Did You Have A Great Night Of Sleep

Did you have a great night of sleep last night? Many Americans didn't. This is partially because of our lifestyles. Americans are some of the busiest people in the world. Waking up early for work, combined with staying up late, leads to less sleep for the average American. There are other reasons people aren't sleeping well, however. There are many medical conditions which can lead to a decreased quality of sleep.
Sleep Apnea Disrupts Sleep
One such medical condition which can contribute to poor sleep is sleep apnea. Many people with sleep apnea never know they have it until they are diagnosed. This is because sleep apnea only affects people while they are sleeping. The side effects of poor sleep, however, carry over in the waking hours.
People with sleep apnea have trouble sleeping because the soft tissue in the back of their throat relaxes during sleep and blocks the airway. This causes the person to wake up frequently during the night, and never get a full night of restful sleep.
There are several treatments for sleep apnea, but the best results come from physical treatment. This physical treatment is handled by machines like the C-PAP machine, which continually circulates air through a person's airways. A C-PAP machine consists of a compressor which circulates the air, and a sleep apnea mask which attaches to the person's face.
One problem with C-PAP machines is that in order to help, they need to be used every night. Also, some people find the mask that comes with the unit to be uncomfortable. Fortunately there are alternative c-pap masks available. This variety of options makes it easier for someone to find a mask they find comfortable.
Anxiety Can Also Disrupt Sleep
Another factor which can lead to poor sleep is anxiety. Anxiety can play a big role when it comes to falling asleep. Anxiety also can kick back in when someone wakes up in the middle of the night.
Anxiety treatments vary from patient to patient. Some patients may be best treated by anti-anxiety medication, whereas other might respond better to medication that would put them to sleep. Some patients might be better off without any medication, focusing solely on mental conditioning to assist in falling asleep.

The Need To Sleep

Though most shiftworkers are focused on getting sleep, time and resources are being expended on how to keep people awake and perhaps even forgo sleep completely.
Obviously, being alert at work and while driving is critical. Fatigue and lapses in alertness greatly increase the risk of errors and accidents and these exact a huge cost in accidents and medical care. Workers, therefore, are encouraged to get quality sleep in sufficient quantities to ensure that they remain alert and safe.
In some occupations, however, the need to be alert extends beyond the usual 8 or 12 hours of a shift. International and military pilots fall into this category. Unusual efforts are made in these instances to ensure that they maintain alertness and in the case of US military pilots, amphetamine use has been endorsed. Currently, the US military is also experimenting with the possibility of staying awake for a week at a time. This is an effort to entirely overcome the body's need for sleep and the restorative effects it offers.
Is it possible that shiftworkers in more ordinary circumstances will be required to undertake the same extraordinary measures to maintain alertness? Perhaps not yet. We have not yet been able to overcome our need for sleep, as was shown by the soldiers in the Iraqi war who were subjected to long periods of sleep deprivation and who resorted to random napping to compensate. However, for the first time a drug has been approved in the United States for use in overcoming sleepiness associated with shift work sleep disorder.
This measure indicates that we are focusing our interventions away from finding the sources of the sleepiness and providing strategies to promote sleep. Instead, we are implementing strategies that simply overcome the sleepiness. Most shift workers are familiar with strategies for maintaining short term alertness, but is it advisable, in the long term, to maintain alertness through these methods? Or should getting enough sleep still be the best answer for ensuring alertness?

Fixing Sleep

Every year the National Sleep Foundation commissions a study on some aspect of sleep. This year the study examined market data on sleep products and services. The total industry was estimated to be $23.7 billion a year. There are obviously a lot of people looking for better sleep and they are looking at many different avenues for a fix. This includes everything from pillows and mattresses to medications and alternative therapies.
There is no one magic fix, however. The only way to know what will help you sleep better is to know what is causing your sleep problem. As logical as this may seem, most people never look beyond the symptoms of poor sleep - not being able to fall asleep or stay asleep and not feeling rested. Many people do not view sleep problems as health problems and so they never raise the issue with their physicians. As a result, they are perpetually looking for a fix for a problem they do not fully understand.
Those people who do talk to their physicians will often be prescribed a medication. For many of them, the medication will work. For many others, it won't, and others do not wish to be dependent on medication if there are other alternatives. Unfortunately, these people are on their own, searching the internet and talking to friends, about other products or alternative health practitioners.
Those who do talk to their physicians about their sleep problem may be referred to a sleep clinic. This is useful to determine if one has a sleep disorder like sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome. Knowing this is the root of the sleep problem can then lead to an appropriate strategy for improving sleep and well-being. Unfortunately, many sleep clinics are not equipped to address insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders. These people are therefore often the most likely to be seeking 'fixes' for their poor sleep.

Taking A Nap Is Essential

Anyone who has small children will know that it can be quite a chore to get them to go to sleep during the day. Children have a hard time sleeping during the day when it's light outside and others around them are awake. There are important reasons for ensuring they do have at least one nap a day and it is more than just to give you or the caregiver a break. There are actually connections between your child having a nap and the improvement of their physical and mental development. Children who take naps on a regular basis are said to be less likely to throw tantrums and have much better attention spans. So when the time comes around for you to search for the perfect accessories, these simple ideas should make your shopping experience an enjoyable one. You know your child better than anyone else, just purchase your sleep accessories with them in mind and that should be fine. Most people don't know that they need a rest period to energize their system. Power naps are healthy and they can help you relax. You would be surprised at how much of a benefit they can be.

Nap mats for preschool children are essential for any child attending preschool classes or a daycare center. Most daycare centers require that parents bring their own nap mat for their child. Without one, your preschooler will find it hard to settle down and have that mid afternoon nap that is essential to their development. Nap mats are also handy if your child is invited to stay at a relatives or friends house for a sleepover. The resting of your mind and body gives you that second wind to keep going. Some people are over-worked or put in long hours refuse to understand how much stress plays a part in not resting, which will usually cause an unwanted medical condition.

If you choose a plain one or some that are basic, your child may be less than enthusiastic, whereas if you pick one that represents your child's personality, they will find sleep time hard to resist. So if your child really loves animals or cartoon characters, these are the things you should look for in a nap mat design. Once they are comfortable with their own personal nap mat, they will find it easier to fall asleep. Children are also driven by their peers, so once they see that everyone else has great look sleep mats with bright colors etc. during nap time, they will not want to be left out.After taking a little nap, drink a refreshing non-caloric beverage like water with a few dashes of lemon, lime or fruit juice of your choice. This helps to replenish your cells and get them back in action. Also, try to eat light. Very heavy foods or highly sweetened beverages will usually cause your body to be in an inactive state.

Sleeping Position Cause Many Health Problems

Ones sleeping position can be the cause of many health problems including neck pain, back pain, and premature wrinkles especially if it is not properly supported. If you are dealing with health issues caused by your sleep position but can't seem to change the way you sleep, consider supporting your sleep position to prevent associated health problems. There are four main sleep positions: back, side, fetal and stomach. Each has their pros and cons that can be improved with the proper support. Sleeping positions for pregnant women is an important topic for pregnant women but one they might not think about until they find they are struggling to get a good night of sleep. The sooner you know how to properly sleep during pregnancy the more comfortable and healthy your pregnancy will be. Maternity pillows are also a great little secret for expecting moms to learn about to improve their sleep while pregnant.

When you sleep on your back it keeps your neck, head and spine in a neutral position which is good and because there is nothing pushing on your face it can help prevent wrinkles. Yeah! The only problem with sleeping on your back is the greater tendency for one to snore. To help support a back sleeping position use one pillow to keep your head and neck supported. The key is to keep the incline at a minimum and not prop your head too much. It is the recommended position for pregnant women can prevent neck and back pain and causing less snoring because the spine is elongated. However, with side sleeper's smashing their face all night sleeping on your side can cause wrinkles. The best way to support a sleeping on your side is with a full body pillow that fills the space above the shoulders to keep the neck in a neutral position and used to tuck between your legs for improved circulation.

The fetal position can be supported much like the side sleeping position with a body pillow that supports the head, neck, back and legs. The fetal position is common but not idea. It does cause less snoring and is good during pregnancy but bad for your neck and back and does not minimizing wrinkles. With the knees pulled up high and the chin tucked to the chest the chances of neck and back pain are greater and cause wrinkles. The only good thing about sleeping on your stomach is it can help ease snoring but is not helpful for avoiding neck and pack pain or minimizing wrinkles. Sleeping on the stomach puts pressure on the joints and muscles that will bother your nerves and lead to pain. It makes it difficult to maintain a neutral position for the spine and leads to soreness. If you are a stomach sleep, using just one thin pillow or nothing at all will best support your sleep position. When you inhale air if the air ways are not clear then they cause some kind of vibrations which is technically known as snoring. The common sense of preventing snoring would be to clear the breathing passage and allow your nose to breath easily. There are several snoring solutions available in the market; you can choose any one of them to come out of the snoring problem.

Cat's Sleeping Habits

If you already own a cat then you're probably all too familiar with their sleeping patterns. Cats love to sleep and it is actually the main activity on their agenda besides hunting, chasing, and eating. It may seem that at times all your cat does is sleep. If you have just adopted a cat or are planning to do so, here are some facts about cats' sleep behavior that you should know ahead of time. An average house cat needs approximately sixteen hours of sleep, while outdoor cats may sleep a little less than that. Kittens will sleep a lot also as they are still in the growing phase of their life. But why do they sleep so much? You might be surprised to know that their unusual sleeping habits are actually genetic. With so many different breeds of cats however there are other reasons besides genetics why cats sleep so much. They are not so different from the human body in that when it doesn't get the nutrients, vitamins, and other important fuels it gets tired. Because cats are carnivores and eat large amounts of meat, they will also get tired more as meat can make you sleepy.

Everyone knows that when you get bored you're more likely to fall asleep on the sofa, or go and take a nap. Cats are much the same in that when they are bored they will sleep. You play a vital role in how much they get out, and how much they can exercise. You can help your cat sleep less and be healthier by providing stimulating activities and toys for them. There are also many people who have trouble with their cats sleeping in litter boxes. While this is not a normal sleeping behavior it can be quite common and requires attention. So the question you're probably asking yourself is why and how do you stop it? Often times a litter box is a place of safety for a cat; a place of security much like a child's binky or blanket. Some cats that feel threatened by another animal or a child will begin sleeping in their litter boxes because it is the one place they feel the safest.

When it comes for sleep, cats take every opportunity, just like warriors. A very interesting fact is that cats have different levels of sleep. The first level of sleep is known as "catnapping". In this stage, the cats simply sits in an upright position, with the forepaws placed in the front, while the tail is straight out behind. The next stage is more relaxed, the cat lays its forelegs down in a horizontal position. In this position, cats are usually located in a strategic spot. Leopards rest like this on the tree branches. Cat reaches a rather deeper sleep when it is in the curled position, usually in a safe place, but the ears still remain mobile so that to catch any noise in their area. Their eyes are partly open and covered with a protective membrane. Theoretically, the cat is asleep, but its sensory detectors are still in function, but at a lower level, but still being able to detect whatever sounds like a prey or a threat. The rest of the time, cats conserve their energy by simply sitting or sleeping. One may say that cats sleep all the time. This is fairly untrue. Cats are very active when people aren't.

The Hibernation Of Tortoises

Tortoises in the wild respond to environmental signals around them to know when to begin their hibernation. Shorter days, cooler temperatures, and less available prey are signs that the turtle heeds to start the long period of rest. Turtle owners can help their pets slip into hibernation in ways that would be comfortable and suitable for them. For turtles that would hibernate outdoors, you can dig a burrow or a pit in their pen. Piling up leaves on large plastic containers can also be used to make the area more suitable for hibernation. The turtle's hibernation period can also be a bit misleading. It may seem to you that your pets are displaying activities you take as signs of their easing into hibernation, when in fact they may be experiencing some health issues. Prior to hibernation, turtles wind down and eat less than usual. As an owner, you should be careful to take note if your turtle has a runny nose, is underweight, or appears injured, distinguishing these indicators as signs of ill health, rather than preparation for hibernation. Only healthy turtles should be allowed to hibernate.

Tortoises are particularly vulnerable during the post hibernation period. When they wake they are usually very weak and have a low white blood cell count, meaning they are susceptible to infection. They also have a high urea level, due to the accumulation of metabolic toxins. This is exacerbated if the tortoise is dehydrated or has had a very long hibernation period. The combination of a high white blood cell count and a high urea level means that if anything else goes wrong, there is very little time available to diagnose and treat the problem. The problem is made worse in countries with an unnatural climate, such as the UK. In the wild, most tortoises have a long summer to prepare them for a short winter, and therefore a short hibernation period. In countries like the UK, tortoises have a short summer to prepare for a long hibernation period. It is very important therefore to artificially control the duration of hibernation, or else the tortoise may be fatally weakened and unable to recover organ function properly. The recommended maximum length for a hibernation is 3 months for a healthy adult tortoise, so most of them will need waking toward the end of January, and kept inside a warm enclosure until the summer.

During hibernation, it should also be the pet owner's responsibility to monitor the turtle's hydration, appearance, and activity. You should take note if there is an apparent weight loss in the turtle so that you can have it rehydrated or warmed. If the turtle has difficulty in breathing or is overly active in the period in which it is supposed to be hibernating, the temperature is most likely too warm, and the turtle is spending more energy than needed. If all seems well, tortoises should be bathed daily in shallow warm water and housed in an indoor enclosure, kept at 22 to 25 degrees centigrade, with both a basking lamp and a UVb light provided. A healthy tortoise should start to eat and urinate within a week. If this does not occur, veterinary attention is required. The owner must closely monitor appetite, thirst, urination, defaecation and activity for at least three weeks post hibernation. If the tortoise fails to urinate within 6 weeks of waking, the prognosis is very poor sadly.

The Habits Of Dog's Sleeping

Where to make your dog sleep is not an easy decision to make. You cannot just decide for your dog, though. It is better that you observe your pet where it usually takes its nap or where it normally sleeps first. Of course, you cannot just let your dog sleep around just anywhere. Let's say your pet loves to take its nap on the sofa, but you hate its hair spread all over the couch. Discipline your dog when you need to. Train your dog if you plan to designate a place for it to sleep. If you haven't been paying attention to your dog's needs, it's about time you take a closer look because dogs, like humans, need comfortable beds, too. Although beds for dogs are not equal in quality and comfort, you can have choices or rather have choices for your dog. Large dog beds contain the latest sophisticated bed technology and strong enough to take on your dog's full weight. Foam mattresses, such as the memory foam contracted by NASA to AMES Research Center, is polyurethane boosted with added chemicals, which increases the standard foam's thickness and gumminess and makes this foam a perfect cushion for the human body shape.

These are perfect beds for dogs with arthritis. Quality canine beds have a waterproof liner, which keeps the beds odor and stain free. The liner prevents liquids from seeping into the memory foam and prevents the growth of harmful allergens. This protective liner actually extends the life of the bed and gives your dog more sleeping pleasure. Because the foam molds into the dog's body shape, it soothes painful joints whatever the dog's sleeping position. Unless, you are willing to buy new beddings each time it outgrows the old one. Now, if you have an adult dog, what you need to consider is how your dog sleeps. Does it curl or does it stretch? The materials used for the bedding should also be considered as there are materials that when combined with urine, can produce poisonous substance.

You can also knit scrap cloths or old clothes that are not anymore being worn. This should keep the puppies warm during the night. Adult dogs can sleep in rags. There is also a variety of beddings available for them. You should be careful, however, in choosing beds for your dog. Make sure that the materials used for the bed passed the health and sanitary standards. If you are worried about the floor, take a look at the bed's bottom, it is encased in non-slip-grip material. No matter how large your dog, large dog beds won't be sliding all over the place and your dog can simply drop into his favorite spot for a nap anytime. If you have other dogs - there are other sizes available, too - small and medium beds for dogs, so each of your dogs have their own beds. By being firm right from the start and establishing that your dog sleeps on his own, you can ensure that he doesn't experience this 'rejection' once he gets a little older. Dogs can get restless during the night if they're not exercised regularly. Although he may also nap continually if there isn't much happening.