Here is an interesting take on Sleep Deprivation. Though we all know that lack of sleep does have a bearing towards healthier lives, it is our body and our brain that will eventually be the affected parties. And though we do find sleep deprivation as not serious for now, the amount or effects it would have will eventually be something that will set in.

Getting into the details may be a bit too scientific but overall, sleep deprivation is no laughing matter. If you are among the sleep-deprived, it would be best to seek medical advice. Among the minor signs of sleep deprivation include:

• Yawning
• Irritability
• Aching muscles
• Dizziness and nausea
• Temper tantrums in children

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Workers who have to render work during the weird hours (meaning early mornings when everyone else is asleep) may be prone to a lot of issues. This of course includes sleep disorders, health issues and poor quality of work overall.

Hence, for workers who feel they are suffering from shift work sleep disorder, it may be best to seek some help by visiting a physician or specialist.

Other than the mentioned issues, poor sleep could lead to greater risk for motor vehicle accidents, particularly on the commute home after work, as well as reduced work efficiency, poor attention and concentration, and irritability and mood changes. The list goes on and should hence be addressed.

Successful treatment of shift work disorder involves resetting the patient’s circadian rhythms so they properly match the work-sleep schedule. Consistently following several behavioral strategies is critical for treatment.

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Coffee has always been known to help people stay awake but can also be addicting. You can perhaps liken it to smoking which to many is a hard habit to break. Immediate withdrawal is perhaps close to imminent failure but incremental or withdrawal can be done to try and regulate coffee intake.

But that may be easier said than done, especially for people who consume 600 to 700 grams of coffee. The withdrawal syndrome usually occurs 18 to 24 hours later. It consists of severe fatigue, irritability, mood swings, headache and flu-like symptoms. This can be avoided by a gradual taper.

Hence a better approach would be to decrease consumption by one cup every two days to help yourself get off the caffeine addiction as far as coffee is concerned.

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The best way to be guided on the right mattress to have lied heavily on the type of mattress we lie on. However, not all people are well-educated on what a mattress should be, particularly the materials used and the impact that they have on one’s sleep.

The quality of one’s mattress has been referenced as a primary factor affecting the quality of one’s sleep, which impacts overall health and well-being. Poor sleep health has been tied to specific medical conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, depression, irregular hormone production, a weakened immune system, memory lapses, constant irritability and decreased concentration and reaction times.

Hence, Sit ‘n Sleep focuses on two areas:

1. The importance of Mattress Replacement (“Replace Every 8″) due to the dust mite buildup, allergens and mattress breakdown that adversely affect one’s health
2. Sit ‘n Sleep’s unique ability to scientifically evaluate one’s body type and sleep needs to deliver the right mattress for each individual customer.

Sit ‘n Sleep will also be initiating a “mattress buyback” offer, encouraging customers to trade in their old mattresses for credit towards their purchase of a new mattress.

(Source) Press

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For people who are worrying about the degree of seriousness of their sleep apnea problems, here is a device that can ultimately help you determine the level or condition of your sleep apnea episodes. Dr. Shanon Takaoka of Kaiser Permanente’s Medical Sleep Lab shows off the Watch Pat, a device worn while sleeping that can determine if a patient has sleep apnea. It’s new to Hawaii and a lot less cumbersome than the traditional testing method, where the patient would have to come in to the lab and spend the night in less than ideal conditions.

Dr. Takaoka says the Watch Pat allows for a truer test and gives her the ability to examine more patients.”The promise of something that’s less intrusive, less cumbersome, easier to use and able to be done in the comfort of the home is much more attractive than what we were offering for a long period of time.”

That makes it easier for neighbor island residents, patients with unusual shifts, or those who can’t sleep in a new environment. Dr. Takaoka says anyone who snores and complains of disrupted sleep could have sleep apnea. “People with sleep disorders are less productive, they often have unexplained irritability or depression, it can impact relationships,” says Dr. Takaoka.

(Source) KHON

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Normally, window blinds and shades can help a lot in getting some sleep since they fend off the usual irritating lights our eyes have to deal with. Exposure to light can disrupt sleep, making it difficult to fall asleep or even stay asleep. Lack of sleep has been linked to obesity, diabetes, immune system dysfunction, impaired judgment, disorientation and irritability. Using blinds and shades to control light can be your first step towards achieving a good night’s sleep.

“The immune system doesn’t work well if we don’t sleep,” says David P. White, McGinness professor of sleep medicine and director of the sleep disorders program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “Most think sleep serves some neurological process to maintain homeostasis in the brain.”

In the bedroom, diminish all light in order to establish a nocturnal atmosphere. Any light trickling in from windows, whether it is sunlight or streetlights, should be blocked. Blackout shades over windows can offer a good solution. Many window blinds and shades come with a blackout liner option. Shades on tracks not only offer insulation, but can also provide a complete blackout solution.

To wake up by natural light, blinds set with timers can be a great way to ease the transition between sleep and waking.

(Source) PR Web

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For employees, benefits that include sick leaves are only normal. But while we are used to seeing common excuses as fever, flu and bowel movements as their reason for not reporting for work, you may be surprised that sleep apnea can become the next reason for being absent.

People who have sleep issues are expected to perform below par. And we all know that productivity needs full attention as well as well rested people who don’t sit on their tables and keep on yawning and showing that their eyes may be close to shutting down.

These people’s health are at risk and if companies do not accept the fact that sleep apnea is a growing problem that has to be dealt with in the same manner that standard illnesses are treated, they may find employees not being able to report at all nor produce what is expected from them as well when it comes to work-related activities.

Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, occurs when the soft tissues at the back of the throat temporarily collapse during sleep, causing repeated breathing interruptions. Major symptoms include loud snoring and daytime sleepiness — the latter of which, studies show, may cause irritability, cloud thinking and concentration, or increase the risk of traffic accidents.

(Source) Reuters

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