According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), hypersomnia is recurring and severe episodes of daytime sleepiness or prolonged sleeping at night. Daytime sleepiness may cause an irresistible lapse into daytime napping, sometimes without warning, called sleep attacks. After waking up from a nap or sleep attack, … Read More
Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance found in coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate. [1] People use caffeine for the effects that it has on nerve cells of the brain. These effects include increased alertness, energy, and concentration. About two-thirds of daily caffeine consumption come from drinking coffee. [2] One eight-ounce … Read More
I am someone who requires a lot of sleep to get by. With a history of migraine headaches and chronic fatigue syndrome, getting regular sleep – and lots of it – is important to me and helps me feel better. I have many friends, however, who can get by on … Read More
Lavender is believed to have an exotic history dating back as far as 2,500 years. The ancient Greeks commonly referred to lavender as Nard, after the Syrian city of Naarda. The Romans used lavender—much like we do today—as a pleasing aroma for linens, soaps, and shampoos. In fact, the name … Read More
The human brain is a truly remarkable and highly complex organ. Neurons are the brain cells that carry messages throughout the brain, nervous system, and body. It’s estimated that healthy adults have around 100 billion neurons, each connecting to 10,000 other neurons—an impressive network indeed! Brain atrophy "is a common … Read More
Studies examining the association of sleep behaviors with neuromuscular performance and daytime function in older women found that sleep deprivation is associated with worse physical function during the day. Women who slept less than six hours per night walked 3.5 percent slower than those who slept six to eight hours. … Read More
Jet lag is a sleep phase disorder that occurs when traveling across time zones. In the days of leisurely ocean liner crossings and cross-country rail travel, the body had time to adjust to different time zones, but the advent of air travel changed that. When you cross into a new … Read More
If you have any of the following environmental risk factors, the good news is that by altering them, you may be able to lower your risk of back pain in the future. Smoking Most people relate smoking to heart and lung problems, but it also puts you at risk for … Read More
Has a friend ever bragged about how refreshed he feels after just four or five hours of sleep the night before? Do you know a child who resists going to bed at a reasonable hour because she “doesn’t feel tired?” Do you find yourself on an inconsistent schedule when it … Read More
The migraine headache is one of the top 20 most debilitating disorders in developed countries. It is caused by a complicated interplay between predisposing genetic variants and environmental factors. How to overcome migraines? There are all kinds of treatments that can help, including natural remedies discussed below. First, consider that … Read More
