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Teenager, High Blood Pressure and Lack of Sleep

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LACK OF SLEEPCase Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, has conducted a research which concluded that sleep depravation could be the cause of high blood pressure in healthy adolescents. These associations couldn’t be explained by being overweight, socioeconomic status, sleep apnea, or known co morbidities. About 238 teenagers ages 13 to 16 were participating in this study which provided an important data about relationship between lack of sleep and high blood pressure. All of the participants of this study were without any known health issues.

This study was published in a Journal of the American Heart Organization. Young adults were observed 3 to 7 nights about the sleep duration at their homes. Special digital wrist recorder was designed in order to record a motion, sleep and wake up patterns. Special laboratory was used for one night and the blood pressure was measured nine times during that night over two days period. In the research facility, an overnight polysomnography was also made; according to Wikipedia, a polysomnography “is a multi-parametric test used in the study of sleep”, and the test outcome is termed a polysomnogram.

Those young adults who had less than 6.5 hours of sleep a night were 2.8 times to have elevated blood pressure levels, compared to those teenagers who had more hours of sleep. Those with low sleep efficiency, on the other hand, were 4.5 times more likely to have prehypertension. Sleep efficiency might be broadly defined as sleep quality. It took into account factors such as having difficulty dropping off to sleep or staying asleep.

Scientific data was adjusted for gender, body mass index and socioeconomic status. Pre hypertension risks were 2.5 times higher for lack of sleep and 3.5 times higher for low sleep efficiency. Youngster with sleep deficiency had 4mm Hg higher systolic blood pressure than those who had good night sleep.

According to the NHLBI’s Your Guide to Healthy Sleep, children of school-going age and adolescents need at least 9 hours of sleep every night. According to the guide, hormonal influences during puberty tend to affect the biological clocks of adolescents. They are thus more likely to go to bed later at night, and want to sleep in longer in the morning.

 The Implications 

If the young ones are often having problems falling asleep, getting up several times or for long periods during the night, having sleepy spells during the day, or having difficulty concentrating, then it is possible that they are not having enough sleep, or are having poor sleep.

And, compared with twenty or even ten years ago, teenagers today have even more reasons to stay awake late into the night. Decades ago, there were no computers, no internet, and very small, if any, late night television. Add to that the stress and pressures of increased workloads in school, as well as the nutritional fiasco which is our modern diet of refined foods, and the issue gets a lot bigger.

If you have anything to add to this post, please feel free to Post a comment or share your thoughts through Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or comment section below to join the conversation.

Pillow Advice From Your Chiropractor

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PillowWhen we expect a good night sleep, the majority of us consider mattress characteristic and features, room temperature, room illumination, and noise. Hardly ever we will think about our pillows. There are a lot of options available nowadays. It is important to know that our cervical spine alignment is an important feature of our general well being. Selecting a head support which is equally comfortable to sleep with as well as be able to improve the quality of good night sleep, has to be a necessary foundation for a good nigh sleep.

What is the frequency of pillow replacement?

 

Six months to two years is life span of a pillow. A great deal of the time frame will depend upon the pillow you have bought. A folding method would be a good test to measure the replacement status of your pillow. Just fold your head support in half. A brand new pillow will spring right back after you release the pressure, however, an old beaten up one will stay folded. This test is like check engine light in your car. If you wait too long the problem will cost you literally: “Pain in Your Neck.”

How Do You Sleep?

Prior to the first possible pillow you see in the store, consider your sleeping patterns. Your goal is always to keep the head, neck, and spine aligned as straight as possible during sleeping hours. The simple answer to what position you sleep in can tell you a lot about which pillow to purchase. For instance, if you predominantly sleep face up, a flatter head support will do a better job for your neck and will help to keep it aligned as straight as possible with your back. If you sleep on your side, one has to compensate for the depth of their shoulder, so a firmer pillow that has more depth to its filling should be considered. Stomach sleepers also need to consider how they sleep in regards to their arms. Are your arms usually tucked beneath your head or at your sides? Your main goal is to keep your head, neck, and spine as straight and aligned as possible.

 

Additional Tips

  1. When choosing a pillow, be selective. When lying on your side, your head and neck should remain level with your mid and lower spine. When lying on your back, your head and neck should remain level with your upper back and spine. In other words, your pillow should not be so thick that it causes your head and neck to be propped up or angled sharply away from your body.
  2. Be wary of pillows that are made out of mushy foam materials. The weight of your head can displace this kind of foam, leaving little support. Choose firmer foam and materials that press back and support the head.
  3. If you find yourself sleeping on your side with one hand propped under your pillow, that’s a clue that you’re not getting the support you need from that pillow.
  4. There is no such thing as a universal fit when it comes to pillows. Find one that is consistent with the shape and size of your body.

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Mattress Advice From Your Chiropractor

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MATRESSMany patients have been asking my professional advice on which mattress they should buy. There is not a definite answer for  every patient. Every single one is going to need a different one in order to get a good night sleep for years to come. Below are some tips and tricks that you can use when buying a new mattress.
  • A mattress should provide uniform support from head to toe. If there are gaps between your body and your mattress (such as at the waist), you’re not getting the necessary support that your body requires.
  • If you do have back pain and your mattress is too soft, you might want to firm up the support of your mattress by placing a board underneath it. But do this just until the pain goes away; such firmness is not good for “routine” sleeping.
  • Every few months, turn your mattress clockwise, or upside down, so that body indentations are kept to a minimum. It’s also good to rotate the mattress frame every so often to reduce wear and tear.
  • If you’re waking up uncomfortable, it may be time for a new mattress. There is no standard life span for a mattress. It all depends on the kind of usage it gets.
  • Be aware that changes in your life can signal the need for a new mattress. For example, if you’ve lost or gained a lot of weight, if a medical condition has changed the way you sleep, or even if you have changed partners, it could mean that it’s time to find a new mattress that will accommodate those changes and help you sleep more soundly.
  • If you’re not in the market for a new mattress, and your current mattress is too firm, you can soften it up by putting a 1- to 2-inch-thick padding on top of it – usually available at mattress and bedding stores

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Insomnia and 14 Tips on How to Cope with Sleep Problem

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Insomnia is a symptom which can accompany several sleep, medical and psychiatric disorders, characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep and/or difficulty staying asleep. Insomnia is typically followed by functional impairment while awake.

Most adults have experienced sleeplessness at one time or another in their lives. An estimated 30%-50% of the general populations are affected by insomnia, and 10% have it as a chronic condition. Sleepless is a quite common problem but when it starts to become chronic, it becomes a big burden. Our body needs 6-8 hours of sleep. The older we become the longer hours of sleep recovery our body needs from every day’s stress.  My teacher Dr. Denofrio used to say: “Sleep is your weapon.”  If we are sleep deprived, we can’t function well and we easily get irritated and can’t concentrate.  Insomnia is most often caused by stress, illness, a change of the sleeping environment and many other factors.  There are five types of insomnia: Primary, Co-morbid , Transient, Short-term, and Chronic.

Patients who are suffering from insomnia for over a month are considered to have chronic insomnia. There are 3 divisions for chronic insomnia and they are as primary sleep disorders, secondary insomnia and idiopathic insomnia.

Primary insomnia is usually experienced by people suffering from stress or anxiety and is categorized as transient insomnia. It can also be caused by alcohol and coffee. This type of  insomnia will go away on its own as long as the root of the problem is cleared. Secondary insomnia, on the other hand, is caused by a psychiatric or medical problem as well as with extensive use of alcohol and drugs. Idiopathic insomnia has no known cause but sleeplessness still occur. Primary sleep disorders are caused by sleep syndromes and circadian rhythm disorders among others.

Patient who suffers from lack of sleep can find a relief from this condition with chiropractic care. Combination of chiropractic adjustments and deep tissue massage will help to facilitate the neurological impulse flow  from your brain – central nervous system (CNS) to the peripheral nervous system (PNS). CNS and  PNS control the function of every single organ in our body. Deep tissue massage will help facilitate the blood flow to your musculoskeletal system (MSS), thus help to  repair micro damges that your body sustained throughout the day. The process is happening while one is asleep. The balance between CNS -PNS and MSS will allow  your body to have a chance to  rejuvenate.  Pleas take a look at this video I found on Youtube by Shannon Scarlett. This is a perfect example of how much information our CNS is processing every day.

But, it is too general to say that chiropractic care would help in all cases of insomnia.  There are different cases of insomnia that requires different approach. A medical professional would offer the advice to the patient as he/she can diagnose the root cause as to why the patient is suffering from insomnia.

Nonetheless, chiropractic care and other treatments are available for the patient to see what works for them. But, these treatments would work optimally if the patient also makes lifestyle changes and avoid as much stress as possible. Below are 14 tips on how to cope with Insomnia:

1. Take warm bath before going to bed

2. Get a Massage

3. Listen t a Sothing, Soft Music

4. Drink Herb Tea – Camomile, catnip, anise or funnel

5. Eat  a Bedtime snack

6. Avid Coffeine, Alcohol and Tobacco

7. Sleep in Well-Ventilated Room

8. Get Some Cardiovascular Exercises During the Day

9.  Keep Regular DedTime Hours

10. Don’t Sleep In

11. Get Up Early In the Morning

12. Avoid Illuminated Bedromm Clocks

13. Keep room Dark

14. Avoid Exercises 3-4 Hours Before BedTime

Question: What Other Techniques Did You Use in Order to Help Yourself to fall Asleep?