This is still a mystery tinged with irony, as to why we tend to sleep or take a nap when faced with a problem and feel all pepped up after the sleep to tackle the problem? The answer to this lies in the numerous things that go on in our brain while we are sleeping.
In the different stages of sleep our brain compiles all the bits and pieces of information in a formatted way to enable us to get a clear picture of all the data fed in the brain and finally to make a better judgment. An experiment shows that among all the stages of sleep the final stage REM is most crucial for cross referencing our memories and improving the learning process.
Study shows that sleep tends to nail down the information and recognize the way it is stored in the brain. Brain imaging depicts that the functioning of the brain depends a lot on the amount of sleep we have, as one third of our life we are asleep while the rest is spent working.
Scientists are sure that sleep is most crucial for restoring information and efficient functioning.

Pic courtesy Annie Mole on www.flickr.com

 

 

Sleep is the body's primary need, we do not realise it but sleep acts as a charger. Sleep the word seems to be very small with not much hiccups but a detailed study reveals that if sleep or sleeplessness is to be explained or defined even a hundred words could be less. Sleep as defined in books is a state marked by lessened consciousness, lessened movement of skeletal muscles, and slowed down metabolism.
If one really wants to know and learn all the corresponding words, definitions, and abbreviations, the causes of sleep and sleeplessness please click here.

A natural hormone released by the pineal gland, that regulates the circadian rhythm of the body is known as melatonin. This hormone is available in a synthetic form in the form of a food supplement, which has a rapid and mild sleep inducing effect on the body, especially to shift workers and those with a jet lag.
Only those adults who are physically healthy and who do not have any other problem should take this supplement.

The greatest concern of every parent is to see their children in bed at a specific time, and that they should learn to sleep on their own, besides they should also have an undisturbed sleep. However to attain this goal a sleeping routine has to be established so that both the parents and child sleep peacefully through the night.
Fix a specific time to go to bed and wake up in the morning.
Introduce them to a physical activity in the daytime and not just before the sleep time.
Do not indulge in any form of exciting activity just before sleeping as this might charge the kids and hinder their ability to sleep.
Ample time should be given to finish the current activity so that they focus on the sleeping routine.
Make sure a quiet time is allotted before going to bed, for the child to say his favorite poem or read his favorite book, or may be say his daily prayer.
Some kids find it comforting to sleep with a particular toy or book.
Try and let the child sleep by himself by reassuring him that you are there in his vicinity and will be present for his smallest need.
Unless and until a sleeping ritual is determined the kids will not sleep properly and will not be fresh for the next day. Kids are kids so be patient and understanding and they will follow soon. 

Pic courtesy peasap on www.flickr.com

Sleep is one of the most revitalizing experiences for anybody as it keeps both mind and body healthy. Until recently insomnia was not considered as a significant medical condition, but today it is a serious disease which is caused by various emotional factors, environmental factors, physical imbalance, and some percentage of genetic components. As there are sleeping pills for an undisturbed sleep, there is a holistic approach to this sleep disorder. Holistic treatment incorporates behavioural therapy, meditation, yoga, herbs, mineral and vitamin supplement, massage therapy and last but not the least a proper sleeping routine.
Alternative therapies like those mentioned above are focused at investigating the root cause of the ailment, rather than just symptomatic relief. According to this holistic approach there are herbs which can be used during the day or 20 minutes before sleeping time, to name a few ;
Chamomile
Hops
Lavender
Valerian
Passion flower
Wild lettuce
Kava
California poppy
These are very effective in cases of sleeplessness, restlessness, nervousness, and depression. Remember the bedroom is a room for relaxation, sleeping and making love lets not make it a battlefield of worries try relaxing and prepare yourself or a deep and quiet sleep.
  
 

Trying to sleep but cannot get to bed, no problem just pop in a sleeping pill and fall asleep in minutes. This is so easy but how long can one do this, because this cannot be a solution to everyday sleep. Taking sleeping pills everyday has its own side effects, such as the body gets so used to the pills to such an extent, that without them one just cannot sleep, that means the immunity level drops drastically and we become more and more dependant.

 Instead of bragging about lack of sleep try and get into a sleep regime so that the body sets up a cycle for itself. One should go to bed only when he is tired and should opt not to watch television as this has adverse effects, also try to fix a particular wake up time to get a minimum of six hours of sleep. Good sleeping habits help a person sleep better and longer. Avoid working late nights as this stresses out the mind and body completely.

Besides these simple tips, one can also try to juggle with a few other tricks that might help to get a peaceful sleep. Toe wiggling, deep breathing, hot water bath, putting on ear plugs, backward counting, sex, imagine it is time to wake up, listening to soothing music, don’t just keep tossing in bed if not sleepy, sleep on a firm bed, sleep on you back, sleeping in a well ventilated room, or even counting sheep. Therefore, try and follow these tried and tested tricks they are simple and funny which will aid you to go to bed happily.

Pic courtesy Lyndi&Json on www.flickr.com

The first visit to a doctor for any patient means a series of questions to be answered so that the doctor is accustomed to the patient and the ailment to be cured. Similarly when a person having sleep apnea visits his doctor he is asked a number of questions or is required to fill a form giving all the information about himself and his problem.
This is a normal procedure followed by most of the doctors all over the world, so that they can get a complete insight into the disease. Besides the patient with sleep apnea might have to undergo a series of test and scans before any conclusion is made.

A sleep study conducted by the doctors includeclick here

Obstructive sleep apnea is common among children, and those suffering from sleeplessness fair poorly in their day to day life. To overcome this sleep problem a study conducted in Washington proved that tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is one of the best ways to improve the life of small children.
Those suffering from OSP are not able to breathe normally throughout the night and eventually start snoring very loudly. The study showed how the children responded to these surgeries and the impact of the surgery on their sleeping pattern.
The age and ethnicity of the children were also taken into consideration as they are potential factors that can affect the diagnosis of OSA and the impact of the surgery.
Enlargement of tonsils and adenoids caused the upper airway to collapse during sleep, disturbing the normalcy in breathing among children with normal weight.
OSA has a large impact on the quality of life, similar to chronic asthma or rheumatoid arthritis, and this surgery has a profound effect on the lives of the children.
The effect is the same on boys as well as girls and approximately 2- 4 % of children aged between 4- 6 years are affected by it. Not all the children with sleep apnea have behavioral issues; those scoring way outside normal parameters tend to benefit the most in OSA cases.
However even post operation a consistent follow up is a must to avoid any future health problems, or recurrence of obstructive sleep apnea.
Pic courtesy AlexPears on www.flickr.com

Women are strong emotionally and mentally but their work involves more of physical efforts than mental, though the scene is gradually changing. It is proven that women need more sleep than men to keep their mental do and physical clock ticking. Lack of sleep puts women at a greater risk of heart diseases, depression, and psychological disorders.
Deprivation of sleep results in the emission of a substance in the blood, which is responsible for Type 2 diabetes. Women with sleeping problems exhibit higher levels of different markers tied to inflammation that lead to the thickening of arteries and increase in heart problems.
Instead, it transforms a woman into an angry young woman strengthening the symptoms of hostility. Lack of sleep and disturbed sleep leads to mood swings, frustration, clotting of blood and arteries, and other cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, women and all their members in the family should try to make the environment conducive to a better sleep.
 Hence all women can explain this to their husband so that they stop snoring and disturbing their sleep.

Pic courtesy Asturtom on www.flickr.com

Research shows that children with autism suffer from sleeplessness than their peer group. Study reveals that approximately 70% autistic children have some or the other sleep related problem as compared to 50% in the other children. These children are more likely to be sluggish, disoriented after waking, and have more sleep disturbance than normal children.
As more and more children are diagnosed with neurobiological disorders, they are prone to have disturbed sleep. In addition, the problems and symptoms that characterize the disorders will be greatly exacerbated by a lack of sleep. Most of the children with special needs are stressed, as they are trying to cope up with the other kids and their schoolwork. They are continuously working on their behavioural aspects that truly exhaust them.
In addition, the medication taken as stimulants tends to contribute towards this lack of sleep. If such sleep problems continue to plague these children, one must resort to proper alternative medication and therapies.
All children are at their best with healthy sleeping habits, so it is advisable to set up a consistent sleeping schedule for autistic children. It does require special care and patience but nothing can be more important than the health of our apple of the eye.

Pic courtesy Jeanquingwenloo on www.flickr.com