Sleep Topics

Sleep Topics Sleep problems can occur in isolation or as a side effect of other diseases/factors. In the part of the website, you will learn about how a number of sleep topics such as diet, disease and other health factors affect sleep.

Sleep Topics and Descriptions

Here is a sample of sleep topics you can read in this section:

ADHD and Sleep

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a condition commonly seen in children where they are too active. During sleep, the body slows down activities in preparation for sleep. In ADHD patient the body and brain do not slow down at night. The hyperactivity at night makes the patients take too long to sleep. ADHD is also associated with Sleeping Disordered Breathing and also other diseases such as Restless Legs Syndrome.

Aging and Sleep

In life, sleep needs change with age. Babies sleep for about 22 hours. Adults sleep for about 7 to 8 hours. In old changes, many changes occur in the body that reduces not only the quantity but also the quality of sleep.  For instance, research has shown that most seniors tend to spend more time in NREM than REM stage of sleep. Deeper sleep is experienced in REM. Other factors that affect sleep among seniors include the many diseases that affect them.

Alzheimer’s disease and Sleep

First described by a German physician called Alois Alzheimer, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a type of dementia. Dementia is a medical term that describes gradual loss of memory. AD patients can lose the memory of when to or not sleep. In fact, they can stay awake all night and sleep all day. The disturbances in sleep generally get worse with time as dementia becomes worse.

Depression and Sleep

While it is normal to experience some sadness every now and then, extended episodes of depression can affect your health and sleep. One of the sleep topics that you will learn in this section is how depression affects sleep. You will also learn that depression and sleep disorders have many overlapping symptoms that include: insomnia, irritability, stress, general sadness among other symptoms.

Caffeine and Sleep

Among the sleep topics covered in this section is the effect of diet on sleep: caffeine and sleep. You will learn that caffeine commonly found in coffee and caffeinated drinks has a half-life of about 6-8 hours. This means that only half of coffee taken at noon will have been eliminated from your body at 6 PM. Caffeine stimulates the mind making you alert and thus less likely to sleep. You are advised to drink your last cap of coffee in the first half of the day in order avoid sleep problems.

Children, Bedtime Fears and Nightmares

Among children, darkness is feared. And since light have to be switched off for better sleep; darkness can trigger bedtime fears that can lead to sleep disorders. Though bedtime fears and nightmares can trigger sleep problems, they actually show that the child is developing good imagination. However, bedtime fears need to be managed well so as to improve sleep and confidence in the child. In this sleep topic, you will not only learn how to manage the fears but also the factors that trigger the fears.

Sleep Topics Summary

Clearly, there is a lot to be learned in these sleep topics. At the end of each sleep topic, you will get useful tips that you can try at home.

Sleep Topics Video Education