Natural Remedies For Truck Drivers With Sleep Apnea And Other Sleep Disorders

Commercial Truck Drivers have a higher risk of sleep disorders than the general public due to their irregular work schedules and inability to get quality sleep. Sleeping in a truck hardly offers the same level of comfort that they would get in their own beds. Plus there is often the noise and distractions of sleeping at truckstops. Those drivers that aren't fortunate enough to get a parking space at truckstops to sleep often must park their truck anywhere they can. When this happens, they don't necessarily feel safe which interferes with the quality of sleep they receive.

Commercial truck drivers should be well rested and alert after sleeping but this is often not the case. The quality of sleep truck drivers get in their trucks is poor. Sleep apnea, insomnia and other sleep disorders can drastically affect truck drivers driving abilities when they are behind the wheel. This can increase their risk of being involved in accidents.

Getting good quality sleep and a sufficient level of sleep is a major factor in promoting weight loss, lowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and other health problems. It can also help with depression and increase longevity. Good quality sleep is vital to maintaining good health. Our immune system repairs damage to the body during the deepest stages of the sleep cycle. However, when ones sleep is disrupted the process of repairing the body can be hampered.

One alternative to treating sleep apnea naturally without the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or surgery is to use a safe and natural compound called 5-Hydroxytrptophan (5-HTP). 5-HTP is a serotonin precursor and many victims of sleep apnea are deficient in serotonin.

When one doesn't get sufficient sleep, the amount of cortisol increases which then decreases the amount of L-Tryptophan that gets to the brain. L-Tryptophan is an amino acid which is required for the brain to produce serotonin. 5-HTP can be used to raise serotonin levels in the body. It is recommended to start with 50 mg and increase the amount if needed. 5-HTP is easily available at supermarkets, pharmacies and online retailers. Those who choose to supplement with 5-HTP should do so under the advisement of their medical practitioner because there can be side effects.

Valerian root is a popular perennial herb available in supplement form used to treat insomnia and other sleep problems. Chronic insomnia accelerates the aging process throughout the entire body. Valerian root also helps treat anxiety and depression among other ailments. Valerian root contains a variety of active compounds in it one of which is gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is a chemical in the brain that produces a naturally calming effect in the body.

To help insure good quality sleep, one should avoid consuming coffee and other caffeinated beverages near bedtime. Also, make sure the bedding is comfortable. Listening to soft music often helps many people get in a calm relaxed state. Getting a good quality sleep on a regular basis is one of the best strategies for preventing disease and reversing disease processes.

Go to Truckingsos.com to read more articles about trucking and truck drivers such as natural remedies and sleep apnea.

Annalee Chambers is an author and trucking industry veteran.
http://truckingsos.com/

(c)copyright- Annalee Chambers All Rights Reserved Worldwide

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Breathing Related Sleep Disorders - Causes and Treatment

Introduction

Sleep disorders (sleep apnea) are among the fastest rising ailments, affecting all age groups from children, young, upwardly mobile to working professionals and supermoms (juggling to balance between professional and personal life) of today. Breathing related anomalies is one of the many factors linked with sleep disorder. In this the external breathing (respiratory muscular movement/change in lung volume) is affected due to imbalance in the respiratory control system of the brain. It adversely affects the physical and mental health of a patient.

Causes

The breathing problem, as discussed generates when the respiratory control part of the brain that actively monitors the pauses (apnea) of breathing is not functioning well due to the disparity in the blood carbon dioxide level and the neurological feedback mechanism. Scientist researches show that caffeine (tea and coffee), cigarette' component like nicotine, tar, benzene and benzo(a)pyrene, along with depression, anxiety, and low social interaction followed by lifestyle choices - like long and stressful hours at work and unhealthy eating habits are the responsible factors.

Symptoms and Signs

Symptoms of breathing sleep disorder, if left undiagnosed for long, are clearly visible through the body language of the patient. Daytime fatigue, a slower reaction time, and vision problems are quite common that translate into his behavior instantly, and he/she may become irritating and violent. Inadequacy of oxygen in the blood also affects the brain functionality. The capability to execute tasks, pay attention, work and process information, learn and interpret subject/situation, etc. gets badly affected.

Diagnosis and Lab findings

Initial diagnosis involves documentation of the disease that may include family history, life-style, symptoms, general physical exam, and family members' opinion. At times, doctors may recommend going for Polysomnography (PSG) test. It is usually carried out by seasoned technician at Sleep Labs. Actually, this is a multi-parameter test that measures the respiratory airflow and effort through mouth and nose and oxygen level in blood, along with the activity of brain (EEG), eye, (EOG), muscle, heart (ECG), etc. Medicine doctor interprets the PSG test (s) to decide whether you have sleep apnea, if yes, then the doctor will correlate various values, to conclude the cause and severity of the problem and method of treatment.

Treatment and Prevention

Relaxation training

The patient is asked to sequentially tense and relax the body's major muscle groups while concentrating on and contrasting sensations of tension and relaxation.

Cognitive therapy

Identify and correct inappropriate thoughts and beliefs that may contribute to sleeping disorder. Social interaction, entertainment, stress-free work environment, etc. help to recover/avoid sleeping disorder.

Stimulus control (SC)

Stressful situations or watching television, etc. can interfere with the smooth sleep process. So the patient is advised to reserve bedroom for sleep, sex, and dressing only. Also should change life-style to have proper sleep at night.

Sleep hygiene

Sleep hygiene refers to practices, habits, and environmental factors that are important for getting sound sleep. The patient is advised to sleep in proper position, avoid the intake of caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, sleeping pills, and other sedatives.

Device Control

Sometimes medical equipment can be used to keep the passage of air open during the sleep.

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Are You Suffering From Different Types Of Sleeping Disorders?

If you feel lazy and lethargic during the day or feel like crashing after every couple of hours, it could be due to various reasons. First of all, exhaustion could be the reason behind it, for it is the most common outcome of today's lifestyle. So, the first step is to check and improve your way of living. You might think that working fifty hours a week, not spending time with family and then adding load to your mind would do you wonders. Well, in no case will that ever happen. The second most prominent reason is lack or uneven sleep. Here, you need to differentiate if it's a rare case or you are experiencing it on a regular basis. Answer the following questions and find out for yourself if you need to work on yourself or not.

Do you have difficulty concentrating? The first effect that comes up due to insufficient sleep is lack of concentration. Sleeping disorders like insomnia and delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) could be responsible for it. If you have had difficulty concentrating since you were born then it is a whole different problem altogether. However, if it has just struck you then you need to keep a tab of your sleeping patterns.

Do you feel annoyed or lethargic during the day? This is the most common and widely spread outcome of irregular sleeping. When you are not able to get a good night's sleep then your body will feel sluggish during daytime. It needs to complete its resting time - whether during day or night. Due to this change of body clocks, you feel irritated and annoyed for you are not able to function properly and up to the mark.

Do you get told by others that you look drained? This part usually follows the above action. When you are unable to get a continuous sleep at night or unable to sleep at all, it takes a toll on your mind and body. The bad news is that it shows and others notice it too. It doesn't matter how much you try to cover it up but it always finds a way to surface itself. If you are being asked this a lot, then maybe you really do look tired and drained all the time. This can not be healthy. Therefore, give a good thought to your sleeping patterns. If you think you have been facing some problems regarding it, take corrective measures.

Do you find it hard to control your emotions? Sleep has a direct connection with your emotions and the way your body works. When your mind and body get enough rest they work and function in harmony. However, due to lack of sleep or irregular sleeping patterns, there is also an imbalance in the way we express ourselves. You may find yourself to be immensely upset about minute problems or see yourself cry your eyes out just because your favorite ice cream flavor is out of stock at the grocery store.

One needs to be attentive to towards his behavior and health. For negligence towards it can cover up many types of sleeping disorders.

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