Monthly Archives: November 2014

What is Insomnia?

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Insomnia and neck and shoulder painIf you suffer from insomnia, you know how frustrating and debilitating it can be. Of course, everyone experiences a restless night here and there, but when it’s constant the need for a solution becomes critical to one’s overall health and happiness. Let’s clearly define what insomnia is, and in doing so help you determine whether or not you might be suffering from it.

INSOMNIA DEFINED
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), approximately 30 percent of adults experience sleep disruption of some kind, and insomnia is more common than you may think.

Insomnia sufferers fall into two main categories: those who have difficulty falling asleep, and those who have difficulty staying asleep. Adults who struggle with insomnia may also wake up several times each night, or wake up too early in the morning feeling tired.

In addition, insomnia may only occur occasionally, or can be an ongoing problem.

Acute Insomnia does not last long. It typically occurs in association with a stressful or big event, like a job change, job loss, final exam or getting married. And although many people experience this type of insomnia, it often resolves itself without any formal treatment.

Chronic insomnia typically occurs a minimum of three nights per week for a minimum of three months. There are many factors that can cause chronic insomnia, including unhealthy sleep habits, 2nd or 3rd shift work, certain types of medication, as well as neck and shoulder pain. Sufferers of chronic insomnia can often benefit from treatment that addresses the underlying causes of their sleep disorder.

Common Insomnia Symptoms

  • Fatigue
  • Low energy
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Mood disturbances
  • Decreased performance in work or at school

Common Causes of Insomnia

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Poor sleep habits like watching TV in bed
  • Stimulants like tobacco, caffeine and alcohol
  • Neck and shoulder pain

Let’s take a closer look at that last point — neck and shoulder pain. This can have many causes, including overexertion, stress, your pillow and your mattress.

Many people don’t realize that using a non-supportive pillow can be detrimental to spine alignment. In addition, a non-supportive pillow can also cause muscles in the neck and shoulders to tense up causing pain and stiffness, which can lead to insomnia.

The Natural Comfort Pillow can help with both of these issues. Whether you’re a back- or side-lying sleeper, our pillow supports your neck and aligns your spine, helping your body’s muscles relax instead of tense up — helping you sleep better and wake up more refreshed (and less stiff).

Learn more about how our pillow helps with insomnia, as well as how it can relieve neck pain and shoulder pain.

Thank you for visiting Natural Comfort Pillow!

Could Sleep Disorders Cause ADHD Behavior in Kids?

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Could Sleep Disorders Cause ADHD Behavior in KidsDid you know that children who experience poor sleep can exhibit symptoms very similar to ADHD? Over the years, many studies have been performed linking ADHD to poor sleep patterns. But more recent studies suggest there are some cases where poor sleep patterns are causing behaviors that at first glance appear to be ADHD. Let’s examine this more closely and look at ways to help children sleep better — whether they have ADHD or not …

Children who consistently experience lack of sleep typically exhibit the following symptoms:

A decrease in …

  • Performance
  • Reaction time
  • Ability to concentrate
  • Absorption or processing of information

An increase in …

  • Irritability
  • Hyperactivity
  • Memory lapses
  • Being accident or injury prone
  • Behavior problems and acting out
  • Impulsive behavior

If you’re thinking these symptoms sound almost identical to those of ADHD, you’re correct. In the medical profession, ADHD has gotten so much attention that it has a tendency to dominate conversations, as well as diagnosis. And since the symptoms are so similar, it’s very easy to mis-diagnose sleep deprivation as ADHD.

In many ways, this is a very similar conundrum as to what came first: the chicken or the egg? In some cases, sleeplessness can cause ADHD symptoms, while in other cases ADHD can cause sleeplessness. And although our blog can’t diagnose a definitive answer as to what a particular child’s symptoms actually mean, we felt it was important to raise awareness about the similarities between these two conditions to help spark conversation between parents and pediatricians.

According to Parenting magazine, “experts believe many kids are actually misdiagnosed as having ADHD when the problem is really a sleep disorder like sleep apnea (in which a child stops breathing and wakes several times throughout the night) or restless leg syndrome (where the legs jerk randomly and wake a child up) … If you suspect your child may have ADHD, it’s wise to get him or her assessed for sleep problems as well. Even if ADHD is the correct diagnosis, having your child sleep longer and more soundly will likely help manage her behavior.”

“Sleep deprivation can cause daytime hyperactivity and decrease
in focused attention. This can be mistaken for ADHD or other
behavior disorders.” — National Institutes of Health

Signs that your child may not be sleeping well:

  • He or she does not wake up “spontaneously” in the morning. In other words, it typically takes multiple attempts to have them wake up
  • Oversleeping that causes rushed or missed breakfast
  • Sluggish, sleepy behavior (in school or at home)
  • Trouble concentrating or completing tasks
  • Daytime irritability
  • Falling asleep in the afternoon once home from school

If your child is having trouble sleeping, the Natural Comfort Pillow may help
In addition to seeking assistance from your pediatrician, there’s a good chance our pillow can help your child sleep better. Whether the issue is ADHD, or sleep deprivation, the goal is to help your child get more rest.

Our pillow is made to work for both children and adults. One side of the pillow has bolsters that accommodate larger individuals, while the other is made for smaller individuals including children. Learn more.

Thank you for visiting the Natural Comfort Pillow blog!

 

Decreasing Migraines by Improving Neck & Shoulder Health

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Neck and Shoulder Pain ReductionIn a recent article, we talked about reducing migraines through diet. This week, we’re going to focus on simple ways to reduce neck and shoulder pain, which often leads to decreased migraines — not to mention a better quality of life. But first, let’s take a quick look at some common causes of neck and shoulder pain …

Common Causes of Neck & Shoulder Pain

  • Stress or tension, which causes compression of spinal nerves (known as a “pinched nerve”)
  • Arthritis
  • A herniated disk
  • Muscle strain caused by overuse (sports- or labor-related)
  • Any kind trauma injury
  • Shoulder instability (joint slippage in and out of sockets)
  • Poor posture when sitting or standing
  • Spinal misalignment when sleeping (caused by use of a non-supportive pillow)  

Reducing Neck & Shoulder Pain
One of the easiest ways realize better neck and shoulder health is by using a supportive pillow. In addition to reducing pain, a supportive pillow can also help you sleep better. This combination of proper support, which aligns the spine, and better sleep is a highly effective way to reduce migraine occurrences.

How Our Pillow Helps

  • For Back-lying Sleepers: A multi-bolster system, created by leading Australian physiotherapists, cradles the neck for proper spine alignment
  • For Side-lying Sleepers: The non-bolster side of our pillow supports your shoulder while maintaining spinal alignment
  • With proper spine alignment, your muscles are in a position where they can relax, instead of being tensed up, which helps decrease the occurrence of pain and migraines
  • Migraines are often triggered by a poor night’s sleep; using a pillow that reduces pain can go a long way in helping you sleep better 

Additional Ways to Reduce Neck & Shoulder Pain
Speaking with your doctor is always a good idea when addressing chronic neck or shoulder pain. Seeing a licensed massage therapist, physical therapist, or a chiropractor are also smart strategies. When choosing one of these specialized health professionals, look for experience and a proven track record, as opposed to who’s offering the best price. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for.

Stretching and exercise are also two options that help reduce neck and shoulder pain. But if you’re in pain, it may be difficult to stretch or exercise without causing more pain. Again, forming a plan with a health professional can assist in helping you feel better, while avoiding further injury or pain.

Aerobic conditioning is often an excellent way to help the neck and shoulders loosen up, reduce pain and increase range of motion. This occurs because aerobic activity increases blood flow to the muscles and soft tissues of the neck and upper back (your whole body, actually). It also helps release endorphins (after approximately 30 minutes of aerobic activity), which naturally reduce pain in the body.

We hope these strategies help reduce pain and improve the quality of your life!

Learn more about how our pillow can help with neck pain and shoulder pain.

Do You Have Sleep Apnea?

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Do You Have Sleep ApneaDid you know that approximately 22 million people are believed to suffer from some form of sleep apnea — either mild, moderate or severe? If you believe you fall into any of these categories, you might want to review the following criteria that can help you determine whether or not you should seek the help of a medical professional. Indicators of sleep apnea include how often you snore, and how easy it is for you to doze off during the day, among other things.

Before we take a deeper look at indicators, let’s get started by reviewing the three different types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea
This is the most frequently seen form of sleep apnea, which typically occurs when the soft tissue at the back of the throat relaxes while a person is sleeping. Relaxed soft tissue can block a person’s airway, in varying degrees, and can be a cause of snoring.

Central Sleep Apnea
Far less common than obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea is connected to the central nervous system and occurs when a person’s brain doesn’t properly communicate with the muscles that control breathing. Snoring is NOT a symptom of this type of sleep apnea.

Complex Sleep Apnea
This is a combination of the two types of sleep apnea mentioned above.

SYMPTOMS OF SLEEP APNEA

Since you’re sleeping, self-diagnosis is not an easy task. If you have a significant other, calling upon their assistance, and documentation of what occurs, can prove helpful. You can also record yourself while you sleep and review yourself. 

  • Very loud snoring (a typical symptom of obstructive sleep apnea)
  • Pauses in-between snoring, followed by choking and/or gasps
  • Severe daytime sleepiness, also referred to as hypersomnia
  • Falling asleep easily during the day when you’re not active
  • Temporary cessation of breathing while sleeping
  • Waking up abruptly, accompanied by a discernable shortness of breath (typical with central sleep apnea)
  • Recurring morning headaches
  • Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
  • Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
  • Concentration, memory or learning problems

The Natural Comfort Pillow Can Help
Did you know that our pillow can help relieve obstructed sleep apnea symptoms? In addition, it’s incredibly comfortable and hypoallergenic! Find out more.

Please be advised that if you suspect you have any form of sleep apnea, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Thank you for visiting Natural Comfort Pillow!