Sound Sleep Guide

Archive for March, 2007

Many of the people who have pets gladly allow them to sleep not only in their rooms but on their beds as well. Interestingly, more cat owners are likely to permit their pets on the bed. Of these cats at least seven percent of them are going to snore. Snoring cats usually have one of a very few reasons for their melodious nighttime sounds. One possible reason is the shape of the cat’s head. If the animal is one of the short faced, also called pushed in or flat faced, breeds then snoring is almost guaranteed. Persians, those beautiful longhaired cats with the pushed in faces, are definitely snorers, they suffer with the constriction problem because their nostrils are very tiny and the tissue vibrates when they breathe out. Another breed with this problem are called Exotics. They look the Persians but have short hair.
Another thing that can cause snoring for your cat is the possibility of allergies. There may be something in its environment that it is reacting to and so the nasal passages constrict and make breathing difficult. Obstructions of the nasal passages can be caused by an odd assortment of things. We all know how animals love to dig at things when they are outside romping around the yard. Sometimes something can get into their noses and block the nasal passage. This blockage could cause a snoring sound. Usually animals will dislodge these things themselves, perhaps even sneeze it out, but if they don’t you should take the cat to the vet who will gently remove whatever is blocking the passageway.
In older cats snoring can be caused by a more serious problem like nasal polyps or tumors, which will alter the airway. Often the problem is only in one nostril. If its not serious a polyp can be removed. But tumors are another story. A tumor in the nose is very difficult to treat. The nose is of intricate construction and surgery to try to remove a tumor is all but impossible. Radiation therapy is worth a try to slow the continuing growth. Unfortunately, nasal tumors in cats do not respond to anti-cancer medications. This may be the one time that a snoring cat is a sign of something to worry about.
In a more positive note, most often if your cat is lying at the end of your bed, or snuggling up nearer your pillow, snoring away it is actually a sign that the animal is completely relaxed. A cat will only allow itself to be in that state if they have complete trust in the person they are with. So you see, that noise can actually be a compliment.
Don’t know if it will make you feel better or not, but you should know that if even if your cat is snoring, and you find the sound disturbing, it likely does not bother them at all. They will be quite contented to sleep the night away completely oblivious to having woken you up.

Sleep is essential in order for us to be able to function normally everyday. A good night’s sleep will refresh our mind and body providing us with the energy and spirit to face a new day. Lack or sleep can cause a variety of disorders that can disrupt our lives, making our daily activity and interaction with others difficult.

Understanding REM Sleep Disorder

Rapid eye movement or REM during sleep occurs when we are actively dreaming, which happens approximately 20 to 25per cent of the time we are asleep. During this time the brain is as active as when you are awake, the blood pressure increases but the body is inactive with the muscles experiencing paralysis or loss of muscle tone, which is normal during sleep.

When you will experience REM sleep disorders, your body’s muscle will actively take part in your dream actions as well as causing reactions such as, talking in your sleep, moving body parts, shouting, jumping and walking. What causes REM sleep disorders is not yet exactly known but it has been recorded in patients with neurological disorders such as, Parkinson diseases, Shy-Drager and Lewy body, which is also known as dementia.

Treating REM Sleep Disorders

There are a variety of drugs available to treat REM sleep disorders however; choosing the right type for you can only be done by your doctor. He can do so after he has carefully examined your condition and considered your medical history or other medical conditions you may have at present as they may also be part of the cause of your REM sleep disorder.

Patients that suffer from REM sleep disorders should take preventive steps while sleeping such as, placing sharp objects away from the bed so he or she does not get hurt when moving in sleep. If possible have someone sleep close by to help stop the person from hurting himself in the sleep and if possible place the bedding on the floor in order to avoid the possibility of falling from the bed or consider installing bed rails.

Helpful Tips

Usually REM sleeping disorders occur in elderly people with an existing neurological disorder due to which reason do not self medicate and/or use sleep-inducing drugs without a doctor’s prescription as they could further deteriorate the condition. However, you may want to try natural remedies such as aromatherapy baths, candles and massages that helps relax the body into a deep and profound sleep mode.

When dealing with a snoring problem, you could be faced with one of two issues: primary snoring or the more sinister Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA. To understand the differences between these two types of snoring, you must understand exactly how the snoring process works.
Snoring occurs when there is an airway blockage restricting your ability to breathe while sleeping. In the case of a primary snorer, the snoring is the result of air struggling to be inhaled and successfully doing so. Obstructive sleep apnea, on the other hand, occurs when a primary snoring issue gets so bad that there is a full obstruction in the airway and a lack of oxygen occurs, causing the sufferer to not breathe for over 10 seconds. Just from the basic explanation of the two types of snoring, you can see that one is a moderate issue while the other is severe.
Snoring is caused by a host of different reasons. Obesity, alcohol consumption, use of sleeping pills or anti-histamines, allergies, nasal deformities, weak throat muscles, abnormal jaw structure, nasal congestion, a deviated septum, and enlarged or swollen tonsils and/or adenoids are some normal reasons for a person to snore. While being a primary snorer isn’t a huge problem, it still can have some negative effects.
For instance, when sleeping with someone, studies show that a snorer usually causes their loved one to lose roughly an hour of sleep per evening, while waking them up as often as 21 times per hour. This can result in restlessness and a lack of good sleep for the non-snorer, and is a problem known as Spousal Arousal Syndrome. This lack of quality sleep can have numerous negative effects on the health of the non-snorer. A recent study showed that approximately 80 percent of people in relationships where a person snored slept separately; Spousal Arousal Syndrome can severely affect your sex life and general relationship.
Sleep apnea, on the other hand, can have much worse effects. Snoring is generally a symptom of sleep apnea, although apnea can occur even when the person does not snore. The total loss of air flow experienced by someone with obstructive sleep apnea causes the person to wake up gasping for air, sweating, or choking. They also generally experience headaches and sore throats due to this constant struggle for air. The sleep quality of a person with sleep apnea is rarely efficient enough for the person to get a good night’s rest. This can leave them having trouble concentrating on simple tasks, being irritable, and being unable to perform well at work. Also, men may experience impotence as a side-effect of obstructive sleep apnea. Long term effects of this problem if left untreated include an increased risk for a heart attack or a stroke; also, heightened blood pressure and lower blood oxygen levels are seen. This causes the heart to work harder. If you are a snorer, and some of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea sound all too familiar to you, it is important to go to a doctor and get checked for the disorder. Your health can’t afford not to.