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The
Pain & Stress Center is dedicated to researching and providing
information and educational resources for our customers. There are
links to our web site if you need additional information on our
products. Whether or not you use our products, we believe
the information we are giving will be helpful to you in making informed
decisions about you and your loved ones' health.
Get as much sleep as you can-and have a lot of humor.
~ Doris Roberts
(Everybody Loves Raymond)
Say No to Sleeplessness
Poor sleep at any age is a problem. Just because you are older doesn't mean
you weren't meant to sleep better. Andrew A. Monjan, chief of neurobiology at
the National Institute of Aging states: "We know now that poor sleep is not a
function of being old by itself."
Nevertheless, lack of sleep makes aging harder. It can impair memory, disrupt
metabolism, and perhaps even hasten death.
Sleep patterns do change as we age, but disturbed sleep and waking up tired
every day are not part of normal aging. It’s important for the quality of your
life and health to recognize these changes and make slight adjustments that will
get your brain and body back in rhythm.
The effect of illness, certain medications, alcohol and soda consumption and
dietary changes prevent adequate absorption of magnesium. Low levels of
magnesium greatly contribute to various problems such as stress, anxiety,
depression, pain, muscle spasm, insomnia, constipation, nervousness, and
fatigue-all of which can affect your ability to get a good night’s sleep. A
nightly dose of Mag Link or
Mag Chlor will keep your magnesium levels at an
optimum.
As you age, your body secretes smaller amounts of key chemicals, such as
melatonin, that regulates your sleeping and waking cycle. As a result, your
circadian rhythm - the internal clock - changes. You tire earlier and wake up
earlier. Take Melatonin when you feel your sleep pattern is out of sync.
Daily stress, emotional upset or late evening activity that didn't use to
keep you up causes the release of chemicals that suddenly keep you from settling
down at night. Try Mellow Mind for tension or
5HTP which has calming neuro-nutrients
that promote sleep.
Significant life changes like the death of a loved one, moving from a family
home, or physical limitations due to illness, can cause stress and keep you from
a restful sleep. Use Mood Sync or
L-Theanine during the day to keep feelings of
stress under control.
Anxiety, depression and other emotional problems affect normal sleep
patterns. At the same time, not sleeping adds to your anxiety and depression.
Certain prescription medications cause depletion of brain chemicals that affect
your ability to cope with stress, anxiety and depression.
Anxiety Control
provides amino acids that create needed neurotransmitters that help you feel
more positive, focused and less stressed. Anxiety Control can be taken along with
prescription antidepressants.
If it has been a month or more since you've been able to sleep soundly or
fall asleep when you wanted to, you have insomnia. Your age usually isn't to
blame. Insomnia is more a symptom than a disorder. For an excellent night-time
cocktail for insomnia take MagChlor and
Sleep Link right before you climb into
bed.
Some conditions such as arthritis can make falling asleep difficult. Those
with chronic pain that makes it hard to get comfortable and wakes during the
night, find relief with Pain Control or
Celadrin.
Certain conditions such as enlarged prostate or incontinence may cause you to
make several trips to the bathroom during the night. Add to that the fact that
your bladder shrinks and weakens with age. Pumpkin Seed Oil will strengthen your
bladder so the urge to go does not wake you.
Stay tuned for more help for seniors in the next issue! |