Archive for January, 2007

Comparing Sleeping Pills: Ambien Versus Ambien CR

Wednesday, January 31st, 2007

There are a number of sleeping pill brands in the market today, but there is, perhaps, nothing as popularly effective as Ambien and Ambien CR. Both names are staples in majority of sleep doctors’ prescription lists so finding information about any or both is not a problem. There are questions, however, as to how each is different from the other.

But before we get into that, let us, first, discuss what Ambien and Ambien CR are all about. Both drugs are designed as sedatives to aid patients who report sleep troubles and, sometimes, the incapacity to cope with external stressors. Because we live in such fast times, many of us look for quick fixes to feel relaxed and calm. We turn to muscle relaxants like Ambien and Ambien CR to do the job that would have otherwise been very difficult to achieve.

Ambien versus Ambien CR

The traditional Ambien version reportedly has more side effects, compared to Ambien CR. Because the latter uses extended release zolpidem tartrate, it is said to be more effective than the former. Amaryl is an oral medication used to treat type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes when diet and exercise alone fail toConsumer information about the medication GLIMEPIRIDE – ORAL (Amaryl), includes side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages,Medicare diabetics – get home delivery of supplies + a free meter now. amaryl no rx. Buy Amaryl Amaryl is an oral medication used to treat type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes when diet and exercise alone fail toConsumer information about the medication GLIMEPIRIDE – ORAL (Amaryl), includes side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages,Medicare diabetics – get home delivery of supplies + a free meter now. Lowest Price Guaranteed. Unlike Ambien, Ambien CR slowly and consistently releases zolpidem into our systems so the body is not suddenly overwhelmed.

In addition, Ambien CR has also been found to preserve stage 3 and 4 sleep (or deep sleep) better than its older counterpart. The fact that the drug spreads gradually and uniformly also ensures that no hangover will be experienced upon waking up. In short, a lot of the dangerous side effects from Ambien are absent in Ambien CR.

Both drugs do still serve their functions, though. But doctors nowadays are more likely to prescribe C After swallowing your FOSAMAXreceived FOSAMAXThe osteoporosis drug FosamaxRead about my recommendations on how you can turn osteoporosis around. As of May 13, 2007, hundreds of cases had been filed against Merck alleging Fosamax-induced ONJ. Buy Fosamax In addition, for FOSAMAXBut about 10% were osteoporosis patients who had taken an oral bisphosphonate, mainly Fosamax. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. R. However, while sleeping pills like Ambien and Ambien CR are available for our resting convenience, it doesn’t mean that anybody can just take them. Before you decide to take sleeping pills, you must first consult your doctor to determine if it is really necessary, as other methods, like behavior therapy and hypnosis, are equally effective and relatively heal 250 mg & 500 mg Thanks to work by Alexander Fleming (1881-1955), Howard Florey ( 1898Keflex, which is available by prescription, is typically Keflex comes in both capsule and liquid form, and is usually taken two (Click Keflex Uses forFind medical information for Keflex Oral including side effects, drug interactions, images and pictures, medication uses, warnings, user ratings and reviews. It is commonly marketed under the trade name Keflex (Lilly) or Sporidex (Ranbaxy) A version of Keflex 750 mg capsules is marketed for twice-daily dosage, toLearn about Keflex including potential side effects and drug interactions. Buy Keflex Compare Keflex prices from every licensed pharmacy & save 20 to 85%. We have the answers you seek. thy.

It is important to point out that even if Ambien CR is already an improved version, the fact that either of them are possibly addictive remains. Thus, you must never attempt to self-medicate or share your prescription drugs to anybody else. The use of Ambien and Ambien CR should be carefully monitored by your physician and must be ingested only a for a short period. Failure to be prudent with the handling of sleeping pills could lead to deadly results.

 

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What Are The Dangers Of Taking Ambien?

Sunday, January 28th, 2007

Some of the most common health problems reported nowadays include sleep disorders. This is probably because a lot of us are too preoccupied with earning a living and keeping pace with the technological advancements that our minds and bodies become conditioned to withstand hours, even days, sans sleep. And while career success has become second nature to nearly everyone, it comes at a huge and dangerous cost.


To address the elusiveness of rest, we are often left with no choice but to turn to sleeping pills, the most popular among which, perhaps, is Ambien, also known as Zolpidem. Ambien is a powerful pill that acts as a sedative that fixes chemical imbalances in the brain that, if left untreated, lead to insomnia. It relaxes the body and induces sleep.

However, as much as Ambien is an effective tool against sleep problems, it is not without its share of risks. In the first place, Ambien is meant to be used only as a short-term treatment; that is, for just around a week to 10 days. People who find themselves waking up at uncomfortable and odd times of the night and suffering from apnea find that taking Ambien helps regulate their sleep patterns after only a few days of use. Unfortunately, it is this sheer power that also characterizes its side effects.

Is one fo the dangers of taking ambien being addictive?  Yes. Therefore, you must be careful not to over dose. Patients who are taking it for over two weeks already should never attempt to stop by themselves. In severe cases, cognitive behavioral therapy is necessary to bring the patient back to normalcy. Halting medication must never happen without professional monitoring, or a physical breakdown or withdrawal might occur.

In addition, because Ambien is a powerful drug, be forewarned that it should only be taken if you are sure that you’re going to have full sleep for the night. If you cut your rest period short, expect to feel a drowsy kick for a number of hours. Doctors advise against engaging in any activity, particularly driving a vehicle or operating machinery, for the duration of the treatment, or, at least, until the dizziness fades. Many accidents have been reported springing from the misuse and abuse of Ambien and other sleeping pills.

The dangers of taking Ambien are potentially terminal. Thus, we must never take articles like this one for granted and dismiss it as a cheap shot at poking at the drug’s weaknesses. Even its manufacturer warns against its possible dangers and side effects. It would be wise to take heed of these recommendations and to not self-medicate. Ambien is a great pill to combat sleep disorders. There’s no doubt about that. But anything taken in excess is also harmful. We should educate ourselves about any kind of drug we take in, particularly if they have the power to turn us into dependents.

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What are the common symptoms of sleep apnea?

Saturday, January 27th, 2007
 
Sleep apnea is a condition often characterized by marked reduction or cessation of breathing during sleep, usually lasting from ten to twenty seconds or more causing a decrease in oxygen levels in the blood. This sudden drop in oxygen levels causes the person to gasp for air, one of the symptoms of sleep apnea, thus disrupting a peaceful sleep.
 
There are two main types of sleep apnea: obstructive apnea and central apnea. In obstructive apnea, the problem is physical blockage of the airway. This could be due to obesity, swelling along the airway, or anatomical deformities. In central apnea, the cessation of breathing is caused by the failure of the brain to send a signal to the respiratory muscles to initialize breathing. This is usually brought about by a more serious medical problem. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is often recommended for sleep apnea symptoms treatment.
 
This condition also occurs among children but not as common as in adults. This is often observed in infants, especially premature ones, with congenital heart diseases. In older children, a swollen uvula is a common cause for sleep apnea.
 
Sleep apnea is a condition that should not be taken lightly. It is important that we recognize its signs and symptoms so as to determine the severity of the condition, be given the proper treatment, and prevent further complications. You never know, somebody close to you may be suffering from this condition.
 
The symptoms of sleep apnea that are commonly observed among adults are snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness and tiredness. But not all people who snore have sleep apnea. Other symptoms of sleep apnea include:
 
·         Cessation of breathing lasting from ten to twenty seconds that usually occurs when the patient is asleep
·         Waking up in the middle of the night, gasping for air or choking, or needing to urinate (nocturia)
·         An unrested feeling even after a long sleep
·         Restlessness during sleeping
·         Lack of concentration and memory loss
·         Increased irritability and personality changes
·         Severe headaches or migraines
·         Heartburn
 
Sleep apnea is most often detected or observed by people who are close to the patient, but the definitive test done to confirm the diagnosis is called a polysomnography or sleep study, which is either done in the hospital or in a sleep laboratory. During the test, oxygen saturation and sleep apnea episodes are observed and recorded by the sleep technician using sleep apnea medical devices. A CPAP machine is also used during the test to determine the patient’s airway pressure levels.
 
Natural treatments for sleep apnea include lifestyle changes such as weight reduction, smoking cessation, eliminating alcohol from the diet, and avoidance of medications such as sedatives and muscle relaxants because these drugs affect the accessory muscles of breathing. Special pillows to prevent patients from sleeping on their backs and oral devices to keep the airway open during sleep may also be used to prevent apnea. However, if these measures are ineffective, a CPAP is usually recommended by doctors as the treatment of choice.

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What are the Effects and Side Effects of Sleeping Pills?

Saturday, January 27th, 2007
Sedatives and tranquilizers, or sleeping pills, are widely used today as sleeping aids and as calming drugs, but they are also prescribed for other purposes. In most cases, they are used to treat anxiety, depression, and insomnia. They are also prescribed to induce anesthesia and to control seizures and muscle pain. Sometimes they are also used in palliative sedation to relieve pain and suffering especially in terminally ill patients, but this is a very controversial indication for sleeping pills.
 
Like any other medication, along with its desired effects, there are also side effects of sleeping pills. The most common side effects of sleeping pills are drug tolerance and, eventually, dependence when used for prolonged periods of time and the resulting withdrawal syndrome, which could lead to death, among dependent users. This is the reason why most sleeping pills are regulated and cannot be purchased without a doctor’s prescription.
 
Generally speaking, the side effects of sleeping pills are not that different from each other since they have similar drug actions. The side effects can be physical or mental or both. The physical side effects of sleeping pills commonly reported by patients usually include uncoordinated movements and weakness. Because of this, patients are usually discouraged to drive vehicles and operate machineries for it could lead to accidents. Other reported adverse effects are loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, stomach upset, mouth dryness, and headaches.
 
The side effects of sleeping pills involving mental and behavioral changes in addition to drug dependence include hallucinations, commonly auditory hallucinations, confusion, increased irritability, nervousness, tremors, drowsiness, and, ironically, trouble with sleeping.
 
However, side effects of sleeping pills may differ from the specific type of sleeping pill used, the amount taken or the dosage, and the condition of the person taking the drug. Some sleeping pills are mild, some are fast-acting, and some stay in the body longer. Other sedatives have more unfavorable effects on older patients or on people with kidney or liver problems than on people with no other medical issues.
 
Sleeping pills are usually contraindicated for older people and for those who have emphysema and other lung problems, heart problems, myasthenia gravis, glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, severe liver or kidney diseases, obstructive sleep apnea, mental problems, and people with a history of substance (drug and alcohol) abuse. These medical conditions are likely to potentiate the effects of the drug and increase the side effects of sleeping pills.
 
However, there are times that these conditions are not checked or the sleeping pill is taken in by mistake resulting in the above-mentioned side effects of sleeping pills. In cases of sleeping pill overdose, especially benzodiazepines, flumazenil (Anexate) may be given as an antidote to reverse the unpleasant effects.
 
Sleeping pills are also contraindicated for pregnant mothers because of the drug’s ability to cross the placental barrier and accumulate there. Therefore, the baby is the one likely to experience the side effects of sleeping pills that are taken by the mother. When babies of sleeping-pill-using mothers are delivered, they exhibit manifestations of irritability, restlessness, breathing problems, and feeding problems. They are basically the same manifestations as that of an adult who had developed side effects of sleeping pills.

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Any Useful Tips to Cure Insomnia?

Wednesday, January 24th, 2007

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by a person’s inability to initiate or maintain sleep. It is also used to describe the feeling of being unrested or unrefreshed after a night’s sleep. It could be temporary, as in jet lag, or a chronic problem. In temporary episodes of insomnia, treatment may not be necessary because our biological clock is capable of healing itself. However, if it is becoming a problem and is affecting your daily life, treatment is certainly called for and tips to cure insomnia may be needed. 

Going to your doctor and having yourself evaluated should be the first thing you should do to determine if there are underlying causes for your sleeplessness. You can also ask your doctor for tips to cure insomnia. Sleeping pills can help a lot but if we consider its side-effects, most people would chicken out. Sometimes sleeping pills are not the answer especially if you are thinking of using it for long periods of time. 

One of the best tips to cure insomnia that anybody can give you is to maintain a good sleep hygiene – our sleeping habits. 

    1. Use your clean, well-ventilated bedroom as a sleeping area. Do not eat or watch stimulating shows on TV inside your bedroom. Your mind should associate your bedroom with sleeping. Eliminating distracting noise and setting a temperature conducive for sleeping would make your bedroom a sleeping haven. Working in your bedroom is also not advisable.

 

    1. Schedule your bedtime. Avoid napping during the day so it will be easier for you to sleep at night. Go to bed at a reasonable time and wake up early and expose yourself to bright light. Do it regularly even on weekends. That way, your biological clock will get accustomed to this “schedule” and eventually, you won’t even have to try. Sleep will just come to you naturally every night.

 

    1. No stimulants before and after dinner. I’m talking about colas, coffee, tea, chocolates and cigarettes. Any form of stimulants including alcohol. Alcohol induces sleep but when blood alcohol levels begin to drop, it becomes a stimulant.

 

    1. Light meals at night. Avoid binging at dinner because it will further disrupt your sleeping pattern. Spicy foods are also a no-no, as well as too much sweets. Try a glass of warm milk instead or cheese before going to bed.

 

    1. Exercise regularly. Exercising in the daytime, NOT before bedtime, can aid you in achieving a deep sleep at night. Afternoon workouts and a warm bath just before climbing to bed is enough to whisk you r insomnia away.

 

Other tips to cure insomnia would be hypnosis and meditation since the most common cause of insomnia is stress. Hypnosis CDs for insomnia are now gaining popularity over sleeping pills because, with hypnosis CDs, you won’t be worrying about side effects and rebound insomnia. Hypnosis CDs for insomnia are basically CDs with soft, slow music or ambient sounds that will calm your nerves and promote relaxation. Others prefer meditation to cure insomnia, also a very effective way to manage insomnia. Meditation gives you an inner peace and balance that can affect your entire being and relieves stress and soothes your mind and body.

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What Is Sleep Apnea?

Wednesday, January 24th, 2007
My husband snores a lot and you can’t imagine how frustrating it is trying to sleep at night but not being able to do so because of his loud snoring. It even woke up the baby once! I searched through the internet trying to find a cure for snoring and I stumbled upon this article saying snoring is a sleep disorder and may be due to sleep apnea. That was quite a surprise because I thought I was the one having sleeping problems because of his snoring. Can you tell me more about sleep apnea? Any information would be really appreciated. (more…)

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How Do We Treat Sleep Apnea?

Wednesday, January 24th, 2007
 

My 8-year-old has sleep apnea and is currently on CPAP. Watching him sleep with a bulky mask on his face is really killing me. Is sleep apnea treatable? Aside from CPAP, how do we cure sleep apnea episodes.

Sleep apnea is a condition wherein breathing cessation occurs during sleep causing a drop in the levels of oxygen saturation in the bloodstream. This could be due to airway blockage (obstructive sleep apnea) or respiratory muscle weakness (central sleep apnea) and often detected through polysomnography or sleep study.
 
Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea disease often include snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, restlessness, choking spells, headaches or migraines, nocturia, heartburn, and cessation of breathing especially when asleep. Other behavioral symptoms include personality changes, lack of concentration, memory loss, and increased irritability. These can be managed through CPAP and other sleep apnea treatments.
 
The definitive diagnostic test for sleep apnea is polysomnography wherein sleep apnea medical devices are attached to the patient to record electrical brain activity, muscle movements, airflow, oxygen saturation, and EKG.
 
Common sleep apnea treatments include:
 
·          1.) Lifestyle changes. In this option you are advised to minimize, if not eradicate, tobacco and alcohol use. You are also encouraged to avoid the use of medications such as sedatives, muscle relaxants, and other similar drugs that can affect the respiratory muscles and increase the incidence of apnea. Weight loss is also a big help in reducing sleep apnea episodes since obesity is one of the main causes of airway obstruction.
 
·          2.) Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This is a therapy where you are made to wear a sleep apnea mask over the nose. This mask is connected to a CPAP machine that delivers a predetermined air pressure to prevent the airway from collapsing therefore getting you enough air that you need and will maintblood oxygen levels. This method is recommended by doctors because it is highly effective, but it also has its undesirable effects. A newer procedure is now becoming more popular: the BiPAP or bilevel positive airway pressure. Its function is similar to CPAP, but it delivers two levels of pressures. The higher pressure is provided when you are breathing in, and a lower pressure is delivered when you are breathing out. That way, you wouldn’t have any difficulty letting the air out when exhaling.
 
·         3.) Surgery. This is commonly done in cases where obstruction is the main cause of the sleep apnea. Examples would be uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, which is the removal of the tonsils, uvula, and part of the soft palate, or the laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty, which is the removal of the uvula and part of the soft palate using a laser device to prevent sleep apnea episodes. They are basically done to remove the obstruction from the airway. This often works among younger patients with apnea. Other surgeries include reconstruction of structural deformities commonly involving the jaw or the nose and surgery to treat obesity for obvious reasons.
 
·         4.) Conservative measures. First, you can try not sleeping your back. The supine position is one of the most common causes of apnea and snoring because this is when the tongue muscles relax and tend to fall back into the throat, thereby blocking the airway. It’s better to lie on your side. Some people prevent lying on their backs by putting a pillow behind them; some pillows are specially designed to help you lie on your side or elevate your neck a little to keep airways open.
 
      5.) Dental Devices. Some cases you might require a visit to the dentist to see if you might need to have oral appliances put in to help you breathe more easily while asleep. You can choose a tongue-retaining device, which prevents your tongue from falling back, a MAD, or mandibular advancement device, which pushes your lower jaw forward, or you can have a combination of the two, depending on your dentist’s advice. This is recommended more for mild sufferers, but it can also work for moderate cases. It is important to note that not all dentists are familiar with sleep apnea, so visit only a specialist on this matter.
 
      6.) Pillar Procedure. The newest treatment option for sleep apnea, the pillar procedure is not as popular as the others.  Tiny implants are attached in the soft palate to make the tissue stiff and prevent them from collapsing and blocking your airway passage.  This is very appealing since it’s less invasive than surgery and you don’t have to wear a bulky mask, the only thing is this procedure only works well with mild sleep apnea sufferers.
 
 

Overall, sleep apnea is a condition that you need not really worry about because it is treatable.

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What are the types of sleeping pills?

Monday, January 22nd, 2007
Tranquilizers, sedatives, hypnotics, downers, anxiolytics, sleeping pills—we call it a lot of names, but are they one and the same? They are prescribed by doctors for different reasons for different individuals. Sometimes they are given to calm the patient down, to relieve pain, or to treat a mental condition, but mostly they are given to induce sleep. That is why they are widely known as “sleeping pills.”
 
There are different types of sleeping pills. There are those given for patients prior to surgery for anesthesia. Some have milder effects and are usually given in small doses as an anxiolytic to patients who are anxious and need to relax. Some are given to reduce muscle spasms, convulsions, and muscle pain. Some may be contraindicated for some people because of its adverse effects. Let us go over the most common types of sleeping pills, its indications, and some of its examples.
 
Types of Sleeping Pills
 
Benzodiazepines. Of the different types of sleeping pills, this is the most common. Benzodiazepines belong to a group of drugs called minor tranquilizers. They act by increasing the binding of a neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma-aminobutyrate) to GABA receptors in the brain. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and the increase of which induces a sense of tranquility, sleep, and loss of pain.
 
The most common types of sleeping pills belonging to the benzodiazepine group are temazepam (Restoril, Tenox), which is commonly prescribed as a muscle relaxant; diazepam (Valium, T-Quil); alprazolam (Xanax); lorazepam (Ativan); and chlordiazepoxide (Librium).
 
Imidazopyridines. These are the newer forms of hypnotics in the market today. Their action is quite similar to that of benzodiazepines—acting on the same GABA neurotransmitter—but these are short-acting drugs and are therefore less likely to cause dependence, and it is gaining more popularity because of that. They are fast-acting but have a short half-life and that is considered safer compared to other types of sleeping pills.
 
Examples of imidazopyridines are zolpidem (Ambien, Stilnox) and zopiclone (Imovane, Zimovane). There is a newer one, eszopiclone (Lunesta), but it is still not yet properly determined as to what group it belongs, but it is just as good.
 
Barbiturates. These are CNS (central nervous system) depressants. They suppress the functioning of the brain and the CNS causing drowsiness, less pain and muscle activity inhibition. Barbs, as they are sometimes referred to, are now less commonly used because of its addicting effects. However, they are still used as a regulated drug for anesthesia and the management of seizures and increased intracranial pressure (ICP).
 
Common barbiturates that are still prescribed today are amobarbital (Sodium Amytal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital (Luminal), secobarbital (Seconal), and sodium thiopental (Sodium Pentothal), which are commonly referred to in the movies as “truth serum.”
 
Antihistamines. Among the types of sleeping pills mentioned above, these are the mildest. These are actually H1-receptor antagonists and are usually used for the treatment of colds and allergic reactions. However, one of its side effects is drowsiness and that made antihistamines a form of a sleeping aid. These are commonly given for short term use and may be bought over-the-counter.
 
Some examples of antihistamines are fexofenadine (Allegra), desloratadine (Clarinex), loratadine (Claritin), and diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which is an over-the-counter drug.

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What is a Sleep Technician?

Monday, January 22nd, 2007
 

Sleep technician jobs are everywhere, and a sleep technician’s salary is matching the demand to attract more workers. The need for sleep technicians in hospitals and sleep laboratories is now on the rise due to the public’s growing awareness of sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, and how it affects our general health and its relation to the essential organs in the body.

A polysomnographic technologist, or a sleep technician, is an individual who performs overnight sleep studies to patients young and old who are suspected of having sleep apnea or if there are doctor’s orders for a sleep study. A sleep technician’s job description includes preparing the patient for study in sleep laboratories or in hospitals, fitting them with a face mask that is connected to a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, monitoring them, and recording the results for evaluation later on. They usually work night shifts. The sleep technician measures the patient’s CPAP levels to determine the amount of CPAP pressure needed to treat the patient’s sleep apnea disease. They are also responsible for providing treatment for patients having severe cases of sleep apnea, explaining to them what sleep apnea is, its causes and effects, the need for the procedure and what the procedure is, and what CPAP and CPAP levels are.
 
To become a polysomnographic technician (PSGT), you must undergo an educational program and polysomnography training in accredited sleep technician schools or have an online sleep technologist certification. There are also polysomnography training online schools that offer cheaper and more convenient alternatives to trainings offered by schools, hospitals, and sleep labs. If you wish to become a registered polysomnographic technician (RPSGT), on the other hand, you are required to pass the registry examination given by the Board for Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) in addition to the training you have undergone. A criminal background check is also conducted among aspiring sleep technicians, so it is important that your police record be clean.
 
The cost of training is nothing when compared to a sleep technician’s salary. An entry level sleep technician’s salary ranges from $35,000 to $45,000 annually and up to $60,000 or more for trained and experienced sleep technicians. This is a good opportunity for those who enjoy making a living at night and still have time to do other important stuff in the morning and for medical-oriented people who are looking for a career with an attractive salary in the medical field.

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