DiD you know about? – sleep Sleep deprivation has been used in wars and terrorism as a form of torture to force victims to disclose information. Sleep is a stronger basic need than food and water. Simply, the human body cannot do without sleep. Many people believe they have little or no sleep during the night. They concentrate on the hours they spend awake, and have little recollection of the time they spend sleeping. In fact, many people underestimate the amount of sleep they really have each night. Sleep deprivation is a controversial area to research. The effects on the human body and mind are so serious that researchers find it difficult to investigate sleep deprivation. Sleep Loss Few people ever experience real sleep deprivation. More
commonly, lack of sleep causes ‘sleep loss’. Insomnia, sleep
Helping others to sleep is rarely discussed. Families affect each
problems, shift work and jet lag all deprive the mind and body of
other’s sleep. Children sleep better with a night time routine
sleep. Usually it is possible to make up this ‘sleep debt’ during
that encourages them to calm down and recognise the need
subsequent nights. If this is not possible or the debt increases,
to sleep. Food also affects sleep, and heavy meals late at night
make it difficult to fall asleep. Noise can be a problem within
The main symptoms of sleep loss are fatigue and irritability
some households and a respect for others sleep needs is
the next day. Difficulty concentrating affects learning and the
retention of information. Depression, anxiety and moodiness are
Partners may be affecting each others sleep. Snoring,
restlessness and different bedtimes may all interfere with each others sleep needs. Long term sleep loss causes irritability and
Recognising Sleep Problems
mood changes which affect relationships. It is important to
Insomnia and sleep loss affect most people at some time
take a realistic look at how individual sleep differences can be
during their life. Teenagers and young adults are often unaware
resolved to create harmony in the bedroom.
of the damage they are doing to their body and mind by limiting sleep. Shift work, studying, travel and twenty-four hour
Sleep and Employment
communications mean that young and old fight the need to
Shift work, long distance travel and irregular working hours all
cause sleep loss. This can cause symptoms almost as severe
Many people pay little interest to their sleep problem until it
as those involved in sleep deprivation. The costs to employers
affects other aspects of their life. Although insomnia is a major
can be seen in an increase in absenteeism, loss of productivity
concern, few take long term action to improve their problem.
Sleeping pills are only suitable for short term relief in severe
Although few people will suffer from real sleep deprivation, or
cases, yet doctors still hand these out on a daily basis.
knowingly interfere with anyone’s right to sleep, it is important to acknowledge how work and relationships affect all aspects
Responsibility
of life. It is important to take responsibility for your own sleep
There are many ways to help improve sleep. Sleep Hygiene is
needs, and encouraging others to respect your right to a
the term given to improving the environment, and preparing the
mind and body for sleep. There are many things that affect how well we sleep. Taking control of sleep means restricting the ‘sleep stoppers’ such as caffeine and alcohol, and increasing the ‘sleep helpers’ which include certain foods, relaxation techniques and adopting routines that encourage sleep.
HEALTH PROMOTION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 2008 CONTACT: Sarah Fait, (202) 778-8439, sfait@zuckerman.com ZUCKERMAN SPAEDER WINS FIRST CASE TESTING GENERIC EXCLUSIVITY FORFEITURE RULES Washington, D.C.— May 19, 2008 — Zuckerman Spaeder LLP client Roxane Laboratories, Inc. secured an important victory in the first case testing the generic exclusivity forfeiture provisions of the Federal F
Arkansas State and Public School Employees Preferred Drug List (PDL) - Effective 01/01/2014 This PDL is a list of the most commonly prescribed drugs. It is not all-inclusive and is not a guarantee of coverage. Plan Benefit Design is the final determinate of coverage. For drugs not listed, please call the pharmacy program number listed on the back of your ARBenefits ID card for benefit coverage