Circadian Rhythm Disorders CRD are disruptions in a person’s circadian rhythma name given to the human body’s internal body clock. This body clock regulates the 24-hour cycle of biological processes in animals and plants. The circadian clock in humans is located in the brain and are significant in determining one’s sleeping patterns. Disruptions of the circadian rhythm may result in getting poor and insufficient sleep. One disruption in natural sleep conditions is night work or non-standard shifts. Working in the evening require a delay in the body’s sleeping time of as much as three to 12 hours. Because the human body is programmed to sleep at night, changing one’s sleeping time will not automatically produce a change in body temperature or other functions needed like body coordination and immune responses.

Another factor that may disrupt sleep and hamper one’s sleeping patterns is a condition called jet lag. It a condition that is marked by fatigue, insomnia, and irritability that is caused by changing time zones when traveling by air. When travelers pass from one time zone to another, they may suffer from disrupted circadian rhythms. This may cause the traveler’s circadian clock to be mixed up with a new external environment. People who experience jet lag may have difficulties in maintaining their regular sleep-awake pattern in their new location. This happens because external stimuli like sunlight and location programs and dictates a new pattern.

Although generally linked to sleep pattern of human beings, the circadian rhythm also has a direct influence on one’s blood pressure, and the body’s production of hormones and neurotransmitters. It works together with these internal factors to tell the body of several things like sleeping time and wake up time. These factors is warning that such disruptions in one’s circadian rhythms should never be taken for granted.

Because modern technology and medicine CRD can be treated based on the kind of disorder that is present. Treatments vary depending on the demands of lifestyles of certain individuals. Therapies are usually combined with sleep hygiene techniques to promote proper sleep from CRD. Chronotherapy and bright light therapy are two methods that are used to treat this disorder. Chronotherapy is a behavioral technique where one’s bedtime is gradually and systematically adjusted until a specific bedtime is achieved. Bright light therapy on the other hand is designed to reset an individual’s circadian rhythm to a desired pattern. When properly utilized, these therapies may produce essential results in eliminating CRD and improve one’s quality of sleep.

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Through the use of pasteurization process, manufacturers ensure that the Noni juice is free of bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. This process also helps maintain or preserve the fruit extract’s beneficial properties. Noni juice is considered as one of the most potent natural drinks in the market today. Many people who regularly drink Noni juice is attest that they have already experienced improved health due to the said beverage.

Traditional health benefits of Noni fruit juice include the following

Strengthens the heart and alleviates heart palpitations;
Fights insomnia and forgetfulness;
Helps cure sexual dysfunction in elderly individuals;
Helps improve the function of the immune system;
Has some anti-cancer properties and may prevent the development of certain cancers;
Has been successfully used to treat hepatitis-B;
Has been used successfully for weight loss;
Helps the body detox, cleans the blood and build the immune system; and
Used as a treatment for bladder infections, diabetes, colds, and constipation.

The usual dosage recommended by Noni juice manufacturers is four ounces a day to be taken at least 30 minutes before breakfast. Liquid concentrates, on the other hand, can be taken two tablespoons per day.

Several animal studies had been conducted to evaluate the beneficial effects of Noni juice. Research shows that the said natural beverage has anti-cancer, pain-relieving, and immune-system enhancing potential. None juice is believed to be potent enough to increase one’s vitality and lead to improved overall health and well-being.

Many nutrition books have, in fact, claim that Noni fruit juice is one of the most significant discoveries in the field of medicine over the last few decades. Because of the anti-aging and other health benefits of this juice it has gained popularity over other kinds of natural fruit juices.

However, it is important for consumers to ensure that they only purchase Noni fruit juice that has been thermally treated pasteurized. The potency and health effects of mass-produced Noni fruit juice are often compromised by contamination, heat, and low-quality manufacturing conditions.

Noni fruit juice is nature’s gift for people who desire good health and long life. It is not only said to be effective for relieving pain, it also has anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. Noni juice is also full of antioxidants that help cleanse the body of toxins and improves digestive health.

Try Noni fruit juice today and experience improvements in health and well-being.

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Legal and mental health institutions round the world have volumes of guidelines and criteria used to determine if someone is insane, but not even a single line to mark a person as being sane. If you take the time to analyze it, it almost seems as if mental health experts believe marking someone sane to be a diagnosis of exclusion. There are hundreds of potential problems in psychology and psychiatry, with the list including anxiety disorders, depression, insomnia, psychosis, and dissociative personality disorder. All of these examples are considered to be signs of insanity, albeit the intensity varies from problem to problem, and person to person. However, most psychologists seem content to pick away at possible problems until they run out of options before declaring you sane.

It is also interesting to note just how much effort psychology puts into finding and defining various forms of insanity. For example, there are currently six different forms of pedophilia. Out of the 300 major psychological disorders, a startlingly large amount are considered to be connected to sex and sexual health. There are a few disorders that are used to describe mood and mentality changes brought about by the weather and other factors in nature that affect us. Social and familial relations are also taken in as an avenue of study, typically with disorders that are inevitably linked to disorders in other fields. So literally, there are thousands of ways for a person to be insane to some degree, but no way to tell if a person is sane. For some, this actually poses a most intriguing conundrum does sanity even exist?

That question, while probably not taken seriously by the vast majority, does put an old adage in a new light. There are some people that often joke that everyone’s insane, that the appearance of sanity is just a matter of how much insanity is present. Given that sanity is not defined by psychology, the field that ought to be the most concerned with understanding it, the joke may not necessarily be completely untrue. There are ways to determine sanity, but these are based on the legal definition and are used strictly to see whether someone was legally liable for a crime or not. However, not being criminally insane does not automatically make a person sane in the psychological sense. After all, only a small percentage of the various mental illnesses out there can actually lead to criminal behavior.

Of course, all this could simply mean that the dividing line between sane and insane is up to the individual observers to determine. That brings a number of risks, as the observations and definitions are likely going to be highly subjective. Even sanity in the legal sane is subjective, as different jurisdictions define it differently. The lack of a credible source for what makes a person sane may be psychology’s way of telling the world that sanity doesn’t exist. Now there’s a disconcerting thought.

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The first thing to do when looking for an insomnia treatment is to look at insomnia prevention. Eliminating caffeine in the evening hours, exercising in the early evening, avoiding television and the internet near bed time, and getting to bed early are all excellent ways to prevent insomnia before it starts. And prevention is the best way to start treatment.

Probably the best-known insomnia treatment is the classic glass of warm milk. For as long as anyone can remember, when somebody has trouble falling asleep, someone has recommended a nice glass of warm milk. The reasons for its effectiveness are still not entirely understood, but warm milk does help people fall asleep. Though it will not necessarily help someone who is suffering from chronic insomnia, it will help people who just need a little something that will help them relax enough to get to sleep.

When the insomnia is a little more stubborn, stronger methods may be necessary. There are several herbal insomnia treatments available and they can be very effective assistants when someone is having trouble falling asleep. The most common herbal treatments include ingredients such as lavender, chamomile, or valerian and they can be very effective when sleep will not come otherwise.

Another option for people who need help falling asleep is melatonin, a naturally-occurring hormone. This hormone is vital in regulating human sleep cycles and, when taken in pill form, it can help people get their insomnia under control and fall asleep when they need to fall asleep. And because it is a naturally occurring hormone in mammals, it is not as hazardous as some of the stronger insomnia treatments.

Unfortunately, some people do not respond to any of these methods and need a stronger insomnia treatment. Which means, of course, sleeping pills. Admittedly, sleeping pills are very effective. However, they also carry a risk of dependency and even addiction and should, therefore, be used sparingly. But, for people who are suffering from extreme, chronic insomnia, there is sometimes no other choice and sleeping pills are needed to finally get a good nights sleep. While it is not a method that should be taken lightly, serious insomnia sometimes require serious measures and sleeping pills are an extremely effective insomnia treatment.

Insomnia treatment is vital for people who want to start getting a good nights sleep again. And there are several treatment options available for people who are suffering from an inability to sleep, ranging from simple methods of prevention to the use of sleeping pills. But the best method is one created by sitting down with a doctor and putting together an insomnia treatment plan that tailor made for the person who is struggling with sleep.

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Almost all people have experience occasional sleepless nights. But not too many people realize the seriousness of not getting enough quality sleep. Based on research, as many as 25 of Americans report occasional sleeping problems.

The latest surveys indicate that insomnia is already a chronic problem for at 10 of the entire U.S. population. The cumulative impact of sleeplessness on a population has a bearing on personal health as well as productivity in the workplace. Lack of restful sleep impairs the person’s ability to carry out daily tasks and responsibilities. Aside from feeling tired, people who lack sleep have trouble concentrating and tend to get very irritable. Imagine having those feelings or low level of physical strength while driving on a busy highway or being in the middle of an important business meeting. The results could be outright disastrous for one’s career or even life-threatening. Conversely, people who get enough continuous and quality sleep are more able to perform at work or in other activities the following day.

But how much sleep do we really need?

Sleep requirements vary over the life cycle. Newborns and infants need a lot of sleep and require several periods of sleep throughout a 24-hour time period. Naps are important to them as well as to toddlers who may have need for naps up to the age of 5. As children enter adolescence, their sleep patterns shift to a later sleep-wake cycle, but they still need around 9 hours of sleep. Throughout adulthood, even as a person gets older, they still need 7-9 hours of sleep. Sleep patterns may change, but the need for sleep remains the same. Most adults do best with about 8 hours of sleep each night until age 60, after which 6 hours may be adequate. Even though the elderly need less sleep, almost one half of people over 60 experience some degree of insomnia.

Insomnia is not a disorder, it is a symptom and not a stand-alone diagnosis. In simple terms, insomnia is difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep, or both. It is a term that is used to indicate any and all stages and types of sleep loss.
Although most of us know what insomnia is all about, very few people actually get to seek medical advice and treatment. Many people are actually unaware of the behavioral and medical options available for treating insomnia.

However, there are various medications that supposedly effective for dealing with insomnia. Over-the-counter sleeping pills and long-acting or high-dose sedatives can be purchased easily, but it may make the problem worse. Many of these sleeping aids contain antihistamines as the main ingredient. Antihistamines are known to cause sluggishness and, if used for long periods, could possibly cause memory impairment.

Strong, prescription sedatives do not produce a natural, restful sleep. If used for extensive periods, a patient may even develop tolerance or dependence on these drugs. However, suddenly stopping the use of the medication may cause rebound insomnia and withdrawal. If insomnia has been interfering with one’s daily routine or quality of life for a month or longer, it is already time to see a doctor to determine what might be the cause of the sleep problem and how it might be treated.

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According to the 2002 National Sleep Foundation NSF, a recent poll on sleeoing in America found that 74 percent of American adults are experiencing a sleeping problem a few nights a week or more; and that 39 get less than seven hours of sleep each weeknight. The statistics also show that more than one in three Americans or 37 of respondents are so sleepy during the day that it interferes with their daily activities.

In the past century that was relatively less stressful compared with the average schedule of a worker, the number of hours of lost sleep grew steadily. Though our society has changed and evolved our lives into a more complex and rigorous task, our brains and bodies have not adjusted to those changes. Based on health and productivity statistics, sleep deprivation is affecting us all and we are paying the high price.

Though a lot of us have suffered from sleep deprivation, as every sleep researcher knows, the surest way to hear complaints about sleep is to ask the elderly. More than half of men and women over the age of 65 years complain of at least one sleep problem. Many older people experience insomnia and other sleep difficulties on a regular basis.

As we get older, our sleep patterns change. In general, older people sleep less and experience more fragmented sleep. They also spend less time in deep sleep and dream sleep than younger people. There are several factors that may contribute to these sleep disorders, namely

Poor Sleep Habits

Medical Illness

Medications

Depression or Psychiatric Disorders

Sleep Disorders such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder
Retirement and Boredom

Irregular sleep-wake patterns can affect an individual’s circadian rhythm and make it hard to maintain a regular sleep schedule. Other behavioral issues, such as consumption of alcohol before bedtime, increased wakeful time in bed, or daytime napping, can also affect a person’s ability to sleep. Certain chronic medical conditions are common in older people. Some of these conditions, including heart failure, arthritis, heartburn, menopause and Alzheimer’s disease, can affect sleep. These conditions can make it hard to fall sleep or may cause the person to awaken frequently. This will ultimately affect the duration and the quality of sleep of the elderly. Some medications may impair a person’s ability to fall asleep or stay asleep and may even stimulate wakefulness at night.

Old age is characterized by many life-events, both positive and negative. Life changes such as the death of a loved one, moving from a family home, or physical limitations due to illness can cause significant stress and sleep difficulties. Retirement often leads to a lot of downtime with less daytime activity and can lead to an irregular sleep-wake schedule and chronic sleep problems.

Every person’s sleep needs are different. If one is getting less sleep than when they were younger, but still feel rested and energetic during the day, it might just be that the person need less sleep. However, if a person noticed that lack of sleep is affecting his or her daytime activities, a visit to the doctor is essential. There are steps that can take to improve a person’s sleep quality, whatever age we might be, but help is most especially needed among the elderly.

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Insomnia is a symptom, though a common misconception is that it is itself a sleep disorder. Insomnia is most often caused by sleep disorders, but other causes include fear, stress, anxiety, medications, herbs and caffeine. An overactive mind or physical pain may also be a cause. Finding the underlying cause of insomnia is usually necessary to cure it.

Treatment for Insomnia

Many insomniacs rely on sleeping tablets and other sedatives to try to get some rest. Others use herbs such as valerian, chamomile, lavender, hops, andor passion-flower. The psychoactive plant cannabis sativa commonly known as marijuana has also been reputed to induce drowsiness in its user, however, use of cannabis sativa for treatment of insomnia is unlawful in most jurisdictions.

Some traditional remedies for insomnia have included drinking warm milk before bedtime, taking a warm bath in the evening; exercising vigorously for half an hour in the afternoon, eating a large lunch and then having only a light evening meal at least three hours before bed, avoiding mentally stimulating activities in the evening hours, and making sure to get up early in the morning and to retire to bed at a reasonable hour.

Traditional Chinese medicine has included treatment for insomnia throughout its history. A typical approach may utilize acupuncture, dietary and lifestyle analysis, herbology and other techniques, with the goal to resolve the problem at a subtle level.

Although these methods have not been scientifically proven, some insomniacs report these remedies are sufficient to break the insomnia cycle without the need for sedatives and sleeping tabletscitation needed. Warm milk contains high levels of tryptophan, a natural sedative. Using aromatherapy, including lavender oil and other relaxing essential oils, may also help induce a state of restfulness.

The most commonly used class of hypnotics prescribed for insomnia are the benzodiazepines. This includes drugs such as temazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, nitrazepam and midazolam. These medications can be addictive, especially after taking them over long periods of time.

Some antidepressants such as mirtazapine, trazodone and doxepin have a sedative effect, and are prescribed off label to treat insomnia.

Low doses of Atypical antipsychotics such as Seroquel are also sometimes prescribed for their sedative effect.

The more relaxed a person is, the greater the likelihood of getting a good night’s sleep. Relaxation techniques such as meditation have been proven to help sleep. They take stress from the mind and body which leads to a deeper more restful sleep.

Disclaimer
The information presented here should not be interpreted as medical advice. If you or someone you know suffers from insomnia, please seek professional medical advice for the latest treatment options.

Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and the entire resource box is included.

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Insomnia, which is the inability to sleep satisfactorily or to have any sleep at all, is one of the most common sleep disorders. It is characterized by restlessness, sleep interruptions, decreased sleeping time than the usual, or sometimes complete wakefulness.

Aside from the annoyance that insomnia can cause to its sufferers, this sleep disorder causes those afflicted to lose enthusiasm and energy, acquire memory and concentration problems, feel lethargic, frustrated, and of course sleepy. Worse cases that may be induced by insomnia is one’s being prone to accidents, reduced work productivity and the aggravation of psychological and medical conditions.

So what exactly are the culprits that make insomnia one menacing sleeping problem?

1. Emotional Distress

More particularly when it is from internalized anxiety or anger, emotional problems can easily trigger this sleep disorder.

2. Substance Abuse

Drinking too much coffee, colas or other “energy-upper drinks” is known to cause insomnia. Caffeine from these drinks is the main reason. Chain smokers can also be easy victims of insomnia because of the nicotine that cigarettes contain. Herbal remedies, alcohol and other medications can also make one prone to becoming an insomniac. Some may think that alcohol, when consumed, can make one feel drowsy. But little did they know that in the long run, when the alcohol gets metabolized, sudden wakefulness will follow.

3. Biological Clock Disturbance.

Also known as circadian rhythm, one’s body clock, when altered, can damage the amount of sleep one can peacefully enjoy. This body clock disturbance can be caused by an irregular slumber schedule because of too much siesta or partying too late at night. It can also be jetlag or body clock disturbance due to traveling by plane to some place where there is a different time zone. Other causes may be the grave yard schedules of workers and cramming review season for students induced by exams.

4. Environmental Factors

Extreme temperatures can disrupt one’s sleeping patterns. Noise and bright lights can have the same effect too. Homesickness or when one is forced to sleep in an unfamiliar place is also one reason behind getting into the habit of not having enough sleep.

5. Health Problems

Health disorders such as diabetes, heart failure, hyperthyroidism, ulcers, and Parkinson’s disease can also induce insomnia. Asthma may also be one health problem that makes one prone to insomnia because of an asthmatic’s shortness of breath. Frequent urination, heartburn, and chronic pain from leg cramps, tooth ache and arthritis can also cause insomnia.

Psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia and depression are also possible culprits for insomnia. Snoring with prolonged pauses in breathing while at sleep, also known as sleep apnea can also cause insomnia. Periodic arm and leg movements during sleep causing the muscles to twitch excessively is one underlying cause of this sleep disorder. Another cause is narcolepsy or one’s lack of control on whether to stay awake or to fall asleep, is another cause of this sleep disorder.

6. Pre-bedtime Activities

Engaging to vigorous activities such as exercise just right before bedtime can deprive one of a good night’s sleep. Consuming large meals when one is just about to sleep can also make one experience this sleeping disorder. This is because when metabolism is at its most active thus the body prompts one to stay awake.

Who are Prone to Insomnia?

Reports have it that 90 of people can acquire transient insomnia at some point in their lives. While an estimate of 30 suffers from its chronic form.

a. Women are said to be more at risk in acquiring insomnia because of the following reasons

- Pre-menstrual syndrome with symptoms of irritability, depression and anxiety, and bloating due to menstruation disturbs a woman’s sleeping pattern.
- Menopause can also change a woman’s sleeping pattern.
- Pregnancy makes sleeplessness one common thing to happen.

b. Elderly people are also prone to getting insomnia because ageing alters one’s sleeping patterns.

c. Depressed people have lighter slumbers compared to those who don’t feel this psychological condition.

d. Students or younger ones who are conscious with their grades because of cramming can easily become insomniacs too.

With that vast information on what causes insomnia and who are at risk with this sleeping disorder, one can easily ward off this annoying condition.

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