Sleep Deprivation

Good Evening Rose Sheepskill here…I have a surprise visit from;

my sister Apnea Niteswetter-Insomniac,

her new husband, Count Iman Insomniac,

her two children from a previous marriage, when she was alive. We all know the undead can not bear children.

Paras Omnia Niteswetter

and Brad (the Batboy) Bedswetter (father’s mother’s maiden name) Niteswetter.

You see when my sister was alive she was married to Dr. Noman Niteswetter a friend of Dr. Narcolepsy. While pregnant Noman had an affair with a vamp that turned him. After Apnea had Batboy, Noman would come around to see him at night and this lasted for about a year and a half. Apnea and Noman fell in love again but fought because he was going to unlive forever and he didn’t want to watch them die. So Valentines day, 1948, they remarried and became a family of the undead.

Dr. Noman Niteswetter was a well know doctor in sleep deprivation and a hypnotist that uses hypnotic suggestions as a treatment for sleep disorders. He will sometimes consults and hypnotise patients at the Narcolepsy Sleep Center.
If a patient is suffering from a sleep disorder, getting treatment is very important for them to maintain good health. Sleep deprivation causes can range from physical conditions to lifestyle choices to emotional disorders and it is sometimes hard for the doctor to know exactly what is interrupting their sleep.

At a sleep disorder center the patient will undergo a series of tests and asked a lot of questions, so the doctor can pinpoint the cause of their sleep deprivation. Finding the cause is beneficial to getting the right treatment. For example, if they are on a number of medications the doctor may prescribe and alternative prescription or natural remedy. If they are being treated for an emotional disorder, like depression then getting therapy and the right meditation might be all they need to help you sleep.

During their consultation the doctor may recommend that they keep a sleep diary for about a month. A sleep diary will detail the specifics of their good and bed nights of sleep and include; any medications they took that day, stress they encountered, exercise routine, if any, what they ate and the date and time. They might even be able to figure out if certain foods are hindering their sleep or if exercising promotes better sleep or causes insomnia.

After the month the doctor will review the sleep diary with the patient and then decide on how to proceed. At this time Dr. Niteswetter will be called in to consult and try hypnosis. Hypnosis is a method often used in therapy in which a person goes into an altered, trance-like state of awareness in which the patient is more open to suggestion. Rather than focusing on the reality surrounding him, a hypnotized person instead concentrates of images and/or the voice of hypnotizer.

Over the years, therapists have used hypnosis to treat a number of disorders, ranging from eating disorders, to stop smoking, to irrational fears to sleep disorders. Sleep disorders that stem from emotional problems, anxiety issues or severe stress can benefit from treatment by hypnosis.

Some patients may have a physical impairment that is causing their sleep deprivation and surgery might be the only option of treatment. In general, surgery is limited to treating obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which a person stops breathing throughout the night. Obstructive sleep apnea is a when something physically is blocking the airway.

If their sleep deprivation is caused by their lifestyle such as work demands and family responsibilities that keep them from getting their sleep, some therapy and life adjustments may be all they need. If their sleep deprivation becomes chronic they may develop serious conditions; including heart disease, depression and hypertension. Some other common symptoms of sleep deprivation are fatigue, blurry vision, dizziness and irritability.

Although many people suffer from sleep disorders that prevent them from falling and staying asleep, a select group of people actually gets too much sleep. Known in medical circles as hypersomnia, excessive sleep is clinically defined as getting more than 10 hours of sleep per night and still experiencing daytime drowsiness. This disorder can be treated with lifestyle changes.

For those who have a disruptive sleep disorder, they not only get less sleep they don’t experience deep sleep or “restorative sleep”. Some of the common risk factors associated with disrupted sleep are; diet, drug/alcohol use, exercise patterns, mood disorders, sleep environment, snoring and/or prescription medication. If not treated the patient may experience; blurry vision, restlessness, mood swings, memory lapses and short term memory problems. If this continues a patient can develop conditions that include hypertension and heart disease.

Sleep apnea will cause disruptive sleep in which a person stops breathing and they will have to undergo a series of tests including an EEG and be considered for a sleep study. A sleep study is an overnight stay at the center to be monitored while sleeping. See more on sleep apnea here.

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) are two conditions that cause disrupted sleep. While RLS causes discomfort throughout the legs that prevents a person from falling asleep, PLMD is characterized by involuntary movements during sleep that affect the sleep cycle. Although people who suffer from RLS tend to also have PLMD, those with PLMD typically don’t also have RLS.

Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) refers to sleep disorders that revolve around the timing of sleep. DSPS patients tend to go to sleep extremely late and then experience difficulty waking up. Although those with DSPS tend to fall asleep in the wee hours of the morning, no matter when they lie down, they consistently fall asleep at the same time.

DSPS tends to start in adolescence and may correct itself as a person reaches adulthood. Treatment options for DSPS that tend to involve changing the sleep environment, altering diet and exercise habits and examining and adjusting other aspects of one’s lifestyle, such as a medication regimen and caffeine intake. While these treatments can help DSPS, the condition itself is not curable.

Once the doctor has diagnosed the sleep disorder he may prescribe a sleep medicine. Some doctors recommend a herbal remedy before prescribing a prescription drug due to the side effects and the possibility for addiction. Some herbal remedies are:

• California Poppy: This homeopathic herb is a mild sedative that is Along with promoting better sleep, California poppy also relieves anxiety.

• Chamomile: Chamomile is effective in herbal sleep medications or in its tea form with no known side effects.

• Catnip: As a tea, catnip is calming and promotes better sleep. Along with treating sleeping problems, catnip is also a homeopathic for migraines, cramping and indigestion.

• Hops: Used for years by Native Americans, hops are an effective herbal sleep aide, anxiety treatment and mild antibiotic. Because hops belong to the same family as marijuana, they aren’t recommended for those suffering from depression.

• Jamaica dogwood: Once used as a fish tranquilizer in the Caribbean, Jamaica dogwood’s relaxing properties make it a safe, effective sleep aid and painkiller. Commonly, Jamaica dogwood is consumed in tea form.

• Jasmine: Like chamomile, jasmine (as a tea or medication additive) has calming effects that promote better sleep and treat headache pain.

• Lavender: While lavender is an herb that can act as a sedative, some forms of lavender, namely Spanish lavender, can actually have stimulating effects, making it an effective treatment for depression. Generally, lavender is taken as a tea.

• Passion flower: This calming herb is an especially helpful sleep aid for sleep disorders caused by chronic pain, muscle conditions and anxiety. Because the most common side effect of passion flower is drowsiness, don’t take it unless you plan to sleep for while.

• Peppermint: Commonly taken in tea form, peppermint is a relaxing herb that relieves insomnia and indigestion. While peppermint doesn’t have any serious side effects, it can prevent your body from absorbing iron.

• Sage: This soothing herb treats sleep disorders, depression and nervous conditions. It is effective whether it spices up a meal, is consumed as a tea or is an additive in other sleep aids. Sage has no known side effects.

• Siberian ginseng: Also used an herbal treatment for depression and chronic fatigue syndrome, Siberian ginseng is most effective for sleep disorders related to these conditions.

• St. John’s wort: Along with being effective in depression and anxiety treatment, St. John’s wort also works for treating sleep disorders, particularly insomnia. It can be an ingredient in other sleep aid medication or taken alone in a concentrated pill form.

• Valerian: As the most popular herbal sleep supplement, valerian is also an effective treatment for nerve and muscle disorders. Like chamomile and catnip, valerian is generally consumed as a tea. Side effects, such as loss of muscle function and heart troubles, only arise when too much valerian is consumed.

Dr. Nightswetter finds that nearly 70% of women suffer from some type of sleep deprivation. Of course of this 70% most are menopausal and pregnant and having a sleep disorder due to hormonal changes, but all women are two times more likely than men to experience sleep deprivation.

Since my sister and her family all suffer from some sort of sleep disorder they will be visiting the Narcolepsy Sleep Center for treatment. During the next few weeks we will talk about each of their sleep problems. For now I must catch up on the gossip before the sun comes up. Until then, Good Day.
Rose Sheepskill
reference: www.sleep-deprivation.com

Sleep Deprivation

Good Evening Rose Sheepskill here…I have a surprise visit from;

my sister Apnea Niteswetter-Insomniac,

her new husband, Count Iman Insomniac,

her two children from a previous marriage, when she was alive. We all know the undead can not bear children.

Paras Omnia Niteswetter

and Brad (the Batboy) Bedswetter (father’s mother’s maiden name) Niteswetter.

You see when my sister was alive she was married to Dr. Noman Niteswetter a friend of Dr. Narcolepsy. While pregnant Noman had an affair with a vamp that turned him. After Apnea had Batboy, Noman would come around to see him at night and this lasted for about a year and a half. Apnea and Noman fell in love again but fought because he was going to unlive forever and he didn’t want to watch them die. So Valentines day, 1948, they remarried and became a family of the undead.

Dr. Noman Niteswetter was a well know doctor in sleep deprivation and a hypnotist that uses hypnotic suggestions as a treatment for sleep disorders. He will sometimes consults and hypnotise patients at the Narcolepsy Sleep Center.
If a patient is suffering from a sleep disorder, getting treatment is very important for them to maintain good health. Sleep deprivation causes can range from physical conditions to lifestyle choices to emotional disorders and it is sometimes hard for the doctor to know exactly what is interrupting their sleep.

At a sleep disorder center the patient will undergo a series of tests and asked a lot of questions, so the doctor can pinpoint the cause of their sleep deprivation. Finding the cause is beneficial to getting the right treatment. For example, if they are on a number of medications the doctor may prescribe and alternative prescription or natural remedy. If they are being treated for an emotional disorder, like depression then getting therapy and the right meditation might be all they need to help you sleep.

During their consultation the doctor may recommend that they keep a sleep diary for about a month. A sleep diary will detail the specifics of their good and bed nights of sleep and include; any medications they took that day, stress they encountered, exercise routine, if any, what they ate and the date and time. They might even be able to figure out if certain foods are hindering their sleep or if exercising promotes better sleep or causes insomnia.

After the month the doctor will review the sleep diary with the patient and then decide on how to proceed. At this time Dr. Niteswetter will be called in to consult and try hypnosis. Hypnosis is a method often used in therapy in which a person goes into an altered, trance-like state of awareness in which the patient is more open to suggestion. Rather than focusing on the reality surrounding him, a hypnotized person instead concentrates of images and/or the voice of hypnotizer.

Over the years, therapists have used hypnosis to treat a number of disorders, ranging from eating disorders, to stop smoking, to irrational fears to sleep disorders. Sleep disorders that stem from emotional problems, anxiety issues or severe stress can benefit from treatment by hypnosis.

Some patients may have a physical impairment that is causing their sleep deprivation and surgery might be the only option of treatment. In general, surgery is limited to treating obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which a person stops breathing throughout the night. Obstructive sleep apnea is a when something physically is blocking the airway.

If their sleep deprivation is caused by their lifestyle such as work demands and family responsibilities that keep them from getting their sleep, some therapy and life adjustments may be all they need. If their sleep deprivation becomes chronic they may develop serious conditions; including heart disease, depression and hypertension. Some other common symptoms of sleep deprivation are fatigue, blurry vision, dizziness and irritability.

Although many people suffer from sleep disorders that prevent them from falling and staying asleep, a select group of people actually gets too much sleep. Known in medical circles as hypersomnia, excessive sleep is clinically defined as getting more than 10 hours of sleep per night and still experiencing daytime drowsiness. This disorder can be treated with lifestyle changes.

For those who have a disruptive sleep disorder, they not only get less sleep they don’t experience deep sleep or “restorative sleep”. Some of the common risk factors associated with disrupted sleep are; diet, drug/alcohol use, exercise patterns, mood disorders, sleep environment, snoring and/or prescription medication. If not treated the patient may experience; blurry vision, restlessness, mood swings, memory lapses and short term memory problems. If this continues a patient can develop conditions that include hypertension and heart disease.

Sleep apnea will cause disruptive sleep in which a person stops breathing and they will have to undergo a series of tests including an EEG and be considered for a sleep study. A sleep study is an overnight stay at the center to be monitored while sleeping. See more on sleep apnea here.

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) are two conditions that cause disrupted sleep. While RLS causes discomfort throughout the legs that prevents a person from falling asleep, PLMD is characterized by involuntary movements during sleep that affect the sleep cycle. Although people who suffer from RLS tend to also have PLMD, those with PLMD typically don’t also have RLS.

Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) refers to sleep disorders that revolve around the timing of sleep. DSPS patients tend to go to sleep extremely late and then experience difficulty waking up. Although those with DSPS tend to fall asleep in the wee hours of the morning, no matter when they lie down, they consistently fall asleep at the same time.

DSPS tends to start in adolescence and may correct itself as a person reaches adulthood. Treatment options for DSPS that tend to involve changing the sleep environment, altering diet and exercise habits and examining and adjusting other aspects of one’s lifestyle, such as a medication regimen and caffeine intake. While these treatments can help DSPS, the condition itself is not curable.

Once the doctor has diagnosed the sleep disorder he may prescribe a sleep medicine. Some doctors recommend a herbal remedy before prescribing a prescription drug due to the side effects and the possibility for addiction. Some herbal remedies are:

• California Poppy: This homeopathic herb is a mild sedative that is Along with promoting better sleep, California poppy also relieves anxiety.

• Chamomile: Chamomile is effective in herbal sleep medications or in its tea form with no known side effects.

• Catnip: As a tea, catnip is calming and promotes better sleep. Along with treating sleeping problems, catnip is also a homeopathic for migraines, cramping and indigestion.

• Hops: Used for years by Native Americans, hops are an effective herbal sleep aide, anxiety treatment and mild antibiotic. Because hops belong to the same family as marijuana, they aren’t recommended for those suffering from depression.

• Jamaica dogwood: Once used as a fish tranquilizer in the Caribbean, Jamaica dogwood’s relaxing properties make it a safe, effective sleep aid and painkiller. Commonly, Jamaica dogwood is consumed in tea form.

• Jasmine: Like chamomile, jasmine (as a tea or medication additive) has calming effects that promote better sleep and treat headache pain.

• Lavender: While lavender is an herb that can act as a sedative, some forms of lavender, namely Spanish lavender, can actually have stimulating effects, making it an effective treatment for depression. Generally, lavender is taken as a tea.

• Passion flower: This calming herb is an especially helpful sleep aid for sleep disorders caused by chronic pain, muscle conditions and anxiety. Because the most common side effect of passion flower is drowsiness, don’t take it unless you plan to sleep for while.

• Peppermint: Commonly taken in tea form, peppermint is a relaxing herb that relieves insomnia and indigestion. While peppermint doesn’t have any serious side effects, it can prevent your body from absorbing iron.

• Sage: This soothing herb treats sleep disorders, depression and nervous conditions. It is effective whether it spices up a meal, is consumed as a tea or is an additive in other sleep aids. Sage has no known side effects.

• Siberian ginseng: Also used an herbal treatment for depression and chronic fatigue syndrome, Siberian ginseng is most effective for sleep disorders related to these conditions.

• St. John’s wort: Along with being effective in depression and anxiety treatment, St. John’s wort also works for treating sleep disorders, particularly insomnia. It can be an ingredient in other sleep aid medication or taken alone in a concentrated pill form.

• Valerian: As the most popular herbal sleep supplement, valerian is also an effective treatment for nerve and muscle disorders. Like chamomile and catnip, valerian is generally consumed as a tea. Side effects, such as loss of muscle function and heart troubles, only arise when too much valerian is consumed.

Dr. Nightswetter finds that nearly 70% of women suffer from some type of sleep deprivation. Of course of this 70% most are menopausal and pregnant and having a sleep disorder due to hormonal changes, but all women are two times more likely than men to experience sleep deprivation.

Since my sister and her family all suffer from some sort of sleep disorder they will be visiting the Narcolepsy Sleep Center for treatment. During the next few weeks we will talk about each of their sleep problems. For now I must catch up on the gossip before the sun comes up. Until then, Good Day.
Rose Sheepskill
reference: www.sleep-deprivation.com

REM Sleep

Today we know our brains are very active during sleep, that sleep affects our daily functioning and our physical and mental health. Neurotransmitters or nerve-signaling chemicals control how we are awake or asleep by acting on different nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain. A chemical, adenosine also builds up in our blood stream while we are awake and causes drowsiness. Adenosine gradually breaks down while we are asleep.

While we sleep we pass through five phases of sleep; 1, 2, 3, 4, and REM. REM means rapid eye movement. 50 percent of our sleep is in stage 2, about 20 percent in REM sleep and the remaining 30 percent in the other stages.

Stage 1 which is the light sleep where we drift in and out of sleep and can wake easily. Our eyes move very slowly and muscle activity slows down.

Stage 2 our eye movements stop and our brain waves become slower with occasional bursts or rapid waves called sleep spindles.

Stage 3 we experience very slow brain waves called delta waves which appear, interspersed with smaller, faster waves.

Stage 4 our brain produces delta waves almost exclusively and it is very hard to wake someone. This is also known as deep sleep because there is no eye movement or muscle activity.

REM sleep, our breathing becomes more rapid, our eyes move rapidly in various directions and our limb muscles become temporarily paralyzed. Our heart rate increases, our blood pressure rises and if we are awaken, we often remember our REM sleep dreams.

Since sleep and being wake are affected by different neurotransmitter signals in the brain, foods and medicines can alter the balance of these signals and have an effect on how well we sleep. Caffeinated drinks, diet pills and decongestants stimulate some parts of the brain and can cause REM sleep disorder such as insomnia, or an inability to sleep. Many antidepressants suppress REM sleep and cause REM sleep deprivation.

Alcohol will help people fall asleep, but they fall into stage 1 and are robbed of the other stages and will also have no REM sleep. Alcohol abuse can also cause REM sleep behavior disorder which is characterized by the acting out of dreams that are vivid, intense, and violent. Dream-enacting behaviors include talking, yelling, punching, kicking, sitting, jumping from bed, arm flailing, and grabbing.

Non REM sleep one night and our brain will try to catch up with this stage the next time we fall asleep causing us to go through extended periods of REM sleep. This causes us to be restless the next day because we lost stages 3 and 4, the deep sleep cycles.

When you are under anesthesia or in a coma it is often said you are asleep, but under these conditions you cannot be awakened and you do not produce complex, active brain wave patterns seen in normal sleep.

Sleep and sleep-related disorders can create medical problems such as; stroke, diabetes, obesity, perhaps due to changes in our hormones, heart rate, and other traits associated with sleep. Once sleeping problems develop, they can add to a person’s impairment and cause confusion, frustration, or depression. If you feel you have these sleep disorder symptoms see your doctor to talk about available treatments. In the meantime follow these tips for a better night sleep;

• improving your daytime habits
• creating a better sleep environment
• avoiding food and drink that might interfere with sleep
• developing a good bedtime routine

Studies have shown that better REM sleep helps boost your mood during the day. How can you get more REM sleep? One simple way is to try to sleep a little more in the morning. As your sleep cycles through the night, it starts with longer periods of deep sleep. By the morning, the REM sleep stage is longer. Try sleeping an extra half hour to hour and see if your mood improves.

Good Evening,
Rose Sheepskill

REM Sleep

Today we know our brains are very active during sleep, that sleep affects our daily functioning and our physical and mental health. Neurotransmitters or nerve-signaling chemicals control how we are awake or asleep by acting on different nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain. A chemical, adenosine also builds up in our blood stream while we are awake and causes drowsiness. Adenosine gradually breaks down while we are asleep.

While we sleep we pass through five phases of sleep; 1, 2, 3, 4, and REM. REM means rapid eye movement. 50 percent of our sleep is in stage 2, about 20 percent in REM sleep and the remaining 30 percent in the other stages.

Stage 1 which is the light sleep where we drift in and out of sleep and can wake easily. Our eyes move very slowly and muscle activity slows down.

Stage 2 our eye movements stop and our brain waves become slower with occasional bursts or rapid waves called sleep spindles.

Stage 3 we experience very slow brain waves called delta waves which appear, interspersed with smaller, faster waves.

Stage 4 our brain produces delta waves almost exclusively and it is very hard to wake someone. This is also known as deep sleep because there is no eye movement or muscle activity.

REM sleep, our breathing becomes more rapid, our eyes move rapidly in various directions and our limb muscles become temporarily paralyzed. Our heart rate increases, our blood pressure rises and if we are awaken, we often remember our REM sleep dreams.

Since sleep and being wake are affected by different neurotransmitter signals in the brain, foods and medicines can alter the balance of these signals and have an effect on how well we sleep. Caffeinated drinks, diet pills and decongestants stimulate some parts of the brain and can cause REM sleep disorder such as insomnia, or an inability to sleep. Many antidepressants suppress REM sleep and cause REM sleep deprivation.

Alcohol will help people fall asleep, but they fall into stage 1 and are robbed of the other stages and will also have no REM sleep. Alcohol abuse can also cause REM sleep behavior disorder which is characterized by the acting out of dreams that are vivid, intense, and violent. Dream-enacting behaviors include talking, yelling, punching, kicking, sitting, jumping from bed, arm flailing, and grabbing.

Non REM sleep one night and our brain will try to catch up with this stage the next time we fall asleep causing us to go through extended periods of REM sleep. This causes us to be restless the next day because we lost stages 3 and 4, the deep sleep cycles.

When you are under anesthesia or in a coma it is often said you are asleep, but under these conditions you cannot be awakened and you do not produce complex, active brain wave patterns seen in normal sleep.

Sleep and sleep-related disorders can create medical problems such as; stroke, diabetes, obesity, perhaps due to changes in our hormones, heart rate, and other traits associated with sleep. Once sleeping problems develop, they can add to a person’s impairment and cause confusion, frustration, or depression. If you feel you have these sleep disorder symptoms see your doctor to talk about available treatments. In the meantime follow these tips for a better night sleep;

• improving your daytime habits
• creating a better sleep environment
• avoiding food and drink that might interfere with sleep
• developing a good bedtime routine

Studies have shown that better REM sleep helps boost your mood during the day. How can you get more REM sleep? One simple way is to try to sleep a little more in the morning. As your sleep cycles through the night, it starts with longer periods of deep sleep. By the morning, the REM sleep stage is longer. Try sleeping an extra half hour to hour and see if your mood improves.

Good Evening,
Rose Sheepskill