Insomnia & Sleep Apnea

[Mr Ontario]

At some point in our lives we all have experienced a sleepless night. One or two nights occasionally is tolerable; however, once you go longer than two nights then you start feeling pretty bad. This can really add to an already stressful life.

Sleepless nights and depression are usually signs from your body telling you something is wrong. Most of the time they are symptoms that sometimes can be medical, emotional or physiological , and it’s up to you to figure what is causing them. The problem comes in because there are so many things that can cause you not to sleep that it may take awhile to figure it out. By then you are just about at your wits ends.

Let’s talk about sleepless nights and maybe we can help some of you having trouble sleeping. First, what is the difference between Insomnia and Sleep Apnea? Here are their definitions quoted from the MayoClinic.com. I'm not going to post the entire articles from the Mayo Clinic, because they are very long, but I will provide the links for you to refer too. Very good info, btw.

Insomnia Definition:

Quote:
Nearly everyone has occasional sleepless nights, perhaps due to stress, heartburn, or drinking too much caffeine or alcohol. Chronic insomnia is defined when you have problems falling asleep, maintaining sleep, or experience nonrestorative sleep that occurs on a regular or frequent basis, often for no apparent reason.

How much sleep is enough varies from person to person. Although 7 1/2 hours of sleep is about average, some people do well on four to five hours of sleep. Other people need nine to 10 hours of sleep each night.
Insomnia can affect not only your energy level and mood, but also your health as well because sleep helps bolster your immune system. Fatigue, at any age, leads to diminished mental alertness and concentration. Lack of sleep caused by insomnia is linked to accidents both on the road and on the job.

Insomnia is a common problem that may be temporary or chronic. As many as one in 10 Americans have chronic insomnia, and at least one in four has difficulty sleeping sometimes. But that doesn't mean you have to just put up with sleepless nights. Some simple changes in your daily routine and habits may result in better sleep.
Sleep Apnea Definition

Quote:
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. You may have sleep apnea if you snore loudly and you feel tired even after a full night's sleep?

Sleep apnea occurs in two main types: obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax, and central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Additionally, some people have complex sleep apnea, which is a combination of both.

If you think you might have sleep apnea, see your doctor. Treatment is necessary to avoid heart problems and other complications.
As you can see from their definitions Sleep Apnea is a physical condition, it should be treated by a doctor. A very good place to learn more about Sleep Apnea is from www.sleepapnea.org They even offer support groups and resources.

[Mr Ontario]

Common causes of Insomnia:
(This info come from mayoclinic.com for more information please refer to their website)
• Stress
• Anxiety.
• Depression.
• Prescription or (OTC) drugs, including some antidepressants, high blood pressure and corticosteroid medications, can interfere with sleep. Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications, including some pain medication combinations, decongestants and weight-loss products, contain caffeine and other stimulants. Antihistamines may initially make you groggy, but they can worsen urinary problems, causing you to get up more during the night.
• Change in your environment or work schedule.
• Long-term use of sleep medications.
• Medical conditions that cause pain.
• Behavioral insomnia
• Eating too much too late in the evening
• Insomnia and changes of aging

• A change in activity. You may be less physically or socially active. Activity helps promote a good night's sleep. You may also have more free time and, because of this, drink more caffeine or alcohol or take a daily nap. These things can also interfere with sleep at night.
• A change in health. The chronic pain of conditions such as arthritis or back problems as well as depression, anxiety and stress can interfere with sleep. Older men often develop noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia), which can cause the need to urinate frequently, interrupting sleep. In women, hot flashes that accompany menopause can be equally disruptive.

[Mr Ontario]

Causes of obstructive sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax. These muscles support the soft palate, the triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate (uvula), the tonsils and the tongue.

When the muscles relax, your airway narrows or closes as you breathe in, and breathing momentarily stops. This may lower the level of oxygen in your blood. Your brain senses this inability to breathe and briefly rouses you from sleep so that you can reopen your airway. This awakening is usually so brief that you don't remember it.

You can awaken with a transient shortness of breath that corrects itself quickly, within one or two deep breaths, although this is rare. You may make a snorting, choking or gasping sound. This pattern can repeat itself five to 30 times or more each hour, all night long. These disruptions impair your ability to reach the desired deep, restful phases of sleep, and you'll probably feel sleepy during your waking hours.

People with obstructive sleep apnea may not be aware that their sleep was interrupted. In fact, many people with this type of sleep apnea think they sleep well all night.

Causes of central sleep apnea
Central sleep apnea, which is far less common, occurs when your brain fails to transmit signals to your breathing muscles. You may awaken with shortness of breath or have a difficult time getting or staying asleep. Like obstructive sleep apnea, snoring and daytime sleepiness can occur. The most common cause of central sleep apnea is heart disease, and less commonly, stroke. People with central sleep apnea may be more likely to remember awakening than people with obstructive sleep apnea are.

Causes of complex sleep apnea
People with complex sleep apnea have upper airway obstruction just like those with obstructive sleep apnea, but they also have a problem with the rhythm of breathing and occasional lapses of breathing effort.

[Mr Ontario]

Here are some suggestion to try for natural sleep remedies:

Melatonin, 3 mg comes in capsules form

Description: Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland of mammals that aids in the regulation of sleep/wake cycles. Melatonin comes in pharmaceutical grade with a minimum purity of 99.6%.
• Helps Regulate Sleep Cycle
• Pharmaceutical Grade (USP)
• A Dietary Supplement

Suggested Use
As a dietary supplement, take one capsule near bedtime with water. Capsule may be opened and the contents divided over several evenings if desired.

ZMA: comes in capsule form

Description: ZMA is a synergistic combination of Zinc and Magnesium designed to maximize absorption and promote recovery from exercise. Zinc plays a central role in the regulation of cellular growth and tissue repair, as well as the maintenance of a healthy immune system. Magnesium is essential for the maintenance of electrolyte balance, energy production and normal neuromuscular function. Because physical activity can increase the need for these two minerals, ZMA is the ideal supplement to aid in their replenishment.
• With Zinc, Magnesium and Vitamin B-6
• A Dietary Supplement

Suggested Use
As a dietary supplement, men take 3 capsules (women take 2 capsules) daily, preferably on an empty stomach, 30-60 minutes before bedtime. For best results, avoid taking with dairy or other calcium-containing foods or supplements.

5-HTP: 50 mg comes in capsule form

Description: 5-HTP, the intermediate metabolite between the amino acid L-tryptophan and serotonin, is extracted from the bean of an African plant (Griffolia simplicifolia).
• Neurotransmitter Support
• Natural Positive Mood
• A Dietary Supplement

Suggested Use
As a dietary supplement, take 1 capsule daily, preferable on an empty stomach at bedtime. Consider taking this product in combination with NOW Valerian Root, Relora and Pantothenic Acid.

Valerian root

Description: Valerian Root has been an herbal favorite in many cultures for centuries. It promotes restful feeling.
• 100% Harvest Fresh Herbs
• An Herbal Dietary Supplement

Suggested Use
As an herbal dietary supplement, take 1-2 droppersful in tea or water, prior to bedtime as needed.

Vitamin World's Super Snooze w/ Melatonin
I use this product from time to time and it works great for me. It is a combination of things. It contains the following:

• Calcium 100 mg 10% (as Calcium Carbonate)
• Magnesium (as Magnesium Oxide) 50 mg 13%
• Valerian Root (Valeriana officinalis) 100 mg *
• Hops (Humulus lupulus) (flower) 75 mg *
• Scullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) (aerial) 75 mg *
• Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) (flower) 75 mg *
• Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) (aerial) 50 mg *
• Inositol 50 mg *
• L-Taurine 50 mg *
• Melatonin 3 mg

[shithead]

sleeplessness is due to mental issues.

dude, you have issues. Take melatonin and for Petes sake, stop working nights.

[shithead]

Im just bustin ballz, it good info for the forums bro.

[Mr Ontario]

Going back to days for good....due to a promotion....fack nights.

[ergie]

I've had this problem for quite a few years now...... sucks ass.

[Mr Ontario]

Which one? Insomnia or sleep apnea?


I've had this problem for quite a few years now...... sucks ass.

[pseclint]

I've been told i have the apnea, but i swear I only suffer from it in winter when its really dry, kinda weird

[ergie]

Which one? Insomnia or sleep apnea?

Both, I have a very hard time falling asleep and when I do I wake up all the time, I also hold my breath and then start gasping for air....... I should probably go get it checked out. The apnea is worse when I'm on cycle.

[champcar99]

for me it depends on what I am taking ,when i was on the tren i would always get up way too ****ing early ..I have tried every over the counter product and only one puts me too sleep and keeps me there and that was nytol..good stuff for me..

[RagingRandy]

For me I find I am most restless and get little sleep when I am not working out and being active. I am pretty much a desk jockey at work. If I am working out and playing sports I can usually get 6 hours of good sleep a night. But I will never get to sleep before midnight. If I am being lazy, I am lucky to get to sleep by 2am and will maybe get 4 hours sleep.

[theboss]

.........yeah..i have those.

[shithead]

I used to have night terrors.

In my experience it is hereditary, when I was young I viewed my dad thinking a train was running him over or that he was having a cardiac arrest during his sleep.

Up until a year ago, I would wake up and spit on my pillow or land punches on the bed beside gfs head. I would be in the process of waking up while doing these things and try to stop. Then it just sorta went away.

I was under a lot of stress at the time, so it may be stress related.

[bigdaddydrew123]

my wife just got diagnosed with sleep apnea so this is good info,she sees specialist next month

[spiderman7]

I have a hard time falling and staying asleep. Only thing I noticed that seems to help is when iI'm on test.

[AlbertaBeef]

Girl friend says I sound like I'm choking on my tongue sometimes and says I stop breathing too. I figure I got the sleep apnea and may check into hitting a sleep clinic soon.