Friday, January 31, 2014

How a Restless Night Impacts Your Day

It’s likely that you’ve experienced the frustration of not being able to fall asleep or stay asleep at least once before. The effects of not sleeping can vary widely and depend on how long and how often you are sleep deprived within a certain period of time. Restless nights, whether acute or chronic, can negatively impact your day, and more seriously your health, on mental, emotional and physical levels.


The Effects of Sleep Deprivation:


Mental/Neurological

  • Memory Loss- REM sleep plays a crucial role in cognitive function and without it the brain’s ability to consolidate memories, learn daily tasks, and make decisions is severely impaired.
  • Drowsiness and Delayed Reaction Time- severe sleep deprivation can mimic the effects of drinking alcohol and can include symptoms such as slurred speech, shakiness of the hands and poor coordination. It is estimated that fatigue causes 100,000 car accidents and 1,550 crash-related deaths per year.
  • Increased Sensitivity to Pain- Research studies have shown that when sleep deprived, sensitivity to both heat and pressure pain increases.

Emotional

  • Inability to Cope with Stress- Research studies have shown that even slight sleep deprivation can have a significant effect on mood. Lack of sleep causes people to become stressed more easily, feel the effects of stress sooner and become less able to deal with stress in positive ways.
  • Irritability and Anger- Sleep and mood are closely connected so when you don’t get enough sleep your mood is almost always going to be negatively impacted. During sleep, our brain gets a healthy dose of oxygen through deep breathing. Missing this opportunity diminishes the amount of oxygen exchange happening in the brain and negatively impacts mood the following day.
  • Depression- Chronic sleep deprivation greatly increases your risk for depression because of increased amygdala activity. The amygdala is a structure in the brain elemental to experiences of negative emotions such as anger and rage.

Physical

  • A Weakened Immune System- Although not a symptom that you will notice immediately, not getting enough sleep can increase your risk of getting sick. Prolonged sleep deprivation has been linked with diminished immune functions so missing out on a good night’s sleep can leave you susceptible to sickness.
  • Weight Gain- Without sleep, it becomes more difficult for the body to control blood sugar levels and process leptin, a hormone that works to regulate metabolism and appetite. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
  • Low Energy Levels- This is the most common symptom associated with not getting enough sleep. Sleepiness is a physical symptom demonstrated by a propensity to fall asleep or trouble staying awake during the day.
  • Tension and Headaches- REM sleep is the body’s time to rebuild and repair, especially the soft tissues that make up the body such as muscles and connective tissues. When the body misses out on this essential strengthening period, muscular soreness and tension occurs and often leads to headaches.

There is not a single doubt that sleep deprivation can negatively impact your day and put you are risk for serious, chronic health conditions. If you are having trouble sleeping, be sure to take the steps necessary to get you closer to a better night’s sleep. For some people, this can be as simple as tweaking their diet, changing their pre-bedtime routine, or finding easy stop-snoring solutions. Visit us at www.snoremart.com for more information on snoring, how it affects your health and how to stop it.

Friday, January 24, 2014

The Travel Sleep Sound Therapy System

Are you a frequent flyer? Do you find yourself away from home more often than not? Well, if you are one of the thousands of people who are affected by jet-lag or the inability to fall asleep when away from home, yawn a sigh of relief because the Travel Sleep Sound Therapy System is here to save your day! Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, getting a restful night’s sleep means you’ll have plenty of energy for whatever tomorrow brings.



The Travel Sleep Sound Therapy System is the perfect travel companion. Designed by Dr. Jeffrey Thompson to help combat barriers to quality sleep and jet-lag while traveling, it combines soothing nature sounds with a full-featured alarm clock. There are 19 beautifully recorded nature sounds to choose from including ocean surf, white noise, thunderstorm, bonfire, wind, song birds and cooling fan- just to name a few. The exclusive jet-lag reduction sound combines nature and rhythmic sounds specifically designed to reduce the effects of jet-lag- and it really works!

The Travel Sleep Sound Therapy System includes every feature you could possibly think of:
  • Choose the duration of your sound (continuous, 30, 60, 90 minutes)
  • “Gradual Off” creates a peaceful decrease in sound when nearing the end of your chosen duration
  • Headphone ready so you won’t disturb others sleeping nearby
  • Memory button replays the last sound chosen
  • Dual time (home & away) backlit alarm clock with snooze capabilities
Another unique feature is the voice memo aspect that allows you or a loved one record a personal message to wake up help start your day off on the right foot. So, no matter where you go, you’ll never be far from home.
The Travel Sleep Sound Therapy System can help you get a better night’s rest at home and on the road. Block out annoying hotel noises and create a soothing sleep environment at home with this amazing sleep system.
The Travel Sleep Sound Therapy System has two main power options:
  • 4 “AA” batteries for easy portability
  • Global adapter set that works in any country worldwide and included with purchase
Also included with your purchase is a time zone map and a travel pouch for safe keeping.
Save over $20 on the Travel Sleep Sound Therapy System when you purchase it at www.snoremart.com!

Friday, January 17, 2014

Product Review: Mandibular Advancement Devices

Mandibular Advancement Devices for Snoring Prevention

SnoreRX mandibular advancement device for lower jaw

Although there are a few different causes of snoring, the most common is the relaxation of the tongue and throat muscles, which causes the tongue to fall back and obstruct the airway. Breathing in this position causes the tissues to vibrate, making the snoring sound.

The SnoreRX is a mandibular advancement device designed to pull the lower jaw, or mandible, slightly forward and hold it in that position so that the tongue cannot fall back into the airway. It is made of medical-grade plastics and is fully adjustable—from front to back—to accommodate different users with different types of bites. Once you get the bite adjusted, you put it in boiling water for a minute, place it in your mouth and bite down into the softened plastic. This makes a custom fit to your teeth to keep it in place overnight. It does take a few nights use to become accustomed to wearing the device and it may cause slightly sore jaw muscles for that time period. Customers report that it works very well and is comfortable to wear after the initial adjustment period, with the biggest complaints being a sore jaw during the adjustment phase and excessive salivation.


One alternative to mandibular advancement devices is the The Good Morning Snore Solution. This tongue retainer does not pull the mandible forward, but instead repositions the tongue. You place this in your mouth in between your lips and teeth and create a vacuum by sucking the air out. You then place the tip of your tongue into the cup and the suction gently holds your tongue in place keeping it from falling back into the airway. There seems to be less of an adjustment period with this device compared with the mandibular advancement devices. Users of the tongue retainer report about a seventy percent success rate with this device. Unlike a mandibular advancement device, this device can be used by denture wearers. Both devices are available at snoremart.com and are backed by a 30 day, 100% money back guarantee.

Friday, January 10, 2014

6 Ways to Stop Snoring Tonight - For Free!

6 Snoring Cessation Tips 

Snoring is much more than an annoying sound that keeps your loved ones up at night. Snoring affects the quantity and quality of your sleep. Because our bodies repair during sleep, this means snoring can lead to fatigue, irritability, and increased risk of health problems such as heart disease.

What Causes Snoring? 

 

Snoring is the obstruction of air through the mouth and/or nose caused by several factors. The following snoring cessation tips can help you stop snoring, get a better night’s rest, and increase your health by addressing the common causes of snoring without the use of costly stop-snoring aids!
  1. Sleep Position- Sleeping on your back causes the tissues of the throat to relax and block the airway. Side-sleeping is the best position. Try placing a tennis ball under your shirt, making it uncomfortable to sleep on your back. 
  2. Avoid Alcohol 4 Hours Before Bed- Alcohol and other sedatives can increase relaxation of throat muscles, blocking the airway, and causing snoring. 
  3. Clear Nasal Passages- Blocked nasal passages make inhalation difficult and also create a vacuum in the throat. Try taking a warm shower before bed to clear and open nasal airways. 
  4. Reduce Allergens- Make sure your bedroom is clean of dust and change bedding frequently. Doing so reduces allergens, which can cause inflammation of airways, restricting airflow. 
  5. Elevate Your Head- Propping your head up about 4 inches puts your tongue and jaw in a better position and may help to alleviate some of the pressure from the airway allowing air to flow more easily. 
  6. Keep A Regular Sleep Schedule- Going to bed when over tired causes you to fall into a deeper sleep where the muscles of the neck and throat are more relaxed and more likely to obstruct airways. A regular sleep schedule helps you get a better quality night’s rest.