Chronic pain involves discomfort, inflammation, and other chronic illnesses that impact everyday life. Not only does chronic pain impact daytime function, but also negatively impacts the body's ability to go to sleep. Here is some information on what chronic pain is, common sleep disturbances, and some coping strategies to deal with pain for better sleep.
Positive airway pressure (PAP) is one of the most common treatments for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that affects 3 to 7% of the population. Positive airway pressure is a way to offset the breathing difficulties that these patients have throughout the night. Two types of machines can assist with sleep apnea treatments. One is called a CPAP, and the other is called a BiPAP. We are going to talk about the difference between these two and which one to use in which situations.
Periodic limb movement disorder is a rare sleeping disorder that involves random movement of extremities that should be “paralyzed” during deeper levels of sleep. This syndrome is similar to restless leg syndrome (RLS); however, it is different because it involves random and periodic movement of all of the limbs and not the tingling sensation of restless leg syndrome. However, this can co-occur with restless leg syndrome. Keep reading more to find out more about this rare disorder to see if you struggle from it, and what you can do to get the help that you need.
Rumination, the incessant loop of thoughts that refuse to let go, can be a major hindrance throughout the day and especially when it's time to sleep. When your mind is caught up in this cycle, it becomes nearly impossible to shut off and find the restful sleep you deserve. This can lead to or exacerbate anxiety, depression, and insomnia, resulting in a vicious cycle of sleep deprivation. To learn more about the impacts of rumination and how to break free from its grip, continue reading.
If you are a shift worker, or line in a place with an abnormal exposure of light, then blackout curtains may be something you're considering. They block light so you can get sleep whether it's the middle of the day or not. Even though blackout curtains have some great benefits, there are also a couple of cons to be aware of. Continue reading to find out more about blackout curtains.
Menopause is a change that middle-aged women go through where their menstrual cycles stop and their ovaries stop producing eggs. Women, around age 40, will begin to stop producing estrogen and progesterone, a phase called perimenopause. One year after their last menstrual cycle, they officially hit menopause and enter postmenopause. Throughout these three phases, there are abrupt changes in hormones that can negatively impact sleep. Keep reading to find out how sleep can be impacted by menopause.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts one's ability to pay attention, sit still, and control their impulses. This is normally diagnosed in childhood and persists into adulthood. The hyperactivity of ADHD can make sleeping very difficult and can even cause the onset of insomnia. Read below to see how ADHD can cause insomnia, and some tips to manage symptoms for better sleep.
Have you noticed that you don't go to sleep at the same time every day, and that you seem to go to sleep later and later until you've hit a 24-hour sleep delay? This may sound confusing, but imagine one day you go to sleep at 10 pm and then the next day at 11 pm, and this continues until you find yourself going to sleep at 10 pm again.
This is abnormal, as our circadian rhythm usually helps us go to sleep at the same time every day. If you are having trouble going to sleep every day at the same time, then you may have non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder (N24). Continue reading to find out more about it.
Your animals may be warm and cuddly, and make the perfect sleeping partner, but it's highly recommended that your animals DO NOT sleep in the same bed as you. This may be a disappointment to animal lovers, but there are valid reasons why your animals should get the boot out of the bed. We are going to work through the biggest reasons that you and your furry friends should have separate sleeping compartments.
Eating before bed has been a controversial topic for a long time. There is so much speculation and misinformation about eating late at night and the effect it can have on your diet. However, eating late at night can have various effects on your sleep. Keep reading to find out how late-night snacking can impact your sleep.