Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder, which affects the part of the brain that regulates when to be asleep and when to be awake. Narcoleptics can fall asleep wherever, and whenever, even while working, cooking, or driving.
According to medical experts, the main narcolepsy symptoms are excessive daytime sleepiness, hallucinations, sleep paralysis, and cataplexy (loss of muscle control). Excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy connected to emotional state. Often, people have these symptoms when they are experiencing intense emotions such as laugh, sadness, surprise or frustration.
Narcolepsy affects about 1 in 2,000 people, and is thought to be a genetic disorder. Most people experience their first symptoms between the ages of 10 and 25. Even though narcolepsy is a lifelong condition, narcoleptics who make certain lifestyle changes and seek medical help can reduce symptoms, and in turn improve alertness and enjoy an active life.
Scientists have discovered that people with narcolepsy are lacking in hypocretin, a chemical in the brain that activates arousal and regulates sleep. Heredity appears to be a factor in narcolepsy, but environmental triggers may also play a strong role. Research is on to investigate these triggers.
Effects of narcolepsy
· Many activities, including driving, working, cooking, or walking can be dangerous if you fall asleep or lose muscle control unexpectedly.
· It can lead to depression and anxiety.
· Sudden sleep episodes are often found humorous to those not familiar with narcolepsy.
· Often spousal relationships may suffer
· People with narcolepsy may have problems remembering things and concentration.
Treatment
According to health experts, commonly prescribed drugs for narcolepsy are stimulants, antidepressant and sodium oxybate. All medications have side effects and need doctor’s advice. Behavioural changes are usually recommended along with medications to help a person to manage narcolepsy symptoms. Combining the various treatments can improve alertness and help you to control the effects of a narcoleptic episode.
Self-help for narcolepsy
· Schedule your sleep periods.
· Take a few brief, scheduled naps during daytime.
· Try to get a good night’s sleep during the same hours each night.
· Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. Beverages containing these elements interfere with sleep when you need it.
· Exercise on a regular basis.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Five Million Die From Cigarette Smoking Every Year
According to World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent report, more than five million people are die every year around the world from cigarette smoking. In addition, passive smoking i.e. inhaling someone else’s cigarette smoke kills nearly six lakh.
Smoking is injurious to our health, No doubt at all. Its effects on human health are serious and often deadly. According to health experts, cigarette contains about four thousand chemicals in which more than hundreds are toxic.
Nicotine, main ingredients of cigarette reaches the brain within 10 seconds after smoke is inhaled. Further it would reach every parts of the body, even in the breast milk. So, nicotine reaches the body of the newly born child and affects badly, if it’s mother has the habit of smoking. Moreover nicotine is extremely addictive.
Carbon monoxide, another ingredient of cigarette binds to haemoglobin in red blood cells, and prevent affected cells from carrying a full load of oxygen. It is probably the most poisonous and deadly component of cigarette smoke. It depletes the oxygen in our blood and heart, causes nearly instant shortness of breath on exposure, and is the primary factor in heart disease.
Carcinogens in tobacco smoke which is known as cancer-causing agents damage important genes that control the growth of cells, in turn causing them to grow abnormally or to reproduce too rapidly. Smoking affects the function of the immune system. It may increase the risk for respiratory and other infections.
Usually the body produces antioxidant which helps to repair damaged cells. But, smokers have lower levels of antioxidant in their blood when compare to non smokers which makes them more vulnerable to diseases.
Smoking increases chances of cancer including lung, mouth, throat, oesophagus, and colon. It also increases chances of heart attack. Smoking causes premature wrinkling of the skin. Bad smell of cigarette emanates from mouth soon after smoking, and this awful smelling may irritate others. Chances of heart attack among smokers is double than non smokers. Smoking in women during pregnancy period may results in miscarriage or a lower birth-weight baby.
Smoking affects negatively on a person’s longevity. According to health experts, adult male smokers will lose an average of 13 years while female smokers lose 14 years of life. Moreover, it costs heavily on smokers’ pocket also. If someone saves spending money on cigarettes, it would become a large amount in their lifetime.
Health experts feel that health warnings on tobacco package have played an important role in helping smokers to understand the risks of tobacco use. But, in contrast the study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that cigarette packets with death related warnings were not effective and even caused more positive smoking attitudes, especially among teenagers. So, stringent actions like imposing ban on smoking in public places, higher taxes on tobacco products, bans on tobacco advertising…need to be taken by the governments to minimize smoking impact.
Smoking is injurious to our health, No doubt at all. Its effects on human health are serious and often deadly. According to health experts, cigarette contains about four thousand chemicals in which more than hundreds are toxic.
Nicotine, main ingredients of cigarette reaches the brain within 10 seconds after smoke is inhaled. Further it would reach every parts of the body, even in the breast milk. So, nicotine reaches the body of the newly born child and affects badly, if it’s mother has the habit of smoking. Moreover nicotine is extremely addictive.
Carbon monoxide, another ingredient of cigarette binds to haemoglobin in red blood cells, and prevent affected cells from carrying a full load of oxygen. It is probably the most poisonous and deadly component of cigarette smoke. It depletes the oxygen in our blood and heart, causes nearly instant shortness of breath on exposure, and is the primary factor in heart disease.
Carcinogens in tobacco smoke which is known as cancer-causing agents damage important genes that control the growth of cells, in turn causing them to grow abnormally or to reproduce too rapidly. Smoking affects the function of the immune system. It may increase the risk for respiratory and other infections.
Usually the body produces antioxidant which helps to repair damaged cells. But, smokers have lower levels of antioxidant in their blood when compare to non smokers which makes them more vulnerable to diseases.
Smoking increases chances of cancer including lung, mouth, throat, oesophagus, and colon. It also increases chances of heart attack. Smoking causes premature wrinkling of the skin. Bad smell of cigarette emanates from mouth soon after smoking, and this awful smelling may irritate others. Chances of heart attack among smokers is double than non smokers. Smoking in women during pregnancy period may results in miscarriage or a lower birth-weight baby.
Smoking affects negatively on a person’s longevity. According to health experts, adult male smokers will lose an average of 13 years while female smokers lose 14 years of life. Moreover, it costs heavily on smokers’ pocket also. If someone saves spending money on cigarettes, it would become a large amount in their lifetime.
Health experts feel that health warnings on tobacco package have played an important role in helping smokers to understand the risks of tobacco use. But, in contrast the study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that cigarette packets with death related warnings were not effective and even caused more positive smoking attitudes, especially among teenagers. So, stringent actions like imposing ban on smoking in public places, higher taxes on tobacco products, bans on tobacco advertising…need to be taken by the governments to minimize smoking impact.
My Way of Resolving Problem
I come from middle class family, and working as journalist in a leading daily. I am leading a decent life along with my wife and a small baby. But, my past life was not so smooth like now, and was a bed of thorns due to my bad habits, especially cigarette smoking.
In earlier days of my college life I was chain smoker, and used to smoke eight-nine cigarettes for a day. I don’t know how I addicted to cigarette smoking. Smoking was fun and quite a thrill for me at the time. But it damaged my body, ruined my relationships, and created a lot of problems for me.
After some days I experienced a pain in my stomach, and consulted doctor for treatment. As days went fast pain was severe, and I was admitted to hospital. After five days of treatment I was discharged from the hospital. That was an Ayurvedic mode of treatment, and the mode of therapy involved intake of two-three herbal drops dissolved in a glass of water, three to four times a day along with hypnotherapy which was done alongside for an hour daily by a qualified Naturopathy and Yoga doctor. Doctor suggested me to drink lots of water which helped to excrete excessive toxin that was present in the body due to smoking.
Gradually I regained my health, but mentally I was not fully recovered. Often I was getting tired. I was upset. At one stage, I had lost my interest in life. Intentionally I alienated myself from friends and family members. Actually, post-treatment period was very important. Doctor advised me to quit smoking completely. But, I was addicted, and it was very difficult to avoid smoking. Really that was the difficult period of my life. I met one of my close friends who had faced the same problem earlier, and narrated my whole story. In reply, he suggested yoga, according to him that is the best remedy for rejuvenation.
I purchased one book titled Freedom of Body and Mind: Yogasanas, Pranayam and Meditation written by Yogacharya Swami Omkareshwarananda. I started practicing yoga and pranayama (breathing exercise) in my smoking cessation. Later I make it as a routine practice, and still I am doing yoga and pranayama daily. That helps a lot for me. It gave me the best results and confidence to quit smoking. While practicing I got will-power, and peace of mind. It enhanced my concentration power. Gradually I recovered, and succeed to abandon smoking. Now I am leading a happy life along with my wife and a small baby.
I think we should face the problem whenever it comes to us. Initially it may give pain but this pain is much lower than when this would become a bigger problem. My way of resolving problem is face the problem, try to fix that as early as possible, and do not give any chance to the problem to become a bigger one.
In earlier days of my college life I was chain smoker, and used to smoke eight-nine cigarettes for a day. I don’t know how I addicted to cigarette smoking. Smoking was fun and quite a thrill for me at the time. But it damaged my body, ruined my relationships, and created a lot of problems for me.
After some days I experienced a pain in my stomach, and consulted doctor for treatment. As days went fast pain was severe, and I was admitted to hospital. After five days of treatment I was discharged from the hospital. That was an Ayurvedic mode of treatment, and the mode of therapy involved intake of two-three herbal drops dissolved in a glass of water, three to four times a day along with hypnotherapy which was done alongside for an hour daily by a qualified Naturopathy and Yoga doctor. Doctor suggested me to drink lots of water which helped to excrete excessive toxin that was present in the body due to smoking.
Gradually I regained my health, but mentally I was not fully recovered. Often I was getting tired. I was upset. At one stage, I had lost my interest in life. Intentionally I alienated myself from friends and family members. Actually, post-treatment period was very important. Doctor advised me to quit smoking completely. But, I was addicted, and it was very difficult to avoid smoking. Really that was the difficult period of my life. I met one of my close friends who had faced the same problem earlier, and narrated my whole story. In reply, he suggested yoga, according to him that is the best remedy for rejuvenation.
I purchased one book titled Freedom of Body and Mind: Yogasanas, Pranayam and Meditation written by Yogacharya Swami Omkareshwarananda. I started practicing yoga and pranayama (breathing exercise) in my smoking cessation. Later I make it as a routine practice, and still I am doing yoga and pranayama daily. That helps a lot for me. It gave me the best results and confidence to quit smoking. While practicing I got will-power, and peace of mind. It enhanced my concentration power. Gradually I recovered, and succeed to abandon smoking. Now I am leading a happy life along with my wife and a small baby.
I think we should face the problem whenever it comes to us. Initially it may give pain but this pain is much lower than when this would become a bigger problem. My way of resolving problem is face the problem, try to fix that as early as possible, and do not give any chance to the problem to become a bigger one.
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