Month: July 2010

Maintaining the Quality of Sleep as We Age

All of us, young and old, need our 8 hours.  Although we experience natural changes to our sleep cycle as we age, studies show that the amount of time our bodies need to sleep remains constant throughout adulthood. But we don’t always get the sleep we require. RLS, sleep apnea, insomnia, heart problems, psychiatric problems, and other medical conditions increase as we get older causing disturbance in sleep. It is important for us to understand why these changes occur and how we can deal with them so that they don’t hinder our ability to get a good night’s sleep .To learn more about these changes and ways to improve sleep quality check out : http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/science/variations/changes-in-sleep-with-age

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.

So, What is Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)?

Restless Leg Syndrome also known as RLS is a disorder in which a person feels a constant urge to move his/her legs- which almost always relieves the unpleasant sensations. Although RLS is not a sign of any serious medical problem it can be very uncomfortable and often interrupt our precious sleep. RLS usually occurs at night when you lie down in bed or during the day when you sit for a long period of time. The unpleasant sensation is often described as tingling, aching or pulling deep within the legs. Although LRS mostly occurs is middle-aged and older people it is sometimes present in younger people (I am a 24-year old healthy female and have been experiencing RLS since I was 10). That’s because RLS is believed to be passed down in families however the abnormal gene has not yet been identified. To learn more about Restless Leg Syndrome  check out National Sleep Foundation’s article dedicated to explore the cause , symptoms, treatment options as well as many other aspects of RLS disorder. :

http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/rls-restless-legs-syndrome-diagnosis

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.