of 4000-10,000 dollars.)

In 2004, I suddenly realized that it should be possible to use subliminal messaging techniques to raise the SMR. I set up a volunteer program, and the results showed clearly that both my theories were probable at least.

1. Raising SMR does change the brain affect from allergens.

2. Subliminal Messaging does work to raise the SMR brain waves.

In other tests from that point with several volunteer tests from 2004 up to the present, with over 150 volunteers, these two theories have been expanded and proven over and over to be correct. We now have CD’s that not only raise the SMR brain wave, but also lower Theta, and/or increase brain blood flow. (NASA found that lowering Theta definitely raises “attention” or concentration. However, it also seem to lower creative or artistic abilities. This is why we offer a CD Package that raises SMR, and blood brain flow, but does not lower Theta for those without “attention” deficit problems.

To use it is simplicity itself. Simply place a special CD player near the bedside, and turn on every night. For insomnia and sleep apnea problems, most have found that after 2-3 weeks of play, their sleep problems are solved for good. Others keep using the CD every night, as they like the overlay audio keeping out exterior noises, and with further use, it seems that other allergic problems are solved for many.

It’s important to realize that in all three original tests (using over 100 volunteers), there were NO failures with Insomnia! Over a dozen insomniacs - some who had not even listed insomnia on their input data sheets completely solved this particular problem. Other testimonials from recent users confirm this as well.

Depression has been always alleviated, and the ADHD cases all improved in about the same success rate as they would with EEG BF (neurofeedback). At the present time, we do not have good data on schizophrenia, or anaphylactic shock, however, based on similarity to results to date compared to EEG BF, we expect that this would be similar.
by: Phil Bate PhD

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Tips To Overcome Insomnia To Prevent Acne, Hair Loss, Ulcer And Headache Problems

Are you suffering from acne problems, hair loss, ulcer attack or frequent headache? Or do you feel that you are constantly in stress? The most like causes of all these maybe perhaps be insomnia, or lack of sleep and rest. Today let us discuss how we can deal with insomnia.

If you have a rocky workplace, this can also be a good excuse for insomnia. You are going to be stressed and uneasy about a lot of things when you are worried about what is going on at work. You need to find out a way to work through these problems to make them better. Get help from your supervisor or manager to take this problem on. Once you get it sorted out, you will probably find that you can rest better at night and start sleeping through the night like you once did.

Do not overeat as heavy meals will drain out your energy. Instead of eating a large meal, you need to eat three smaller meals throughout the day. You need to have your blood sugar and your insulin levels more even. You will also find it easier to sleep at night if you eat this way. You need to keep watch of what you eat so that you can dream away at night. Eating rich foods will help you out a lot when it comes to dieting. Remember that overeating can not only cause insomnia, it can also cause unwanted weight gain too.

Next, are you finding hard to concentrate while you sleep? Do you know that there are as many as 100,000 car accidents and fifteen hundred deaths that are from accidents caused by people that are driving while drowsy. This is a serious problem and one that more and more people need to address. There are lots of people that are sacrificing their sleep to do other things in life. It is not going to help anyone if a person skips the sleep that they need in order to do something else.

Insomnia is a leading cause in the United States for decreased productivity. Each year insomnia will cost the United States over one billion dollars for the research and the lost work that is not getting done. This is a serious condition and one that has to be taken more seriously. There are more and more people under stress and hectic lives. They are not allowing themselves enough time for rest and relaxation and this is leading to more severe problems for them such as headache, acne problems, and even hair loss.

You should also eat a great breakfast. You need to eat foods that boost your metabolism and give the body energy to burn off. The brain will depend on the glucose for fuel and so carbohydrates for breakfast is a great idea. You should try to not skip any meals. It is important to eat healthy and to eat when you are hungry. Cereals and wholegrain bread is the best way to get a good start on your day and keep you awake.

Lastly, about a third of the average persons life is spent sleeping. This means that sleep is very important to our health and us. Healthy sleep is more important. It is vital to a human's body and it is going to be essential for the brain to function the way that it is intended. Other organs in the body also depend on the amount of sleep that a person gets to function properly.

Alright! You've now completed the easy part. From here, you have to start to plan a regular and healthier plan for your daily life. By changing your lifestyle for a better, healthier one, you will ultimately enjoy a healthier, happy life.
by: Christopher Wen
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Sleeping Aids and Insomnia

Fighting Insomnia with Sleeping Aids...

Due to many people around the world suffering from insomnia, there has been a great deal of research and studies. There are different forms of sleeping problems that affect people but there are now numerous aids that can help them. A certain amount of people suffer from short term insomnia whereas a number of individuals suffer from what is known as chronic insomnia.

Consider how you feel if you wake up early or without having a full nights sleep. It is very common to feel cranky or uncomfortable and the feeling can last all day. For most people, this is not a lasting occurrence and is usually rectified by a sound sleep at night. Some people are not so lucky though. Many people are experiencing this situation each and every day of their life.

Knowing that you are never able to get enough sleep that your body craves or desires can start to have an extremely negative affect on a person. They will always be feeling lethargic or not up to their best. They will dread trying to get to sleep every night and this anxiety will only make matters worse. A problem for many people with insomnia is that a cyclical effect can occur where worrying about a lack of sleep can further cause a person to be awake all night. Suffering from insomnia is an extremely uncomfortable ailment to experience.

Both types of insomnia can have a massive impact on how a person is able to function throughout their normal life. Research on Insomnia and Sleeping Aids has shown that people need seven or eight hours of sleep each day on a regular basis to be at their optimum level. This is why there is an increasing market for sleeping aids and there are a great number of commercial products looking to take advantage of this situation.

When a person is unable to get to sleep, quite often it is to due to an imbalance in the chemicals that are active within their body. If a person has more awake chemicals than sleep chemicals active, they can find difficulty in sleeping but there are numerous aids available to make life more bearable. Using any one of the sleeping products available can ensure a person gets proper nights sleep and that they are fully charged and ready for whatever life may throw at them in the following day.

Although possibly not seen as one of the more dangerous ailments a person can suffer from, insomnia is able to change a person’s mood or happiness in a very short span of time. Having problems with sleeping can cause great difficulty for a person and this is why so many people are looking for cures or aids to alleviate the difficulties they face. A lack of proper sleep can reduce a person’s ability to concentrate or focus, making problem solving and decision making a far harder task than what it should be. Sleeping is considered to be the body’s natural way of recharging; therefore it is advisable to seek aids or assistance to ensure a proper night’s sleep. Many doctors or pharmacists would be happy to offer advice to people having difficulty with this matter.

Another problem in recognizing insomnia as a major hazard to people’s health is that a great majority of people do not consider it to be a serious ailment. Quite commonly, people may pass it off as a symptom of some other health issue they are experiencing as opposed to being a serious issue within its own right. There is a growing need for people to accept that lack of sleeping is a major issue and they require medical advice and aids to ensure they are able to overcome difficulties caused by this situation.

Many products to aid sleeping can be purchased freely over the counter and this has led to a boon in this burgeoning industry. With a lack of sleep being a major concern for a great number of individuals having a quick solution at hand has been a boon for many sufferers. With this form of medication being available over a counter, many users may consider it to be risk free. Whilst there may not be a risk level that is associated with many other more serious forms of medication, it should be noted that this medication can still cause problems.

Given that insomnia sufferers are likely to be desperate to get some sleep, they may consider an increase in dosage to be a good idea. Increasing the recommended dose levels is never a sensible idea as it can quickly lead to addiction. Addiction to over the counter forms of medication is rising sharply and catches many people unaware. There needs to be a greater level of awareness of dangers that all medicine can cause if used improperly.

Medication to cure or reduce insomnia can have an extremely positive impact on users but caution needs to be applied to its use. No matter whether it is taken in a tablet, liquid or capsule form, all forms of medication can cause addiction and if a user has any doubt they should always seek the opinion of their doctor or pharmacist.

As more and more people become aware of disadvantages in lack of sleeping and the negative impact it has on quality of life, expect this market for aids to cure insomnia to thrive. As with all ailments, if you are suffering from insomnia the same should be informed to your doctor or local medical facility. It should be their decision whether you need medication to increase your chances of falling asleep.
by: Mike Argiro


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Benefits of A Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep is a luxury for busy people, but everybody loves sleep. Sleep contributes to the overall health and well-being of an individual. It rejuvenates the body, mind, and spirit. There are many benefits of eight hours of sleep each night. Body tissues are repaired at the cellular level, and this helps to reduce stress, pollution, and infection. Sleep also helps us learn new skills. Research done by the Harvard Medical School students concluded that REM sleep is essential for learning new things. Waking up from a good night’s sleep normally puts you in a good mood and your mind is cleared from negative thoughts so you can think and study well when you have adequate sleep.
The Advantages of Getting Enough Sleep...


Here are other ways in which a good night’s sleep can help you.

1) A good sleep keeps your heart healthy and strong and lowers high levels of stress ad inflammation in your body which leads to chronic diseases such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, and cancer.

2) Sleep lowers stress hormone levels in the body. This will help the body fight aging and promote regeneration of the cells and organs.

3) Sleep also improves memory and cognitive function. When you sleep, your memory and organization skills are maintained properly. When you lack sleep, your memory function will suffer greatly. A study done in Germany found that people who obtained a good night’s sleep and full rest were three times likely to perform well on cognitive tasks, creativity, and problem solving skills than those who lack sleep.

4) Sleep can also control body weight because it can regulate the hormones that affect you appetite. A person that has proper sleep has a lower body mass index than those who sleep less. The appetite regulating hormone leptin decreases with lack of sleep and this signals fullness when we eat, while the hormone ghrelin that stimulates hunger increases when we lack sleep.

5) Sleep helps reduce disease risks. With just eight hours of sleep each night, the levels of the hormones melatonin and cortisol stay at a healthy range. Cortisol helps in preventing cell damage that can lead to cancer. With the help of cortisol, the immune system helps fight off potential infections.

These advantages are just a few of the many benefits that we can get as long as we have a good night’s sleep. It is crucial that we get enough sleep because if we don’t, we pay a price both physically and mentally. People around us are also affected when we lack sleep. We get emotional, short tempered and aggressive. Our reactions are slower and the chances of becoming involved in an accident increases. We all need to make the best effort to sleep appropriate.
by: James Pendergraft


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Susah Tidur Picu Darah Tinggi

GANGGUAN tidur memiliki hubungan yang erat dengan darah tinggi. Sebuah penelitian di Sleep Research and Treatment Center di Penn State College of Medicine menemukan bahwa orang dengan insomnia, berisiko besar terkena tekanan darah tinggi. Orang yang tidurnya kurang dari lima jam semalam memiliki risiko lima kali besar terkena tekanan darah tinggi, dibandingkan dengan mereka yang tidur dalam porsi cukup.

"Kami telah mengetahuinya selama ...

bertahuntahun bahwa insomniacs memiliki risiko tinggi untuk depresi dan kekacauan psikiatris lainnya," kata peneliti studi Alexandros N Vgontzas MD. Vgontzas, yang mengarahkan Sleep Research and Treatment Center, mengatakan bahwa sebagian besar kekuatan dari studi baru adalah bahwa itu termasuk kedua pengukuran subjektif dan objektif insomnia.

Studi ini melibatkan 1.741 orang dewasa yang dipilih secara acak yang tinggal di pusat Pennsylvania, yang bersepakat untuk menginap di laboratorium tidur.
http://www.okezone.com
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