What is your sleep health problem? Write to SleepyHeadCENTRAL, maybe we can help!

CLICK HERE TO ASK SHC YOUR
SLEEP HEALTH RELATED QUESTIONS

One of the things SHC frequently encounters while researching sleep health topics or discussing sleep health in person with others is that a lot (the vast majority, maybe?) of people think trouble with sleeping is normal, and just as many people think it's normal to be sleepy during the day.

Not true in either case.

In fact, some people have had a lifetime of bad sleeping patterns, and that means they aren't functional at 100 percent on a daily basis.

Being sleep deprived may have become the new "normal" for these people, but that doesn't mean it's okay or tolerable. Sleep deprivation is at the root cause of many health and safety problems in the US.

The thing is... almost every kind of sleep problem out there is treatable. Those who seek help discover renewed energy, better health and potentially a prolonged life even just by improving their sleep hygiene.

The first step is to ask yourself what your sleep is like and whether your habits might be cheating you out of the energy and vitality you need as a human being to get through your busy life.

If you're not sure, then ask SHC! Maybe we can help.

One of the goals of this blog is to help readers determine if they should pursue medical advice with relation to their sleep habits. SHC cannot offer medical advice, but it can give you all kinds of up-to-date information about different kinds of sleep issues to help you to decide if you need to be more proactive about talking to your doctor.

It's easy! Click on the MAILBOX link in the upper right column of this blog. Please share your questions about sleep there; questions may be answered publicly on the site (with your permission) or kept confidential.

Tell us what's going on. It could be a problem or a question you have about your own habits, or it could be about someone in your life you're concerned about. We're happy to help and promise to give the best information we can find on the subject.

What is your sleep health problem? Write to SleepyHeadCENTRAL, maybe we can help!

CLICK HERE TO ASK SHC YOUR
SLEEP HEALTH RELATED QUESTIONS

One of the things SHC frequently encounters while researching sleep health topics or discussing sleep health in person with others is that a lot (the vast majority, maybe?) of people think trouble with sleeping is normal, and just as many people think it's normal to be sleepy during the day.

Not true in either case.

In fact, some people have had a lifetime of bad sleeping patterns, and that means they aren't functional at 100 percent on a daily basis.

Being sleep deprived may have become the new "normal" for these people, but that doesn't mean it's okay or tolerable. Sleep deprivation is at the root cause of many health and safety problems in the US.

The thing is... almost every kind of sleep problem out there is treatable. Those who seek help discover renewed energy, better health and potentially a prolonged life even just by improving their sleep hygiene.

The first step is to ask yourself what your sleep is like and whether your habits might be cheating you out of the energy and vitality you need as a human being to get through your busy life.

If you're not sure, then ask SHC! Maybe we can help.

One of the goals of this blog is to help readers determine if they should pursue medical advice with relation to their sleep habits. SHC cannot offer medical advice, but it can give you all kinds of up-to-date information about different kinds of sleep issues to help you to decide if you need to be more proactive about talking to your doctor.

It's easy! Click on the MAILBOX link in the upper right column of this blog. Please share your questions about sleep there; questions may be answered publicly on the site (with your permission) or kept confidential.

Tell us what's going on. It could be a problem or a question you have about your own habits, or it could be about someone in your life you're concerned about. We're happy to help and promise to give the best information we can find on the subject.

What is your sleep health problem? Write to SleepyHeadCENTRAL, maybe we can help!

CLICK HERE TO ASK SHC YOUR
SLEEP HEALTH RELATED QUESTIONS

One of the things SHC frequently encounters while researching sleep health topics or discussing sleep health in person with others is that a lot (the vast majority, maybe?) of people think trouble with sleeping is normal, and just as many people think it's normal to be sleepy during the day.

Not true in either case.

In fact, some people have had a lifetime of bad sleeping patterns, and that means they aren't functional at 100 percent on a daily basis.

Being sleep deprived may have become the new "normal" for these people, but that doesn't mean it's okay or tolerable. Sleep deprivation is at the root cause of many health and safety problems in the US.

The thing is... almost every kind of sleep problem out there is treatable. Those who seek help discover renewed energy, better health and potentially a prolonged life even just by improving their sleep hygiene.

The first step is to ask yourself what your sleep is like and whether your habits might be cheating you out of the energy and vitality you need as a human being to get through your busy life.

If you're not sure, then ask SHC! Maybe we can help.

One of the goals of this blog is to help readers determine if they should pursue medical advice with relation to their sleep habits. SHC cannot offer medical advice, but it can give you all kinds of up-to-date information about different kinds of sleep issues to help you to decide if you need to be more proactive about talking to your doctor.

It's easy! Click on the MAILBOX link in the upper right column of this blog. Please share your questions about sleep there; questions may be answered publicly on the site (with your permission) or kept confidential.

Tell us what's going on. It could be a problem or a question you have about your own habits, or it could be about someone in your life you're concerned about. We're happy to help and promise to give the best information we can find on the subject.

What is your sleep health problem? Write to SleepyHeadCENTRAL, maybe we can help!

CLICK HERE TO ASK SHC YOUR
SLEEP HEALTH RELATED QUESTIONS

One of the things SHC frequently encounters while researching sleep health topics or discussing sleep health in person with others is that a lot (the vast majority, maybe?) of people think trouble with sleeping is normal, and just as many people think it's normal to be sleepy during the day.

Not true in either case.

In fact, some people have had a lifetime of bad sleeping patterns, and that means they aren't functional at 100 percent on a daily basis.

Being sleep deprived may have become the new "normal" for these people, but that doesn't mean it's okay or tolerable. Sleep deprivation is at the root cause of many health and safety problems in the US.

The thing is... almost every kind of sleep problem out there is treatable. Those who seek help discover renewed energy, better health and potentially a prolonged life even just by improving their sleep hygiene.

The first step is to ask yourself what your sleep is like and whether your habits might be cheating you out of the energy and vitality you need as a human being to get through your busy life.

If you're not sure, then ask SHC! Maybe we can help.

One of the goals of this blog is to help readers determine if they should pursue medical advice with relation to their sleep habits. SHC cannot offer medical advice, but it can give you all kinds of up-to-date information about different kinds of sleep issues to help you to decide if you need to be more proactive about talking to your doctor.

It's easy! Click on the MAILBOX link in the upper right column of this blog. Please share your questions about sleep there; questions may be answered publicly on the site (with your permission) or kept confidential.

Tell us what's going on. It could be a problem or a question you have about your own habits, or it could be about someone in your life you're concerned about. We're happy to help and promise to give the best information we can find on the subject.

What is your sleep health problem? Write to SleepyHeadCENTRAL, maybe we can help!

CLICK HERE TO ASK SHC YOUR
SLEEP HEALTH RELATED QUESTIONS

One of the things SHC frequently encounters while researching sleep health topics or discussing sleep health in person with others is that a lot (the vast majority, maybe?) of people think trouble with sleeping is normal, and just as many people think it's normal to be sleepy during the day.

Not true in either case.

In fact, some people have had a lifetime of bad sleeping patterns, and that means they aren't functional at 100 percent on a daily basis.

Being sleep deprived may have become the new "normal" for these people, but that doesn't mean it's okay or tolerable. Sleep deprivation is at the root cause of many health and safety problems in the US.

The thing is... almost every kind of sleep problem out there is treatable. Those who seek help discover renewed energy, better health and potentially a prolonged life even just by improving their sleep hygiene.

The first step is to ask yourself what your sleep is like and whether your habits might be cheating you out of the energy and vitality you need as a human being to get through your busy life.

If you're not sure, then ask SHC! Maybe we can help.

One of the goals of this blog is to help readers determine if they should pursue medical advice with relation to their sleep habits. SHC cannot offer medical advice, but it can give you all kinds of up-to-date information about different kinds of sleep issues to help you to decide if you need to be more proactive about talking to your doctor.

It's easy! Click on the MAILBOX link in the upper right column of this blog. Please share your questions about sleep there; questions may be answered publicly on the site (with your permission) or kept confidential.

Tell us what's going on. It could be a problem or a question you have about your own habits, or it could be about someone in your life you're concerned about. We're happy to help and promise to give the best information we can find on the subject.

What's your sleep problem? Maybe SHC can help!

CLICK HERE TO ASK SHC YOUR
SLEEP HEALTH RELATED QUESTIONS

One of the things SHC frequently encounters while researching sleep health topics or discussing sleep health in person with others is that a lot (the vast majority, maybe?) of people think trouble with sleeping is normal, and just as many people think it's normal to be sleepy during the day.

Not true in either case.

In fact, some people have had a lifetime of bad sleeping patterns, and that means they aren't functional at 100 percent on a daily basis.

Being sleep deprived may have become the new "normal" for these people, but that doesn't mean it's okay or tolerable. Sleep deprivation is at the root cause of many health and safety problems in the US.

The thing is... almost every kind of sleep problem out there is treatable. Those who seek help discover renewed energy, better health and potentially a prolonged life even just by improving their sleep hygiene.

The first step is to ask yourself what your sleep is like and whether your habits might be cheating you out of the energy and vitality you need as a human being to get through your busy life.

If you're not sure, then ask SHC! Maybe we can help.

One of the goals of this blog is to help readers determine if they should pursue medical advice with relation to their sleep habits. SHC cannot offer medical advice, but it can give you all kinds of up-to-date information about different kinds of sleep issues to help you to decide if you need to be more proactive about talking to your doctor.

It's easy! Click on the MAILBOX link in the upper right column of this blog. Please share your questions about sleep there; questions may be answered publicly on the site (with your permission) or kept confidential.

Tell us what's going on. It could be a problem or a question you have about your own habits, or it could be about someone in your life you're concerned about. We're happy to help and promise to give the best information we can find on the subject.

What's your sleep problem? Maybe SHC can help!

One of the things I have learned is that a lot (the vast majority, maybe?) of people think trouble with sleeping is normal, and just as many people think it's normal to be sleepy during the day. Not true in either case. In fact, some people I know have had a lifetime of bad sleeping patterns, and that means they aren't functional at 100 percent on a daily basis.

The thing is... almost every kind of sleep problem out there is treatable and those who seek help discover renewed energy, better health and potentially a prolonged life just by improving their sleep hygiene. The first step is to ask yourself what your sleep is like and whether your habits might be cheating you out of the energy and vitality you need as a human being to get through your busy life.

If you're not sure, then ask me! I can help. One of the goals of this blog is to help readers determine if they should pursue medical advice with relation to their sleep habits. I'm not an MD, but I can give you all kinds of up-to-date information about different kinds of sleep issues to help you to decide if you need to be more proactive about talking to your doctor.

It's easy! Click on the MAILBOX link in the upper right column of this blog. Please share your questions about sleep there; I'll respond to these publicly on the site (with your permission) and promise to keep your ID confidential. If you want a private response, I may still ask if I can discuss some of the details of your problem at SHC so that others who might have your symptoms or troubles can also be helped.

So write to me! Tell me what's going on. It could be a problem or a question you have about your own habits, or it could be about someone in your life you're concerned about. I'm happy to help and promise to give you the best information I can find on the subject.

Trust me, being a patient myself, there's one thing I can say for certain: when it comes to sleep, just asking the question "do I sleep well?" may very well be the key to pursuing a healthier, more energetic future.

MAILBOX: What's your sleep problem? Maybe SHC can help!

One of the things I have learned is that a lot (the vast majority, maybe?) of people think trouble with sleeping is normal, and just as many people think it's normal to be sleepy during the day. Not true in either case. In fact, some people I know have had a lifetime of bad sleeping patterns, and that means they aren't functional at 100 percent on a daily basis.

The thing is... almost every kind of sleep problem out there is treatable and those who seek help discover renewed energy, better health and potentially a prolonged life just by improving their sleep hygiene. The first step is to ask yourself what your sleep is like and whether your habits might be cheating you out of the energy and vitality you need as a human being to get through your busy life.

If you're not sure, then ask me! I can help. One of the goals of this blog is to help readers determine if they should pursue medical advice with relation to their sleep habits. I'm not an MD, but I can give you all kinds of up-to-date information about different kinds of sleep issues to help you to decide if you need to be more proactive about talking to your doctor.

It's easy! Click on the MAILBOX link in the upper right column of this blog. Please share your questions about sleep there; I'll respond to these publicly on the site (with your permission) and promise to keep your ID confidential. If you want a private response, I may still ask if I can discuss some of the details of your problem at SHC so that others who might have your symptoms or troubles can also be helped.

So write to me! Tell me what's going on. It could be a problem or a question you have about your own habits, or it could be about someone in your life you're concerned about. I'm happy to help and promise to give you the best information I can find on the subject.

Trust me, being a patient myself, there's one thing I can say for certain: when it comes to sleep, just asking the question "do I sleep well?" may very well be the key to pursuing a healthier, more energetic future.

MAILBOX: What's your sleep problem? Maybe SHC can help!

One of the things I'm learning as a student is that a lot (the vast majority, maybe?) of people think trouble with sleeping is normal, and just as many people think it's normal to be sleepy during the day. Not true in either case. In fact, some people I know have had a lifetime of bad sleeping patterns, and that means they aren't functional at 100 percent on a daily basis.

The thing is... almost every kind of sleep problem out there is treatable and those who seek help discover renewed energy, better health and potentially a prolonged life just by improving their sleep hygiene. The first step is to ask yourself what your sleep is like and whether your habits might be cheating you out of the energy and vitality you need as a human being to get through your busy life.

If you're not sure, then ask me! I can help. One of the goals of this blog is to help readers determine if they should pursue medical advice with relation to their sleep habits. I'm not an MD, but I can give you all kinds of up-to-date information about different kinds of sleep issues to help you to decide if you need to be more proactive about talking to your doctor.

It's easy! Click on the MAILBOX link in the upper right column of this blog. Please share your questions about sleep there; I'll respond to these publicly on the site (with your permission) and promise to keep your ID confidential. If you want a private response, I may still ask if I can discuss some of the details of your problem at SHC so that others who might have your symptoms or troubles can also be helped.

So write to me! Tell me what's going on. It could be a problem or a question you have about your own habits, or it could be about someone in your life you're concerned about. I'm happy to help and promise to give you the best information I can find on the subject.

Trust me, being a patient myself, there's one thing I can say for certain: when it comes to sleep, just asking the question "do I sleep well?" may very well be the key to pursuing a healthier, more energetic future.

Have a persistent sleep problem or know someone else who does? Ask for help from SHC!

Many people think trouble with sleeping is normal, and just as many people think it's normal to be sleepy during the day. Not true in either case. In fact, some people have had a lifetime of bad sleeping patterns, and that means they aren't functional at 100 percent on a daily basis.

The thing is... almost every kind of sleep problem out there is treatable and those who seek help discover renewed energy, better health and potentially a prolonged life just by improving their sleep hygiene. The first step is to ask yourself what your sleep is like and whether your habits might be cheating you out of the energy and vitality you need as a human being to get through your busy life.

When it comes to sleep, just asking the question "do I sleep well?" may very well be the key to pursuing a healthier, more energetic future.

If you're not sure if you have a real sleep problem, then ask SleepyHead Central! One of the goals of this clearinghouse is to help readers determine if they should pursue medical advice with relation to their sleep habits. Your best advice, of course, comes directly from your MD, but if you're still on the fence about your sleep issues and aren't ready to see your doctor, you can ask SleepyHead Central for help in the form of up-to-date information and tips for getting through or better understanding your sleep challenges.

It's easy! Click the CONTACT link above and send an email with your question; you can request a private or a public response to your question. It could be a problem or a question you have about your own habits, or it could be about someone in your life you're concerned about. SleepyHead Central is  happy to help and promises to give you the best information found on the subject.

MAILBOX || What's your sleep problem? Ask SleepyHead Central for help!

Many people think trouble with sleeping is normal, and just as many people think it's normal to be sleepy during the day. Not true in either case. In fact, some people have had a lifetime of bad sleeping patterns, and that means they aren't functional at 100 percent on a daily basis.

The thing is... almost every kind of sleep problem out there is treatable and those who seek help discover renewed energy, better health and potentially a prolonged life just by improving their sleep hygiene. The first step is to ask yourself what your sleep is like and whether your habits might be cheating you out of the energy and vitality you need as a human being to get through your busy life.

When it comes to sleep, just asking the question "do I sleep well?" may very well be the key to pursuing a healthier, more energetic future.

If you're not sure if you have a real sleep problem, then ask SleepyHead Central! One of the goals of this clearinghouse is to help readers determine if they should pursue medical advice with relation to their sleep habits. Your best advice, of course, comes directly from your MD, but if you're still on the fence about your sleep issues and aren't ready to see your doctor, you can ask SleepyHead Central for help in the form of up-to-date information and tips for getting through or better understanding your sleep challenges.

It's easy! Click the CONTACT link above and send an email with your question; you can request a private or a public response to your question. It could be a problem or a question you have about your own habits, or it could be about someone in your life you're concerned about. SleepyHead Central is  happy to help and promises to give you the best information found on the subject.

MAILBOX || What's your sleep problem? Ask SleepyHead Central for help!

Many people think trouble with sleeping is normal, and just as many people think it's normal to be sleepy during the day. Not true in either case. In fact, some people have had a lifetime of bad sleeping patterns, and that means they aren't functional at 100 percent on a daily basis.

The thing is... almost every kind of sleep problem out there is treatable and those who seek help discover renewed energy, better health and potentially a prolonged life just by improving their sleep hygiene. The first step is to ask yourself what your sleep is like and whether your habits might be cheating you out of the energy and vitality you need as a human being to get through your busy life.

When it comes to sleep, just asking the question "do I sleep well?" may very well be the key to pursuing a healthier, more energetic future.

If you're not sure if you have a real sleep problem, then ask SleepyHead Central! One of the goals of this clearinghouse is to help readers determine if they should pursue medical advice with relation to their sleep habits. Your best advice, of course, comes directly from your MD, but if you're still on the fence about your sleep issues and aren't ready to see your doctor, you can ask SleepyHead Central for help in the form of up-to-date information and tips for getting through or better understanding your sleep challenges.

It's easy! Click the CONTACT link above and send an email with your question; you can request a private or a public response to your question. It could be a problem or a question you have about your own habits, or it could be about someone in your life you're concerned about. SleepyHead Central is  happy to help and promises to give you the best information found on the subject.

ASK THE EXPERT || Restless Legs Syndrome

Today SHC hosts a reader's question about Restless Legs Syndrome and offers this response from sleep health naturopath, Catherine Darley, ND. 

Catherine Darley, ND; 
Follow Dr. Darley at the
Naturopathic Sleep Medicine Blog

BB in Oregon writes:

"I've been recently struggling with my sleep. I've changed my diet  to cellular healing; it may have something to do with it, and my Restless Legs Syndrome has gotten really bad. Someone told me to use Ancient-Minerals Magnesium Spray oil to help me sleep, but I need to use it over time to experience the advantages, which is to fall asleep easier and get a more restful night of sleep. Thoughts?"

Dr. Darley responds:

"In some people, Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is associated with low iron levels. A great place to start is to get your ferritin levels checked by your primary care physician. This is done with a simple blood test. Ferritin levels in people with RLS should be optimal (not only within normal limits), so you may need to take an iron supplement for three months before having your ferritin rechecked. Iron uptake is improved when it is taken along with vitamin C.There are some people who should not take iron supplements, so please consult with your primary care physician to make sure this is the right approach for you. Behaviorally, many people get some relief from Restless Legs Syndrome by going for a brisk walk before bed, climbing stairs or even simple stretches or calisthenics. You can give this a try now, while starting to look into your iron status."

Have a question about sleep health? Send it to SHC and we'll locate an expert to reply.

***

About Catherine Darley, ND: In 2003, Dr. Darley originated the new field of Naturopathic Sleep Medicine by opening The Institute of Naturopathic Sleep Medicine in Seattle, WA. Dr. Darley has worked previously in both sleep technology and clinical research with leading sleep doctor Dr. Mary Carskadon. She currently focuses her efforts on providing excellent naturopathic care for patients with sleep disorders at the Institute. She also presents on sleep health topics before many public and professional audiences and plans to continue her work developing the field of Naturopathic Sleep Medicine by conducting original research on naturopathic treatments for sleep and providing specialist training for other doctors. Dr. Darley writes reviews of sleep health topics regularly for professional naturopathic journals and is an active member of both the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians and the Sleep Research Society. 

NOTE: The SleepyHeadCENTRAL website and related newsletter and all other publications are not intended to substitute for medical advice; if you or a loved one has problems with sleeping (or not sleeping), please consult your doctor immediately.

MAILBOX || What's your sleep problem? Ask SleepyHead Central for help!

Many people think trouble with sleeping is normal, and just as many people think it's normal to be sleepy during the day. Not true in either case. In fact, some people have had a lifetime of bad sleeping patterns, and that means they aren't functional at 100 percent on a daily basis.

The thing is... almost every kind of sleep problem out there is treatable and those who seek help discover renewed energy, better health and potentially a prolonged life just by improving their sleep hygiene. The first step is to ask yourself what your sleep is like and whether your habits might be cheating you out of the energy and vitality you need as a human being to get through your busy life.

When it comes to sleep, just asking the question "do I sleep well?" may very well be the key to pursuing a healthier, more energetic future.

If you're not sure if you have a real sleep problem, then ask SleepyHead Central! One of the goals of this clearinghouse is to help readers determine if they should pursue medical advice with relation to their sleep habits. Your best advice, of course, comes directly from your MD, but if you're still on the fence about your sleep issues and aren't ready to see your doctor, you can ask SleepyHead Central for help in the form of up-to-date information and tips for getting through or better understanding your sleep challenges.

It's easy! Click the CONTACT link above and send an email with your question; you can request a private or a public response to your question. It could be a problem or a question you have about your own habits, or it could be about someone in your life you're concerned about. SleepyHead Central is  happy to help and promises to give you the best information found on the subject.

A READER ASKS || How do I get my daughter in for a sleep study now that she's an adult?

Dear SleepyHeadCENTRAL: 

My 22-year-old has sleep issues.  She did an overnight study in her early teens at a local hospital and presented with VERY disrupted sleep, but we didn't follow up then because we didn't understand. She recently got Medicaid coverage as a young adult. Do you have a suggestion where to start back in on testing leading to diagnosis and treatment?  I have a feeling it's the root of a lot of issues. I am really hoping to get her on this path.. She's adopted, but I have family members with sleep issues; in fact, three of my five siblings use CPAP machines. At least two of them have narcolepsy.  I know it can really impact all facets of your life. -- Anonymous


Dear Anonymous:

You are absolutely right that disordered sleep can really impact all facets of your life! And when a young person with sleep problems grows into adulthood with the same sleep issues (perhaps worse than they ever were), that can lead to a lifetime of problems not only with sleep but with overall health.

Your daughter will need a referral as patients cannot refer themselves to a sleep center but must go through a physician. She should go to her Medicaid primary care physician, explain her concerns and what she would like to do. She should especially emphasize any coexisting health conditions which may be related to her current sleep problems.

A lot can change to a growing body in a decade, and these days there's so much more evidence of connections between poor sleep and chronic health problems. Treating her sleep problems now means she'll very likely be alleviating some her other health issues as well, maybe even preventing some from developing. Not only does that mean improved quality of life for her, but lower health costs down the line.

It will be up to her doctor to determine the protocol that leads to a referral for a new test, but I would be surprised if they didn't support ordering a new study. Medicaid is quite particular about what it will cover and may require a home sleep test first, so be prepared to do this. Home tests were not available a decade ago and have become a popular and inexpensive option for screening likely overnight test candidates.

If she's okay with it, I'd suggest you attend these consultations with her physicians as an advocate; as her parent, you can offer insights into the reasons behind the first test and explain how you didn't know as much about sleep at that time, which can help to explain why she is still having problems. Doctors are usually supportive when their patients demonstrate a support system has been put in place to help them with potential future therapies.

Have a question? Contact SHC here

MAILBOX || What's your sleep problem? Ask SleepyHead Central for help!

Many people think trouble with sleeping is normal, and just as many people think it's normal to be sleepy during the day. Not true in either case. In fact, some people have had a lifetime of bad sleeping patterns, and that means they aren't functional at 100 percent on a daily basis.

The thing is... almost every kind of sleep problem out there is treatable and those who seek help discover renewed energy, better health and potentially a prolonged life just by improving their sleep hygiene. The first step is to ask yourself what your sleep is like and whether your habits might be cheating you out of the energy and vitality you need as a human being to get through your busy life.

When it comes to sleep, just asking the question "do I sleep well?" may very well be the key to pursuing a healthier, more energetic future.

If you're not sure if you have a real sleep problem, then ask SleepyHead Central! One of the goals of this clearinghouse is to help readers determine if they should pursue medical advice with relation to their sleep habits. Your best advice, of course, comes directly from your MD, but if you're still on the fence about your sleep issues and aren't ready to see your doctor, you can ask SleepyHead Central for help in the form of up-to-date information and tips for getting through or better understanding your sleep challenges.

It's easy! Click the CONTACT link above and send an email with your question; you can request a private or a public response to your question. It could be a problem or a question you have about your own habits, or it could be about someone in your life you're concerned about. SleepyHead Central is  happy to help and promises to give you the best information found on the subject.

Mailbox: Your questions answered || Sleep Starts

Question: Why do I sometimes jerk myself awake just as I'm falling asleep? Is this something to worry about? -- C.E.

Answer: What you describe is commonly known as hypnic jerks or sleep starts. These are generally harmless physical processes that occur while your brain and body make the transition from wake to sleep.

Doctors don't actually know why they happen, though a common theory is that any residual electrical activity in the muscles during the wake/sleep transition may present like this as the body moves to a restful state.

According to the Mayo Clinic, at least 70 percent of people experience these sensations from time to time. They are considered normal.

If you struggle with this every night, however, you should discuss this with your doctor as regular twitching at bedtime might actually relate to the emergence of Restless Leg Syndrome or some other underlying neurological condition you may not be aware of.

Have a question about sleep? Please visit our contact page and fill out the form. Those with questions may request anonymity; otherwise we may publish your question with your initials. 

MAILBOX || What's your sleep problem? Ask SleepyHead Central for help!

Many people think trouble with sleeping is normal, and just as many people think it's normal to be sleepy during the day. Not true in either case. In fact, some people have had a lifetime of bad sleeping patterns, and that means they aren't functional at 100 percent on a daily basis.

The thing is... almost every kind of sleep problem out there is treatable and those who seek help discover renewed energy, better health and potentially a prolonged life just by improving their sleep hygiene. The first step is to ask yourself what your sleep is like and whether your habits might be cheating you out of the energy and vitality you need as a human being to get through your busy life.

When it comes to sleep, just asking the question "do I sleep well?" may very well be the key to pursuing a healthier, more energetic future.

If you're not sure if you have a real sleep problem, then ask SleepyHead Central! One of the goals of this clearinghouse is to help readers determine if they should pursue medical advice with relation to their sleep habits. Your best advice, of course, comes directly from your MD, but if you're still on the fence about your sleep issues and aren't ready to see your doctor, you can ask SleepyHead Central for help in the form of up-to-date information and tips for getting through or better understanding your sleep challenges.

It's easy! Click the CONTACT link above and send an email with your question; you can request a private or a public response to your question. It could be a problem or a question you have about your own habits, or it could be about someone in your life you're concerned about. SleepyHead Central is  happy to help and promises to give you the best information found on the subject.