Sometimes going to sleep is really hard, especially for those who may suffer from anxiety or insomnia. Sleep is really important for the body as a time of recovery, so if you're having trouble sleeping, you may turn to some popular nighttime medications to help. OTC, or over-the-counter, are medications that you can buy without a prescription. They are available at your local pharmacy and include their uses and dosing on their labels. Here is a review of the classes of OTC sleep aids and some popular medications within them.

Did you know there is a strong relationship between exercise and sleep? Both are necessary for optimal health, and they both have effects on the other. When you understand this interplay, then it will be easier for you to create a schedule that works for you and includes both of these valuable practices. 

Let's face it, sometimes it's very hard to go to sleep and a nice little pill makes it that much easier. However, do you know what effects that medication has on you? Do you know the effects of mixing various sleep aids? If not, you could potentially put yourself in harm's way of an accidental overdose, adverse reaction, or more. Continue reading to find out more about using sleep aids. 

Do you ever find yourself waking up exhausted? You feel like you slept through the night, yet you don't have that rejuvenated feeling and you know it's going to be a long day before your feet even hit the floor. The first thing you should know is that this isn't normal. After 8-10 hours of sleep, your body should have had time to repair tissues, digest food, and rest your brain for another day. If this isn't happening, and your body can't complete these tasks, then there may be something else going on preventing you from getting adequate sleep. Continue reading to learn more about common causes of waking up exhausted! 

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by a frequent and uncontrollable desire for sleep. This can result in sudden sleep at any time and place, regardless of what's happening. This results in the distortion of normal sleep patterns and rhythms causing excessive daytime sleepiness and a dangerous amount of sleep deprivation. 

Irregular sleeping patterns are not only inconvenient, they can have medical, emotional, and psychological consequences. Continue reading to learn more about Narcolepsy. 

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by a frequent, and sometimes uncontrollable, desire for sleep. This can result in sudden lapses into sleep at any time, in any place. The result is that normal patterns and rhythms of sleeping become abnormal. For example, someone suffering from narcolepsy may end up sleeping several times during the day and then having trouble sleeping at night. If you think you may have Narcolepsy, here are five signs that can help you determine if you need to see a sleep specialist or not. 

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by a frequent, and sometimes uncontrollable, desire for sleep. This can result in sudden bouts of deep sleep at any time and place, regardless of what is going on. This disrupts normal patterns and rhythms of sleeping. For example, a normal sleep pattern is the ability to sleep through the night with minimal awakenings, and then you may find yourself taking a nap during the day. However, someone suffering from narcolepsy may have trouble staying asleep during the night but find themselves falling asleep several times throughout the day, feeling refreshed after each nap, but soon feeling overwhelmingly sleepy again. 

Irregular sleeping patterns are not only inconvenient. They can have medical, emotional, and psychological consequences. Falling asleep at the wrong time can create stress on your professional and social life, but also can be dangerous, for example, if one is driving.  

If you've ever had trouble sleeping, a sleep diary may be a great way for professionals to gain some insight into what may be the cause and how best to help you. Sleep is really important for your overall health, so if you’re struggling with your sleep, then you may begin to experience other health issues. Weight gain, stress exhaustion,  depression, skin issues, etc., may be some of the consequences of inadequate sleep. 

One of the things you can do if you are having trouble sleeping is to keep a sleep diary that you can take to a sleep specialist. This way you can get a better idea of your sleep patterns, and they have an idea as well. Let's talk more about what a sleep diary is and how it can help you and your sleep issues. 

What do Sleep Studies Monitor?

Sleep studies are important diagnostic tools for common sleep disorders like sleep apnea, insomnia, and circadian rhythm disorders. Sleep studies have proven to be particularly important in Alaska, where the extreme darkness and lightness tend to either cause or worsen sleep disorders.

It may seem like identifying sleep deprivation would be easy, or that the only symptom is fatigue. This list is intended to help you take measured stock of some of the most common symptoms of sleep deprivation so you may identify whether or not you may be operating at a suboptimal level due to chronic sleep deprivation.