Restless Leg Syndrome, RLS for short, occurs in 2 to 5 percent of all adults. Although that does not effect many people, if you have ever suffered from RLS you know that it is a sleep disorder that can make it extremely difficult to sleep.
What is RLS?
RLS is an unpleasant sensation in your legs in which the only relief is to move your legs. This neurological disorder occurs at night when you are relaxing and the uncomfortable feeling can cause exhaustion and fatigue throughout the day, making daily activities difficult.
What Causes RLS?
Oftentimes, the cause of RLS is unknown. Low levels of iron in the brain can be responsible, as can a specific genetic component. Disruption of the brain's basal ganglia circuits (needed to produce smooth muscle activity and movement) can also be related to RLS.
Some factors can also relate with RLS, such as chronic diseases, certain medications and pregnancy. Researches do not know if they specifically cause RLS but many people have suffered from RLS with these conditions.
Diagnosing RLS
A physician will do a series of tests to rule out any underlying issues when diagnosing RLS. The symptoms are the basic way to diagnose the condition.
Treating RLS
By moving the affected limbs you will find temporary relief from RLS. If there is an underlying condition that can be causing RLS, controlling that condition can help the RLS symptoms. Making lifestyle changes can help reduce the symptoms as well, such as decreasing caffeine, alcohol and tobacco, changing your sleep pattern, increasing exercise, taking a hot bath or using a heating pad. Some medications are helpful but are not effective for everyone suffering from RLS.
Restless Leg Syndrome can be managed when you find what it is that is causing the symptoms. It is not something that has to control your life; if you suffer from RLS, consult your doctor to find a solution that is perfect for you.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
How do YOU Fall Asleep?
Some nights you lay in bed trying to count sheep, hum yourself to sleep, try to clear your mind, listen to the quiet, and you just cannot fall asleep fast enough! What's the deal with that? Everybody has been there done that and everybody has a method that works the best for them. Here are some ideas to help you fall asleep at night when you have a restless mind.
Count backwards from 100. If you've ever gone into surgery, or watched any movie that involves someone going in for surgery, they tell you to count backwards from 100. Next thing you know, you're awake in a terrible hospital bed and you have no idea how far you got from 100. Try this when you have a restless mind and you might find yourself waking up in your comfortable, warm bed wondering how long that took you!
Before you go to bed put everything in order (in your mind). Calming your mind before bed will ensure you fall asleep quicker. There is nothing worse than finally getting to bed and then staring at the ceiling, wide awake, because your brain doesn't want you to sleep. Your mind is a restless part of your body and the more you have going on, the longer you will stay awake for.
For a restless mind, try drinking tea (non-caffeine) before bed. This will soothe you and it also is a great way to relax before going to bed! Don't go to bed until you feel like you are going to be able to fall asleep, or you'll be awake for hours.
Do you have any tips and tricks that help you fall asleep quicker?
Count backwards from 100. If you've ever gone into surgery, or watched any movie that involves someone going in for surgery, they tell you to count backwards from 100. Next thing you know, you're awake in a terrible hospital bed and you have no idea how far you got from 100. Try this when you have a restless mind and you might find yourself waking up in your comfortable, warm bed wondering how long that took you!
Before you go to bed put everything in order (in your mind). Calming your mind before bed will ensure you fall asleep quicker. There is nothing worse than finally getting to bed and then staring at the ceiling, wide awake, because your brain doesn't want you to sleep. Your mind is a restless part of your body and the more you have going on, the longer you will stay awake for.
For a restless mind, try drinking tea (non-caffeine) before bed. This will soothe you and it also is a great way to relax before going to bed! Don't go to bed until you feel like you are going to be able to fall asleep, or you'll be awake for hours.
Do you have any tips and tricks that help you fall asleep quicker?
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
A Startup Created No. 1 Mattress on Amazon
You always hear about major companies that once were startups, starting out working out of someone's basement or garage and later turned into multimillion dollar businesses. Here is one success story of a startup making a change in the mattress industry.
Tuft and Needle started with this idea: that it’s possible to make money producing a better, more affordable product by cutting out the middlemen and controlling prices. With that said, they created mattresses that range in price from $200 to $500, five inches thick and made out of foam. The density of the foam and the way that it is layered will provide its consumer with seven to 10 years of daily use.
Read more about this startup here: http://recode.net/2014/03/05/how-a-startup-created-the-no-1-rated-mattress-on-amazon-com/.
What other startup success stories have you heard of?
Tuft and Needle started with this idea: that it’s possible to make money producing a better, more affordable product by cutting out the middlemen and controlling prices. With that said, they created mattresses that range in price from $200 to $500, five inches thick and made out of foam. The density of the foam and the way that it is layered will provide its consumer with seven to 10 years of daily use.
Read more about this startup here: http://recode.net/2014/03/05/how-a-startup-created-the-no-1-rated-mattress-on-amazon-com/.
What other startup success stories have you heard of?
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Make your Bedroom The Best Room
Your bedroom might have multiple different uses, whether you use it as a home office, a place to get away from roommates or family, do your morning yoga, or just to relax. You have probably heard that your bedroom should be used for one thing and one thing only: sleep. So how can you make your bedroom comfortable for you?
Making your bedroom as comfortable as possible can drastically improve your overall sleep. One way you can do that is by making the lighting in your room as dim as possible. Dim lighting is easier on your eyes and will not cause your eyes to strain. Your body is trained to sleep when it's dark, so dim lighting will give your body the hint that it's time for sleep. Make sure to avoid any of those bright lights from alarm clocks, televisions and cell phones as the lighting from those can make it harder for you to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Keep your bedroom cool. Your body naturally cools down when you are sleeping, so a colder temperature will help get you to sleep a lot faster. It is advised to aim for 5 to 10 degrees cooler than what you set your temperature for during the day. You will find that a cooler temperature is a lot more comfortable for sleeping.
Avoid as much noise as possible. Some people prefer to sleep with music on or a fan blowing because the sound puts them to sleep easier and this is because it is soothing. However, if you have a train going by every couple of hours or other disrupting sounds try to find a way to block out that unwanted noise.
Get rid of anything in your room that does not involve sleep. That television, computer and treadmill are all stress factors and can make it harder for you to fall asleep. Your bedroom is meant for sleeping and nothing else.
If you find yourself struggling to fall asleep and to stay asleep every night, consider changing some of the factors. Adjust the temperature, remove any light and noise and you might find yourself sleeping comfortable throughout the night.
Making your bedroom as comfortable as possible can drastically improve your overall sleep. One way you can do that is by making the lighting in your room as dim as possible. Dim lighting is easier on your eyes and will not cause your eyes to strain. Your body is trained to sleep when it's dark, so dim lighting will give your body the hint that it's time for sleep. Make sure to avoid any of those bright lights from alarm clocks, televisions and cell phones as the lighting from those can make it harder for you to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Keep your bedroom cool. Your body naturally cools down when you are sleeping, so a colder temperature will help get you to sleep a lot faster. It is advised to aim for 5 to 10 degrees cooler than what you set your temperature for during the day. You will find that a cooler temperature is a lot more comfortable for sleeping.
Avoid as much noise as possible. Some people prefer to sleep with music on or a fan blowing because the sound puts them to sleep easier and this is because it is soothing. However, if you have a train going by every couple of hours or other disrupting sounds try to find a way to block out that unwanted noise.
Get rid of anything in your room that does not involve sleep. That television, computer and treadmill are all stress factors and can make it harder for you to fall asleep. Your bedroom is meant for sleeping and nothing else.
If you find yourself struggling to fall asleep and to stay asleep every night, consider changing some of the factors. Adjust the temperature, remove any light and noise and you might find yourself sleeping comfortable throughout the night.
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