Health Bits

Negative Health Effects From A Lack Of Sleep

If you suffer from sleep deprivation, you are not alone. Nearly a quarter of the adult American population, or 47 million adults, has some form of sleep deprivation. This condition can affect a persons energy level, emotional state, memory and mental abilities. This can lead to depression, stress and irritability. There are other health implications that can afflict the body as a result of sleep deprivation. As the body is deprived of sleep, its ability to metabolize glucose declines, leading to the early stages of diabetes. Additionally, a normally healthy person will begin to show sign of premature aging. Sleep deprivation is not a condition to be taken lightly.

Your sleep patterns can be interfered by the symptoms of sleep deprivation. Does this make sense? Basically, as stress increases from lack of sleep, your ability to wind down and get adequate rest actually declines. It is a downward spiraling cycle. But don’t let this get you down. As a person ages, they require less sleep. An infant, up to 24 months old requires 13 to 17 hours of sleep. But people who are 16 to 65 years old only need six to nine hours. These numbers can change from person to person though. Everyone is different and while some people may be just fine on three or four hours of sleep a night, others may need ten or even more. Read the rest of this entry »

Slumber is probably one of the most ached for yet elusive luxuries everyone wants to have these days. Since most of us live waking tasks that cross time zones and forget the variation between day and night, it is unavoidable that our body clocks become warped. Thus, we find ourselves dozing off in the midst of a meeting or very aware when the rest of the neighborhood is quiet and wandering peacefully in dreamland.

Valiums are believed to be man’s best friend in situations like these. Since our body systems have already coped with the magic of these life-running batteries, sleeping pills are not allowed to set immediately. Sleeping pills actually have side effects. Read the rest of this entry »

Sleep apnea is recognized as a common condition among overweight children. If your child has sleep apnea, he stops breathing for a period of 10 to 20 seconds during sleep. The interruption of breathing may extend up to 2 minutes. This episode may occur hundreds of times in a single night.

Sleep apnea can be caused by complete obstruction of airway or partial obstruction. Therefore obstructive sleep apnea is defined as obstruction of airway during sleep. Due to the obstruction of airway, your child’s sleep gets interrupted. As the sleep is interrupted, your child may feel drowsy during the daytime. This also results in tiredness, headaches, loss of memory, lack of energy and depression.

If your child is a normal weight child, he may have tonsils and adenoids Read the rest of this entry »

This interesting article addresses some of the key issues regarding healthy sleep habits. A careful reading of this material could make a big difference in how you think about healthy sleep habits to children. Healthy sleep habits for children are as significant as they are a necessary for health, proper growth and well-being.

Children, who get sufficient amount sleep every night function better throughout the day, are more alert, and their concentration, performance and memory are better than those who don’t sleep well. As well children with sleep problems are less likely to develop behavioral problems of any kind, moodiness, anxiety or depression. Read the rest of this entry »