In addition to the children's attentiveness, there is the growing concern of Sleep Apnea and childhood obesity in America.
(prHWY.com) February 10, 2012 - New York, NY -- A sleeper wakes suddenly, and finds that they are unable to move. There seems to be a strangling pressure on their neck or chest. Somewhere in the room, they feel there is a dark presence watching them. Is this just a terrible nightmare? No. This is a very real and often very frightening experience that between 20-40% of the population will have at least once in their lifetime. It's called Sleep Paralysis, and it has been plaguing it's sufferers over the centuries and across cultures.
People who have experienced this event have described it as having demons, ghosts, hags, aliens, or any number of other frightening beings looming over them, sitting on their chests, or even attacking and choking them while they are unable to move or call for help. The clinical symptoms for this include a feeling of terror or "vividness", paralysis, trouble breathing, a sense of impending doom, hallucinations of any or all of the senses, feeling vibrations, or the sensation of floating or falling. This disorder is often linked with another sleep disorders, Narcolepsy that is characterized by the inability to control one's wake/sleep cycle and the onset of intermittent muscle weakness. There may also be hereditary links and a tie to anxiety disorders such as panic attacks.
Throughout the world, cultures have developed names and explanations for these frightening episodes. In Mexico, they describe it as "a dead body climbing on top of you". In Newfoundland, it is the "old hag" who visits you in the night. In China, it is "a ghost pressing on body". In Japan, it is described as being "bound in metal". In parts of the United States, it is spoken of as a "witch riding your back". Medieval Europe mentions similar symptoms in conjunction with possession by demons in one's sleep. Traditional Russian folklore refers to similar punishments being visited on those people guilty of betrayal by the home spirit. Even the "mare" in "nightmare" could be traced back to the name for the demons who sit on the chests of sleepers.
There are factors that increase the likelihood of one of these events happening. Sleeping on your back, stress or sudden environmental changes, jet lag, substance abuse, and lucid dreams have been connected. But what is really happening to the sleeper? Sleep paralysis happens when the brain comes out of a cycle of REM Sleep study, the stage most connected to vivid dreams, before the body has a chance to catch up. When we dream, the brain disconnects the body's ability to move by causing a state of total muscle paralysis known as atonia. This happens so that we aren't able to physically act out our dreams, which would be not only disruptive to restful sleep but also dangerous. So, when the brain awakes prematurely, the body is stuck in this state of paralysis. The pulse and breathing rates also remain at the level established in REM. This causes the feeling of smothering, since the person is unable to draw any deeper breaths.
To lessen the chances of experiencing an episode of Sleep Apnea, a few steps can be taken. Try to sleep on a side or on the stomach. Maintain a steady bedtime and wake time, and insure that you are getting enough sleep every night. Exercise regularly to improve muscle coordination and control. Try to keep stress at a minimal level approaching bedtime. This may be easier said than done, but some helpful exercises can include, reading a book, taking a warm bath or listening to soothing music. If you should awaken find yourself in this situation, unable to move, remember that this is a simple and harmless condition that usually resolves in a matter of seconds. Do not fight the paralysis or try to breathe faster. Relax, and just try and move something small like one finger or toe. This will trigger the alert that you are awake and let the paralysis ease naturally. Think positive thoughts, perhaps singing a song in your head. If you suffer one or more of these events each week for more than six months, consider seeing a doctor for treatment. Most importantly, research these events, be aware of the symptoms, and read other people's experiences.
This article has been taken from http://www.zimbio.com/Natural+Alternative+Health+Therapies/articles/CK2J01hmWZl/Sleep+disorders+Sleep+study+Sleep+Apnea+Relieve?add=True
For more details please visit at
http://sleepcare.com
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