Thursday, February 26, 2009

How can you get rid of your sleepwalking or sleeping disorder


Sleepwalking is a sleeping disorder that is also known as somnambulism or noctambulism. It is a series of complex behaviors such as moving furniture, going to the bathroom, dressing and undressing, and similar activities during sleep. Some people even drive a car while actually asleep. The episodes can be brief or can last for 30 minutes or longer. Sleepwalking is a rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder occurring in the dream stage of sleep. During this phase, the body releases a chemical that paralyzes the body.

It can affect you at any age but it occurs usually in children aged 6 to 12 years old. It may occur in younger children, in adults, or in the elderly, and it appears to run in families. Sleepwalking is common among children, an estimated 15 percent of all children between the ages of 5 and 12 have walked in their sleep at least once, and most outgrow the disorder. Generally sleepwalker sits up, gets out of bed, and moves about in an uncoordinated manner. Less frequently, the sleepwalker may dress, open doors, eat, or go to the bathroom without incident and usually will avoid obstacles. But sleepwalkers don't always make their rounds in safety. They sometimes hurt themselves, stumbling against furniture and losing their balance, going through windows, or falling down stairs

Sleepwalking is fairly common and can be treated easily. Usually diagnosis is not required for sleepwalking, but doctor can perform psychologic evaluation to determine whether excessive stress or anxiety is the cause of sleepwalking. Sleepwalking can be treated by medication as well as by change in life style.

You can treat sleep walking yourself by following these tips.

  • Follow a fixed sleep regime to prevent sleep deprivation
  • Escape yourself from other sleep disorders
  • Create congenial sleep environment.
  • Avoid certain drugs and alcohol
  • Avoid stress and fever
  • Stay awakened about 15 minutes before you usually sleepwalk and then kept awake through the duration of a typical episode. After 1-4 weeks of these awakenings, episodes usually become less frequent or even disappear.

If these tips don’t work for then consult the doctor. He can solve your problem with medication. Sometimes drugs such as benzodiazepines and antidepressants may be prescribed to cure sleepwalking. Apart from medication doctor can also recommend therapies for treatment. You should not select treatment option yourself, consult a doctor for optimum result.

Friday, February 13, 2009

What kind of family stress affect your whole family


There are several types of stresses. Family stress is one of them such kind of stress not only hampers an individual but affects the whole family. Either it is children, parents or other family member. Family stress is very bad for a family because nobody can interact properly with each other. This situation may affect kids more because their mind is considered as very sensitive. Whenever you realize that stress has captured your family then try to eliminate it right now. Delay in matter may aggravate the situation.

Parenting stress: Sometimes a child may play truant from school or have gotten mixed up with other children who are a bad impact on them. These are things that bring additional worry to the parents who are perhaps already struggling with financial burdens, problems at work, illness or even problems with their own relationship.

Stress in Children: Children are also prone to high levels of stress especially if the parents are experiencing problems in their own relationship or indeed if they split up. The break up of a marriage can be a very stressful time for the family as a whole, not just the parents, and it is important to remember this.

Contradictions are common in a house but you should let it big because it may cause family stress so try to avoid it.

Avoiding any type of stress within the family unit is difficult if not impossible but it can be reduced. Parents should spend the time with their children about the issues that are likely to affect the family as a whole, after all financial difficulties or the loss of a job will undoubtedly have an impact on the family as a whole so it is wise to talk these issues through in a calm and civilized manner.

Also, in today’s lateral thinking world, it is often commonplace for children to be more aware of what is going around them through schooling and the media than many parents might like to give them credit for.

If stress is something that is affecting your family there are some simple steps you can take to minimize the damage caused.

  • Don’t argue in front of the children, this only upsets them and in turn inflames tempers in those who are arguing.

  • Don’t keep worries of financial hardship a secret; talk them through as a family and make sure everyone understands the significance of what they are being told.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

How much severe the effects of stress can be

effects of stress
There are numerous effects of stress on the body and they can be drastic if you have long-term stress. Excess stress can reduce your capability to function in life. You should cure your stress before it becomes severe. In this article we will tell you that how much severe the effects of stress can be.

Sexual problems: Long-lasting stress can lead to loss of libido, or even short-term impotence in men. In women incapability to enjoy orgasm, reduced fertility, higher chances of miscarriage, and irregular periods are common.

Aging: Constant and excess stress may cause loss in neural and hormonal balance. This imbalance will cause increased oxidative damage accelerating aging in our body. That's because, persistent disturbances in body homeostasis ultimately affect our hormone secreting glands, cell repair and collagen in our skin and connecting tissues. Immune and neural degenerative diseases prevent this otherwise inevitable process from following the normal and healthy course of events. New researches confirm that long-term exposure to adrenal stress hormones may enhance brain aging in future.

Researchers tell the level of hormone released apparently affects the total volume of the brain's hippocampus—a major source of recall and memory function, in later life. They found those with high levels of hormone release, had a hippocampus volume 14 per cent less than those with lower levels. Their studies prove that continuous stress may accelerate hippocampal weakening leading to accelerated physical and brain aging.

Gastric problems: Stress is usually associated with peptic ulcer that is caused by bacteria or by the excessive intake of specific medicines like aspirin and ibuprofen. Some studies show that stress increases the risk of ulcers or prolongs the treatment of an existing ulcer.

Eating problems: Stress is often related to weight gain and obesity. When people are stressed they develop a desire towards salt and sugar and end up eating fatty and starchy foods to combat stress. Stressed people may also suffer a loss of hunger and loss of weight. In rare cases, chronic stress triggers hyperactivity of thyroid gland, and this causes the body to burn up calories at a rapid rate.

Health problems: You should keep stress away from your body; if you would not do so then several problems such as ulcers, obesity, heart disease, headaches, nausea, rashes, high blood pressure, cancer, depression, anorexia, diabetes, hyperthyroidism and sexual abuse may capture you anytime.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Several methods and therapies to deal with stress


Stress is a chronic problem, which may cause serious problems in your life. It may cause various health problems like headaches, nausea, rashes, and high blood pressure. It is a situation, which can disturb the normal physical and mental health of a person. This problem is very severe and can capture anybody (children, adult or aged). So everybody has to aware of it. Stress can make you feel depressed, fatigued, disgusted and angry. Whenever you realize that stress has started to hamper you then go for treatment without delay. There are several methods and therapies available, which can help you to deal with stress. Some of them are very reliable and efficient, they are very cheap also and you don’t have to spend a big money for them.

  • Breathe in and out slowly and deeply – this can really help the relaxation process. Try shaking and loosening your arms and shoulders
  • Let your jaw go slack and your muscles relax
  • Wiggle your feet and try to relax your legs.
  • Orgasm: People don't often say this in polite company, but there are few things more relaxing in life than the aftermath of an orgasm. It doesn't cost anything, and you don't even need to do it with anyone else.
  • The post-orgasmic phase makes you tranquil and soporific and it should also remove all the knots of tension from your head and shoulders.
  • Concentrate on your own aims, not your friends’ or spouse’s. You must know yourself, your dreams, and your passions. If asked to chair another group or take on another responsibility, look at your mission statement or goals for the day. If it is does not fit it there say thank you but I just cannot. Saying no is one of the hardest things in life, but will help to make you a success in your chosen field.
  • Don't be too argumentative. Is it really worth the stress? Look for win - win situations.
  • Look for a solution to a dispute where both parties can achieve a positive outcome.
  • Do not hesitate to laugh frequently. Studies have proved that a good attitude reduces the cancer rates, makes surgery more effective, and keeps a relationship together through hard times. .
  • Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and ensure we get adequate rest our body is better able to cope with stress should it occur.