Stress: What Causes It
Research has linked chronic stress to digestive disorders, urinary problems, headaches, sleep difficulties, depression, and anxiety. “Some studies have found the physical, emotional, and social effects of a disease like cancer to be stressful for patients, caregivers, and long-term cancer survivors,” says NIH’s Dr. Paige Green McDonald, an expert on stress and cancer biology. “However, […]
Stress: Signs and Symptoms
The human body responds to events that provoke stress (stressors) by activating the nervous system and specific hormones. The hypothalamus signals the adrenal glands to produce more of the hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, and release them into the bloodstream. These hormones speed up heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure and metabolism. The physical changes prepare you to […]
Sleep-Wake-Related Disorder: How Can It Be Treated
Lifestyle changes often can help relieve acute (short-term) insomnia. These changes might make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. A type of counseling called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help relieve the anxiety linked to chronic (ongoing) insomnia. Anxiety tends to prolong insomnia. Several medicines also can help relieve insomnia and re-establish a regular […]
Sleep-Wake-Related Disorder: What Causes It
Secondary Insomnia Secondary insomnia is the symptom or side effect of another problem. This type of insomnia often is a symptom of an emotional, neurological, or other medical or sleep disorder. Emotional disorders that can cause insomnia include depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are examples of neurological disorders that […]
Sleep-Wake-Related Disorder: Signs and Symptoms
The main symptom of insomnia is trouble falling or staying asleep, which leads to lack of sleep. If you have insomnia, you may: Lie awake for a long time before you fall asleep Sleep for only short periods Be awake for much of the night Feel as if you haven’t slept at all Wake up […]
Sleep-Wake-Related Disorder: How Can It Be Treated
Sleep apnea is treated with lifestyle changes, mouthpieces, breathing devices, and surgery. Medicines typically aren’t used to treat the condition. The goals of treating sleep apnea are to: Restore regular breathing during sleep Relieve symptoms such as loud snoring and daytime sleepiness Treatment may improve other medical problems linked to sleep apnea, such as high blood […]
Sleep-Wake-Related Disorder: What Causes It
When you’re awake, throat muscles help keep your airway stiff and open so air can flow into your lungs. When you sleep, these muscles relax, which narrows your throat. Normally, this narrowing doesn’t prevent air from flowing into and out of your lungs. But if you have sleep apnea, your airway can become partially or […]
Sleep-Wake-Related Disorder: Signs and Symptoms
One of the most common signs of obstructive sleep apnea is loud and chronic (ongoing) snoring. Pauses may occur in the snoring. Choking or gasping may follow the pauses. The snoring usually is loudest when you sleep on your back; it might be less noisy when you turn on your side. You might not snore […]
Sexual (Dysfunction) Issues: How Can It Be Treated
If you have ejaculation problems caused by physical conditions, your GP should be able to suggest possible treatment options. Treating ejaculation problems caused by psychological factors can be more challenging, but most men who persevere with treatment have successful outcomes. Premature ejaculation Self-help There are a number of things you can try yourself before seeking […]
Sexual (Dysfunction) Issues: What Causes It
What causes erectile dysfunction? “A variety of things cause it. Some psychological and some physical,” says Dr Tomlinson. “Psychological issues tend to affect younger men, such as first night nerves and so on. Often, these problems don’t persist. But there can be more serious psychological problems about sex that need the help of a psychosexual […]
Sexual (Dysfunction) Issues: Signs and Symptoms
It’s estimated that one in 10 men has a problem related to having sex, such as premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction. Dr John Tomlinson of The Sexual Advice Association explains some of the causes, and where to seek help. “Sexual dysfunction in a man is when he’s not able to perform properly,” says Dr Tomlinson. “The main problem is […]
Quit Smoking: How To Quit
Quitting smoking is possible, but it can be hard. Millions of people have successfully quit smoking and remain nonsmokers. Surveys of current adult smokers find that 70 percent say they want to quit. There are a few ways to quit smoking, including quitting all at once (going “cold turkey”) or slowly cutting back your number […]