The Natural Sleep Aid Blog

Sleeping pills have become quite popular as a way to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders. Today, they are prescribed frequently by physicians as a solution to a good nights rest. But what about the long-term side affects of these drugs? For the occasional user it may not be a health threat but for the chronic user there are several things to think about before popping the next Ambien, Lunesta, Rozerem, or Sonata. The following is a list of reasons why you should limit or abstain from the use of sleeping pills.

1.    Sleeping pills are highly addictive very much in the way barbiturates are.

2.    They create a dependency much like alcohol and lower inhibitions like pain and fear.

3.    Sleeping pills can cause asphyxiation.

4.    They can create a long-term chemical dependency.

5.    They can affect short tem memory over time and reduce brain cell activity and cognitive thinking.

6.    They can create a hangover affect the following day and impair memory, judgment, and consciousness.

7.    Can cause sleep driving, anaphylaxis, facial swelling and unnecessary eating in your sleep.

8.    When mixed with other prescription drugs, supplements, or alcohol they can be a deadly concoction without warning.

Many people are becoming aware of the dangers of sleeping pills and how life threatening they are. It is actually wise not to use them if you suffer from insomnia because the side effects alone are worse than the lack of sleep itself. With more and more warnings being put out by the FDA on the use of these popular pills people are beginning to look elsewhere for a better nights sleep.

The use of alternative sleep aids or lifestyle changes can assist in a good nights rest without becoming chemically dependant on a substance.  Some healthier choices to opt for are melatonin, calcium and magnesium, or sleep formulas that contain calming herbs. Making certain lifestyle changes to reduce stress such as exercising, taking hot baths, getting massages, reading, listening to calming music, taking regular naps, and reducing alcohol and caffeine consumption can greatly impact the way you sleep at night.

If lack of sleep persists, talk to a physician who can offer alternative options. Sometimes sleeping issues can arise during various stages of life in response to stress, hormone changes, or hectic schedules. If you simply take the time to recognize this problem and make it a priority to fix, then you can achieve adequate rest.

In today’s society we are constantly pushed and pulled in every direction in order to accomplish all the demands of the day. One of the biggest sacrifices we make is lack of sleep in order to get ahead. You may think that skimping on your zzz’s is ok but it can actually affect your health in a negative manner by increasing your waistline and your weight. Studies show that there are key hormones the body releases during sleep that can be beneficial or damaging depending on how many hours of rest you get.

One of the most important hormones released between the hours of 12-2AM is Human Growth Hormone otherwise known as HGH. HGH is what we call the beauty hormone because it slows the aging process, rejuvenates the body, increases fat burning, reduces stress, and gives the body an overall sense of well being. If you are not sleeping during these hours you could be missing out on all the benefits HGH has to offer.

Ghrelin is a hormone that increases hunger and is secreted by the stomach. Lack of sleep increases this hormone and increases your blood sugar levels which trigger the need to eat. Studies show that individuals that receive 5 hours of sleep or less each night increase this hormone by as much as 15% than those that sleep an average of 8 hours. An increased amount of Ghrelin will ultimately lead to an increase in weight.

Leptin is a hormone that decreases appetite and hunger when you get proper sleep. Getting 8 hours of sleep each night helps to increase the amount of Leptin the body produces which reduces weight gain.

Whatever the demands may be, work, school, family, stress, or perhaps the love of television, get in the habit of tucking yourself in at a reasonable hour and feel the difference sleep can have on your waistline.

Narcolepsy is a very unusual sleep disorder that is characterized by random sleep attacks. This means that an individual may fall asleep at any given time of the day uncontrollably. These so called sleep attacks happen even after having a full nights rest and occur at any time of day. Falling asleep uncontrollably can affect many things such as social life, work, relationships, or school. It is considered to be a very unusual pattern and there are no specific times that these episodes take place which makes it very difficult for the person affected by it.

There are two forms of sleep that a person experiences at night. The first is called non rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) which is when there is no movement with your eyelids and the body is not in a deep slumber. This generally takes place before the second stage of sleep which is known as rapid eye movement sleep (REM). During this stage your eyelids move rapidly even though they are closed. In general this is the type of sleep that causes an individual to dream and relax their muscles.

People who suffer from narcolepsy generally don’t go through the NREM sleep stage but rather the REM stage first. Even though they are in the deep sleep stage they may be partially awake.

Because of the inability to control sudden sleep attacks, narcoleptics are prone to accidents, injuries, impaired concentration, depression, driving problems, or eating issues.

Currently, there is no cure for narcolepsy but certain lifestyle changes may help to improve the situation such as eating a healthy diet free of toxins and chemicals. It may be wise to determine if a food allergy is the cause by ruling out various food items. This can be done with the supervision of your physician. Another helpful approach may be to take scheduled naps during the day to see if it relieves some of the sudden drowsiness. Lastly, the use of conventional drugs may be helpful to some. In any case narcolepsy is a very serious sleep disorder that should be diagnosed and supervised by your physician.

 

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There are several ways to attempt a good nights rest. Trying various sleep aids, both natural and conventional, taking a relaxing bath, exercising later in the day, or perhaps having a glass of wine or two before bed. You may think the last alternative would be of help because of its sedating effects on the body. However, studies show that consuming alcohol close to bedtime can interfere with getting quality sleep.

If you are one of those people who enjoy a regular nightcap about an hour or so before bed, you may want to think again. Consuming alcohol one hour before bed has been shown to disrupt the second half of your sleep state. In fact, consuming alcohol even 6 hours prior to bed can still cause unwanted awakening during the night. The closer you drink alcohol to your bedtime the more you feel its effects such as increased fatigue the following day, difficulty breathing at night, decreased alertness, or a decrease in mood or depression.

Anyone who already suffers from a sleep disorder such as insomnia or sleep apnea is at a greater risk of exacerbating their condition or perhaps increasing their risk of other health related issues. Nursing mothers are sometimes advised by their physicians to have a drink to stimulate breastfeeding this may not be the best advice though because what they may not realize is this can interfere with their sleep and disrupt the sleep of their newborn infant as well. Those who suffer from alcoholism may find once they relinquish their dependence on alcohol their body may return to somewhat normal sleeping patterns or they may never experience normal sleep again. In some cases this can cause a relapse to alcoholism.

Even though drinking prior to bed may induce a faster deeper sleep, the worn off effects can actually do more harm and lead to sleep deficiency, sleep disorders, and even alcohol dependence.

 

 

 

Do you experience a tingling, burning, or twitching sensation in your legs and feet when you go to sleep? If so you may be suffering from a common condition called Restless Leg Syndrome otherwise known as (RLS). Some people say it feels like pins and needles or bugs crawling inside their lower limbs creating the need for constant movement. RLS can be very painful or just plain irritating preventing you from getting adequate rest each night. It usually begins to set in when you haven’t had movement for an elongated period of time such as sitting or lying down. Generally you can get relief if you stand up and move around or stretch. In any case movement helps to lessen the intensity.

Restless Leg Syndrome can develop at any age and interfere with sleep by causing the constant need for movement to help ease the tingling, burning, or aching feeling. Some researchers say that it may be hereditary and that it may be developed at birth while others believe it can be caused by an imbalance of the brain chemical dopamine which helps to control muscle movement. Stress has also been linked to this syndrome and often women that are pregnant are affected by it during pregnancy due to hormonal changes in the body.

In general, RLS is not a serious health threat but it has been linked to other health issues such as kidney failure, iron deficiency, diabetes, or alcoholism. If you have RLS it doesn’t necessarily mean you have these health issues but it is wise to seek medical attention to rule out any other possible health risks.

If RLS is something that you suffer from and you are having a difficult time falling asleep at night there are some easy solutions to relieving the problem or perhaps keeping it at bay. If you are ill from one of the medical conditions mentioned above and you are seeking medical attention, you may find that your symptoms of RLS improve when you treat the condition. If that is not the case, making some simple lifestyle adjustments can make a world of difference for a good nights sleep.

Getting regular exercise during the day may help to relieve the tingling at night and help with proper circulation in your limbs. Be careful that you don’t engage in intense exercise in the evening as this could make your condition worse. Some people have found that cutting back or completely eliminating things such as caffeine, alcohol, and even tobacco can ease the symptoms of RLS all together. These substances have been known to trigger the tingling, aching, twitching, and burning sensations that literally make you want to crawl out of your skin. Soaking in a warm bath at night or getting massages on a regular basis can help tremendously because they help with blood flow and to relax the muscles in your limbs. Another way to try and minimize the sensations is to try a natural sleep aid to help calm stress and tension in the body. You may find that taking it a couple hours before bed will reduce the need for constant movement in the legs and feet.

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I’m sure many of you are familiar with the sleep disorder insomnia and probably have faced it at one point in your life.  Insomnia can be brief or extended periods of time in which you are unable to fall or stay asleep.  Millions of Americans suffer from this condition and often find that their health starts to deteriorate when left untreated.  The amount of sleep an individual needs varies from person to person but on average is about 8 hours each night. 

The most common reasons one can suffer from this disorder are poor health or increased stress.  If not acknowledged and dealt with properly many problems begin to arise such as lack of energy, work or relationship issues, a decline in health, increased stress levels, or the likelihood of an accident.  Sleep is not an option for the body, it is absolutely vital.  Not treating this disorder can become very dangerous to your health.

There are many methods of approaching insomnia and some that make the situation worse such as habit forming drugs.  They may help you fall asleep but without them the body begins to rely solely on the drug in order for the natural sleep cycle to take place.  Sleeping pills can be very addictive and can disrupt other things in the body in the process of trying to treat the condition.  However, more and more people are turning to healthier alternatives to get the rest they desire each night. 

Natural remedies are becoming well-liked because many people are getting the relief they need to establish proper sleeping habits.  Some of the more universal solutions are an assortment of herbs that may be taken in pill or tea form shortly before bed.  Beginning an exercise program helps with total mind and body rejuvenation and people find when they are active during the day it helps to wind them down at night.  Decreasing the amount of caffeine in your diet is sometimes the last thing we become conscious of when it comes to treating insomnia, switching to decaffeinated beverages can be beneficial to the quality of your rest.

Lastly, my favorite alternative is a natural formula that I have found works wonders called Liporid Pm.  It gently winds the body down and gives you a feeling of tranquility while you sleep.  This is the perfect formula of vitamins, minerals and herbs to help facilitate sleep and it helps to increase metabolism and fat reduction in the process.  Many people have had great success with it and are pleasantly surprised when they shed unwanted pounds.  As with most alternative treatments, Liporid Pm is non-habit forming and can be used for as long as you like.

Without proper sleep we are unable to perform to the best of our ability.  Recognizing the source of insomnia is just as imperative as treating it.  If you know what is causing your lack of sleep do what you can to resolve it immediately.