Food Additives That Cause Insomnia, Restlessness and Anxiety

So you think fresh fruit and vegetables are great for your health? Perhaps not. There are many food additives that are actually harmful and can lead to insomnia, restlessness, anxiety and many other problems. And some of them are used on fresh fruit and vegetables. But that's not all. There are a range of food additives that have been isolated that can cause insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, depression, wakefulness, irritability etc.

Australians Sue Dengate and Dr Howard Dengate have researched food additives and food technology for many years. The following information and statistics come from their DVD "Fed Up With Children's Behaviour."

Firstly let's look at Sue Dengate's term "Food Intolerance" because it is not the same as a food allergy. Some of the symptoms are the same as allergic reactions, but can include other symptoms such as irritable bowel symptoms etc. Many food intolerance's have a delayed reaction time (2 - 3 days), some are accumulative, and many are very difficult to isolate and identify. Most people have no idea of their food intolerance's!

There are no scientifically proven tests for food intolerance. Reactions can sometimes take weeks to get over. That is why we need some expert help on this subject.

In the 1950s 20% of our food items were controlled by the supermarkets, now the figure is about 80%. It is increasingly important to know what you are eating and how it is affecting your health, mood, sleep, skin, behavior, headaches, bowel movements etc.

Migraine sufferers have tripled since the 1970s with over 20% of households now containing at least 1 migraine sufferer.

The prevalence of eczema has increased 2-3 fold since the 1970s. About 1 Australian in 3 is affected at some stage in their lives.

Irritable bowel syndrome is now thought to affect about 20% of people living in developed countries compared with almost zero in countries with traditional eating habits.

Asthma has risen from about 10% in the 1970s to about 30% today. Asthma is the leading cause of school absence. Most sufferers react to one of two food additives. 20% of sufferers are affected by salicylates. The majority can be helped by avoiding food additives. Even the asthma medications themselves contain additives that adversely affect sufferers!

Since the 1990s there has been a dramatic increase in the use of anti-depressant medications, including for young children, and including 3000 prescriptions to babies under 12 months of age in the USA alone! There has been a 10 fold increase in major depression since 1945.

Since the 1970s rates of autism are thought to have increased 10 fold in the USA.

Just because a food additive is called 'natural' doesn't mean its safe!

So here are some examples of nasty food additives to avoid if you're having difficulties sleeping, waking in the middle of the night, waking too early, feeling anxious, overly tired, depressed, stressed, etc:

o The common bread preservative (or mould inhibitor) 282. Calcium propionate (282)'s symptoms (from eating quantities of bread) can include difficulty getting to sleep, night walking, night terrors, unexplained tiredness, depression, irritability, growing pains, bed wetting, nasal congestion and restlessness;

o Wakefulness, depression, restlessness, irritability (320 BHA Buylated Hydroxyanisole antioxidant - banned in Japan and may be unlisted in products containing less than 5% vegetable oils);

o Salicylates. There's a factsheet on salicylates that includes information relevant to tinnitus, reversible hearing loss, vertigo, symptoms of Meniere's Disease, insomnia, changes in children's behavior. Of particular interest here is the information on how 'good old fruit and vegetables' are not always good at all. Find out about low salicylate fruit and vegetables vs. high salicylate fruit and vegetables, and how to control your intake;

o Wakefulness in young children (102 Tartrazine colouring and 110 Sunset Yellow colouring);

o 621 Monosodium Glutamate flavor enhancer MSG. Restlessness, wakefulness and irritability; and

o 951 Aspartame artificial sweetener - banned for US air pilots. Mood alteration (anxiety, agitation, irritability, depression), insomnia, fatigue.

It's also very unfortunate that some nasty food additives do not have to be declared on the product labels - so you will need to investigate further to find out exactly which breads are the ones that don't have the food additive that in linked with depression, etc. There's also information on hair spray and air fresheners, it's a must-read.

Sue has developed the Failsafe Diet to help people eliminate the nasty food substances from their system.

So if you find this article alarming, we've presented something valuable. Your responsibility is to research further to ensure that you, your children and loved ones aren't diminishing their vitality by shopping carelessly. If you're not already doing it, start reading the labels. And what's more, if you do have a sleep disorder (or any other medical problem), you need to look further - because maybe there's an additive in your food that doesn't even have to be declared by law to be included on the label.

SSRI and Sleep - The Affect of SSRIs on a Good Night's Sleep

One of the more disturbing side effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) is their possible sleep disturbances. It is true that more studies need to be done to determine the actual reason for sleep disturbances caused by SSRIs, but the correlation is very strong. However, if you are taking an SSRI, this does not mean you will no longer be able to get a good night's sleep.

Positive Effects of SSRIs on Your Sleep

Though many people have reported sleep side effects from taking an SSRI, SSRIs do help many with sleep issues. Depression may cause insomnia in many sufferers, and if you are one of these people, an SSRI may actually improve your nightly sleep. By treating the depression, you may actually have a better chance at a good night's sleep with an SSRI than without one.

Negative Effects of SSRIs on Your Sleep

According to studies and patient reports, insomnia affects 15 to 20 percent of those who take an SSRI, though less serious sleep problems occur in a larger percentage of users. Here is the quick list of the side effects with some discussion to follow.

• Higher occurrences of sleep disturbances


• Insomnia


• Poor overall sleep quality/intense nightmares


• Reduces REM sleep


• Taking longer to fall asleep

The most striking effect that SSRIs have on sleep is the interference with REM sleep. REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is considered the most important aspect of a person's nightly sleep. It consists generally of only about 90 to 120 minutes of the entire night's sleep, but it makes a significant contribution to your nightly recovery. REM sleep is where your memories are cemented into your mind. It is also when your most vivid dreams normally occur.

Many patients, as well as those taking part in sleep studies, have reported higher occurrences of sleep disturbances throughout the night. Most people with normal sleep habits will have periods of sleeplessness or wake up at some point throughout the night, and SSRIs can possibly increase this number in some patients.

It also may take longer for you to fall asleep if you are taking an SSRI. Many patients and those involved with sleep studies reported taking longer than one hour to fall asleep. A final side effect is an increase in extremely vivid nightmares reported by some SSRI users. All of these side effects can manifest themselves singularly in an individual, or they can all be present in one who is taking an SSRI.

How to Deal with Sleep Problems while Taking an SSRI

The side effects of sleep problems for those taking an SSRI do not manifest themselves in every patient. However, if they are a problem for you, there are options available to help alleviate these side effects.

• Reduce Dosage


• Switch to a different form of anti-depressant


• Switch to a different SSRI


• Take a sedative

The Worst Sleep Disorder

Sleep is a Necessity, Not a Luxury

Millions of people suffer from chronic and pervasive sleep disorders. But what you are about to read is not about traditional sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea, night terrors, restless leg syndrome, or narcolepsy. For information on those conditions, I ask you to check with a professional source in that area. What I am providing for you here is the most preventable type of sleep disorder and problem; self-imposed sleep deprivation.

What happened to us? When did things begin to change regarding one of our most basic and necessary functions for health and wellness? When did sleep become frowned upon and why? Was it the Industrial revolution? Was it the Technology age? Who did the brainwashing?

When did sleep become a bad habit, a sign of laziness and, pardon me, a luxury?

Well, finally the research is out. But sadly, it seems that no matter how much information is put out there with statistics and fancy research results, many people are NOT heeding the call to sleep. The worst of it is that we are not listening to our own intuition and biological clocks. Well this is your "wake-up" call asking you to sleep more and sleep better.

How Sleep Deprivation Harms You

Did you ever hear or say the phrase "I'll sleep when die"? Well, guess what? Lack of sleep will catch up to you and cause you overall and long-term harm which could actually lead to premature death, or at least have you looking like a zombie!

Here below are the most common effects of the lack of proper sleep:

• Fatigue and exhaustion.


• Irritability and foul mood.


• Your physical appearance is affected adversely, meaning people who don't sleep enough look unhealthy, sunken in, older than their physical age-have you heard of beauty sleep?


• Increased risk of diabetes.


• Increased risk of cardio-vascular disease.


• Pre-mature aging.


• Weight gain.


• And possible increased cancer risk.

Purpose of Sleep and Its Benefits-From Sleeping Beauty to Beauty Sleep

Sleep is most assuredly a biological, mental, emotional and spiritual necessity. Just like we need air to breathe and food for sustenance to survive, sleep is a required activity, and not an optional habit. Here are some of the documented benefits of sleep:

• Biological: While you sleep, there is restoration and recovery of your cells, muscles and organs, including your biggest organ-your skin. Human Growth Hormone and Melatonin are released while you sleep and that is essential to healthy skin, hair, nail growth and anti-aging benefits. There is also the release of antioxidants and increased immune system strength. With enough sleep there is increased energy, and we can all use more of that during our waking life.


• Mental: With more sleep, you can expect a sharper mind, better concentration, and increased memory. A more intelligent world is a better world.


• Emotional: Forget being crabby. With restorative sleep you will have better and balanced mood, less irritability, higher optimism.


• Spiritual: Two of my favorite reasons to sleep are to "work things out" and increase in natural intuition. We are only beginning to understand and explore both the physical and the metaphysical benefits of sleep. From personal experience and the research I have conducted, I can tell you that when you sleep at your body's optimal level, your intuition and psychic ability are increased. You may also tend to remember your dreams more clearly and with more detail and that provides invaluable insight into your life issues, challenges and desires.


• Physical: Sleeping works above and below. The result is literally increased beauty by increasing your overall health and giving you a refreshed appearance everyone will notice.

Your Sleep Process

How many hours do you sleep? Do you feel it is more productive to sleep less and work more? Are you feeling vital and energetic?

I say "your sleep process" because each person's sleep cycle is. There is no cookie-cutter sleep recipe. The amount of sleep you need varies from anyone else's in your life. Even if you sleep the same amount of sleep as someone you know, the way you drift off, your style of sleeping, the sleep position in your bed, your dream life, kind mattress or pillow you need, etc. is all your own. But more often than not, the amount you need to feel refreshed, alert and healthy will be somewhere between 7 and 9 hours. There are also factors like your age, phase of life and general health condition that affect how much sleep you need. However some people need less and some, like me, need as much as 11 or 12 hours sometimes to feel rested.

Most people do not get nearly as much sleep as they need out of guilt or the conditioned belief that sleep is a bad habit. But in the process of sleep certain biological, mental and spiritual necessary processes occur. It may take time to find the amount of sleep that works for your highest health benefit. So make that time for yourself-you are worth it.

What the Heck is Sleep Hygiene-Creating a Sleep Conducive Environment and Banishing Sleep guilt

I don't know who came up with the term "Sleep Hygiene" but it sounds like, cleaning your sheets, or a showering before bed kind of thing. That is obviously not what it means. I believe the term does not accurately represent what it is trying to portray which is what I call, creating a Sleep Conducive Space (SCS).

Some sleep experts claim to restrict your bedroom, (assuming you sleep in a traditional bedroom) to sleep and sex only. But this is simply not realistic. But what is doable is to create the most conducive environment for yourself as possible. This process begins outside and into your bed. General useful considerations are:

• Watch your caffeine intake, alcohol intake or medications.


• Do something that lowers the temperature of your room to the cooler side.


• Gentle stretching and certain gentle yoga poses.


• Darken your environment (whether or not you are a day or night person).


• Quiet a restless mind by having note pad and pen and list quickly all that's on your mind to deal with another time then RELEASE it.


• Try to use soft and pleasant scents like lavender sleep sprays.


• Try soft nature sounds, or you respond to silence and there is a lot of noise around you use a white sound machine to block out unpleasant noise.


• Ask a doctor or other professional about supplements like Melatonin, or Valerian root etc.

In the end, the way you choose to create a sleep conducive space, will again, be unique and customized to you. If you do the research, reacquaint yourself with your natural biological clock, and trust your intuition, you will no longer succumb to the myth the less sleep is better. You can count on being on your way to better overall health. For a healthier, youthful and more beautiful you, go ahead, slumber Away.

A Checklist on Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which an individual's breathing pauses, once or more from few seconds to few minutes, during sleep. You may be surprised to know that this disorder is as widespread as asthma and diabetes. Therefore it is important to learn how to diagnose and to find ways to control it.

Instructions

Following is the list of instructions that will help you checklist symptoms that causes this dangerous health situation in your life.

oIf you are an overweight male over 40, you are more vulnerable.

oIt causes weight gain, rise in blood pressure and frequent headaches.

oThere are three types of that you should be aware of. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where something blocks the air passage during sleep causing a person to stop breathing. Central sleep apnea is caused by brain's incapacity to transmit message to breathe.

oMonitor your sleep for two or three nights in a dairy to check your sleeping patterns. You can record your sleeping to check whether or not you sleep properly, is there any sleeping problem or variations in snoring.

oGet your mouth and nasal passages examined by a doctor, for any blockages that may lead to sleep apnea. A doctor may run tests like a CT scan or an x-ray to check your head and throat area. He may also refer you to a sleep clinic if he finds something suspicious.

Sleep apnea can be cured surgically or by using dental appliances during sleep but leave it undiagnosed and it can prove to be fatal. After going through the above list, if you suspect that you have this disorder, immediately consult your doctor for proper diagnosis.

Types of Sleep Disorders

Insomnia

The most frequently found sleeping disorder in youngsters is insomnia, which is indicated by the problems in going to sleep. Regularly caused by hysteria and depression, this condition also makes it difficult for an individual to stay in the state of sleep for lengthy periods, so giving the individual low quality sleep. Short term insomnia can be due to nerve-wrangling circumstances like a sickness, stress while at work, college or social circle or any other exhausting events happening in one's life. Lingering insomnia from another perspective includes sleep turmoil for a minimum of 3 months.

Sleep Apnea

In sleep apnea, your respiring stops or gets awfully shallow while you are sleeping. Each pause in breathing usually lasts 10-20 seconds or even more, and the pauses can happen twenty to thirty times or even more an hour. In the episodes of apnea, the sleeper wakes up to respire again, interrupting sleep, and also is affected with a temporary shortage of oxygen.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea include:

* Frequent gaps in respiring while asleep ( apnea )

* Gasping or choking for air to restart respiring, regularly causing sleeper or partner to wake

* Loud snoring

* Feeling unrefreshed after a night's sleep and unnecessary daytime weariness

The most typical type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. Factors behind sleep apnea are typically physical in nature, including additional weight or tissue (occasionally from being obese or fat ), enormous tonsils or adenoids, sinus congestion or blockage or a singular formed head, neck or jaw.

CPAP, a mechanical device worn while sleeping which supplies continual air pressure to keep the airway open, is the most commended treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea.

CPAP can take a little getting used to, but provides effective relief when used in the right way.

Self help treatments, like shedding pounds, elevating the head of the bed or sleeping on your side, may also be effective cures for mild sleep apnea. Dental appliances and surgery are also treatment choices.

Snoring

Snoring, which is often confused with sleep apnea, could be a major barrier to quality sleep both for yourself and your better half.

Snoring is due to a narrowing of your airway, either from poor sleep posture, excess weight or physical disorders of your throat. A narrow airway gets in the way of smooth respiring and creates the sound of snoring.

There are many self-help cures and cures for snoring. If you're a mild snorer, sleeping on your side, raising the head of your bed, or shedding weight may stop the snoring. Do not give up attempting to find a solution for your snoring it'll make you and your better half sleep sounder.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep (PLMS).

The desire to move occurs when resting or lying down and is mostly due to uncomfortable, tingly, or creeping sensations in the legs or influenced limbs. Movement lightens the feelings, but only for a bit.

Periodic Limb Movement Disorder ( PLMD ) is a related condition concerning involuntary, rhythmical limb movements, either while asleep or when awake. While the majority who've Twitchy Legs Syndrome also have PLMD, only some individuals with PLMD also have RLS.

RLS may run in families.

Alternative cures, life changes, and even nutritive additions have proved useful for RLS and PLMD sufferers.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that causes acute sleepiness and can even make somebody go to sleep all of a sudden and without any warning.

The sleep attacks experienced by folks with narcolepsy happen even after getting plenty of sleep at night, and make it hard for folk to live ordinary lives. Dropping off during activities like walking, driving or working can have dangerous results.

* Discontinuous, uncontrollable episodes of dropping off in the daytime

* Exaggerated daytime sleepiness

* Sudden, fugitive loss of muscle control during emotional situations ( cataplexy )

Treatment needs a mix of medication, behaviour treatments, and support.

REM sleep behavior disorder

REM sleep behavior disorder causes interruptions in the brain during REM sleep. During REM ( i.e, the dream part of sleep ), an area of the brainstem called the pons sends signals to the cerebral cortex, which is the area of the brain answerable for thinking and organizing info. The pons also sends signals to muscles in the body during REM, causing a kind of brief paralysis.

In somebody with REM sleep behavior disorder, these signals transliterate into pictures that make up dreams. If the signals are meddled with, the individual may physically act out dreams while sleeping.

Cataplexy is weakness or paralysis of the muscles. In narcoleptic patients, it could be caused by exhaustion and intense emotions and can be accompanied by short, sudden episodes of laughter or outrage.

When cataplexy happens, people who are standing may fall down.

Sleep Paralysis

Sleep paralysis is the incapacity to move the arms, legs, or whole body that happens when somebody is going to sleep or awakening. It typically lasts a particularly temporary time period. Folk who experience sleep paralysis may become extraordinarily concerned and frequently regain movement only if they hear an intense noise or another impulse.

Jet lag

Jet lag is a physiological condition which is a consequence of modifications to circadian rhythms; it is assessed as one of the circadian rhythm sleep disorders.

Circadian rhythm sleep disorder

Examples include jet lag and shift work sleep disorder. Sufferers aren't able to wake and sleep in the standard routines needed to function in standard work, college and social settings.

Delayed sleep-phase syndrome

Delayed sleep phase syndrome is a circadian rhythm sleep problem, a protracted disorderchronic disorder of the timing of sleep, top period of alertness, core body temperature, hormonal and other daily rhythms relative to societal norms.

Common Insomnia Medication - A Medication List

Insomniacs and doctors are one in saying that the most common approach in treating insomnia is through the intake of medication. This is the easy road that is often taken by anyone affected by this sleeping disorder. And this is often the option that is prescribed by a great number of doctors in the field. In all cases, the medications that are prescribed by health professionals are often taken shortly before the person will go to bed. If a person is taking sleeping aids and medications, then it is a suggestion not to take and to perform activities that require utmost concentration.

For example, the patient should not drive after he has taken the medications. This will only lead to an accident and can only complicate matters. As mentioned, it is always a best thing to take these medications a few minutes before hitting the bed. The taking of these medications are often performed in combination with good sleeping practices- like the proper arrangement of the room and having peace of mind. When you think of the medications that can be used against insomnia, there are a lot of names and labels that will come into the discussion. Here we list some of these popular medications- what these medications do best and how these medications are taken.

Medications used to treat insomnia

· Ambien. The intake of this medication will help the person fall asleep. There is another version of this medication and this is known as the Ambien CR. This newest release of the medication will help a person get to sleep in 15 to 30 minutes. The intake of this medication is not suggested for persons who get a good amount of rest every night- like 7 to 8 hours.

· Lunesta. The patient who takes this medication can go to sleep for around 7 to 8 hours. There is a side effect though and this is true for those who can get a good night sleep. The problem is grogginess and this should be avoided

· Rozerem. This is a new medication released that can be used to treat the sleeping disorder. This targets the sleep-wake cycle and this means that this will not cause depression. This is best taken by those having trouble getting to sleep. This is safe in a sense that this can be prescribed for use over a long period of time and the person cannot develop dependence on the drug.

· Sonata. This is just one of the many sleeping pills out there. This is active in the body for a brief period of time, and you can take one again if you cannot still fall asleep.

· The benzodiazepines. These are sleeping pills that are available in the market for a long time now. the intake of these medications are best for persons who want medications that work over time in the system

Other medications for insomnia include the anti-depressants and the over-the-counter sleeping aids. But if you are going to use these medications, make sure that these are prescribed by doctors. It is also best to read the labels and the warnings set by the FDA.

Toddler Sleep Disorders - How to Detect a Problem and Get the Right Help

During each stage of life, various conditions can arise that affect children in different ways. Each aged child will respond differently to these conditions. Toddler sleep disorders are very similar to disorders in any other stage of development. Treatments do vary due to a toddler still growing and the consistent changes their body is going through. The easiest way to avoid a sleep disorder and evaluation by a sleep clinic is to prevent a disorder from ever starting. Training your child to sleep alone and fall back asleep on their own make a big different on whether or not your child suffers with one of these conditions. Establishing a good sleep routine is one of the best things you can do for your child to ensure good sleep and healthy growth.

Some basic guidelines can help you work with your child and introduce a good routine. Nighttime contact should be limited. Consistent holding, rocking, and petting can lead to your child expecting and needed those actions to fall asleep. This dependence will prevent them from being able to fall asleep on their own when bed time arrives. Plain and unexciting rituals should be used right before bed. These can be things such as a prayer, story time, or a bath. They need to be done every night so your child feels comfortable and secure. Do not allow beverages with caffeine. Regular habits and bed times help the body adjust and make sleep and waking more natural. Their bed should be used for sleeping and not play time. When a child spends a lot of time in bed awake, sleeping there becomes less likely.

Not all toddler sleep disorders can be avoided. Parasomnias, apnea, and nightmares are all common. Most parasomnias including night terrors and sleep walking resolve themselves. If they are severely disrupting your child's sleep, discussing options to reduce occurrences or minimize the affects with your doctor is highly recommended. Apnea and other sleep conditions are may require evaluation by a sleep clinic and specific treatments to make sleeping easier and more welcoming to your child. If you are concerned that your toddler might be suffering from a sleep disorder, monitor their sleep for a few nights to see if there are any visible symptoms. Take note of any noticed symptoms and discuss them with their doctor.

Sometimes further testing is needed to determine the cause of sleep disturbances. A pediatrician will often test for other medical conditions that could be contributing to the problem. They may recommend changes that can be tried at home to help. For more severe issues, a referral to a specialist can be made. These specialists are familiar with all disorders that affect toddlers and children in general. They have access to specific facilities that make testing and diagnosis easier. Your child can be monitored with equipment and the naked eye as they sleep in a comfortable environment. These test results are used to determine if a disorder exists, its severity, and what treatment options are available. With some simple testing, your child can be sleeping well again and have everything they need to lead a more healthy life.