Does Sleeping on Your Right Side Prolong Heartburn?

A recent New York Times article claims that lying in the right position can ease heartburn. That’s great news for those of us who suffer from chronic heartburn and have difficulty falling asleep as a result. It turns out that heartburn can be controlled not only by avoiding certain foods and drinks, but also by sleeping on your left side instead of your right!?

The full article, by ANAHAD O’CONNOR, is available on the New York Times website.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/26/health/26really.html?scp=1&sq=does%20laying%20on%20the%20side&st=cse

Does heartburn affect you at night? Do you have any sleep-related tips for controlling heartburn? Let us know in the comments.

by Agnieszka

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Important:
The Sleep Blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Instead, this website provides general information for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider if you have questions or concerns regarding any medical condition or treatment.

Sleep Paralysis

I will never forget my first, and, fortunately, only experience with sleep paralysis. I was about eleven or twelve years old when it happened; I woke up in the middle of the night unable to move. I panicked and wanted to scream, but the words never came out.

After a few seconds, something let go of me and I ran as fast as I could to tell my parents about the episode. In the years that followed I couldn’t understand what happened to me that night, but it fascinated me so much so that I became determined to find out more.

I have, on various occasions, been told that this condition is the work of demons (a very popular belief in some parts of the world); however, I now know that there is a scientific explanation for this phenomenon.

Most people, at some point in their life, will experience Sleep Paralysis.  The condition is broadly defined as it sounds – paralysis during sleep.  While it may also occur in people who don’t suffer from any apparent sleep problems, sleep paralysis has been linked to narcolepsy, cataplexy and hypnagogic hallucinations. .

Lack of sleep, sudden lifestyle or environmental changes and stress may trigger Sleep Paralysis, and you can take several steps to prevent such episodes:

  • Get at least 8-10 hours of sleep every night
  • Have a set schedule for bed time
  • Avoid consuming alcohol when you are sleep deprived
  • Exercise
  • Avoid stress and relax few hours before bed time.
  • Avoid sleeping in a face upwards or supine position

 

Sleep Paralysis is not generally considered dangerous and, although some people may be frightened by it (like me), in reality it isn’t anything to be afraid of . If you’d like to find out more about this topic, please visit: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2585517/facts_about_sleep_paralysis.html?cat=5

 

Have you ever experienced Sleep Paralysis? Share your experience and continue the discussion in the comments below.

By Agnieszka.

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Important:
The Sleep Blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Instead, this website provides general information for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider if you have questions or concerns regarding any medical condition or treatment.

5 Things you need to know in order to get a good night’s sleep.

Getting a good night’s sleep is vital for maintaining our health and well being.  Sleep allows us to function better in our daily lives and also serves a variety of purposes from restorative purposes to memory processing. That said, we’ve probably all had times when we’ve found it difficult to sleep, and many people suffer recurring sleep problems or even primary insomnia. So what can we do to get a good night’s sleep?

Of course, there are many over-the-counter remedies available to help you combat sleeplessness, but there are also plenty of tried and tested methods to help ensure that you get the best sleep you can get.

Stress: By far and away one of the most common causes of temporary or longer term insomnia is stress. Worrying about something and having an overly active mind can impinge on our ability to get a good night’s sleep.
There are a number of ways to combat stress, and many of them depend on the kind of stress you are suffering from. Most physicians recommend keeping a notepad by the bed to write down any worries before bed.

Exercise: is a great way to encourage sleep since by working your muscles and making them tired you can induce sleepiness by increasing your body’s need for rest. If you find it hard to sleep, try taking a brisk walk or going for a bicycle ride in the evening before bed. Raising your overall level of activity, especially if you lead a fairly sedentary life, will also help your longer term sleeping patterns, as well as having positive effects on your health!

Relaxation: It may sound almost contrary to the above, but relaxation should also be an important part of your daily life. If you’re someone who’s “on the go” all the time, you might find it hard to relax when it comes to bed time because your mind is still busy with the day’s events. Wind down in the evenings by reading a book before bed, taking a warm bath or even practicing slow stretching and deep breathing exercises.

Avoid caffeine, not just before bedtime, but also large quantities of caffeine during the day. Not only does the stimulant effect of caffeine in drinks such as coffee, tea or energy drinks keep you awake for longer, but caffeine also reduces your ability to get good quality sleep. Light, fitful sleep is almost as bad as not having any sleep at all.

Quality of bed: A good quality, comfortable bed and supportive pillows can make all the difference too and can stop you feeling achy and tired the next morning. Make sure that you have some thick blackout curtains to shut out the light, especially in summertime when the evenings are light – after all, it’s just as important to prepare your sleeping environment for a good night’s sleep as well as preparing your body.

Cole Watts writes on behalf of Golden Rest beds one of the largest online suppliers of adjustable beds,

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Important:
The Sleep Blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Instead, this website provides general information for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider if you have questions or concerns regarding any medical condition or treatment.