Cracking the Sleep Code

Could Mold be Causing Your Sleep Disturbances?!

When searching for a cure for anything we sometimes need to think outside of the box.  The causes of sleep disturbances can be a tricky thing to figure out but it can be done.  Not all insomniacs have trouble getting to sleep, some suffer from maintenance insomnia or waking up frequently and not being able to return to sleep.  If we could fix what has been waking us up, then we wouldn't have to worry about getting back to sleep! I came across an interesting excerpt from an article on mold sensitivity and sleep disturbances that I wanted to share... 

Sleep Quote For October 29th

"A mouse trap placed on top of your alarm clock will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep."

Author Unknown

Every Treatment Known To Man For Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea. The search for a better treatment continues.  Dentists are coming out with more effective, comfortable mouth pieces... CPAP companies are working on lower profile masks and less intimidating head gear and ENT surgeons are perfecting  there skills on the latest sleep apnea surgeries.  Last but not least there are some instruments, that if played often, are said to help tighten the soft palate in the back of the throat. Who woulda thunk?

As elementary as it may sound it still needs to be said: everyone is different-- therefore every sleep apnea case needs to be treated as such.

There is not a cookie cutter cure for everyone. Keep searching for relief... there will be something that will work for you and it will return your zest for life!

Latest technology--- Nasal insufflation: Still in the experimental stages--- but it could mean for some...no more masks?!

The Pillar: Palatal implant surgery. The 10 minute surgery

Somnoplasty: Radio frequency energy that shrinks the loose tissue

Tongue piece: Watch the video on this new snoring device

Didgeridoo instrument: Practice makes perfect!

The Sleep Apnea pill:  In the works. The first new drug created in attempt to cure sleep apnea

Thinking outside the box: Could your sleep apnea be caused by your nose? An article on how one man's search for a cure led him to the knowledge---of his deviated septum and nasal valve collapse.  Could he finally say goodbye to the CPAP.

CPAP.co.UK If you want the latest and greatest in CPAP technology

ihatecpap.com: If you want the latest and greatest in oral appliance therapy

Did I forget anything?  Then please submit it to comments.

The Soul and Sleeplessness: Time For a Gut Check

Your insides tell you a lot. There doesn't have to be a traumatic event to cause sleeplessness...it can be something much more subtle. Any negative feeling can disturb your sleep...so it might be time to look in the mirror and really evaluate how your feeling.  I have found that something as little as being behind in things that need to be done can cause me to start thinking if I wake up in the night.  For that matter who's to say that I didn't wake up because of the feeling of being behind in life's stuff?

Is there a phone call that you know you need to make but keep putting it off? Do you have a strained relationship that you haven't dealt with.  It's easier to avoid that person than to tell them how you feel.  It's easier to stay in our comfort zone and just keep on with our lives but remember you're not growing if don't step outside your comfort zone.  How do you know that your subconscious isn't disturbing your sleep because you have unfinished business?  When we sleep we go into a subconscious state (the place where all of our unfinished business is housed)...and we can get kicked out of the house if we haven't done 'what needs to be done.'

Before I turn out the light it helps me tremendously to write down everything that I need to accomplish the next day.  It's out of my mind onto paper, it's not going anywhere...I can read it in the morning and cross everything off as I get it done.  If there is something bothering me, I write how I'm feeling about it and what I intend to do about it. Now, it's down on paper and there's no need for the mental masturbation in the middle of the night.  Ahhh--- sleep at last.

Sleep Quote For October 15th

"Think in the Morning. Act in the noon.  Eat in the evening . Sleep in the night."

Author: William Blake

Wouldn't it be nice if your life would always bring sleep at night...because it's supposed to be.

Why Can't I Sleep?

Before you begin your battle against insomnia it's important to know and believe that no matter how long you have had sleep problems there is a way to become a good sleeper.  No, actually a great sleeper.  I decided to stop talking about how crappy I slept.  Why would you tell anyone that anyway...it's not like they can do anything about how you slept.  I even started saying "I slept great last night", even if I didn't.  I know it seems bizarre to say that--- especially if you feel miserable but part of our poor sleep pattern was created because of labeling ourselves as "bad sleepers".  "Oh I've been a horrible sleeper all my life"   STOP IT.  You won't be like that all your life ---you will be the type of person that sleeps like a log.

If you wanted to know everything that could possibly be causing your sleeplessness, I found the website that didn't leave anything out. Obviously it's important to know what your fighting before you step into the ring. Go to www.healthassist.net to help you narrow down your search for the cause of your sleep problems... then it's time for the fight to begin.

Are You a CPAP User? 5 Must Read Motivating Articles

Revolutionhealth.com: Very informative article on traveling with CPAP.

Blog.cpap.cp.uk: Need to sleep in more positions with your CPAP?  This tells about a CPAP mask for side sleepers!

Blog.cpap.cp.uk: If someone asks you what it's like to have sleep apnea...now you can tell them "it's like climbing Mount Everest."  Fascinating article.

Decafbad.com: One man's very motivating story about his life with sleep apnea ...and his CPAP.

Scienceblog.com: Does the CPAP do more than correct your sleep apnea?  This study shows that the CPAP has more health benefits than you might have thought.

Sleeping Pills: A Cure or a Band-aid?

Learning about other peoples experiences has made me form a negative opinion on the indefinite usage of sleeping pills. However the temporary use of a sleeping pill for a few nights has been known to break the pattern of poor sleep. There is something that we can try before resorting to the sleep medication. Numerous studies have shown that even people who have had insomnia for years, have turned into robust sleepers through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT-1.  It takes some discipline but it can be done.  CBT-1 is done over a series of short visits with a psychologist.  You might be thinking "who has the time for that?!"

It can help to talk to someone (a sleep specialist) about changing the way you think about sleep but there are parts of CBT-1 that you can practice without going to a psychologist.  Restricting the time you're in bed and only using your bed for sleeping is a big component of CBT-1. Get away from the  stigma of needing 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night, remember it's about quality not quantity. 

Personally I think taking sleep medications to "fix" insomnia is the lazy way out. Shouldn't we at least try breaking the poor sleep pattern by first correcting how we put ourselves to sleep and how long we stay in the bed awake before resorting to a pill. 

If a drug company touts that their sleeping pill is non-addictive or non-habit forming---what does that mean?  If we're taking a sleeping pill, say for several months... what happens when we stop?  Is the insomnia cured?  Not if we can't sleep without it.  Now you're dependent...but that's OK because you're not addicted?  I know we're not talking about crack or cocaine but if the pill produces a result that helps me get my sleep--- why would I stop?  That to me says...band-aid.