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