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What is REM Behavior Disorder? For most people, dreams are purely a "mental" activity: they occur in the mind while the body is at rest. But people who suffer from REM behavior disorder (RBD) act out their dreams. They physically move limbs or even get up and engage in activities associated with waking. Some talk, shout, scream, hit, punch, or fly out of bed while sleeping! RBD is usually noticed when it causes danger to the sleeping person, their bed partner, or others they encounter. Sometimes ill effects such as injury to self or bed partner sustained while asleep trigger a diagnosis of RBD. The good news is that RBD can usually be treated successfully. Why Does RBD Occur? What we call "sleep" involves transitions between three different states: wakefulness, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is associated with dreaming, and non rapid eye movement (N-REM) sleep. There are a variety of characteristics that define each state, but to understand REM Behavior Disorder it is important to know that it occurs during REM sleep. During this state, the electrical activity of the brain, as recorded by an electroencephalogram, looks similar to the electrical activity that occurs during waking. Although neurons in the brain during REM sleep are functioning much as they do during waking, REM sleep is also characterized by temporary muscle paralysis. In some sleep disorders such as narcolepsy and parasomnias, like REM behavior disorder, the distinctions between these different states breaks down; characteristics of one state carry over or "invade" the others. Sleep researchers believe that neurological "barriers" that separate the states don't function properly, though the cause of such occurrences is not entirely understood. Thus, for most people, even when they are having vivid dreams in which they imagine they are active, their bodies are still. But, persons with RBD lack this muscle paralysis, which permits them to act out dramatic and/or violent dreams during the REM stage of sleep. Sometimes they begin by talking, twitching and jerking during dreaming for years before they fully act out their REM dreams. In the course of "acting out their dreams," people with RBD move their arms and legs in bed or talk in their sleep, or they might get out of bed and move around without waking or realizing they're dreaming. The only sensations the sleeper experiences are what is occurring in their dream. And many of these dreams can be violent or frightening, causing injury to the sleeper and his bed partner. Who discovered RBD? The first series of cases of RBD was described in 1985 by Mark Mahowald, MD, and Carlos Schenck, MD, of the University of Minnesota. In Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine (W.B. Saunders Company, 2000), they outlined several case histories of people with RBD: • A 77-year old minister had been behaving violently in his sleep for 20 years, sometimes even injuring his wife. • A 60-year old surgeon would jump out of bed during nightmares of being attacked by "criminals, terrorists and monsters." • A 62-year old industrial plant manager who was a war veteran dreamt of being attacked by enemy soldiers and fights back in his sleep, sometimes injuring himself. • A 57-year old retired school principal was inadvertently punching and kicking his wife for two years during vivid nightmares of protecting himself and family from aggressive people and snakes. "Past history and current neurological and psychiatric evaluations were unremarkable, apart from the findings reported," the authors noted. "All four men were known by day to be calm and friendly individuals." Who has RBD? Drs. Mahowald and Schenck and others have found that more than 90% of RBD patients are male, and that the disorder usually strikes after the age of 50, although some patients are as young as nine years old. Most RBD patients are placid and good-natured when awake; however, many of them display rhythmic movements in their legs during non-REM and slow-wave sleep. A telephone survey of more than 4,900 individuals between the ages of 15 and 100 indicated that about two percent of those surveyed experience violent behaviors during sleep; Mahowald and Schenck estimate that one-quarter of them were probably due to RBD, which means it may be experienced by 0.5% of the population. What causes RBD? Studies of animals may explain REM behavior disorder. Animals who have suffered lesions in the brain stem have exhibited symptoms similar to RBD. Cats with lesions affecting the part of the brain stem that involves the inhibition of locomotor activity will have motor activity during REM sleep: they will arch their backs, hiss and bare their teeth for no reason, while their brain waves register normal REM sleep. "REM behavior disorder underscores the importance of basic science research in animals," says Mahowald, "because without the information obtained in basic science animal research, the disorder could never have been identified. Sleep is such a young field that we have the opportunity to take advantage of the fact that there is a close collaboration between basic science and clinicians." How is RBD diagnosed? Because a number of parasomnias may be confused with RBD, it is necessary to conduct formal sleep studies performed at sleep centers that are experienced in evaluating parasomnias in order to establish a diagnosis. In RBD, a single night of extensive monitoring of sleep, brain, and muscle activity will almost always reveal the lack of muscle paralysis during REM sleep, and it will also eliminate other causes of parasomnias. How is RBD treated? Clonazepam, a benzodiazapine, curtails or eliminates the disorder about 90% of the time. The advantage of the medication is that people don't usually develop a tolerance for the drug, even over a period of years. When clonazepam doesn't work, some antidepressants or melatonin may reduce the violent behavior. However, it's a good idea to make the bedroom a safe environment, removing all sharp and breakable objects. What other disorders are associated with RBD? Drs. Schneck and Mahowald have conducted research indicating that 38% of 29 otherwise healthy patients with REM behavior disorder went on to develop a parkinsonian disorder, presumably Parkinson's disease (PD), a degenerative neurological disease characterized by tremors, rigidity, lack of movement or loss of spontaneous movement, and problems with walking or posture. Other studies have found associations between RBD and other neurodegenerative diseases related to Parkinson's. "We don't know why RBD and PD are linked," says Dr. Mahowald, "but there is an obvious relationship, as about 40% of individuals who present with RBD without any signs or symptoms of PD will eventually go on to develop PD." Should patients with RBD be concerned about developing Parkinson's? "People with RBD will understandably be concerned about the possibility of the later development of PD, given the statistics," says Mahowald. "We are not aware of anything that can be done to prevent or delay the development of PD in those destined to do so. We recommend an annual evaluation by a neurologist, so if PD is going to develop, it can be detected and treated at the earliest possible time. "Given the fact that the majority of patients with RBD who went on to develop PD were already taking clonazepam, it is unlikely that clonazepam will reduce the likelihood of developing PD in those so predisposed." Sleep aid tips about sleep studies for sleep studies information and sleep studies remedies for your better sleep studies which may also cure any mild sleep disorder you may want sleep studies remedies for. Check out our navbar for other sleep studies natural sleep remedy results from sleep studies in the past.
JET LAG sleep studies: Whether you're a "Road Warrior" who has piled up thousands of Frequent Flier Miles, or someone who is planning a vacation to a distant location, you are likely to experience the phenomenon of "jet lag," which can have a profound effect on your sleep and alertness. This online brochure has some advice for travelers on what you can do now to help get a better night's sleep--when you arrive at your destination and when you return home. JET LAG: THE TRAVELING SLEEP DISORDER Every day, millions of travelers struggle against one of the most common sleep disorders—jet lag. For years, jet lag was considered merely a state of mind. Now, studies have shown that the condition actually results from an imbalance in our body's natural "biological clock" caused by traveling to different time zones. Basically, our bodies work on a 24-hour cycle called "circadian rhythms." These rhythms are measured by the distinct rise and fall of body temperature, plasma levels of certain hormones and other biological conditions. All of these are influenced by our exposure to sunlight and help determine when we sleep and when we wake. When traveling to a new time zone, our circadian rhythms are slow to adjust and remain on their original biological schedule for several days. This results in our bodies telling us it is time to sleep, when it's actually the middle of the afternoon, or it makes us want to stay awake when it is late at night. This experience is known as jet lag. TAKING THE AIR OUT OF JET LAG Some simple behavioral adjustments before, during and after arrival at your destination can help minimize some of the side effects of jet lag. Select a flight that allows early evening arrival and stay up until 10 p.m. local time. (If you must sleep during the day, take a short nap in the early afternoon, but no longer than two hours. Set an alarm to be sure not to over sleep.) Anticipate the time change for trips by getting up and going to bed earlier several days prior to an eastward trip and later for a westward trip. Upon boarding the plane, change your watch to the destination time zone. Avoid alcohol or caffeine at least three to four hours before bedtime. Both act as "stimulants" and prevent sleep. Upon arrival at a destination, avoid heavy meals (a snack—not chocolate—is okay). Avoid any heavy exercise close to bedtime. (Light exercise earlier in the day is fine.) Bring earplugs and blindfolds to help dampen noise and block out unwanted light while sleeping. Try to get outside in the sunlight whenever possible. Daylight is a powerful stimulant for regulating the biological clock. (Staying indoors worsens jet lag.) Contrary to popular belief, the type of foods we eat have no effect on minimizing jet lag. WORRYING ABOUT SLEEP According to experts, stress or the potential for stress is another problem that can lead to sleeplessness. Two common travel related stress conditions are the "First Night Effect" and the "On-Call Effect." The first condition occurs when trying to sleep in a new or unfamiliar environment. The second is caused by the nagging worry that something just might wake you up, such as the possibility of a phone ringing, hallway noise or another disruption. Try these tips on you next trip to help avoid travel-related stress and subsequent sleeplessness. Bring elements or objects from home like a picture of the family, favorite pillow, blanket or even a coffee mug) to ease the feeling of being in a new environment. Check with the hotel to see if voice mail services are available to guests. Then, whenever possible, have your calls handled by the service. Check your room for potential sleep disturbances that may be avoided; e.g., light shining through the drapes, unwanted in-room noise, etc. Request two wake-up calls in case you miss the first one. Sleep aid tips about sleep studies for sleep studies information and sleep studies remedies for your better sleep studies which may also cure any mild sleep disorder you may want sleep studies remedies for. Check out our navbar for other sleep studies natural sleep remedy results from sleep studies in the past.
Fighting Sleep Apnea – sleep study by Dr. Joseph J. Berke, M.D., Ph.D. Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that currently affects approximately eighteen million Americans. Unfortunately, this sleep disorder is often ignored due to the fact that the leading sleep apnea symptom is simply loud snoring, which many people do not consider a concern severe enough to warrant a consultation with a physician. There are two forms of sleep apnea; obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is normally seen in people who are overweight or have a narrow throat or enlarged tonsils or adenoids. This disorder is seen more often in men and older people, although anyone of any age or weight can suffer from this condition. Other factors attributed to causing obstructive sleep apnea include heredity and the use of chemicals that relax the throat muscles, such as alcohol or sedatives. This form of sleep apnea is literally caused by the relaxation of the throat muscles, which then prohibits the proper amount of oxygen necessary to supply the body from flowing through the airway. Central sleep apnea is usually caused by medical conditions that can prohibit the brain from functioning properly in regard to sending signals to various parts of the body that control the breathing rhythm. These medical conditions include, but are not limited to, disorders such as Lou Gehrig’s disease, muscular dystrophy, stroke, injury to the spinal cord, and brain tumors. A non-medical cause would be visiting and sleeping in a high altitude environment, to which your body is unaccustomed. The result of either form of sleep apnea results in a severe lack of quality sleep. Not only is a person unable to comfortably sleep and dream, one will often wake with sore muscles or a stiff neck. Feeling fatigued throughout the day is also common. Sleep apnea can cause more serious medical complications as well, including cardiovascular conditions and poor or negative responses to medications and even surgical procedures. Sleep apnea treatment is varied and is dependent on the severity of the individual condition. It could be resolved simply by losing weight and reducing the intake of alcohol and sedatives. Sleeping properly with a comfortable sleep pillow that properly supports the neck and head is extremely important. Because of this, “memory foam” pillows are commonly being recommended to sleep apnea patients by their doctors. Sleeping on one’s side can also be beneficial. For other people, surgery might be necessary to remove unnecessary tissue from the airway. There are devices that supply increased oxygen pressure which have been found effective for people suffering from sleep apnea, and also dental devices worn at night that assist in opening the airway. If you are experiencing the symptoms of sleep apnea, be sure to consult with your physician. The disorder can be so severe that a person might find themselves falling asleep at work or while driving. Once treatment has been discussed with a doctor and implemented by the person suffering from the disorder, the individual will usually begin to experience immediate symptom relief and will begin to sleep better and establish a proper sleep pattern. written by Dr. Joseph J. Berke, M.D., Ph.D. Discover how sleeping on The Better Sleep Pillow can change your life. Visit: http://www.bettersleeppillow.com Dr. Joseph J. Berke is an author and inventor dedicated to helping people get a better night rest.
Sleep aid tips about sleep studies for sleep studies information and sleep studies remedies for your better sleep studies which may also cure any mild sleep disorder you may want sleep studies remedies for. Check out our navbar for other sleep studies natural sleep remedy results from sleep studies in the past.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depressive disorder related to seasonal variations of light. As seasons change, there is a change in sunlight which disrupt our “internal biological clock” or circadian rhythms – which tell us when it’s to sleep and to wake up. The most common type of SAD is winter depression. As many as 6 of every 100 Americans have winter depression. While 10% to 20% experience milder SAD - or “winter blues”. SAD is more common in women, and it usually doesn’t start in people younger than 20 years old. The most difficult months for SAD are between September and April, in particular during December, January and February.
It is most prevalent in northern geographic areas such as US and Canada, but extremely rare in those living in tropical areas where daylight hours are long, constant and extremely bright. Common symptoms of SAD include the following: Sleep problems. Usually desire to oversleep and difficulty staying awake but, in some cases, disturbed sleep and early morning wakening Lethargy and loss of energy. Feeling of fatigue and inability to carry out normal routine Overeating. Craving for sweet and starchy foods, usually resulting in weight gain Depression. Melatonin, a sleep-related hormone that’s also linked to depression, has been linked to SAD. There is an increased production of melatonin in the dark, thus, during the long nights of winter. Social problems. Irritability and desire to avoid social contact and increased sensitivity to social rejection Difficulty concentrating and processing information Anxiety. Tension and inability to tolerate stress Loss of libido. Decreased interest in sex and physical contact Mood changes. Hypomania, or hyperactivity Headaches There are several options of treating SAD. Those suffering from SAD might want to consider the following: Phototherapy or bright light therapy has been shown to suppress the brain’s secretion of melatonin. It consists of sitting a few feet away from a special lamp that's 10 to 20 times brighter than ordinary indoor lights, allowing the light to shine directly through the eyes, for 30 or more minutes each day, Medication. There are prescribed antidepressant drugs for SAD, but people should be wary of unwanted side effects. Psychotherapy or counselling helps the sufferer identify and modify negative thoughts and behaviours that may play a role in bringing about signs and symptoms of SAD. It helps the person to relax, accept their illness and cope with its limitations. Other treatments. For mild symptoms, spending time outdoors on sunny days, even during winter helps. Also, by arranging homes and workplaces so as to receive more sunlight. Daily exercise and balanced diet help manage stress. If possible, take winter vacations in sunny, warm locations. Sleep aid tips about sleep studies for sleep studies information and sleep studies remedies for your better sleep studies which may also cure any mild sleep disorder you may want sleep studies remedies for. Check out our navbar for other sleep studies natural sleep remedy results from sleep studies in the past.
Lack of sleep linked to obesity in national sleep studies Losing sleep? According to several recent studies, a correlation has been found between being overweight and getting fewer hours of sleep at night. Two new studies showed that people deprived of sleep had hormonal imbalances. Those who slept less had more of the hormone ghrelin, which produces hunger, and less of the hormone leptin, which produces a feeling of fullness. They also craved more high-calorie foods than they did with adequate sleep. One study done at the University of Chicago showed that a group of men in their twenties who only slept four hours a night for two nights had a 24 percent increase in appetite. Another study done at Stanford University analyzed the sleep patterns of more than 1,000 people. Those who slept less than eight hours a night were heavier than those who got enough sleep. In November, Columbia University researchers found that people who slept less than four hours a night were 73 percent more likely to be obese than people who had seven to nine hours of sleep. There was a 50 percent risk of obesity for those who slept five hours a night, and a 23 percent risk for those who slept six hours. "Most people think that if you're sleeping less, that means you would actually lose weight because you have more hours of activity," said Ruth Litchfield, assistant professor of food science and human nutrition. However, people usually eat more to compensate for sleep loss, Litchfield said. "Your brain doesn't recognize that your body's full," said Jessica Steinitz, program manager for the National Sleep Foundation. According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than 37 percent of young adults sleep less than seven hours a night. "Eight to nine hours is what they really need," said Marc Shulman, staff physician for the Thielen Student Health Center. "College students tend to vary their sleep depending on the day." Having a sleep routine is important to getting enough sleep every night, Shulman said. "Good sleep habits would include going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time every day, even on the weekends," he said. For college students, this isn't always possible. But without enough sleep, weight gain isn't the only potential problem. Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, irritability and fatigue are other problems associated with sleep loss. "Since the body does not 'learn' to function on less sleep, it is important to clear time for sleep even if your schedule is insanely busy," Steinitz said. "Any studying or learning that occurs during the day will be retained much better if you get a good night's sleep afterwards." Occasional sleep deprivation isn't a problem, Litchfield said. The problem occurs when students are frequently functioning on little sleep. This could increase their risk for weight gain, she said. "It comes back to just trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle on a regular basis," Litchfield said. Here are 20 ways diet and exercise experts say will help you lose 20 pounds: Check your attitude. Ask yourself whether this is a good time to start a plan or program. Are you really motivated? The people who are most successful at losing weight have a "wow" or "light bulb" moment, when something clicks and they decide they don't want to live this way anymore. Motivations vary. Some people are worried about diabetes or heart disease. Others are going to a class reunion, attending a wedding or approaching a hallmark birthday such as their 40th or 50th. Some people might have difficulty fitting into airline or movie-theater seats, are not able to wear most of their clothing or are breathless when they walk up a flight of stairs. Weigh in. Weigh yourself and have someone photograph you in tight-fitting clothes. This is so you can compare your before and after photos in a few months. Pick a plan. One diet doesn't fit all. There's no shortage of ways to lose weight, but you have to find something that works for you. Registered dietitians in private practice tailor programs to individuals. Weight Watchers provides practical advice and group support. There are many other commercial programs, Web sites and diet books that offer help. Shop around. Figure out what worked for friends who are similar to you. Write down every bite. Studies show that dieters who keep a daily food record usually lose more weight. So write down what you eat, how much and the calories, fat grams or carbs. Pay attention to portions. Some people underestimate the amount they are consuming. Keep in mind that your caloric requirements are related to your size. "We have a problem in this country with portion control. Portions served at most restaurants are getting larger and larger," Dobies says. "When you're eating at home, I would suggest that you try not to serve food family-style if you're trying to reduce your caloric intake. The temptation is to just keep loading your plate. "Instead, I would suggest that plates be set out with portions already on them." If you're at a restaurant, Dobies suggests, ask for a doggie bag with your meal and put half your meal in the bag before you begin eating. Play the numbers game. Count calories, carbs, fat grams or steps, but count something, nutritionists say. You have to burn 3,500 calories more than you consume to lose a pound. If you usually eat 2,200 calories a day to maintain your weight, you need to cut back by 500 calories or increase exercise by that much to create the 500-calorie deficit to lose 1 pound a week. Plan ahead. Set aside some time every day to decide what you will eat for meals and snacks, when you will prepare them, what you will eat if you go out and when you will exercise. Dobies says among the biggest problems for many dieters is having to eat on the run. "It's not just what you eat but where you eat and how long you eat," she says. "Dashboard eating is a big problem. We tend not to eat well and we eat whatever it is too quickly." Get help from your friends. Many dieters want someone to hold them accountable, making sure they stick with their program. Commercial weight-loss programs and health care professionals can help. Or simply check in with family, co-workers, neighbors and friends. They can offer support by taking walks with you at work or in the neighborhood. They might be willing to listen to you talk about what you're eating -- or not eating. Or they can call you daily to see how you're doing. Dine out without pigging out. Some pointers: Choose your restaurant with care. Don't go famished or you'll overeat. Don't drink your calories. Order no-calorie or low-calorie drinks. Skip the bread basket. Start off with a low-calorie soup like minestrone or wonton. And order salad dressings and sauces on the side. Try the "dip and stab" method. Dip a fork in a cup of dressing, then spear your salad.
Plan for a splurge. If you are going to a big party or out to dinner, conserve calories for the big meal without starving yourself. At the other times during the day, eat more low-calorie foods such as simple soups, raw or cooked vegetables and light bread and popcorn. "It's better if you can plan but let's face it, there are times when splurges come up. Everyone decides to chip in for pizza at the office or someone has a cake," Dobies says. "It's all about moderation and portions. If you can, plan. But if you can't and you do splurge, just get back on track. "Don't try to starve yourself to compensate. You'll end up being so hungry that you'll go on a binge." Get some sleep. New research indicates that sleep deprivation increases a hunger hormone and decreases a fullness hormone, which could lead to overeating and weight gain. So getting enough sleep might help you control your hunger. Pile on the veggies. Add vegetables, salads and low-calorie soups to your meal plans. Research shows that people eat the same weight of food each day, so experts believe that increasing fruits and vegetables so that meals are higher in fiber and water will help people lower their calories without feeling deprived. Move it to lose it. Ideally, people who are trying to lose weight should exercise for 30 to 60 minutes a day. A recent study showed that many types of exercise help with losing and, in fact, walking on your own can be as effective for weight loss as going to the gym. Pick up the pace. Start making small changes to your daily routine. Take a 10- to 15-minute walk before work in the morning, at lunch and then when you get home at night. Build from there. Or buy a pedometer and try to work up to 10,000 steps a day. Watch the liquid. Many people consume hundreds of extra calories a day with sodas, juices, alcohol and other high-calorie drinks. Get a B mentality. Consider yourself a B student when it comes to your diet and follow the 80-20 rule. About 80 percent of the foods you eat should be lean protein such as poultry, fish and beans; fruits and vegetables; low-fat dairy; high-fiber grain products; and healthier fats such as olive oil. The other 20 percent can be foods that are not as healthful. Plan some 300-calorie meals. Some examples: a BLT without mayo; one-half bagel with 1 ounce of cream cheese and a half-cup of orange juice; two poached eggs on an English muffin; a Wendy's junior cheeseburger. You can use meal replacement bars and shakes to help control calories. Downsize your dishes. People take less when they use smaller serving dishes and tall, narrow glasses instead of short wide ones, a study showed. Indulge your sweet tooth. If you allow yourself occasional treats, you're less likely to feel deprived, nutritionists say. Here are some ideas: a frozen chocolate kiss; cappuccino made with skim milk; individually wrapped mint; bite-size candy bar; gingersnaps. Keep it off. People who have lost weight and kept it off limit their daily calories to about 1,800 a day and walk about 4 miles a day, according to the latest study from the National Weight Control Registry, a group of 5,000 people who lost an average of 73 pounds and kept off at least 30 pounds for more than six years.
Sleep aid tips about sleep studies for sleep studies information and sleep studies remedies for your better sleep studies which may also cure any mild sleep disorder you may want sleep studies remedies for. Check out our navbar for other sleep studies natural sleep remedy results from sleep studies in the past.
For more information For a list of accredited sleep centers, contact the: Or, contact the following: National Center on Sleep Disorders Research (NCSDR)
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