Sleep and Neck Pain

Waking up in the morning with neck pain can really throw off a day, problem is neck pain can also ruin a good night's sleep as well.  Let's take a look

 Like back pain, neck pain effects many people around the globe. The neck pain may be due to a number of things, such as a whiplash type injury, a neck sprain, a bulging disk, or because of bad posture. So how do we sleep through the night with the neck pain? In this article I will cover what pillows will help you with your neck pain, what sleeping position are best for your neck, and some neck exercises you can do at home to help stretch your neck muscles.


The Pillow

Having the right pillow to sleep with is just as important as picking out the perfect mattress. You can have the best mattress around; however, you will not get a peaceful night’s sleep if your pillow is hurting your neck. Having the correct neck posture is throughout the night is very important. When looking for the perfect pillow to buy you want to find one that keeps your neck in a neutral position, meaning it keeps its normal curve as if you are standing. You need to find a pillow that is neither too thick nor too thin. If it is to thin, you will not get the proper support you need in your spine. If it is too thick, it will place your head forward; straining your neck muscles. Some of the best pillows out there are the tempur-pedic pillows because they have the foam that forms to neck and head. They also allow minimal movement. Thee tempur-pedic pillows can be expensive but they are well worth the price.


Best Sleeping Positions

Sleeping on your back with a propped pillow under your knees may be one of the best positions to sleep if for someone with neck pain. If you sleep on your back, it may be a good idea to purchase a cervical support neck

Herbs that Cure Snoring

Snoring can quickly go from annoyance to serious problem.  Here is a look at some possible natural remedies.

Snoring is a sign of a far more serious issue known as Obstructive Anti Snoring (OSA). Apart from making the snorer a poor mattress fellow, people with OSA substantially improve their chance of getting destructive health problems such as high bloodstream pressure, enlarged hearts, and could often even result in early deaths. It makes many people are looking for the best cure for snoring.

The very first factor to complete is to visit an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) physician for a complete examination. The cure for snoring process can include the insertion of the small fiber optic scope in to the nasal passage to see the rear throat area. An evaluation to find out whether the patient is struggling from OSA such as an X-Rays, CT scans, or MRI might be advised. Most of the cure for snoring is around clearing the blockage within the breathing passage. Because of this, snorers are encouraged to slim down (to prevent body fat from pressing about the throat), quit smoking (smoking weakens and clogs the throat) and sleep on the side (to avoid the tongue from obstructing the throat). Another cure for snoring is by stiffening the palate and lowering its motion. Lowering the vibrating from the soft palate reduces snoring.

Herbs as Alternative Cure for Snoring

ginger for cure for snoring

Ginger root is an extremely effective plant because it is very soothing helping to secrete saliva and coatthe throat. It’s much more effective combined with honey for more lube which is also great for common colds! Another herbal cure for snoring is wild yam (Dioscorea villosa). This functions of being an anti-inflammatory along with ascorbic acid helping
to assuage the throat, which stops snoring.

Medical Products as Cure for Snoring

Medical products as cure for snoring include nasal oral sprays, inhalers and dental medicines that are stated to deal with any snoring problem. If mouth troubles are an issue surgery including the palate surgery might be a choice by removing difficult adenoids or over large tonsils. If the reason for snoring is really a blocked nasal passage this is often

Today's Special Guest : The Doctors!

Here is a great look at Sleep Apnea Treatment from "The Doctors"
Enjoy!

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Original Video Here

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Nathan says: Do you know of any other treatments for sleep apnea?  What has worked for you?

Also, be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter!
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Children and Sleep Disorders : What Doctors Aren't Telling You

Knowing the difference between a rough night's sleep for your child and a sleep disorder can can be a difficult situation for any parent.  Here's a look at some of the questions your child's pediatrician should be asking.

Primary care pediatricians may be under-diagnosing sleep disorders in children and teens, according to a research abstract that will be presented on June 8 at Sleep 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies.

The study obtained data from 32 primary care pediatric practices affiliated with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Information was gathered by chart review for 154,957 patients, ranging in age from 0 to 18 years. Results show that less than four percent (5750 children) were diagnosed with a sleep disorder. The most common diagnoses were sleep disorders that are "not otherwise specified" (1.42 percent), enuresis – or bedwetting (1.24 percent), sleep disordered breathing (1.04 percent), and insomnia (0.05 percent).

According to lead author Lisa Meltzer, PhD, the rate of diagnosis found in this study is significantly lower than prevalence rates reported in epidemiological studies.

"Sleep is often discussed during check-ups for young children, but it may not come up as a topic with teenagers, resulting in an under diagnosis of sleep disorders for this group of adolescents," said Meltzer. "Pediatricians

What Is Circadian Rhythm?

I know you've heard the term "circadian rhythm" but do you actually know what it is?  I have to admit I had to do some research to find out more and found a great article from "Get more Zzz".

Circadian rhythms are the biological rhythms that could explain why some people last through the whole Big Game and and others are asleep before half-time.

A circadian rhythm is a roughly 24-hour cycle in the physiological processes of living beings, including plants, animals, fungi and cyanobacteria. In a strict sense, circadian rhythms are endogenously (originating from within an organism) generated, However, this internal rhythm is affected by outside sources such as artificial light, sun rise and time zones. And when one’s circadian rhythm is disrupted by, for example, jet lag, sleeping and eating patterns can get off kilter.

All humans are diurnal—meaning that we are active during the day. Before sunup, our circadian rhythm starts getting us ready for the day by increasing our steroid level,

Acupressure For Insomnia: Does It Work?

I'm sure we have all heard different remedies for insomnia, from the perfect little pill to alternative methods.  Here is an interesting article on acupressure's ability to help with insomnia.

There are so many alternative remedies including acupressure for insomnia. In today’s

fast paced world, many people suffer from insomnia for a variety of reasons. Here are a
few reasons why a person may have insomnia:

Pain. Of course pain can keep us from falling asleep or can wake us up in the
night and keep us from ever becoming comfortable enough to go back to sleep
Worry. Worrying about the next day, or how the bills will get paid, or the
wellbeing of a child will or course affect our ability to rest and sleep
Stress. This is different than worry. Often times, we cannot sleep, but cannot
pinpoint exactly what it is we are thinking about. Our mind won’t calm down

Is Missing Sleep Costing You Your Memory?

I'm sure you know as well as I do that when you miss a good nights sleep thinking the next day can be a bit fuzzy.  Here is a great article describing how important sleep is to memory function.

The amount and quality of sleep you get at night may affect your memory later in life, according to research that was recently released and will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 64th Annual Meeting in New Orleans April 21 to April 28, 2012.

"Disrupted sleep appears to be associated with the build-up of amyloid plaques, a hallmark marker of Alzheimer's disease, in the brains of people without memory problems," said study author Yo-El Ju, MD, with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. "Further research is needed to determine why this is happening and whether sleep changes may predict cognitive decline."

Researchers tested the sleep patterns of 100 people between the ages of 45 and 80 who were free of dementia. Half of the group had a family history of Alzheimer's disease. A device was placed on the participants for two weeks to measure sleep. Sleep diaries and questionnaires were also analyzed by researchers.

After the study, it was discovered that 25 percent of the participants had evidence of amyloid plaques, which can appear years before the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease begin. The average time a person spent in bed during

How to End Your Sleep Problems Now

Nathan here, and I want to introduce you to a great new friend of mine Yan Muckle!  

Yan has a very similar story to my own, and has been dealing with sleep problems for many years.  That is until just a few years ago when he decided to take back control of his sleep.  After trying several different sleep strategies, Yan started to become disappointed about the results he was getting.  He then decided to try and come up with his own program.   That's when he was finally able to create a program that was able to detect many common sleep mistakes.  For the majority of people Yan talked with these simple mistakes were causing many of their sleep issues.  


What I love about Yan's program is that he was determined to get a good night's sleep without the use of sleeping pills, or medication.  Through his hard work and dedication he was able to come up with Sleeptracks.  

At the moment, Yan has helped over 54,703 people discover how to beat their insomnia, and there's no reason you can't too!

I suggest that you take Yan's quick two minute quiz and learn more about your own sleep habits. It will help you get clearer about some of the mistakes you may be making, and right after submitting your answers you’ll get a detailed analysis along with helpful suggestions.

So don't wait and Click Here to learn how to beat the vicious cycle of insomnia!

Sleeptracks.com

Here's to a great night's sleep!

Nathan

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Is Your Love Life Sleep Compatible?

I think one of the worst problems with waking up so often during the night is that it can disturb your partner or spouse from getting a restful night's sleep as well.  Here is a recent article on just that...

Janelle's husband is a sleep talker.

The 30-year-old teacher says her partner and bedmate, Christopher, regularly wakes her in the middle of the night, speaking in full sentences -- "Tell Brian I need that paperwork tomorrow." "No, kids, don't do that."

And Janelle? She's a thrasher.

"He calls me a ninja," Janelle told The Huffington Post. "He says, 'I've been hit in the face by you. You roll around like you're fighting someone.'"

As exaggerated as their bedtime foibles sound, Christopher and Janelle are not alone. A 2005 survey by the non-profit advocacy group National Sleep Foundation found that more than a quarter of co-habitating American adults lose sleep from their partner's sleep issues, and nearly one in four adults spend the night in separate beds or

How to Sleep with a Migraine or Headache

All to often when I don't get enough sleep I'll end up with a migraine.... which I've found usually can only be treated with drinking lots of water and getting sleep.  


Here is a look at some other ways that might work for you.

Have you ever laid there at night in your bed not being able to get to sleep because you have a terrible headache that won’t go away. Many people around the world suffer from headaches and migraines, but they don’t know how to get rid of them. I have suffered from several severe concussions in the past that have given me major headaches during the evening that prevented me from getting to sleep. It is nearly impossible to get yourself to sleep if you have a headache or migraine, so what can we do about it. Fortunately, for all of us who suffer from headaches at night there are some home remedies that we can do to get rid of them. In this article, our team will share the top five home remedies to get rid of a headache so you can get a good night’s sleep.

Inhale Lavender Oil

The first home remedy to get rid of your headache is Lavender oil. Not only does it smell good but it is also very helpful to get rid of headaches and migraine pains. The best way to use Lavender oil is by putting two to four drops in three

A Quick Sleep Education

Knowing about sleep and getting sleep are two very different things.  In fact, sometimes laying there thinking about sleep can be a cause of insomnia in and of it self.  The trick is knowing what to do and putting it to practice!

According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults ages 18 and over are recommended seven to nine hours of sleep per night, varying for each individual. On average, college students get about 42 hours of sleep per week, which adds up to less than six hours every night.

It is proven that students who pull all-nighters tend to have lower GPAs and perform worse on exams than those who allot an adequate amount of time for sleep each night. It is important to have proper sleep hygiene, which is

Does Missing Sleep Hurt Children?

Children today are getting less and less sleep.  Now, whether or not that is due to social media, early school schedules, or just poor sleep habits who can really say.  The fact is that there is always a cost when missing sleep, and for kids it can be pretty high.

 image by Smalik from Fotolia.com

If your child prefers to lay on the couch or nap during the day while other kids her age are playing sports or enjoying activities, she may be overly tired. There are many causes of daytime exhaustion--physical, mental and emotional. If your child's lack of energy is inhibiting normal behavior for her age, it is wise to consult her pediatrician who can conduct a thorough examination and form a treatment plan.


Physical Ailments


On his website, pediatrician Dr. Jeffrey Hull advises parents to check for physical ailments when your child is excessively tired during the day. Issues such as asthma, epilepsy or tonsillitis can keep your child from getting a good night sleep, leading to daytime exhaustion. Pneumonia and mononucleosis are two illnesses that make children excessively tired. Review any medications your child has been prescribed. They may be making him

What Does Daytime Exhaustion Cost?

There is no question that missing a good night's sleep can be felt throughout the day.  Here is a look at what can be expected if you don't catch those all important zzzz's


Daytime fatigue is a problem that affects many people, for a variety of different reasons. Combating sleepiness during the day is important for those who are employed or in school and need to be alert and focused during the afternoons. There are a few tips given by medical professionals to avoid exhaustion during the day.

The first tip is to make sure to get plenty of sleep every night. Most adults require the standard eight hours, but many do not give themselves enough hours of shut-eye. Those who suffer with insomnia may consider meditation, prescription or over the counter sleep aids, or relaxation techniques. The second tip is to start the

Ack, Bed Bugs! Now What?

You know that old saying "sleep tight, and don't let the bed bugs bite". Yeah, that's a little more disturbing than I used to think....here's why!

Bed Bugs You may remember this childhood rhyme: "Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite!" While most kids repeat this rhyme in jest, bed bugs, also known as cimicidae, are far from being a joke. For many people, infestations are an immense source of distress.

Although cimicidae were eradicated in developed countries in the early 1940s, thanks to a chemical called DDT, they are unfortunately making a comeback in the beds and lives of many.

More likely than not, cimicidae are becoming a problem again because of the increase in international travel, as well as insecticide resistance.

About These Parasites

Cimicidae are parasitic insects that feed on human blood. They are flat, oval-shaped, and reddish-brown in color. You may have trouble sleeping if there are cimicidae living in your bed because they are most active at night. Their bites leave itchy welts on the skin and cause allergic reactions in some people.

Cimicidae earned the name "bed bugs" because they typically live in mattresses, box springs, and bed

Sleep Apnea and Stroke: What's the Connection?

We all know that have a type of sleep apnea can be a big problem for a variety of different reasons. Here is an interesting article that may show a connection between sleep apnea and stroke.

Let's take a closer look.

Sleep apnea, the disorder marked by abnormal pauses in breathing during sleep, is already known to boost the risk of stroke. Now, a new study links sleep apnea to so-called silent strokes, in which there is tissue death in the brain without symptoms.

In another new study, researchers found that rapid memory loss before a stroke boosts the risk of the stroke being fatal.

Both studies are slated for presentation Wednesday at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference in New Orleans.

Stroke affects 795,000 Americans annually, according to the association.

In one study, Dr. Jessica Kepplinger, a fellow at the University of Technology in Dresden, Germany, and her colleagues evaluated 56 patients who had a stroke. They knew that silent strokes had been linked to an increased risk of strokes. However, "there are barely any studies that have investigated the relationship between sleep apnea and the so-called clinically silent strokes," she said.

To look at the relationship, they first gave patients in-hospital testing for apnea. "We found an overall high

The Effect Your Environment Has On Sleep

I'm sure we all know the feeling of staying the night, or being on vacation somewhere and not being able to sleep.  So much of the way we are able to sleep actually depends on our environment.


Let's take a look!

We’ve all had the experience of going to sleep in a strange bed when on vacation, visiting family or attending a meeting. Is it the strange bed, the noise outside the room, the light coming through the window or the difference in temperature from our own room? Or all of the above? While at home, we have considerable control over how our sleep environment is arranged. Here are four things to consider:

• Get the most comfortable bed you can afford. This is not the same thing for all of us. Some like a very firm mattress; others prefer one much softer. Although research touts the benefits of a firmer mattress in supporting the back and body stress points, mattresses are a matter of personal preference and if you have what you’re comfortable with, you’re more likely to go to sleep easily;

• Make sure your pillow supports the curve of your neck so that your spine is in a straight and aligned position. Many pillows do little to support the spine. Invest in one that keeps your body in great alignment and reap the benefits of great posture while you sleep. Consider the

Insomnia Side Effects

I'm sure we all know what it feels like to miss out on a night's sleep.  Insomnia on the other hand can be brutal.


Here is a look at some of the side effects of insomnia.

Insomnia is the lack of sufficient quality sleep and any one of us gets to experience this at some point in time. This state of difficulty in sleeping is usually triggered by some stressful life event or a problem that could make sleep elusive for us.

One of the effects of insomnia is increased irritability. You will find that a person who didn’t get adequate sleep could easily flare up even with simple distractions and problems. The required number of sleeping hours should ideally be 7-9 hours but could vary from person to person. Some people seem just fine getting by on just six hours of sleep a night, while others struggle with just eight.  When you are sleep deprived you are not ready for any complicated challenges and you could easily lose your patience at any given time.

Even those who suffer from middle insomnia still experience the unpleasant effects of insomnia. Middle insomnia is when a person has no difficulty sleeping initially but usually awakens in the middle of

How to Sleep on an Airplane

I am sure if you have done any kind of traveling you know sleep can be more difficult than usual.  Here is a great article on how to catch some zzzz's on an airplane.


Enjoy!

Many of us have experienced the trouble of trying to doze on an airplane. With so many things happening, such as people walking down aisles, smells of food, drink services, and crying children, it's a wonder that anyone can fall asleep on a plane.

And don't forget the emotions felt when leaving. Before a trip begins, there is planning, preparation and other stresses that must be faced; at the airport, it's parking, security checkpoints and flight delays; and finally, the anticipation and excitement about arriving at the destination, all of which can heighten our energy levels, making it harder to sleep.

What can you do to improve your odds of falling asleep on an airplane? Here are 10 suggestions to consider.

1. Wear ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
2. Use a neck pillow for support.
3. Wear cotton or wool clothes, such as a light sweater. These fabrics breathe to allow heat to escape from the body.
4. Bring your own blanket. If you are"lucky" enough to get one, the polyester ones supplied by

Why Sleep Apnea Needs Treatment

It is always wise if you suspect you may have sleep apnea to seek a doctors advice right away. Some sleep disorders are just bothersome, sleep apnea may be life threatening if left untreated.




Sleep apnea is a condition or disorder where you stop breathing for several seconds. A blockage or obstruction within the upper respiratory airways is the average cause for this disorder and is known as the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Another one is a faulty wiring inside the brain as a way to speak. The brain fails to offer the commands to the muscles chargeable for breathing which include the ones within the diaphragm and rib cage.

Many persons are afflicted with this disorder but they don’t know they’ve it. People that have sleep apnea are disrupted in their by the ‘cessation of breath’ several times each night. It could possibly even occur more than a hundred times. That might mean getting no quality sleep that is essential for our health.

They wake up within the morning feeling not refreshed and spend the day being less productive in work and