Ever Heard of Sleep Paralysis?

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Ever Heard of Sleep Paralysis?

This may be the scariest thing you ever read on SamadiMD. There is a condition called Sleep Paralysis. No this is not insomnia or sleep apnea, this is a condition or phenomenon that occurs either when falling asleep or being awakened. It's thought to be a mix-up of normal REM sleep (the deepest sleep we achieve throughout the night.) People who experience it are in some sense conscious and aware that they're aware they're in bed for example. But some part of their body believes they're still asleep, in particular their muscles. The muscles become paralyzed, something that happens in REM sleep. Some scientists believe this is an evolutionary mechanism that prevents people from acting out their dreams. 

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Tips to Sleep Better with GERD

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Tips to Sleep Better with GERD

GERD is also another name for acid reflux. Acid reflux can affect everyday activities. Not everyone’s reflux is triggered by the same foods or drinks.  If the items listed above don’t seem to get your acid churning, keep a food journal and note the meals that brought on reflux symptoms.  Once you have identified the food that is bringing on acid reflux, you can try to avoid it. If you frequently suffer from acid reflux at night, you may find relief is as simple as avoiding big meals before bed and raising the head of your bed.  More prone to reflux when laying down or bending over. When we are standing, gravity lends a helping hand in keeping food down in the stomach.  When we lay down, we lose the effect of gravity and will often experience worse acid reflux.

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Do You Have Sleep Apnea?

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Do You Have Sleep Apnea?

Snoring can be an annoying habit, especially for your partner or roommate, but might not be as harmless as some background noise.  For those living with sleep apnea, snoring can be a serious symptom.  Sleep apnea is when people stop and restart breathing multiple times while sleeping. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is often linked to obesity, especially in the U.S.  According to the National Sleep Foundation, there are over 18 million Americans who suffer from sleep apnea.

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