The term narcolepsy relates to sleeping disorders that create havoc with the sleeping routine. People suffering from this neurological ailment have this uncontrollable urge to fall into sleep during the day. The occurrence of this involuntary desire to sleep may happen any time, whether you are inside your home or outside.

The general sleep cycle consists of three stages of sleep. The initial light stage is followed by the deeper state that finally leads to the REM or the rapid eye movement sleep. But, people with narcolepsy, fall into the REM sleep in a short time even during day time. The usual symptoms of REM sleep like dreams and muscles paralysis do manifest during such time.

Although, narcolepsy generally occurs during the early part of life (15 to 25 age group), it can occur at any age. Many a times, since the problem is not diagnosed properly, it goes on untreated.

Reasons for narcolepsy

Although the exact reasons of narcolepsy is yet to be ascertained, research has made it possible to discover genes that are behind the disorder. The genes are associated with the production of the chemicals responsible for the maintaining the periodicity of cycle of sleep and wakefulness. Some experts are of the opinion that deficiency of hypocretin, a chemical in the brain could be the reason behind it. That apart, some abnormalities in different parts of the brain that might also be a contributing factor of the symptoms of narcolepsy. The researchers agree that the problems may be the cumulative effective of different factors.

The symptoms of narcolepsy

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS): The person has bouts of sleep during day time, even if he gets sufficient amount of sleep at night. People suffering from narcolepsy complain of tiredness, lack of mental concentration, mood swing and memory problem. Due to this, they find it difficult to go through their daily activities.

Cataplexy: Cataplexy is the state of involuntary loss of muscle tone resulting in sudden exhaustion and debility. The person fails to control his muscles and this may result in slurred speech. Expression of emotions like anger or laughter can trigger it. At times, it can even lead to total body collapse.

Hallucination: The person usually suffers from bouts of hallucination, which is mainly visual. When it happens during sleep, it is called hypnopompic and the hypnagogic when it occurs during wakefulness.

Sleep paralysis: People with narcolepsy develop temporary inability of speech and mobility. This state may last from few seconds to some minutes.

Diagnosis of Narcolepsy

The medical experts diagnose the condition of narcolepsy after studying the medical history of the patient and doing a thorough physical examination. Since none of the symptoms are exclusive to narcolepsy, it has to be ascertained through other investigations and confirmatory tests. The multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) and the polysomnogram (PSG) are conducted to diagnose narcolepsy.

The PSG test records the sleep pattern during the night when the patient is asleep. It tells whether the REM period of sleep occurs at the normal time during the sleep cycle or not.

The MSLT is conducted during day time. The patient has to sleep four or five times for short periods at two hours intervals during the day. The test is conducted in order to determine and monitor the patient’s tendency to sleep during the day. It also shows any period of REM sleep in it.

Treatment of Narcolepsy

There is no treatment that can fully cure narcolepsy. But drugs can help in controlling some of its disabling effects like cataplexy, EDS and unusual REM sleep. The doctors prescribe antidepressant drugs to subside REM sleep disorder and stimulants like amphetamine for the treatment of sleepiness.

Recently, a new drug known as Xyrem is being used for the treatment of narcolepsy with cataplexy. The drug induces sleep during the night as a result the patient doesn’t fall into sleep during the day.

Some changes in the lifestyle such as exercise, good diet, avoidance of alcohol, nicotine and caffeine are also necessary to alleviate the symptoms of narcolepsy.

Most smokers who successfully quit the habit of smoking, suffer from its withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, it can be mild but at times, the problems can be severe and persistent and can cause various problems. Hence, it is always better to be aware of them in advance and be prepared to face it.

Let’s find out about some of the more common withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking.

Withdrawal Symptoms #1:Headache – This is by far the most common symptoms that smokers have to adjust to after quitting the habit of smoking. During the period of smoking, there was less supply of oxygen to the body, as more and more carbon monoxide was being inhaled. After quitting smoking, the body reacts to the enhanced supply of oxygen, which in turn may result in headache and dizziness. You may take the help of medication, if the headache is persistent. Yoga and breathing techniques also help in alleviating the problem.

Withdrawal Symptoms #2:Coughing – Coughing is a natural symptom that occurs after quitting habit. Some experts even view it as a good thing. In fact, through coughing the lungs try to get rid of the toxins that get glued to hairs of lungs due to prolonged smoking. Generally, it takes about some months to get rid of the toxins completely. Hence, the coughing may persist till that time. But you would surely enjoy the free breathing after it.

Withdrawal Symptoms #3:Restlessness and mental irritation – Many people show signs of irritation and anxiety after quitting the habit of smoking. During the period of smoking, the body is adjusted to the constant supply of nicotine. Hence, when deprived of it, the body reacts in this way. This often proves to be a great impediment in quitting the habit successfully, as the person finds it difficult to come to terms with this change in behavior. But this is only temporary and could be controlled with counseling and will power. Indulging in sports and other creative activities also helps.

Withdrawal Symptoms #4:Sleep disorder – In cases of smokers, the body forms its own biological clock with respect to sleeping habits. So, people often find it difficult to get sleep after quitting the habit. The sleeping disorders may also result in headache.

Withdrawal Symptoms #5:Depression and lack of concentration – Nicotine is a powerful chemical that stimulates the brain. So, people who are in the habit of smoking are generally more attentive and focused during smoking. But after quitting the habit, the brain is deprived of the stimulator. Hence, people may find it hard to concentrate. In some cases, they may even suffer from depression. But all these problems go away after some time.

Withdrawal Symptoms #6: Constipation – Some people have the habit of associating smoking with bowl movements. Nicotine also has a role in stimulating the bowl movement to certain extent. Such people may develop constipation after quitting the habit of smoking.

Some people may experience more withdrawal symptoms than others, if they become unbearable, seek help from your physician immediately.

If you know of other withdrawal symptoms and would like to share with us, please feel free to do so.

People are stressed throughout the day due to different reasons and it is important that they have some effective stress relievers to help them keep their stress level under control. There are many stress relievers in the present day scenario, and one can choose from the list of effective stress relievers mentioned in the sections below.

Variety of effective stress relievers

Most of the people find relief in going for a walk, breathing fresh air. This can be done either early in the morning or in the evening, when the surroundings are calm and serene. Exercising is also a good means of keeping oneself healthy and relieved from stress of daily life.

People who cultivate the habit of putting down their thoughts on a diary can use this habit of theirs as effective stress relievers.

This provides them freedom from their worries, as they put down their thoughts on paper. One can analyze himself and the way in which he spent his day, thereby arriving at solutions for his problems in life.

In case you have good friends, then do feel free to talk about your problems to them. There is no doubt about the fact that quality time with friends is one among the effective stress relievers. In case, problem is with your place of work, try resolving matters with a higher authority.

Sometime is so happens that even after trying to calm our mind, we fail to do it. Under such circumstances the effective stress relievers to resort to, would be meditation and yoga. It not only helps you attain the peace and tranquil state of mind you have been craving for, but also ensures that your blood pressure and heart beat are maintained at normal rate.

Meditation is one such technique that has flown down through generations and hence, one can benefit greatly from this method. Though the results might not be seen right away and it might take time for you to find your groove, meditation will prove out to be one among the effective stress relievers for you.

Yoga – the most trusted effective stress relievers

The number of people, who have resorted to technique of yoga to relive their mind of stress, is very high. Having control over ones thoughts and meditating on a regular basis are a part of yoga. It makes the body flexible too, thus keeping ailments away.

Everybody is aware of the fact that, a smile shines its way through all problems. Thus, the next on list of effective stress relievers is smile and laughter. Find a reason to laugh and spend quality time with people you love to be with. This will do lot of good to your mind and soul, thus, preparing you to take on whatever comes your way.

Cultivate good hobbies like gardening, painting, or anything that provides you with relaxation. It has been proven that such hobbies can be effective stress relievers.

Alcohol consumption can cause problems if it was not consumed in moderation. Alcohol consumption sometimes results in problems like alcoholism that is a behavior, wherein person seeks alcohol all the time and loses control over his reasoning. The effects of alcohol can reflect on both social and personal life of the person.

Short term effects of alcohol consumption

• Problems with vision and hearing. Poor coordination
• less control over emotion and perception
• inability to judge things the right way
• bad breath and hangovers the next day

Long term effect of alcohol consumption

Though the problems mentioned above last only for while, in case a person continues drinking heavily over a long period of time, the results can be very bad. These include ailments related to liver, heart, pancreas and cancer too at times. The point to be noted is that the impact of alcohol is higher in women and the problems can be seen relatively sooner. The reason for this is that alcohol harms the inner organs and their functioning, thereby leading to serious health issues in the longer run.

The threats of alcohol consumption

Liver damage
It is due to long term heavy drinking among people, the problems like alcoholic hepatitis and inflammation of liver is seen. This is one among the serious threats posed by alcohol assumption and can lead to death if drinking is not stopped immediately.

Around 20 percent of heavy drinkers suffer from the problem of alcoholic cirrhosis that damages the liver. This problem caused by alcohol assumption can be solved only if the person decides to quit drinking. When the last stage of this disease is reached, liver transplantation is the only solution. The best solution would be to abstain from alcohol.

Heart related problems
Though controlled drinking can be helpful in releasing the stress and thereby reducing chances of heart attack, the impacts of long term drinking on the heart can be very bad. It can lead to high BP and thereby enhance chances of a stroke.

Cancer
It has been proven that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to cancer related to throat and esophagus. Also problems associated with colon and rectum can be seen. In women, the chances of breast cancer are very high if the drinking gets excessive.

Pancreatic ailments
It is a known fact that since pancreas are instrumental in helping control the level of sugar in the body, the proper functioning of these organs is crucial. Problems such as the inflammation of the pancreas and severe pain in the stomach often occur among people with high alcohol consumption.

Pilates seems to be the perfect exercise regimen for the people that are over the age of 50 due to its low impact exercises that will ensure that a person’s joints remain flexible and that general mobility is increased.

Pilates exercises along with a good nutritional plan will allow those over 50 to look and feel many years younger. You can combine the low impact exercises of Pilates along with weight bearing exercise and with resistance training. This is absolutely crucial for maintaining and building bone density to make sure that osteoporosis does not set in after menopause.

The benefits of Pilates for those individuals over the age of 50 include the following:

• A strong back and flexible joints
• Toned and lengthened shoulders, abdominal, arms, legs and buttocks so that your clothes are able to hang beautifully no matter what size you are
• Improved grace and suppleness; improved bone density that will give you long term health benefits

Aging

Pilates, even taking it up after you are 50 years of age, can add healthy, active years to your life.

High Blood Pressure

If you do Pilates on a regular basis, it helps to keep the arteries elastic. This keeps the blood flowing and lowers blood pressure.

Overweight

Pilates will help you maintain weight loss.

Effects on Joints and Bones

Pilates will help reduce stiffness and pain. I will also help build muscles endurance, strength, and well-being. You can feel confident that the Pilates stretching exercises will help increase flexibility without putting stress on the joints.

Back Problems

One of the most common complaints of today is lower back pain. Poor posture is a major contributor to this. If you work on strengthening the abdominal muscles, then this will help alleviate stress on your lower back.

Emotional and Psychological Benefits

Pilates will help improve your reaction time. Exercise is able to help with depression and will increase your feelings of well being.

Lack of Sleep

Pilates helps reduce the level of anxiety and stress that you have and helps with sleeplessness.

Rehabilitation after injury

Once you have had an acute injury, a Pilates program of maintenance will be able to bring your muscles back to an optimal working order.

Precision

All of the movements in Pilates are exact, and they involve precise breathing and actions.

Movement

The moves are controlled, slow, and continuous and require concentration and greater skill if you are going to do them properly.

Isolation

Pilates is all about working on isolating muscles. By using the isolation method, we identify our muscles particularly the weaker and neglected ones. Pilates helps build awareness of any imbalance in flexibility or muscle strength.

Routine

Pilates does not replace any current exercise program you may be working on. Rather, it is supposed to complement and enhance your current program by improving the way in which your muscles work together. When practicing the Pilates principles you will improve flexibility and strength, skill and speed and will reduce fatty deposits. As your muscles become leaner, your body shape will begin to change.

If you are over 50, Pilates can help you if you have/want any one of the following:

• Back problems
• Have RSI
• Digestive problems
• Feel stressed or tired
• Want toned thighs/ buttocks
• Want good posture
• Suffer from neck and shoulder tension
• Have headaches
• Are overweight
• Are recovering from an injury
• Want a flatter stomach

This article is brought to you by Steven Giles.