GHR1000-Is It Really HGH Supplements? » sleep

Melatonin Side Effects: The Good And The Bad

joey — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 08:54:24 +0000

If you do some research to find out melatonin’s side effects, you do the right thing. You want to try this popular natural sleep aid or have started on it for a while that you want to know if you are experiencing some melatonin side effects. Melatonin is undoubtedly one of the most popular over the counter sleep aids. You would probably be familiar by now about its benefits especially in jet lag and getting your internal body clock back on track. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. Long-term studies on humans are also not available.

The good news is melatonin is generally regarded as safe in recommended doses for short-term use (three months or less) according to the National Institute of Health (NIH). Looking at available studies and clinical use, melatonin’s overall side effects are not significantly more common than placebo, the control group that didn’t take melatonin. Commonly experienced melatonin side effects include fatigue, dizziness, headache, irritability, and sleepiness, although these effects may occur due to jet lag and not to melatonin itself.

In that context of its overall safety profile, you should still keep a watch out for out-of-the-norm melatonin side effects that have been reported and raised some concerns. These are:

Blood clotting abnormalities

Seizures Melatonin may lower seizure threshold and increase the risk of seizure, particularly in children with severe neurologic disorders. However, multiple other studies actually report reduced incidence of seizure with regular melatonin use. Hence, this remains an area of controversy.

Disorientation This is accompanied by confusion, sleepwalking, vivid dreams, and nightmares. Fortunately, these melatonin side effects often resolve after you stop taking it.

Mood changes rapidly

Psychotic symptoms Hallucinations and paranoia are possibly due to an overdose. People with underlying major depression or psychotic disorders taking melatonin should be monitored closely by a healthcare professional.

Hormonal changes This affects both men and women. For men, increased breast size (gynecomastia), decreased sperm count and decreased sperm motility have been reported. Fortunately, these are resolved after stopping melatonin. For women, decreases or increases in levels of reproductive, thyroid and growth hormones have been reported. High levels of melatonin during pregnancy may increase the risk of developmental disorders. In animal studies, melatonin is detected in breast milk.

Elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) This melatonin side effect is mainly reported in patients with type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes). Low doses of melatonin reduced glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in these cases.

Avoid Melatonin if:
1.    You are taking the blood-thinning medication like warfarin, aspirin or heparin.
2.    You have neurologic disorders and taking anti-epileptic drugs
3.    You are suffering from depression or other psychotic disorders
4.    You have diabetes especially Type 1 diabetes
5.    You are pregnant or are a nursing mother

Always weigh the benefits versus the risks of any natural sleep aid. Find not just any doctor but one who is familiar with your health profile to help you weigh the benefits and side effects of melatonin. Remember that with all natural sleep aids, not just melatonin, always use them for the short term to solve your sleep problems.

Incoming search terms for the article:

Sleep Deprivation Effects On Your Brain

joey — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:54:38 +0000

Having a good night sleep is very important for healthy brain. Sleep is a well, deep rest for your brain and for your entire body. Sleep provides an opportunity to restore brain cells and refreshes its working ability. An adult brain needs about seven/eight hours sleep each night to rest. But what happens when person is sleep deprived and can not get enough sleep for the brain? No sleep means no new brain cells and it means serious brain problems that can cause difficulties in a life.

Sleep was always mystery for scientists and even today it is not clear many benefits of sleep. Researchers worked on animals and made many experiments in order to find out mysteries of sleeping. Research, made by a team from Princeton University, showed that lack of sleep affects a major component of the brain, Hippocampus, which is involved forming our memories and controlling spatial navigation. Hippocampus is affected by a stress hormone Corticosterone.

Researchers deprived rats for 72 hours. After comparing deprived rats to other rested rats, they found that sleepless rats had higher level of Corticosterone and their brain cell production was decreased. This explains decreased brain cell production in human brain that is caused by sleep deprivation. However it can not be exact fact because deprived people do not stay awake for 72 hours, so results can be different.

Another sleep deprivation effect on brain is its malfunctionality and decreased alertness. In previous article I've talked about physical effects of sleeplessness – You can not do simple tasks when you have fatigue. It is same about the brain. When the brain is not well rested, it can not function well.

Sleep deprivation affects brain frontal lobe that is responsible to control our emotions, behavior, judgment and making decisions. Thinking and processing the information gets harder after long time wakefulness. Not getting enough sleep can cause other serious mental problems and finally it can be fatal.

Incoming search terms for the article:

Finding The Best Insomnia Treatment For Light Sleepers

joey — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 08:54:54 +0000

For light sleepers, insomnia can be an annoying problem. The barking dog outside. The ticking of the alarm clock. Even the sound of your partner shifting in the bed can disturb your Zs. Although being a light sleeper is annoying, there's no reason you can't ease your insomnia with a few sleep-enhancing tricks.

Today a greater number of people suffer from insomnia than ever before. Did you know that before the invention of electricity, the average American slept around nine hours a night? Only a small fraction of the current population acquires this much sleep on a regular basis. In fact, our current society might view individuals who sleep nine hours as lazy or unproductive. Insomnia is a common sleep disorder in which the patient either has trouble falling asleep or cannot remain asleep for an extended period of time. Although most people have experienced a sleepless night or two during their lifetime, often it's connected to a specific stress-related event such as the loss of a loved one or a job related anxiety. Doctors refer to patients in this category as temporary insomniacs. The insomnia symptoms will usually disappear when the underlying stress is resolved.

Patients with chronic insomnia are those who have battled sleeplessness for a period of six months or longer. In these insomniacs, doctors may have a difficult time pinpointing the exact cause of the condition.Left untreated, chronic insomnia can lead to other serious problems such as depression. Due to fatigue, people with chronic insomnia may also experience a total lack of motivation or enthusiasm. As the body becomes worn down, insomnia sufferers have trouble concentrating. Performing daily routine tasks can be difficult. They may even undergo behavior changes.

In order to function properly, our bodies must be in tune with their internal clock or circadian rhythm. Most folks acknowledge they feel more productive after a restful night's sleep. But for patients with insomnia, getting enough sleep and feeling refreshed is a rare occurrence. In today's hectic workplace, an increasing number of employees are being forced to toil during hours that conflict with the body's natural sleep schedule. These light sleepers must deal with sunlight disturbances as well as noise issues. For them, falling asleep and staying asleep may seem next to impossible.

Although sleep aids can help patients achieve better rest, chronic insomniacs can become addicted to certain prescription sleep aids. While they may be sleeping longer hours than before, their bodies can experience a number of unpleasant side effects related to the long-term use of sleep aids. So, before attempting to treat insomnia with natural sleep aids or methods, you may wish to consult with your physician first. Neurologists who specialize in sleep disorders are highly qualified to assist you in determining the cause of your insomnia. Patients who can first identify the reasons for their insomnia are more likely to have a successful outcome.You can keep a sleep diary that includes the following:

total hours slept each night,
number of awakenings during the night,
approximate amount of time needed to fall asleep.

You can identify any specific patterns or events that may be contributing to your insomnia. Here are some of them:

Try to go to bed around the same time each night. This will help your body regulate its sleep schedule. If you simply cannot fall asleep, you may have to reduce your sleep time until your body becomes fatigued and sleep is inevitable.
Earplugs are an inexpensive way for light sleepers, especially travelers, to combat insomnia. If you're fed up sleeping with your head tucked under the pillow, this tip may be just the cure you need.
Although noise is the enemy, many light sleepers can tolerate a consistent noise such as a fan, air conditioner, etc. During the summertime, this is the perfect way for insomniacs to drown out disturbances such as automobiles, televisions, or loud neighbors.
Soothing classical background music is a great way to eliminate other noises while relaxing your mind and body. Try listening to some of your favorite music in order to beat insomnia.
Watch your diet. If you're an avid coffee drinker, set a specific cutoff time for your last cup of java. Caffeine aggravates insomnia and can increase your anxiety level.
Avoid eating a heavy meal before bedtime. Digesting all that food is hard work that can keep your system active and awake for hours.

Incoming search terms for the article:

How To Get You in the Mood Before Sleep

joey — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 08:54:30 +0000

Essential oils work on the central nervous system. When they’re inhaled they effect the mood centers of your brain and when they’re massaged onto your skin, hey enter your bloodstream and cell tissues and are carried to every part of your body. They react with body chemistry in a way that’s similar to drugs but slower and with fewer side effects. A lot of research has shown how oils can have significant effect on our brain activity, alertness and moods. The right oils can relax the mind and body, control stress and relieve pain as well beat insomnia and particularly when combined with massage.

But for a quick and easy way to prepare your body for sleep, you can’t beat an aromatherapy bath just putting calming essential oils into a worm bath about 40 minutes before you go to bed. A fall in temperature is one of the triggers for sleep so you’ll feel all warm and relaxed after 40 minutes later you’ll be already to shut down. You bath should be warm enough to relax aching muscles and ease tension, but not too hot as this will make the oil evaporate more quickly. Opt for oils than have a relaxing rather than invigorating aroma.

Geranium – This oil strengthens the adrenal glands which work overtime when you’re stressed. Combine with rosemary for maximum impact. For the best effect, add a few drops to your bath or listen to some music and put some drops in an oil burner.
Lavender – It’s the oil most often used for sleep problems as it helps reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Sprinkle a couple of drops on a tissue and inhale or, after a long, hard day put a few drops on your pillow to aid sleep.
Frankincense – This oil is greater a aphrodisiac if you want to get in the mood for sex. Have a bath together and add a few drops with sandalwood and hint of jasmine to liven up your libido.
Ylang ylang – This is also an aphrodisiac, but a sedative too so if the sex doesn’t relax you the calming properties of this oil will. Add a couple of drops in a vaporizes for a soothing aroma.
Chamomile – This calms the central nervous system and induces sleep. It’s also a gentle antidepressant and stress reliever. Add a few drops of the oil to your bath.

As you sink into a warm candlelit aromatherapy bath all the stresses of the day become a distant memory. Essential oils have the power to change the way you feel physically and emotionally even some hospitals now use lavender oil to promote sleep.

Insomnia can be affected by many of factors like stress, depression, sickness, drug, and some bad lifestyle. One of the root cause is the partner who sleep beside you was the reason that make you insomnia.

About the Author

Dr.Samantha Hement from department of neurology. She is specialty concerned with nervous system function and disorders. She has created a blog and website to deal with insomnia. An informative blog deal with acne. Provided the information on how to deal with your insomnia without medications.

Incoming search terms for the article:

Great Tips To Avoid Leg Cramps While Sleeping

joey — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 10:54:49 +0000

A leg cramp means an acute pain which usually originates from a muscle in the leg. It takes place when a muscle contracts too hard. Leg cramps usually occur in one of the calf muscles, below and behind the knee. The small muscles of the feet are sometimes affected.

A regular leg cramp pain can last from a few seconds to several minutes. Besides, the intensity of the pain varies according to each one’s case. But, the damage in the muscles provoked by the cramp may remain up to 24 hours. In most cases, leg cramps occur when you are resting especially while sleeping or when you wake up. If not given the necessary attention, it can become a distressing problem which can disturb your regular sleep.

The Causes

Leg cramps are mainly caused by a contraction of an already shortened muscle. So, contracting the leg further may cause the muscle to go into spasm. It happens frequently during sleep. The regular sleep position, we rest with the knees slightly flexed, and with feet pointing slightly downwards. So, the tension by shortening the calf muscle makes it susceptible to cramps. This theory explains why maintaining a correct posture could avoid this problem and stretching exercises may relieve the pain.

How To Relieve From It?

The first things you should do to relieve the pain is to:
• Walk on the wounded leg
• Massage the muscle gently
• Maintain your leg straight and flex it toward your knee until you feel the calf muscles stretching
• Put some ice on the affected muscle

How To Avoid It

The first step to take is to maintain a correct posture of the legs during sleep. You should try a pillow that keeps your leg correctly aligned depending on the way you prefer to sleep. If you sleep on your back, you should maintain your feet in a higher level than the bed. If you sleep on your side you should use a pillow to maintain your legs slightly apart, so the leg you’re lying on doesn’t receive all the pressure of the other one’s weight.

Many doctors recommend using orthopedic pillows because they are especially designed to maintain a correct position of the leg and feet. By doing so, you will be able to live free of pain when you wake up and you will get up with a much better mood for a new day.