A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor s book (Irish Proverb). However, getting to sleep is sometimes the problem. With all our pressures, problems and pains of everyday living, it is no wonder that millions suffer from sleep disorders. According to a national survey, 54% of adults said they have experienced insomnia at one time or another. Additionally, back pain, neck stiffness, muscle injuries and menopause can add to sleeplessness.

Today, pillows are not just something fluffy to place beneath our head at night. They are chiropractor approved, sleep doctor designed and specifically created to assist in pain relief, snoring cessation, spinal alignment, neck support, headache relief, joint strain pain, arthritis relief, sleep apnea and much more, while accommodating and stabilizing injuries and conditions. The basic sleeping pillow filled with foam or feathers is a thing of the past.

The fillings for pillows have also changed. Feathers and foam are still available, but new materials have been introduced such as buckwheat hulls, mustard seeds, memory foam and new types of fiber. Added to that are pillows filled with air and/or water and magnetic therapy pillows. These different surfaces provide different types and levels of support for the body and can, over time, heal and correct certain conditions such as degenerative discs, sleep apnea, snoring, insomnia, etc.

How often have you had to punch your pillow into a shape that supports your neck and is comfortable for sleeping? Most of us have had to do this at one time or another. Now, pillows are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. Listed below are a few specific pillows designed to aid sleep:

• Econo Wave Pillow: this pillow has a wavy surface to allow air to circulate while soothing and supporting the neck.

• Buckwheat Hull or Mustard Seed Pillows: these pillows can conform to any shape, come in a multitude of sizes, provide air circulation, help reduce stiff neck and insomnia and come in a variety of scents. Mustard seeds are also believed to relieve backache, joint pain, muscle aches, rheumatism or migraine headaches, while buckwheat hulls provide support and cooling of the head and neck and can help reduce stiff neck and insomnia.

• Air Core Adjustable Pillow: a cervical fiber pillow with a trapezoid shaped center that adjusts the level of support using an air pump and can reduce snoring by correcting blocked airways.

• AquaCore 3 in 1 Pillow: This pillow consists of fiber, resilient foam, plus and easy, fill to your level water cushion that addresses the cause of pain and restores proper neck curvature.

• Leg Spacer: This specialty pillow helps relieve pressure and strain on the lower back, knees and ankles and helps relax muscles while sleeping by placing the pillow between your knees.

• Headache Ice Pillo: This pillow uses medically recommended cold therapy in treating dull, moderate and severe tension or migraine headaches.

• Dreamzz Magnetic Sleeping Pillow: Get a great sleep and wake up refreshed while sleeping on this pillow that produces a calming therapeutic magnetic field that soothes away tension and stress while sleeping.

Pillows are also available for neck support, back support and headache relief:

• The Magnetic Lumbar Pillow is a half roll foam pillow that relieves pain due to muscle strains, sprains, sciatica and herniated discs by delivering a deep penetrating bio north magnetic field.

• The Jackson Roll is a versatile fiber filled support pillow that provides comfort and support for muscle and joint pain, as well as adding curvature to your spine. (I can personally attest that this works to help relieve the pain of degenerative discs.)

• The Soothe A Ciser foam pillow helps relieve headaches and neck pain.

These are just a few of the pillows offered on the market today, along with many others that address specific conditions or injuries. The response of the public to these specialty pillows has been tremendous and will grow in popularity as sleep conditions, sleep disorders and aches and pains multiply. Also, these pillows provide a noninvasive method of relieving and perhaps eliminating pain without medication or surgery.

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Finally, relief for your sleep problems can be found at the Sleep Disorders Center at Broward Health Weston. The Center is one of the most comprehensive facilities in Western Broward County, providing physician evaluations, state-of-the-art diagnostic testing and treatment for all sleep related disorders. For more information, visit www.BrowardHealth.org

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PS I don't need a comment from Twilight haters.　

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I have suffered from back problems for most of my life, and wanted to find a non-invasive way of healing or alleviating the pain associated with back pain. I started a website, The SPINE Shoppe, which offers products to relieve and comfort muscles and joints while sleeping, relaxing, sitting, traveling, driving and working.

There are more than 100 different types of sleep disorders. They range in severity from minor to life threatening. People of any age, from infants to the aged, can be affected by a sleep disorder at any time of their lives.

As sleep disorders increase in the United States, so do the dangers that are associated with them.
Tiredness can lead to slower mental alertness and a slower reaction time. This can be a very dangerous combination. Between 20 – 25% of all serious vehicular accidents involve a tired driver. Many of these drivers suffer from some form of sleep disorder and may not even be aware of it. A large number of accidents that occur at home or at work are also due to people with some type of sleeping problem. Sleep disorder, combined with the cost of the accidents and illnesses it causes, results in the American people and the government spending billions of dollars.

Lack of sleep is directly related to many physical ailments and conditions. People that do not get sufficient sleep generally suffer more form headaches, sore joints and stomach problems. Often a sleep disorder is an underlying cause of heart problems, lung conditions and diabetes. Sleep disorders can also affect the mental well being of people stricken with them. Mood changes, anxiety, eating disorders and depression can result.

Many people still do not think of a sleeping problem as a medical problem. Because of this, many never tell their physician that they are having a problem with sleep. Even if they see their doctor on a regular basis for an illness or condition, they never mention their difficulty sleeping.

As the American public and medical community become more educated and aware of the symptoms, effects and severity of various sleep disorders, more and more cases are being diagnosed. Sufferers are being treated with medication, oxygen, cpap machines and even surgery. There are better screening methods and diagnostic tests which find sleep disorder problems earlier. Overnight sleep centers no longer resemble a hospital room. They are now designed to look more like a hotel room, to make the patient feel more comfortable. In some cases, due to computerization and miniaturization, equipment can be so small that some testing can even be done at home.

Sleep is not an option or a luxury. It is a basic element of living and of good health. If you think you, your partner or your child may be suffering from a sleep disorder see your physician. A sleep disorder is a medical problem that can be helped.

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Treatment for sleep apnea at the Rex Sleep Disorder Center can bring a restful solution for those who need it. Sleep specialist Yvette Cook, MD explains.

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This retired M.D. from New Orleans broke his 5-year addiction to Ambien, and now sleeps peacefully…

A few simple changes can be all you need to break insomnia’s vicious circle and restore your sleep, even if you’ve had insomnia for most of your life, and basically tried everything.
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As we’ve said, there are numerous sleep disorder centers designed to specifically diagnose and provide ways for you to overcome your insomnia.  While the thought of going to a clinic and having people watch you sleep is just a little much for you, fear not.  Actually, sleep disorder centers are there for that specific reason and you will most likely get some answers to your sleeping problems.

Among the signs that may indicate a need for a sleep disorders center are the following:

•    Insomnia due to psychological disorders.

•    Sleeping problems due to substance abuse.

•    Snoring and sudden awakening with gasping for breath (possible sleep apnea).

•    Severe restless legs syndrome.

•    Persistent daytime sleepiness.

•    Sudden episodes of falling asleep during the day (possible narcolepsy).

.    What can you expect when you go to a clinic like this?  You will be participating in a sleep study or polysomnogram which is a test that will record your physical state during various stages of sleep and wakefulness. It provides data that are essential in evaluating sleep and sleep-related complaints, such as identifying sleep stages, body position, blood oxygen levels, respiratory events, muscle tone, heart rate, amount of snoring and general sleep behavior.

Usually you will make an appointment for your visit, which will take place at night. The sleep center may send you forms requesting your medical and sleep history prior to your appointment with the doctor. The form may ask for your bed partner’s responses to some of these questions, since you may not be aware that you snore, stop breathing (sleep apnea) or kick your legs when you sleep. It also may provide tips and some special instructions for your sleep test.

Before your sleep test, you may meet with a physician or sleep specialist, who will go over your medical and sleep history. You may participate in a “split-night” test, in which half the night will be used to diagnose your sleep problem, and the other half will be used to treat the problem. This is sometimes done with patients who are being tested for sleep apnea.

After your arrival at the sleep center, you may be asked to complete a questionnaire on your sleep the night before. Many sleep centers offer a video or other information about the sleep study or specific disorders such as sleep apnea, since a significant percentage of those who have sleep tests are suspected to have sleep apnea. The video may also address what you should expect during the sleep test to ease any fears that you may have. Then you will be asked to change into nightclothes.

After changing, a polysomographic technician will connect you to the electrodes that will record your brain waves and muscle movements throughout the night. The electrodes are placed in specific areas and applied with water-soluble glue and tape. The electrodes record brain waves, muscle movement, rapid eye movement (REM), air intake, and periodic limb movement.

A microphone attached to your neck records snoring, and two belt-like straps around the chest and lower abdomen monitor muscle movement during breathing. Despite all of the equipment, most people say it doesn’t disrupt their sleep.

After settling into bed, your technician may go to a monitoring room and ask you over an intercom to perform certain tasks that will show the electrodes are recording properly. You will be observed on a television monitor during the night, but that is to allow the technician to note your body movements during sleep.

When everything is working properly, the lights will be turned off and you can go to sleep. Many patients are so chronically tired that they have no problem falling asleep.
While you are sleeping, your brain waves will be recorded to determine when you are awake or in Stage 1, 2, 3, 4 or REM sleep. You will be awakened in the morning and the electrodes will be removed. Since they are applied with water-soluble glue or tape, removal isn’t painful.

You will need to make an appointment with a sleep specialist to review the results of your study. You might be asked to complete a questionnaire concerning your sleep the previous night, and then you can go home.

Based on the results of your sleep study, you may be given treatment for a specific sleep disorder. For example, patients with sleep apnea may be prescribed Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP, which is a device that gently blows air into your nasal passages to keep the airway open while you are asleep.

Here are some things you need to bring along with you for your sleep test:

•    Nightgown, pajamas or any comfortable sleep wear, preferably with a button-down front.

•    Your favorite pillow or blanket. Sleep centers provide bedding including sheets, blankets and pillows, but yours may help you sleep better.

•    Toiletries such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush or comb.

•    Clothes for the following day.

•    Any needed medications.

•    A book or other reading material.

On the day of your test, wash and dry your hair. Try not to use any hair products, such as gels, hairsprays or heavy conditioners, because it may prevent the electrodes from sticking to your scalp.

Remove nail polish and/or artificial nails from at least two fingers. The oximeter that is placed on your finger to monitor blood oxygen levels reads this information through the nail, so any polish or acrylic will not provide an accurate reading.

Do not wear make-up. Some electrodes are on the face, so this area must be clean in order to get a good connection.

Generally, you are asked to obtain a normal night’s sleep before the test, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor. Continue to take your regular medications and limit caffeine intake the day of your test.

Once you have the diagnosis of insomnia, you might be wondering what you can do to overcome it.  With the help of your doctor or sleep specialist, you can work together to overcome your sleeplessness.  You should also be aware of the information you can do yourself or ask your doctor about in treatment of this disorder.  Drug therapy is a popular method of overcoming insomnia.

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The video details the sleep study that a teenage boy received at Riley Hospital for Children.

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Read up on more chest exercises at the Chest Workouts website. Find information on bicep and tricep exercises at the Arm Workouts website. For info on more bicep exercises, visit the Bicep Workouts site.

Sleep Apnea Syndrome refers to transient cessation of respiration during sleep. There is a sleep test, called polysomnography that is usually done to diagnose sleep apnea. Polysomnography is a study of sleep cycles and behavior, usually done all night long in a sleep center, which involves observing a person at sleep while continuously charting brain waves, muscle activity, breathing, eye movements, and heart rhythms.

There are two kinds of polysomnograms:

• Overnight polysomnography test: It involves monitoring brain waves, muscle tension, eye movement, respiration, oxygen level in the blood and audio monitoring. (for snoring, gasping, etc.)

• Home monitoring test: A Sleep Technologist hooks the patient up to all the electrodes and instructs him on how to record his sleep with a computerized polysomnograph that he takes home and returns in the morning. These are painless tests that are usually covered by insurance. Another option in home monitoring test is home-based sleep disorder test. These is inexpensive and easy to use kits.

Polysomnography tracks a variety of processes in the body.

• Special sensors placed on the head show brain wave patterns which can be used to determine what stages of sleep or wakefulness a person is in.

• Electrodes are used to track muscular movement or tension.

• Breathing monitors on the nose, mouth, or chest can tell when breathing stops, airflow is low, or oxygen levels change.

• Heart rate and rhythms are also continuously monitored.

• Blood oxygen level & blood pressure is ceaselessly.

This study allows doctors to track the different stages of sleep, called nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and REM, rapid eye movement sleep, which is associated with dreaming. The test can track other characteristics of your sleep, such as the number of times you awaken. It can also evaluate any abnormal sleeping behaviors, such as sleepwalking, nightmares, or periodic limb movement disorder. In addition, the study can evaluate various other sleeping disorders which include trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia), breathing that stops during sleep (apnea), or a problem with falling asleep suddenly during the day (narcolepsy).

Testing procedure: In usual Sleep testing protocols, the patient arrives in the evening and is given time to become comfortable in a room where he sleeps alone. A technologist attaches electrodes to his head, legs, and chest. Signals from these sensors travel through wires to a computer where they show what stages of sleep or wakefulness he in. Other monitors are placed around the chest, near the nose and mouth, and on finger.

The patient will be able to read or relax until bedtime. Although he will be able to move and turn over during sleep, the technologist may ask the patient to try sleeping in a certain position for a part of the night.

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The video details the sleep study that a teenage boy received at Riley Hospital for Children.

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This Article is written by Tarun Gupta, the author of Health Information Articles. More information on the subject is at Sleep Apnea Syndrome: How to test it!, and resources from other home health and wellness testing sources are used such as At Home Sleep Disorder Test Device.