Continue reading »]]> To understand what is sleep deprivation, we first need to understand the important role sleep has in our body. Sleep brings health and bodies together. This means that sleep deprivation is like pushing your health to the edge of frailty and sickness. The immune system may be the first to go with sleep deprivation. Symptoms and effects are generally nonspecific; thus, may be linked to other diseases and not to lack of sleep.

What is sleep deprivation and what are its causes? Sleep deprivation can be caused by stress. Generally, a body which is stressed is stimulated to produce adrenaline that increases heartbeat, breathing and blood flow to produce more energy. This physical condition does not stimulate rest or sleep. Caffeine, alcohol and other substance can deter sleep. Sometimes it is due to disorders or certain conditions; so these must be given medical attention.

What is sleep deprivation and its effects on human health? Brain and its cognitive function are usually compromised with lack of sleep. The ability to think, focus are impaired. Productivity in work and school may suffer in reduced quality. More seriously, this can cause accidents when driving or doing mechanical work in factories using machines.

Studies have linked it also to serious diseases such as heart diseases and mental disorders like psychosis and bipolar disorder. Research revealed that sleeplessness can affect the brain center which leads to decreased cortisol secretion. This influences moods, digestion, metabolism, and the health of the immune system. The effects on the immune system is evident when it was seen in experiments that test animals which were deprived of sleep showed slower healing of wounds. Lack of sleep also suppresses growth hormones which is very important for children who are said to be growing when they are sleeping.

What is sleep deprivation in the modern society? Sleep deprivation is so common because it was bred by the intense competition of the times and subsequent to it is stress. Cutting sleep time is being done to keep up with the pressures of modern life. Cutting down the time for sleep further inhibits brain cells from regenerating. Human beings of this generation spend money for wellness. More critical is sleeping which is cost free and do wonders for health.

Continue reading »]]> Understanding The Symptoms Of Sleep Deprivation is something we all should review, specially women. We want to believe that we are superheroes and we do not need sleep. Pay attention to the symptoms and let’s just go to sleep.

Science has not totally unraveled everything which must be understood about sleep. Yet everyone knows what happens with lack of sleep. Research may help you put the right labels to the symptoms of sleep deprivation which your body already knows. People who often experience sleeplessness are quite familiar with these symptoms.

For the sake of knowing, let us discuss some of the symptoms of sleep deprivation.

1. Grumpiness or feeling cranky is a very noticeable behavior that will immediately be noticed by the people you spend much time with. You feel irritable and snap at the slightest provocation. This is unhealthy because it strains your relationship with people who are important to you.

2. Feeling sleepy and fatigue in the morning. Exhaustion at the day’s end is common. It is normal to want to take a rest for a while during the day. If you want to go back to bed for some sleep in the morning is something unusual. This is a body reaction for not getting enough sleep.

3. Social ineptness is very tangible. Who would appreciate being with people when one feels grumpy? Being shy or awkward are not the reasons for such attitude. It has something to do with lack of energy and interest to do anything more than lie down to rest which are symptoms of sleep deprivation.

4. Poor mental functions like memory and focus are weak; these affect work and school performances. Below par achievements are seen with low quality and fewer work in comparison to standard output.

5. Eating disorders or changes in eating patterns can be used as a mechanism to cope with stress as in cases of overeating. It can be also manifested through not eating properly.

6. Compromising the immune system cause many ailments and skin eruptions. These further aggravates the feeling of ineptness and crankiness.

People may suffer from lack of sleep on occasions and that is expected. Sleep deprivation is a condition which must be avoided because it causes many detrimental effects on physical, emotional and mental health. Once you notice symptoms of sleep deprivation, beat it with developing healthy sleep patterns.

Continue reading »]]> Can lack of sleep cause death? This is a common question which may bug the insomniacs and those who have problems sleeping. A perusal of the existing scientific studies which used mice as test animals showed that these animals started dying in less than two weeks since the animals were forcefully deprived of sleep. The results undeniably proved that death from lack of sleep can happen to these test animals. Can this finding as real as it get with regards to human subjects?

To date, no account regarding death from lack of sleep of human has been recorded so far. There is, however, records of people staying alive even after years of no sleep due to certain medical conditions. Deaths have been associated to sleeplessness as an indirect effect on neuro-behavioral characteristics which in turn influence cognitive and psychosocial abilities. These can lead to both short term and long term manifestations and complications.

Difficulty to mentally process information (cognitive ability), mental retention and inability to concentrate are some of the short term effects. The effect of lack of sleep is such that 32 percent of the daytime alertness can be possibly diminished even if it only involves an hour and a half loss of sleep.

The risk is almost doubled when despite lack of sleep, one proceeds to do work using machines as well as driving. On the other hand, long term effects which may have deathly consequences are serious medical conditions like hypertension and stroke; heart disease and heart failure, and obesity which is associated with many medical complications. Over and above these are the life-changing circumstances such as mental impairment and psychiatric disorders which may start as simple altered temperaments to depression.

There are statistical data available that would prove the claim of death from sleep deprivation from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration linked to ‘drowsy driving’. The reports claimed about 100,000 wrecks, 71,000 injuries and 1,550 fatalities each year. Shift workers are equally as susceptible especially if using machines or driving after work. Lack of sleep is also said to be used as a tactic during the interrogation of suspects in law enforcement. Sleep deprivation can weaken cognitive skills and can make the suspect tell more if used well.

Can death from lack of sleep be real? Maybe, maybe not, but certainly can indirectly cause you to have an accident or such situation.

Continue reading »]]> Sleep Deprivation Treatment can start with a simple change in your daily life.

Sleep deprivation are culprits to brain functions, mental processes and even psychosocial behavior. It is a condition which must not be allowed to persist because it can lead to worse consequences. Sleep deprivation treatment is necessary before irreversible social, physical and psychological complications set in.

There are varied sleep deprivation treatment; the choice depends on the cause. Establishing the causative factor and helping the patient comprehend the intricacies of sleep and sleep deprivation are the usual approaches used in assessing conditions. It is important to be able to find out the underlying conditions which lead to wakefulness.

Educating the patient about sleep or the lack of it may lead to easy finding of solutions too. The sleep deprivation treatment may be done in sleep treatment centers, and may entail spending a night or two for a thorough evaluation of the cause. The standard sleep deprivation treatment is usually preceded by an evaluation. Once the underlying causes are established, then treatments are administered like:

1. When young children can’t sleep, they get moody. If there is a strong need for medication, only safe medications are used for treatment.

2. Drink warm milk plus a hot shower before bedtime, an afternoon nap and some light exercises make up some uncomplicated solutions for pregnant women.

3. People with lifestyles that condone unhealthy practices are usually advised to shift towards healthier ways.

4. Sleep deprivation which has been determined to be caused by underlying medical conditions are required to submit to medical management and treatment.

5. Bright-light is a treatment which is generally prescribed to those who have difficulty sleeping at night and waking up early. This is also a remedy to those who sleep on time but rise up early. This may be combined with melatonin treatment for better management of sleep deprivation.

6. Sleep Apnea is a serious condition which needs attention. Use of certain devices like CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is favored. If the patient has excessive weight issue, a weight loss program is encouraged.

7. Work related or frequent travels which cause sleep deprivation need a change of lifestyle and work, ideally speaking. Some workable and sensible solutions may be adopted.

Frequently, the solutions are actually simple and practical sleep deprivation treatment. Sometimes all it takes is a solution as simple as imposing discipline upon oneself.

Continue reading »]]> Sleep Deprivation And Memory can affect your daily routine.

Normal memory lapses cannot just be disregarded because forgetting details may bring irrevocable damages causing lives or success. Imagine a PACU (Post-anesthesia Care Unit) nurse forgetting to take account of the operating sponge before a surgical patient is sutured.

What about being stuck in some remote place because you forgot to gas up? Many people today remains unaware the relationship of sleep deprivation and memory. It really takes to sleep well to keep memory sharp to avoid mishaps.

The brain can tremendously suffer from side-effects caused by sleep deprivation, this is proved by several scientific investigations. The gray mater of insomniacs is, in fact, observed to be lesser in volume compared to that of normal individuals.

Effects like irritability, altered temperament, diminished cognitive performance, and poor motor function and coordination are common manifestations of sleep deprivation. Specific neuro-cognitive domains including focus, working memory, and other higher cognitive functions are most especially vulnerable to sleep loss. The association between sleep deprivation and memory is a very important one.

The hypotheses that the neuro-cognitive deficiency can add up in time with continuous habitual sleep deprivation is supported by recent research. Since this is the common cause of sleep deprivation this is quite important.

Many people believe that long hours of sleep extending to the next day or throughout the weekend is a great way to recover because of the week’s stressful events. What many people do not realize is that the effects can be accumulated resulting to poorer brain functions. When sleep deprivation is a continuous occurrence then it can be expected to notice memory deterioration.

Sleep deprivation and memory are also closely associated to learning. Learning happens with information acquisition, consolidation and recall. Understanding happens during sleep while getting and recalling information happens when one is awake. If understanding did not take place in reason of sleep deprivation then there will be no information to recall. Meanwhile, sleep deprivation reduces ability to focus which hinders learning.

Interactions between sleep deprivation and memory have been scientifically explored and established. One must be cautious of alert signals which indicate sleep deprivation because sometimes the price is just too much for anyone to pay.

Continue reading »]]> Mull On These Sleep Deprivation Facts Before Bedtime, no not really. You might not sleep at all!

Despite information overflow in this generation, there remains some mysteries about sleep which even science has not shed light on yet. While scientific studies have extensively related sleep deprivation with many symptoms and effects, sleep deprivation facts are still wanting in many ways. Today, scientific efforts still continue to gather sleep deprivation facts using sophisticated technologies to establish and confirm data.

Here are some sleep deprivation facts which may help you understand why you must sleep:

1. To satisfy a science fair project, Randy Gardner, a 17-year old high school student from San Diego, California set a record for not sleeping for 264 hours or 11 days in 1965. This record was apparently broken two weeks later by Jim Thomas of California State University Fresno who didn’t sleep for 266.5 hours. In 1977, Maureen Weston of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire made a breaking record of staying awake for 449 hours or 18 days and 17 hours.

2. Severe insomnia and severe loss of sleep (agrypnia) as well as hallucinations, muscle twitching, excessive sweating and weight loss are among the signs and symptoms of a rare autoimmune disease called Morvan’s syndrome. The presence of an antibody that act against potassium (K-) channels in cell and nerve cell membranes is causing this syndrome.

3. FFI or Fatal Familial Insomnia is a genetic and rare disease diagnosed in less than 40 families worldwide. It is a genetic mutation which can lead to prion disease linked to Mad Cow Disease, Laughing Disease and Alzheimer’s. Multiple organ failure us the usual cause of death by complications but which are triggered by severe insomnia.

4. Rapid Eye Movement (REM) happens in about 20 to 25 percent or 90 to 120 minutes of total sleep. The total sleep of newborn babies spent in REM is approximately 80 percent. Such is responsible in developing the neural connections and in the development of their brain. REM phenomenon has been linked to dreaming and creativity.

It is really a wonder what sleep can do to the brain and its neuronal functions. There is more to it than what have been unraveled. Definitely, this sleep deprivation facts will make you think!

Continue reading »]]> Have you ever wonder what are the Causes of Sleep Deprivation? Each day is full of many probabilities which are frequently beyond human control. Just how do you prepare for such? Get some sleep. What happens when causes of sleep deprivation leads to losing sleep which is your ammunition against all odds? That means you have just to go on without a good defense.

What is there in sleep and causes of sleep deprivation that makes it so important to humans? Science has tried to unravel the mysteries that surround sleep and dreams. While there are already a lot of information available about the subject, the purpose of sleep has not been fully established.

What is scientifically noted are the facts that: it can shorten the lives of test mammals, growth hormones among children are released in sleep, the nervous system does not work properly and so are the other metabolic processes. Needless to say, sleep is very critical in human health.

What are the causes of sleep deprivation in human beings?

1. Stress

Stress triggers a series of changes in the body processes as a response. The release of adrenaline leads to the quickening of the heartbeat, breathing and flow of blood and oxygen to release energy. Such physical state of course runs counter to rest and relaxation that induce sleep.

2. Alteration of the biorhythm

The effect of the rotation of the earth results in a 24-he cycle which is divided into night and day; this influence lives of humans and their activities. This is the basis for the so called biorhythm. Changes in the biorhythm can affect sleep. An example is a change in time zone when doing overseas traveling or graveyard work shifts at night.

3. Intake of substances

Ingestion of caffeine, alcohol, food or medications can induce the body to stay alert as a reaction to these substances.

4. Over-activity

It is important that the body is in a state of relaxation and calm in order for sleep to come. If the body is in an active status, metabolism is boosted and senses are alert which do not work well for relaxation.

5. Physiologic and medical conditions

Sleeplessness may also result from old age, afflictions and certain conditions. Arthritis, diabetes, sleep apnea and other sleep disorders as well as pregnancy are among the frequent causes of sleeplessness.

Despite not being thoroughly understood, one thing is definite: sleep is important. Being cognizant of the causes of sleep deprivation will always be handy in curtailing its effects.

Continue reading »]]> How Important Is Integrative Health Definition

All these years, man has shown dependency on western medicine which found cure to many diseases. During the said time, however, many have not been completely weaned from ancient and alternative healing practices despite being labeled unscientific and many other names. In this age, these complementing practices were wed in what is now referred to as integrative health. The integrative health definition is that it is the fusion of the scientific and non-scientific methods of healing known to man.

Holistic healing is the core of integrative health. This is better understood by a person who need to deal with so many doctors and therapies. This requires collaboration between and among health practitioners. More than that, the patient also needs to live with all of these physical dysfunctions, therapies and stresses that go with it. The doctors who advocate integrative health also feel dissatisfied with the way they are rushed and overwhelmed by conventional practice. Integrative health is exactly the approach that these medical practitioners are looking for as it allows them to get to know their patients better which contributes to more successful healing.

What makes integrative health appealing is the fact that the scientific basis of treatment is still there because conventional medicine is still a part of it. It is simply broadened to make certain complementing and alternative medicine to be part of the healing approach to promote mental and emotional health. Even scientists and doctors believe in the connections between the brain and diseases, immune system and feelings. There are, in fact, hospitals and even schools of medicine which are already infusing this integrative health definition to their institutional philosophy, but not without opposition.

Integrative health and the use of natural healing methods are both rising fast as modes of treatment. The integrative health definition is still ambiguous and may mean diverse things to different people. In a way, integrative health is merely a formality of the marriage of the two widely-used healing approaches. Integrative health definition is still evolving as the theory and practice do. More than its definition, more important is the fact that it is here for people to benefit from it.

Continue reading »]]> The health of human beings require caring to ensure that debilitating diseases will not be able to set in. More than that, many now recognize that health of the body is connected to one’s emotions and mindset. It is therefore not surprising that integrative health or the fusion of conventional medicine and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) came into being. With its popularity and benefits, more and more people are getting interested to access integrative health services.

Those who have gone through pain and fear being dreadfully sick know that nothing can be more important than health. It is undeniable that modern medicine with all its technologies has successfully saved their lives.

Integrative health recognizes the effectiveness of conventional medicine. It does not clash with these approaches. What it does is simply bridge it with a variety of CAM which are healing traditions that survived time despite the scientific advents in western medicine. Both sets of approaches are blended with synergy in integrative health services to improve each other.

It intends to contribute a benefit that each cannot normally give. CAM healing approaches include reflexology, ayurveda, yoga, acupuncture, touch healing and use of natural herbal medicines.

With growth in demand, integrative health services are similarly improving to cater to these needs. Those patients who are afflicted by several related or terminal diseases are the ones who are ready to brave any new approach. Its is not a cure for the body that they need. They also need their minds and emotions freed from turmoil. What CAM contributes, are relaxation techniques which improves mental control over the body and emotions. The body’s natural healing mechanism is also strengthened by use of natural and traditional herbal medications.

The integrative health services remain to appeal even to meticulous people because the concept is still adhering to scientific medical methods. This renders credibility to the practice which complementary and alternative medicine alone cannot provide. Thus, this healing philosophy successfully put together what probably man cannot put asunder.

Continue reading »]]> A Glimpse On Integrative Health Solutions

Integrative health is popular nowadays because of its therapeutic effects towards the spirit, mind, and body of an individual. Because the body, spirit, and mind affect each another, combining several therapies to know the condition of each makes a synergistic, interactive effect that could lead to amazing results.

People do have an option in their well-being and how they would like to move on in life: towards disease or towards health. Based on the study and research of the experts, lifestyle habits are the leading cause of chronic conditions of the individuals today. These lifestyle habits are not easy to avoid, although many of us already know the most excellent means to stay healthy, fit, and well. Lifestyle change is in fact, a difficult task to achieve. Change is not easy, yet always achievable. Here are the two common types of integrative health solutions.

1. Hypnotherapy. This is considered to be the best method in reducing the emotional stress, and at the same time improving an positive views and behavioral patterns of an individual. There are three main components involved in hypnotherapy and these are deep relaxation, visual images, and positive proposals. People usually have feel mild, moderate, or deep relaxation as they restore the old behavior with a new and optimistic attitudes and gain knowledge from it.

2. Reiki. This is an energy healing process performed by somebody who is instigated to send out universal life force energy. The healer would put his or her hands in places near or on different energy cores in the patient’s body and grasps them on that portion. There would some energy blockages in the patient’s body, which are mostly caused by several imbalances in the both psychological and physical aspects.

Given the integrative health solutions awhile ago, we are now familiar that healing and wellness will be attained from the recognizing the different aspect of the human being – body, spirit, and mind. Anyone could benefit from integrative health solutions. We admit that each individual’s body has intrinsic wisdom for healing that we facilitate by the different therapeutic methods, respect, and integrative health solutions.