Narcolepsy And Sleep Paralysis - A Fishy Tale

There can’t be many people who have not seen the film “Moby Dick”, either in its original 1956 version with Gregory Peck, or the more recent 1998 television adaptation with Patrick Stewart. I’m sure too that many people will have read the book itself, written by Herman Melville way back in 1851. What you probably won’t remember however is one particular passage from the book in which the narrator, Ishmael, says: “For what seemed ages piled on ages, I lay there, frozen with the most awful fears, not daring to drag away my hand; yet ever thinking that if I could but stir in one single inch, the horrid spell would be broken. I knew not how this consciousness at last glided away from me; but waking in the morning, I shudderingly remembered it all, and for days and weeks and months afterwards I lost myself in confounding attempts to explain the mystery.” Although sleep paralysis would not be described by the American neurologist Weir Mitchell for another 25 years, this gives us a vivid account of a condition that has been around since the dawn of time. Sleep paralysis is one of a number of unwanted events that occur during sleep (including sleep walking, nightmares, night terrors and restless legs syndrome) and about half of us will experience at least one episode of sleep paralysis during our lifetime. For many narcolepsy sufferers, however, sleep paralysis can be a common occurrence and, if accompanied by hallucinations (another frequent symptom of narcolepsy), it can be a particularly frightening, or even terrifying, experience. Sleep paralysis very rarely presents any real danger to the sufferer. Nevertheless, it is an experience that most of us could live without and one for which we would dearly love to have a cure. Unfortunately, however, there is no cure at present, but, there is light at the end of the tunnel. For some time now it has been known that human leukocyte antigen, or HLA, (a protein found on the surface of white blood cells and forming part of the body’s natural defense or immune system) has played a part in causing narcolepsy. What has not been understood though is just what role this protein has played. In two separate studies carried out in Texas and California in 2000 however the true role of HLA emerged and this is now being confirmed in a series of further studies, the most recent of which (June 2005) comes from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). It appears that narcolepsy is caused by the lack of a particular chemical called hypocretin or orexin that is normally produced by the brain and plays a key role in maintaining a normal sleep pattern. In the case of narcolepsy sufferers this chemical is missing because of the presence of an autoimmune disease. In other words, the body’s immune system, instead of attacking foreign invaders, attacks healthy cells (in this case hypocretin or orexin molecules) and destroys them. So what does all this mean for narcolepsy sufferers? Well, it certainly doesn’t mean that a cure will appear tomorrow, but it does mean that scientists now know how to cure the condition. On the one hand they can look at methods of preventing the body’s immune system from attacking hypocretin or orexin molecules and, on the other hand, they can develop a method of replacing the lost molecules. This will of course require further research and clinical trials and will take some years. In the meantime, sufferers will need to stick with their current recognized drug treatments and continue to pursue a policy of sound sleep hygiene and behavioral management. But the knowledge that scientists have now pinpointed the cause of narcolepsy and that a cure is at last in the pipeline should act as very good encouragement for anybody living with narcolepsy today.

About the Author: Donald Saunders is the author of a number of health related publications including: "How To Get A Good Night's Sleep - Simple Solutions To Help You Rest" Pick up your free copy today at http://help-me-to-sleep.com/narcolepsy Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Boost Your Fertility While You Sleep

Everyone is aware of the cycles of the sun and moon. They give structure to our days, months, and seasons. But did you know that the sun and moon can influence your fertility?

When you are in sync with the earth's natural rhythms and cycles you can boost your fertility. If you work against nature's rhythms as many of us do, then you may be harming your delicate fertility balance.

Your biological clock is intimately linked to your reproductive system by utilizing the same hormones that trigger ovulation and sperm maturation. Therefore both women and men are affected by respecting or ignoring their natural rhythms.

Importance of Bright Light

Getting adequate sunlight or other full spectrum light during the day is key to optimum fertility for many reasons. Vitamin D is created in our bodies when we are exposed to sunlight and Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to infertility.

Adequate sunlight also helps regulate circadian rhythms which allow you to sleep better at night. Regular exposure to the sun also helps you maintain a strong immune system which is necessary to maintain a healthy pregnancy. Women who get more sunlight also have consistent and stronger menstrual cycles.

Finally, bright light prevents your body from overproducing melatonin which suppresses fertility. This might explain why it is easier for women to conceive in southern regions and during the summer months.

Importance of Darkness and Full-moon Light

Many researchers believe that prior to the introduction of electricity into our homes, all women menstruated during the new moon and ovulated during the full moon. This has been proven by studying cultures today that do not use electricity. Women in these cultures sleep in close to total darkness except for the days surrounding the full moon.

The small amount of light from the full moon is enough to halt melatonin production long enough for ovulation to occur. Most women can synchronize with the cycles of the moon in about three to four months by altering the light level while they sleep. Coordinating menstruation not only strengthens your cycle in many ways but it also makes it much easier to pinpoint the optimal timing for intercourse.

Darkness also plays an important role in optimal fertility by triggering melatonin, on most dark nights, which leads to a good nights sleep. Just make sure to prevent overproduction with bright light in the morning.

Deep sleep helps restore and rejuvenate the reproductive system. Lack of sleep can increase cortisol levels, lead to an increased use of caffeine and other fertility reducing substances, disrupt your hormone balance, cause depression which in itself can affect fertility or can lead to relationship problems with your partner. In extreme cases sleep deprivation can stop ovulation altogether.

How to synchronize with nature's cycles

Get at least one hour of bright sunlight a day

Try to get bright light soon after waking

Use full spectrum indoor bulbs during the winter months

Use a light simulation device 15-30 minutes first thing in the morning and once at night(particularly in winter)

Aim for total darkness at night. Use room darkening shades. Avoid the use of any lights whatsoever

On the three days of the full moon, try to bathe yourself in soft light while you sleep. A light from a closet, a 75-100 watt nightlight or even opening your blinds to the street light should do the trick.

Try to go to sleep with sun and get up with the sun. You might be surprised if you do not use lights or TV, how sleepy you get.

Make love during the full moon

Keep sleep and wake times consistent and avoid shift work. If you are tracking your ovulation signs, then you should taking your basal body temperature at the same time every morning anyway.

Efforts to conceive can be challenging and heartbreaking. The fertility enhancing methods mentioned here are easy, free, and painless. They will boost your overall health as well as your fertility so if you are trying to conceive it can only help and not hurt to synchronize your cycles with the earth.

About the Author: Sheryl Lyon resides in West Michigan and writes for http://lunar-fertility.blogspot.com/ and http://amuchbetterway.com, a site that explores better alternatives for natural conception, childbirth, parenting and non-toxic living. This article was posted on November 10, 2006 Article Source: articlecity

Headache Pillow: A Useful Aid To Sleep With Headache

Gravitational force does have such a wonderful effect on the human body. If you have the slightest maladjustments in the posture of your body, you can't remain in the position for a long time. You feel the necessity to change it.

Head ache pillow, the specially designed ones for this ailment, does play a positive role in reducing your discomfiture. This pillow may not be a treatment in itself, but it does help you get the maximum advantage out of the treatment that you are taking.

When you experience headache, using an uncomfortable pillow will naturally add to your problems. You will feel like throwing away the pillow, being unable to bear the pressure and pain of the headache.

The reasons for your headache are many. Therefore, the designs of these pillows have got to be many, depending upon your problems and the types of headache. Some of the pillows are cervical pillows, Swedish pillows, orthopedic pillows, memory foam pillows and contour pillows.

Headache pillows are not only good as a "supporting device" for your headaches, they are multi-utility articles also. You get headaches not only when you enjoy perfect physical health, but also when you suffer from other minor/major problems. These include shoulder pain, neck and shoulder pain, sleep apnea, migraine headache, and the condition of a pregnant woman who finds it difficult to adjust postures.

So, the headache pillow is about management of your sleep. Normally, when you have headache, it is very difficult to have a sound sleep. If this pillow comes to your rescue, and allows you to sleep even with the headache, this is the utility item of the century. As sufferers of various types of headaches are in millions!

An imbalanced pillow could be the reason for contributing to your existing headache further. When you have headache and try to catch up with the elusive sleep, you frequently change the sleeping positions. If the pillow does the job of a therapy, and gives you some sleep and thus makes you temporarily forget about your headache, I think this pillow-asset is worth acquiring.

But never be under the impression that such pillows alone can cure your headaches. Your headache can be cured by proper medications only, if it is the type of headache demanding medical attention. Pillow is just the psychological support, mind you!

About the Author: Ashish Jain To get more info on pregnancy headache, headache during pregnancy, Treatment of Headache and Headache Relief visit http://www.headacheupdates.com/migraine/ Posted: 28-10-2006 Article Source: ArticlesBase.com

Most people dream, some people chase and realize their dreams. Understanding dreams however is the key. A dream can be defined as experience of voices, events etc in our imagination or in mind. Oneirology is the study of dreams in humans. Human history is riddled with instances where dreams have been studied scientifically or have been a source of inspiration for artists as well. What is lesser known fact is that even animals dream.

What is dream Interpretation?

When meanings are assigned to dreams, this process is called Dream Interpretation. Different systems of dream interpretation have assigned meanings like in terms of future events, in terms of chance events during the night etc.

Many scientific researches have been made on dreams and these modern theories have more or less tried to explain as many facts found in scientific research like:

• The cause of dreams

• The purpose of dreams

• The content of dreams

• The varying frequencies of dreams

• The relationship between dreams and depression

• The possible evolutionary role of dreaming

Definition of dream:

Hall

Calvin S. Hall developed a theory of dreams in1953, in which he said that dreaming is a cognitive process. Dream was simply a thought or sequence of thoughts that occurred during sleep, and that dreams are just visual representations of your personal conceptions. According to his explanation, if you dream of being attacked by your friends, this may be a manifestation of fear of friendship.

Sigmund Freud

Freud first published his book “The interpretation of Dreams” at the end of the 19th century. He had a different concept. He said that the foundation of all dream content is the fulfillment of wishes, conscious or not and the schism between ego and id leads to censorship of dreams. He said that only an understanding of the structure of the dream-work can explain the dream.

Freud listed four transformations applied wishes in order to avoid censorship:

• Condensation — one dream object stands for several thoughts

• Displacement — a dream object's psychical importance is assigned to an indifferent dream object

• Representation — a thought is translated to visual images

• Symbolism — a symbol replaces an action, person, or idea

According to him these transformations help to disguise the latent content. Nightmares represented a clash between the ego and the id: the id wishes to see a past wish fulfilled, while the ego cannot allow it; he interprets the anxiety of a nightmare as the ego working against the id. Freud did a lot of research –self analysis and psychoanalysis on his patients before arriving to this conclusion.

Scientific American-theory:

Later many people also did a lot of research on dreams .A theory was put forth in 2003 on the Scientific American, according to which dreams provide sensory stimulation to the brain when the eyes, ears, etc. are still developing. Tests showed that REM-deprived cats developed visual problems. Analysis showed that there is a direct correlation between immaturity of an animal at birth and its required REM sleep like for example, the platypus, which is born without eyes cling to its mother for weeks and they need the most REM of all mammals; where as the dolphin, which at birth is a self-sufficient swimmer, gets almost none.

It also suggested that since humans wake more quickly from REM than normal sleep, dreams could have evolved to keep us alert for predators in the night. According to this theory nightmares could be a specialized form of this; a human makes a sudden, reflexive movement when he is woken up from a nightmare, which can collide with a beast that would otherwise have killed him.

Oneiromancy:

Dreams are also considered as a prediction of the future-oneiromancy or messages from the past and so people tend to interpret their dreams according to what they believe could happen or the object they see could mean of something. They look for signs to get their interpretations right.

About the Author: Jeff Meier of Jam727 Enterprises at http://www.Jam727.com offers the meanings of dreams and many other products and information web sites. For more dream interpretation we offer http://www.enterdreams.com. Article Submitted On: April 22, 2006 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Popular Snoring Remedies -

For reducing snoring there are a number of simple suggestions or home remedies. Let’s take a look at some of the options or popular snoring remedies, in addition to the ubiquitous tennis ball cure.

One simple remedy is to elevate your head with pillows or raise the head of your bed several inches. This reduces the chances of the throat muscle completely blocking your air passages when they relax in sleep. Sleep on your side, not on your back, which causes your tongue and soft palate to fall back, narrowing the airway.

Other lifestyle changes include exercising more, losing weight and abstaining from alcohol and smoking. You especially should not drink alcohol before going to sleep because alcohol relaxes your throat muscles, thereby blocking your air passages even more. In addition, smoking restricts your air passages and leads to snoring. Finally, you should avoid tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and antihistamines.

In addition to such so-called home cures, there are over-the-counter snoring remedies available, including anti-snoring pills, throat sprays, and nasal strips.

Anti-snoring pills contain natural plant enzymes and herbs that are said to prevent throat and nose tissue from swelling, resulting in a more open and smoother airflow that helps reduce snoring. Some popular brands are: Dr. Harris' Original Snore Formula, Sinus Buster, SnorEase, Snore Rx and Ysnore.

Throat sprays coat the soft tissues of the throat allowing the air to move more freely and lessening the noisy vibration. Some well known brands are Ayr Snore Relieving Throat Spray, D-Snore, Good Night Stop Snore, Helps Stop Snoring, and Silence.

Nasal strips are drug-free, non-prescription devices that work mechanically to keep your nose open and make breathing easier. The most popular national brand is “Breathe Right.” In addition, several drug stores and groceries market their own versions of nasal strips.

About the author: Josh Riverside Snoring Info provides detailed information about how to stop snoring, including specific snoring cures, remedies, and treatments to help prevent snoring from disrupting your sleep, health, and relationships. Snoring Info is the sister site of Hair Loss Web. Circulated by Article Emporium

Sleep Apnea – A Surprisingly Common Childhood Disorder

Sleep apnea, and in particular obstructive sleep apnea, is often thought to effect only overweight men from the age of about fifty onwards. In fact, while sleep apnea is perhaps most often seen in this group, it also affects a large number of women and is increasingly being recognized as a very common disorder in children. Perhaps the first reference to sleep apnea in children was made by Charles Dickens in The Pickwick Papers, published in 1837, in which Dickens wrote about a fat boy with a short thick neck called Joe who was always falling asleep. The first medical reference to sleep apnea in children then appeared a few years later in an 1889 edition of the British Medical Journal. However, it was not until 1976 that it began to receive serious consideration, following the publication of a report by the Stanford University Sleep Disorders Clinic. Today, sleep apnea is being widely recognized as a common disorder amongst children of all ages, and particularly amongst children between the ages of about three and six. Estimates vary, but in the United States alone, the number of children suffering from sleep apnea is put at between one and a half and two million. So what are the signs and symptoms that might suggest your child is suffering from sleep apnea. Well, these will of course vary widely, as is the case with many conditions, but some of the tell tale signs include: Loud snoring or noisy breathing during sleep. Snoring is far less common in children than it is in adults, but a significant number of children do snore and this, on its own, does not necessarily indicate the presence of sleep apnea. Periods of not breathing during sleep. This is not always easy to spot as the chest often continues to move up and down as if the child is breathing, although no air is being taken in through the nose or mouth. Breathing through the mouth, rather than through the nose. General problems in sleeping or restless sleep. Unusual or excessive tiredness during the day. Behavioral problems and an apparent difficulty in understanding. This may include difficulties in paying attention, aggressive behavior and perhaps hyperactivity. A general failure to develop at a satisfactory pace. For example, poor weight gain. Finally, a very common symptom in children is enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Now the presence of some, or indeed many, of these signs does not necessarily mean that your child is suffering from sleep apnea, but it would be reasonable to assume that this might be the case, and you should certainly consider consulting your family doctor. Copyright 2005 Donald Saunders

About the Author: Donald Saunders is the author of a number of health related publications including "How To Get A Good Night’s Rest", a free copy of which can be found at http://help-me-to-sleep.com Further details about sleep apnea can also be found at http://help-me-to-sleep.com/sleep-apnea/ Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Effects of Sleep on Weight Loss

Hi folks! I'd like for you to meet leptin and ghrelin.

No, those are not refugee orcs from "Lord of the Rings". Leptin and ghrelin are hormones, and research is indicating that, while they didn't have a role in the movie, they DO seem to have a role in weight gain and weight loss.

Two studies, one at the University of Chicago in Illinois and the other at Stanford University in California, indicated that sleep deprivation tended to alter the levels of these hormones in such a way that they did not efficiently fulfill their normal functions of controlling feelings of hunger and fullness. The short answer from these studies appears to be that being short on sleep, generally less than 8 hours a night, interferes with the work of these hormones, and that people getting less than 8 hours a night tended to be fatter than those who got the appropriate amount of sleep.

Here's a couple of important points:

1. Just getting more sleep is not the only answer to the weight loss problem. While getting more sleep can improve the body's ability to function in many ways, exercise and proper nutrition should still be components of any weight loss program. In fact, looking at it another way, some researchers have opined that getting a good night's sleep might help some people feel more energetic and this may cause them to become more active as well, thus aiding in weight loss and overall feelings of well-being. One researcher also pointed out that those short on sleep may resort to high calorie, empty carbohydrate snacks and meals to help them get through the day.

2. The number of hours of sleep may be important, but so is the quality of that sleep. For example, sleep apnea, a condition which tends to be more common in those who are overweight, can interfere with the quality of the person's sleep, so that even after what seems like 8 hours of sleep, they still are tired and worn out.

SLEEP, CORTISOL, AND WEIGHT LOSS

Cortisol is another hormone associated with appetite and weight loss and weight gain. Surely you have seen the ads in which it is referred to as "nasty". In actuality, it is nothing of the sort any more than blood is "nasty". It serves a purpose, in fact several purposes, but it is out of place in many of our modern situations, and the over production of cortisol can influence weight gain, and hamper attempts at weight loss.

The problem is that high levels of cortisol tend to help people pack on pounds. An elevation of cortisol commonly occurs when a person is physically or psychologically stressed. It is not enough that modern society produces a string of stressors which tend to kick the body into cortisol production mode. This is partly due to the body's inability to distinguish between a caveman being attacked by a bear, and a modern office worker being attacked by a "bear" of a boss! The roar of an attacking lion can produce an effect similar to the honking of angry drivers in road rage situation...particularly if you are the target.

Failure to get the proper amount, and quality, of sleep tends to increase the production of cortisol, contributing to the body's mistaken attempt to compensate for what it sees as an attack. Most real attacks would require vast expenditures of energy which would need to be replaced, so, cortisol signals the body to ingest large quantities of food to help replace the missing energy and perform repairs to the body. The problem is that if no energy has been expended, and you are merely suffering from lack of sleep, the body is going to get the same message as if you had escaped an attack, and the food taken in will just be stored as fat rather than being used to replace missing energy stores.

Lack of sleep also tends to produce its own state of agitation, which can induce the production of cortisol, and, to make things worse, worrying about your tiredness and inability to get a good night's sleep can initiate its own cycle of stress, thus...you guessed it, encouraging the body to produce more cortisol, which makes you want to eat more...

While this seems like a vicious cycle, and it is, it is not unbreakable. No one immediate action is likely to have you waking up tomorrow fit as a fiddle and twenty pounds lighter, but you can take steps to slow down the hamster wheel and eventually get off for good.

Plan to get more sleep. Plan to get more exercise. Plan to eat a healthier diet. Once you have planned, however, you must implement these steps. Do not expect to change everything all at once. Make a small change here, and, once that has taken hold, make a small change there. Trying to do everything all at once sets you up for failure and creates another stress in your life at the very time you are trying to reduce stress.

Go to bed a little earlier. Turn the TV off sooner. Learn a little bit about meditation. Take a walk. Lift that bag of sugar a couple of extra times (in each hand) before you put it in the cupboard. Park a few feet further away from your office or the grocery store than you did last time. You learned to walk one step at a time, and you fell down a lot, but you didn't let it bother you and you kept on until you finally achieved your goal and tottered a few feet on your own (and slept like...well...a baby). Don't let this get in your way either.

About the Author: Donovan Baldwin is a Dallas area writer. He is a graduate of the University of West Florida, a member of Mensa, and retired from the U. S. Army. Find more weight loss information at: http://cinch-weightloss.web-home.ws/ This article was posted on November 10, 2006 Article Source: articlecity

Snoring: A State Of Deprived Sleep For Others

The person who is sleeping next to a snorer doesn't have an easy job dealing with the terrible sounds day in and out. It is a serious medical condition, which can be treated very easily by common and easy household methods.

These loud and obnoxious sounds can make your life a real hell which may also lead into a gruesome battle of divorce. So to avoid any such problems take care of your health which directly affects your snoring. Even though it seems harmless or benign it may sure be sign of some very conflicting health problems.

Many suffer from this kind of condition, especially adults. This occurs when the muscles are relaxed and collapsed causing a blockage in the airway. Depending on the obstruction to the airway, the sound may vary accordingly.

Snoring happens when there is a nasal blockage during the time of cold. As you happen to breathe with your mouth this leads to an ever irritating snoring. These can also happen due to allergies which can get your nose blocked.

Some of the other reasons due to which you are under a snore attack is by being overweight which narrows the air passage and causing difficulty in breathing, drinking too much alcohol which relaxes the tongue and throat muscles causing blockage of air and helping in development of snores.

It may also be caused due to sleep apnea which is one of the serious conditions of snoring. In this types of snoring there is stoppage of breathe sometimes for a longer period which depletes oxygen in the blood and brain leaving you with loud snorts.

It has come to notice that snoring can lead to increase in diabetes. This can be justified because when we snore there is lack of oxygen causing your body to produce more catecholamine which in turn leads to insulin resistance, a very common substance for diabetes.

Surgeries can be done to get rid of these snores. In the market there are pills which are being used to help you get rid of snores. There are snore-reduction pillows too, which help you reduce snoring. You can also manage with a 3-minute exercise which will help you get rid of the snoring.

To avoid snoring do some of the things which may benefit you all your life

-Trying loosing weight

-Have a regular sleeping pattern

-Try to sleep on your side

-Avoid alcohol at least fours before you sleep

-Raise the level of your bed

-Avoid chocolates or cakes (high-calorie food) before going to bed

-Give breathing space to your stomach, have a light dinner

-Stop smoking completely

-You can take up singing, as it may tone the back muscles of your throat

-Have 2 cups of hot Chinese tea just 1 or 2 hours before you sleep

About the Author: Kevin Pederson can guide you through the importance about home remedies through his website. Home based Cure for snoring. By following some simple and easy steps we can get rid of snoring. Posted: 01-12-2006 Article Source: ArticlesBase.com

Get The Sleep That You Need: Sleep Stages, Tips and Aids

During sleep, your muscles recharge, your mind sifts through the input of the day and your immune system revitalizes itself (and staves off disease and infection).

Sleep Stages

There are two primary states of sleep: rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM). The body goes in an out of these states during four separate sleeping stages.

Stage one is a light sleep that is the bridge between conscious and unconscious states of being. Individuals who are in Stage one sleeping mode can be easily awakened.

Stage one is followed by stage two, which is characterized by the slowing down of brain waves. The eyes stop moving as the body begins to shut down.

Stages three and four are periods of deep sleep. Stage three features the appearance of slow moving delta brain waves mixed in with smaller and faster waves. By stage four, delta waves make up the primary activity in the brain. All muscle and eye movement has ceased at this point. Stage three and four are periods of deep sleep. It can be difficult to wake up someone who is in stage three or four of their sleeping experience.

After you've gone from stages one to four, NREM stops and REM sleep begins. The different stages, followed by REM sleep, represent one sleeping cycle. Multiple sleeping cycles are experienced throughout the course of one night. REM sleep happens a few times each night as you cycle through the different stages. It occurs about once every hour and a half or so.

REM is where the magic happens. You begin to breath irregularly. Your heartbeat becomes erratic. Muscles are paralyzed and your blood pressure rises. The electrical activity of the brain begins to act up, and you start to dream.

Sleep Tips

Try to form a regular pattern for sleep and food consumption. Avoid late night snacking. Try to cut back on alcohol and caffeine. When it gets late, forgo coffee, tea and brewskies entirely. Smoking less is always a good idea, especially if you want to get more sleep.

Sleeping only happens when you're calm and relaxed, so make sure these are states of mind that you can easily achieve. Practice meditating. Exercise and learn how to deal with anxiety. If you can find ways to properly channel your nervous energy, you can achieve a calm and clarity. Seriously. If you have issues sleeping, you need to come up with constructive ways to deal with stress.

Sleep Aids

There are plenty of sleep aids on the market that can help you achieve sounder rest.

Medication is available in both prescription and over-the-counter forms. If you suffer from chronic insomnia, or if you think that your trouble with sleep may be linked to another ailment (like restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea), then a doctor visit is surely in order. If your sleepless symptoms are acute, then a sleep aid like Good Night's Sleep can really help out. Good Night's Sleep is a night-time sleep aid that is administered as a mouth spray. Good Night's Sleep spray is quickly absorbed, for fast-acting relief of restlessness.

If you're not getting the sleep that you need, and you need help adjusting your way back to a regular sleeping pattern, then investigate the current sleep aids on the market, consult your doctor and develop a practical strategy for improving the quality of your sleeping habits.

About the Author: Chris Stout offers intelligent advice and useful tips regarding sleeping disorders and natural relief and is dedicated to solving sleep related problems. Chris has become an expert on the subject as well as other health related topics and writes articles for Medgen where you can find more great information and products for sleeping disorders. Article Submitted On: November 18, 2006 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

WONDER PILLOW Memory Foam Pillow For Orthopaedically Perfect Support Comfort and Sleeping Posture. Your best nights sleep!

This revolutionary pillow provides perfect support and maximum comfort – two essentials for a great nights sleep. It automatically creates an orthopaedically correct sleeping posture that aligns your spine and neck and shoulder muscles to relax completely.

Better still the WONDER PILLOW is a memory foam pillow. It actually reacts to to your bodys heat and shape and moulds itself to distribute weight and pressure evenly. In fact the WONDER PILLOW never loses its shape. It bounces back into its original position every time you use it. Thats how the WONDER PILLOW can help prevent tossing and turning, insomnia and stress, reduce morning aches and pains, protect the spine and prevent pressure sores even accelerate blood circulation. The WONDER PILLOW comes with its own protective luxurious velour zipped cover. (Size: 510 x 310mm)

In addition the WONDER PILLOW is a memory foam pillow. It actually reacts to your body’s heat and shape and moulds itself to distribute weight and pressure evenly. In fact the WONDER PILLOW never loses its shape. It bounces back into its original position every time you use it. That’s how the WONDER PILLOW can help prevent tossing and turning, insomnia and stress, reduce morning aches and pains, protect the spine and prevent pressure sores even accelerate blood circulation.

“I have often had problems getting a good nights sleep due to the stress of modern life and occasionally suffer with insomnia. The comfort of the WONDER PILLOW has helped me to get that little bit extra out of my sleep which has really made a difference to me”

Lucy Birmingham

http://www.livingiseasy.co.uk/search/?search=pillow

http://www.livingiseasy.co.uk

info@livingiseasy.co.uk

02074831991

About the author: Tzaf Barak You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as you include the author's bio and any links, then send an email to info@livingiseasy.co.uk with a courtesy copy of your publication or link to your web page Copyright © 2005 Tzaf Barak http://www.livingiseasy.co.uk Circulated by Article Emporium

5 Keys To Better Sleep

Do you have trouble getting a good night's sleep? What you are about to read may make a huge difference to your future health! Being well rested is essential to our wellbeing and is a major key in living an energetic lifestyle. Here are some of the benefits of a good night's sleep: - You will look and feel your best. - Relating to others will come easier with enough rest. - You'll be a safer driver and be less likely to fall asleep at the wheel. - More alertness and creativity on the job will be a major benefit. - You'll feel less stressed. - There'll be an increased ability to fight off illness. - You'll enjoy life more. Here are some keys to getting a better night's sleep: 1. Set your body clock. Choose a bedtime schedule by deciding how many hours of shut-eye you need and try to stick with it. That's because we are all creatures of habit. Try not to oversleep too often because this tends to throw your body clock off. If you are tired, try taking a short nap. However, it should not be longer than about one half an hour because more time than that and you will wind up not being able to fall asleep that night. 2. Be wise about eating and drinking. Drinking too much fluid in the late afternoon and evening can cause you to wake up in the middle of the night to trot off to the bathroom. Also consuming food and beverages that contain caffeine before bedtime can cause you to toss and turn for hours. So it would be wise to avoid coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate before going to bed. However, a hot non-caffeinated drink can relax you. 3. Prepare your sleeping environment. You have control over a number of factors in your sleeping environment that will make or break a good night's sleep. One of them is the temperature of your bedroom. Adjust the temperature of your bedroom so it's conducive to sleeping. It's usually best to have your room a little on the cool side, but be sure you have enough blankets on your bed. Another environmental issue is the darkness of our bedrooms. Many people prefer sleeping when it's totally dark, so turn off the lights except for night lights. A key bedroom environment factor is your bed. Purchase the best mattress you can afford since you'll spend a large proportion of your life on it. Quietness is very important to our rest. Try to keep the noise down. If that's impossible, consider using ear plugs. Play calming music and avoid watching television just before bedtime. Violent scenes can lead to sleeplessness and violent dreams! Design your bedroom to be a peaceful sanctuary in your home. Separate your work from the bedroom area so your body knows the bedroom is a place to rest - not work. 4. Prepare yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually for bedtime. There are a number of steps you can take before going to bed to prepare yourself physically. Slowly stretching before hitting the sack can help you relax. Regular exercise during the day will enhance your ability to fall asleep. Taking a warm bath - not a shower - can be helpful too. If you are still tense, a back massage can help you relax. Wear comfortable nonbinding clothing. Here's the most important thing you can do once you've hit the sack - let go of the day's worries. Bedtime is a bad time to dwell on problems since worry can keep you tossing and turning for hours! I've found that reading the Bible and praying before going to bed is a wonderful way to end the day. Then I can truly relax and lay down my problems. My sleep is much sweeter and so are my dreams! 5. Seek specialized help if needed. A medical condition could be preventing you from getting your full rest at night. See your doctor if you have continuing difficulty with falling asleep. Usually it's not wise to take sleeping pills since they can become addictive. They also interfere with the body's own inner sleeping rhythm. The suggestions in this article have been listed to help you get a better night's sleep. Now try putting them into practice and enjoy a more rested and energetic lifestyle. Pleasant dreams!

About the Author: Patricia Wagner offers informative tips and a f^ree newsletter to help you live a more more energetic lifestyle. Check out http://www.a-to-z-wellness.com. She is also an artist and you can view her original paintings at http://www.artbywagner.com Article Source: www.iSnare.com

How Sleep Apnea Can Affect a Relationship

There are so many people that have to deal with stress of everyday life. There are so many problems that a person can face and it is sometimes very hard on the body. For some people, they are finding it harder and harder to get a good nights rest at night. When a person is dealing with sleep apnea, they are going to have a harder time with relationships and keeping them. Many that deal with sleep apnea are depressed and will suffer from terrible mood swings. They are going to experience these problems at work and at home. For a lot of them, they are going to find it hard to keep friends or make new ones. This is due to the fact that they are going to have mood swings and get irritated more easily. This is because they are not getting the appropriate amount of sleep that their body requires. Having sleep apnea is going to be hard on work relationships. Many times tempers will be shorter and people that are not getting the sleep that they need will become more irritable and will find themselves not getting along with their co-workers and business partners. This can make for a very stressful situation and one that will only get worse if the problem is not resolved. Many times, not getting enough sleep will effect the way that a person will be able to deal with everyday problems that may happen with their family members and their children. Many parents and spouses will have a hard time dealing with problems that can occur on a normal day. They may find that they loose their temper easily and get worked up over the small things that happen. Another problem with sleep apnea and relationships is that a person that is taking on the stress of dealing with it will have a harder time performing sexuality. There are many people that will not have an interest in having sex with their partner. This is going to take a toll on any relationship over time. This is a good reason why a person should start to think about getting help with their sleep apnea so that they can have a happy and healthy relationship with their spouse or partner. Many people that have to deal with lack of sleep due to sleep apnea are going to find it harder to make a relationship work. This is a big problem for many people and will only add to the stress of it all. Getting help with it and finding ways to make the sleep apnea better is the only way that a person can get on with their lives and be happy and healthy in their relationships with anyone personal or business related.

About the Author: Darren Mallory 31 Year Old Online Marketing Manager Posted: 01-10-2006 Article Source: ArticlesBase.com

How To End The Frustration Of Insomnia

Insomnia is a common sleep sickness that has bothered many people around the world. But the consequences brought about by this disorder may not be as ordinary as it may seem. It can be downright punishing. You know the frustration of looking repeatedly at your clock while endlessly moving around in your bed. It's mental and emotional agony to say the least. The tension builds up to its peak when you see the sunrise, and you have to go to the office lacking so much energy after spending a sleepless night. You don't have to suffer anymore. Here are some tips to help you snooze faster than you could ever expect. 1) Wake up and go to bed at the same time everyday, even during the weekends. Some insomniacs tend to sleep at any time of the day to catch up on some sleep they lose during the night. Now this is the biggest mistake you can make. It ruins your body clock and will only worsen your insomnia. If you can't sleep one night, get up the usual time the next morning. You'll be sleeping soundly like a baby the next night. 2) Don't eat within 4 hours before you go to bed. If in case you went hungry, try some crackers or light snack. But don't indulge in an "eat-all-you-can" feast right before bedtime. Your food won't be digested well, resulting in poor and uncomfortable sleep. 3) Don't drink caffeine or alcohol. Caffeine can obstruct your ability to sleep. Alcohol can make you drowsy, but it can wake you up in the middle of the night and bring you side effects that will hinder a continuous sleep process. 4) Relax and stay fit. Avoid having a stressful lifestyle. Exercise daily to release tension. Engage in breathing exercises to relax your body. Most important of all, don't carry your problems or emotional baggage to sleep with you. Forget about it for the mean time. You can go back and solve your dilemma better the next day after a restful sleep. 5) Never force yourself to sleep. Trying your best to sleep requires some work. You don't want to work when you want to doze off. Sleep comes best if you are in a relaxed and comfortable state. Just lie down, relax, and let the sleeping fairy cast its spell upon you.

About the Author: Suffering from sleepless nights? How to finally end your insomnia and wake up feeling refreshed and energized all day long! Just visit: www.sleeping-disorders-sleep-better.info Article Source: Free Articles Directory

Decrease Your Sleep, Increase Your Energy! And Have More Time In Your Day!

Many of the world's most driven and successful people sleep only 4 to 5 hours per day. Do you really need to sleep 8 or more hours? No, you don't. No one does. Reduce sleep and increase your energy? Have you ever thought of reprogramming your inner sleep clock as a time management tool? Imagine what you'd do with an extra 21 hours in your week! A "sleep scientist" has come up with some easy to implement techniques for sleeping less, a means of programming your inner time clock for a more energized sleep, so you need less time in bed. Feel more rested, more alert and more energized than you would with the number of hours you're currently sleeping. Yes, you really can increase your energy by decreasing your sleep! Reducing your sleep by 3 hours a night (21 hours a week) is the goal. And it is definitely achievable. What times of day you feel tired, and how long you sleep, is determined by a number of factors, and some of these factors can be influenced by you to decrease the need for sleep. Once you understand efficient sleeping, these techniques can be utilised to increase the quality of your sleep and at the same time reduce your time spent sleeping. Are you aware that your body temperature rises and falls during the day and night according to your body clock? Synchronising these temperature changes with your sleeping habits can and does produce remarkable results. Jet lag is the result of these temperature fluctuations getting out of sync with your sleeping pattern. That's why it takes so long to "readjust" to the new time zone. These revolutionary techniques can even help you beat jet lag! You may have heard of "power napping". This is one part of the strategy used in this powerful sleep technique. But it's essential to use the power nap correctly. Sleep too long during your power nap, and you'll actually cause damage to your sleep system. But power nap at the right time of the day, and learn how to speed up your body temperature rise afterwards, and you can boost your energy levels and reduce your sleep time dramatically. This important Powerful Sleep package is available here: http://www.PowerfulSleep.BrigitteRecommends.com A University of California study, completed in 2002, established that people who sleep less than 8 hours per day actually live longer than those who sleep 8 hours or more. The study was carried out using over 1 million participants, and over a period of some 6 years, and its results are now accepted without question. Insomnia is a significant problem in the industrialised world. And hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people are treated for insomnia with drugs. What you won't be told by the drug companies is that these drugs are producing a very inefficient sleep, so you end up needing more. This is why you'll wake up feeling groggy, every time you take a sleeping pill, no matter how long you sleep for. Well, guess what? You'll never need another sleeping pill when you understand how to have an energized sleep, and you'll spend less time sleeping as well. So if you're interested in lengthening your life, exploding your energy, having an extra 21 hours in your week, eliminating insomnia, and beating jetlag, you can! And you can do it by learning how to sleep less and by optimizing your body clock. (c) 2005, Brigitte Smith

About the Author: Brigitte Smith has several websites relating to health - both people health and pet health. The scientifically designed powerful sleep program described in this article has helped thousands of ordinary people and can help you too. Access further information here: http://www.PowerfulSleep.BrigitteRecommends.com Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Dream Telepathy Researcher Fights Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston Inside a Sleeper's Mind

Dreams are a doorway to invisible realms that reveal our hidden psychic and shamanic abilities. Consider this classic story of dream research. On the night of March 12, 1964, the renowned psychologist Calvin Hall was monitoring EEG output at Duke University's Institute for Dream Research. In a nearby room, Robert Van De Castle was the research subject being monitored while sound asleep.

Dr. Hall was understandably skeptical about "paranormal dream activity" as are most psychologists even today. To find out for himself--and probably with the intent of disproving that the contents of his mind could in any way influence the dreams of someone in another location--he performed a remarkable experiment.

When the EEG monitor indicated to Dr Hall that Van De Castle was in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, associated with dreaming, Hall focused his attention on remembering the (Feb 25th, 1964) boxing match between Cassius Clay--now Muhammad Ali-- and Sonny Liston.

In addition to imagining the fight, Calvin Hall dramatized the experience by throwing a few punches in the air himself--at a very safe distance from the actual fight, and from the dreamer. Who would expect that such an activity could be perceived by a person sleeping in another room? Imagine Hall's shock when he awoke Van De Castle after the REM phase and asked if he had any dream material and his answer included these details:

"There was a boxing match going on. There were two young lightweight boxers who were fighting and one of them was doing much better than the other. It seemed his opponent became vanquished and then another lightweight contender got into the ring with him. The new contender now started to give a pretty savage beating to the other boxer... I remember standing up and throwing a few punches in the air myself because I was so involved with the action in the ring." (Our Dreaming Mind, Van De Castle, 1994)

It is noteworthy that the boxing scene interrupted a dream about unrelated material. As if a television channel had been changed, the boxing scene was inserted as noises that we hear in sleep sometimes are; the original dream then resumed. But what was inserted here was not something like a train whistle (the external sound most likely to work its way into your dreams).

These intrusions were thoughts occurring in another person's mind--who was not even in the same room! This "private" mental activity was "overheard" and inserted into Van De Castle's dream. This is how attuned we are in sleep and how capable of mind to mind (M2M) communication humans are.

It is amusing that the fighters were dreamed as lightweights when they surely were not... but in the endless humor of dreams, this detail might be a result of the fight being filtered through a scientific researcher's psyche. While Hall may have been a "heavyweight" in dream research, he would have been a real lightweight in that fight!

The dreamer is identified with observing the fight just as Hall was but the dreamer experienced Hall's standing up and throwing punches as if it were his own action. He lived out the physical actions as dream experiences while viewing the mental images as an observer. This is a complex, stereophonic mind-to-mind transmission. How often, you might wonder, are our dreams, which we presume are inwardly originating, actually transmitted by the actions and/or thoughts of another?

Calvin Hall attempted to send telepathic messages to Van De Castle on 17 different occasions: "He concluded that some representation of the intended target material was detectable on thirteen of those occasions, for a success rate of 76%" (Our Dreaming Mind, 1994). If this was an attempt to disprove mental telepathy in dreams it was a pretty stunning failure! Hall repeated these successes with five other dream subjects and later published "Experiments on Telepathically Influenced Dreams."

Dreams not only carry meaning and guidance from within, and from other human beings, they reveal to us the fuller capacities of mind with which we are all endowed.

About the Author: Ron Masa, Ph.D Get the free 8 part email class "Discover Your Dreams: A Beginners Guide to Dream Interpretation" and newsletter. DreamTalk is a low-cost dreamwork email group and TeleDream is a weekly telephone dream group which Dr Masa, Debbie Hart and Dr Marjorie Miles co-moderate. Work on your dreams and help others too. Ron Masa, Ph.D. wrote columns on dreams while in private practice for 25 years. He and Debbie Hart co-lead University of Yourself.com: "Helping You Hear the Guide Inside." Article Submitted On: November 22, 2006 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Sleep On It!

What do you think about before you go to sleep? Does it really matter? What you think about could be very beneficial and profitable to your life. While your conscious mind takes a break as you sleep, your subconscious mind actually stays very active. Because of this, the thoughts that you think about before you drift off to sleep are vitally important. Many people end their day by watching the news, which is usually negative and depressing. When they go to sleep after pouring all that junk into their minds, they are basically saying, "Okay subconscious mind, work on all that stuff." And people wonder why they wake up depressed, negative, and with no ambition for the new day ahead? Your subconscious mind is at work day and night, including throughout your slumber. Have you ever heard the expression, "I'm going to sleep on it?" I remember watching a movie and when faced with a problem, the main character said, "I'll sort it out in the morning." Many times after "sleeping on it," a person wakes up with a solution, or at least, a direction in which to proceed. One day, a man had diligently worked for hours towards a solution to a problem, yet still knew that there was something missing. He went to sleep, still trying to grasp that missing piece. His thoughts before he fell asleep were focused on unearthing the solution. He said the next morning he suddenly woke up feeling "the greatest excitement." In a short amount of time thereafter, Albert Einstein wrote his first draft of a new article - a full thirty pages. It was the start to his theory of relativity. There are a lot of people who wake up right before their alarm goes off. Does that happen to you? Is it just a habit, or, before falling asleep, do you consciously think about what time you want to get up? I think it is the latter. Personally, the only time I use an alarm clock is when I need to get up much earlier than usual. However, every time, it seems like I still wake up before the alarm goes off. Before falling asleep, I was very aware that I needed to get up early...and the next morning, my subconscious mind stepped in, telling me it was 4:30. Why not tell your subconscious mind some really positive things before you nod off to sleep? Things like, "I am going to wake up happy and refreshed," or "I am going to get some good, peaceful sleep and tomorrow I will get a lot done," are some excellent examples. There are many programs that suggest doing your affirmations right before you go to sleep. Some recommend reviewing your goals at that time. The Bible talks about not going to sleep angry. Why? Because the Creator designed the brain and He knows that it's not beneficial to you. Here's something to try. Take note of what kind of mood you are in as you go to sleep. Emotions are a product of your thoughts. Change your thinking so that you don't allow yourself to fall asleep in a doubtful mood, or in a depressed mood, or in an angry mood. If you fall asleep in a negative mood, you are impeding the work that your subconscious mind could be doing for you while you sleep. You are losing ground and also losing precious time. Whether it is your affirmations, or goals, or something you are working on and trying to solve, take careful note of what you are thinking about right before you fall asleep. Your subconscious mind is going to be working all night on something anyway, so why not give it something profitable? Successful people develop successful habits - it just doesn't happen automatically. You can take charge of your life in so many little seemingly insignificant steps. However, some of these "little" things will reap enormously profitable dividends in your life. So have a sweet, peaceful, productive sleep!

About the Author: Michael A. Verdicchio is a husband, father, minister, and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years. Michael is the author and producer of "Inspirational Pep Talks", available at http://www.InspirationalPepTalks.com He has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html Posted: 25-10-2006 Article Source: ArticlesBase.com

New Style Waterbeds Help You To Sleep Better

For a long time, water beds have been a popular choice for sleeping on. Many people feel they provide a comfortable sleep you cannot get from a regular mattress. From the first time you lie on a waterbed, you will notice the difference. The waterbed is going to feel much different from your normal spring mattress, obviously. You may also be happy to know that waterbeds of today are much better than those early ones of the past. They are not as wavy or sloshy as they were before. Most come with wave reducers and other features to make it more comfortable for you. The first time you try one, you will never want to go back to your old bed. The new style water beds can offer you an excellent night’s sleep. Now that there are improved wave reducers, you can enjoy your water bed even if you sleep with someone else in your bed. The water bed manufacturer’s have worked very hard to meet consumer demands to make the beds better and more comfortable. They have many new features on them so that you get the best possible sleep out of your bed. No longer will you have to worry about tossing and turning and not sleeping at night. However, you need to know that a waterbed comes with some responsibilities. However, after the fabulous night sleep that you will get, the maintenance will be very worth it. When it comes to taking care of your waterbed, it is very easy to find your supplies. In fact, you might decide that you want to look on the Internet for your parts and supplies. You can buy everything you need for your bed from the Internet and usually save quite a bit from the price of retail. You can get bedding, including luxury linen for waterbeds. You can also get drain and fill kits, frames, headboards and much more. There are items such as under bed drawers or storage options. There are also more cosmetic options for you such as choosing linen for your bed that matches the rest of your room décor. Regular maintenance on your water bed can leave you with a fantastic bed that will last you for years to come. When you get parts and supplies and fill your bed properly, adding conditioner when you need to, you will set your bed up for a long and happy life.

About the Author: Hazel Prechtel is the owner of Fox Beds which is a premier source of information about Beds. For more information, go to: http://foxbeds.com Article Source: www.iSnare.com

The Truth Behind The Back Sleep Position For Infants

The present threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) among infants has created a stir not only to mothers, but to medical experts as well. Over the years, modern science have been looking for better sleeping position that can prevent such tragedy. Among babies, sleeping on one’s back is recommended as opposed to sleeping on one’s stomach. It has been a popular myth that when babies are allowed to sleep on their backs, they are most likely to choke. This is actually not the case. Most babies do vomit or spit during sleep. When this happens, some believed that babies are prone to choking when they are in a back sleep position. The truth is - babies involuntarily swallow any fluid they produce while in sleep. Doctors state that there has been no instance where such incidents were increased with such sleeping position. A distinguished medical organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommended infants to sleep on their backs. Medical experts attest that the back sleep position can decrease the risk of SIDS. Modern research shows that the chances of acquiring SIDS among children were lowered dramatically by almost 40% each year if such sleeping position was implemented. It is actually beneficial for babies if they are in this position as they can easily move their arms and legs. Babies who are 2- 4 months old are likely to shift positions, put them back to the back sleep position by carefully rolling them over. Another option is to carefully swaddle them in a comfortable blanket to prevent them from sleeping on their stomach. You can also get one of those special swaddling blankets available in the market. At first, your babies may find it uncomfortable to sleep on their backs because they naturally sleep on their stomachs. It would be the parents’ or the guardians’ responsibilities to train them in the back sleep position. With enough practice, they would eventually make it a sleeping habit. When training your babies, remember to remind your relatives or babysitters who might put your child into sleep in case of your absence.

About the Author: Jason Rickard is the owner of http://www.yourfavouriteshop.com - Offering White Noise and Relaxation CDs - Visit http://www.hapahapa.com for more articles. This article was posted on October 17, 2006 Article Source: articlecity

Dreams Are They Good Or Bad?

Dreams that you have at night are bad if they are “Nightmares”, but the dreams you have that make you feel great and inspired – those are “Goodmares”. So have you been have “Nightmares” or “Goodmares”? If you are feeling oppressed or depressed you are probably have the first one, but if you have good things going on you are probably have the second. Some say that the first one could be a premonition of things to come or an evilness in the dreamer. But could it just be an inner talk going on within you that is allowing your mind to create these? I am not a psychologist, have never studied Sigmund Freud and really don’t delve in that area. But I do feel that if you are relaxed and happy with your life, you are more likely to have “Goodmares”. I am not really here to talk about your “..mares” I am really here to talk to you about your Dreams, your Aspirations, your Desires and your Inspirations. One definition the dictionary has for Dream is: “A condition or achievement that is longer for; an aspiration.” That is what is important to you and to your future. Only Children Or Younger People Dream Remember when you used to Dream and let your imagination run wild, when you ran freely through a meadow or traveled to new places or conquered domains – became the King or Queen and ruled over the land. Maybe you dreamed of driving the new car you just saw on the showroom with Mom and Dad or living in the house you saw while driving somewhere with your parents. Those were the good days when you let your imagination run freely and life was grand. Sadly, the times that we Dreamed were mainly in our earlier years and as we grew up, the Dreaming seemed to become less relevant. In Junior High and High School you had different dreams to an extent, when you went to College or started you job you had dreams to some extent. But then reality sets in and you became involved with your career or family or whatever came along and the dreams faded and faded and disappeared. Then your Dreams were replaced with what many call “reality” and it was time to “grow up and forget about the childish things” or maybe it was “what do you want to be when you grow up” question? Some of us have not completely “grown up” yet, we still have times when we dream or “fantasize” about better places and things. But we don’t put action to it because we don’t know how or we are afraid of failure or success or being laughed at by our “friends”. Would true friends laugh at you or would they encourage you? Hummm, that could be food for thought. Could there POWER in a dream? The power of a dream is something you need to realize and grab onto. It is the dreamers such as Edison, Carver, Bell, Stanley, Ford, Trump, Gates, and many more who have had Dreams that propelled them to do what became great things. Their Dreams were the driving force that allowed them to keep “their nose to the grindstone” and accomplish great things. There is such a power there that if harnessed, grabbed onto and acted up will allow you to move forward and off of the “treadmill” that you are on today. Dreams give you hope, they give you power and enthusiasm, a tunnel vision of focus to assist you to motivate you to drive you on an adventure of growth and realization about yourself that you might have buried deep and hidden away. They allow you to use your natural talents and learned talents to the max, if you will allow them to. They are the beginning of the whole process of becoming you were meant to be to accomplish what you were meant to accomplish.

“Those Without Dreams Work For Those With Dreams.” Wealth Builders We all have a destiny, we all have things that we can and should accomplish. To many times we let “life” get in the way and hold us back or hinder us to the point that we give up and believe what the rest of the world says. Get a job, work hard, retire and enjoy your “Golden Years” that is what we did (are doing). I’ve heard it explained very well more than once, “Work 40 hours a week for 40 years and retire with 40% of what you were used to living on!” It is called the 40/40/40 plan and that is the bill of goods we have been sold. Forget those dreams, forget those aspirations and all that childish junk – just do what the rest of us are doing. It is time to break the bondage of fear of failure or fear of success, it is time to stop the negative inner talk and sit down, relax and let yourself dream again. Dream about your house, your car, your boat, your new lifestyle, your garden, your swimming pool, your whatever it is that you have felt you always desired and deserved. Write those dreams down each and everyone of them. Every time a dream comes alive in your mind – write it down and keep track of all of them. Because they are the first step to moving on with your life.

About the Author: Gary is the creator of the Achieving Your True Worth System, a complete system that acts as a guide to a life that is worthwhile and exciting. www.sandgmarketing.com Article Source: http://www.articles411.com

Having a Tracheostomy to Help Sleep Apnea

A tracheostomy is a somewhat drastic surgery that can be used for a patient suffering from extremely severe sleep apnea. This type of surgery is typically only done if no other form of treatment such as other surgical procedures and the use of a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) have worked and the sleep apnea is considered to be life threatening.

The tracheostomy procedure is actually quite simple. A small hole is made in the patient’s neck and into the windpipe. Then a tube is inserted and the tracheostomy is done. The hole is permanent and the patient is able to breathe easily via the hole in their throat. There are many reasons why this is done as a last resort. Patients may suffer from other medical issues due to the tracheostomy and frankly no one wants a hole in their throat if they can help it. Unfortunately this is a necessity in some potential life and death situations in regards to sleep apnea.

When a tracheostomy is done for reasons of sleep apnea there is a valve which may be closed during the day. This means the patient can breathe and speak normally while they are awake. At night the valve is opened and air flows directly into the tube and to the lungs and vice versa. The tracheostomy is done below where the obstruction lies and prevents further sleep apnea episodes from occurring.

Some of the risks involved in a tracheostomy include the potential for infection, scar tissue problems, bleeding, difficulty with speech, and potential lung infections. Anyone with a tracheostomy should take great care immediately after surgery and follow all instructions given by their doctor carefully. Frequent checkups are also important to ensure everything is looking and working as it should.

In addition to the physical risks associated with a tracheostomy, there are many psychological risks as well. Immediately after surgery many people have a hard time coming to terms with the change in their appearance and suffer from low self esteem and depression. It is important that you talk to your doctor about any concerns and consider seeing a therapist for any unresolved issues.

About the Author: Rudy Watkins discusses sleep apnea in children and other sleep apnea related topics for the Apnea Guide website. Find out how to get more free sleep apnea information at http://www.apneaguide.com Article Submitted On: November 27, 2006 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/