Guide to Your Health

Insomnia can be defined as a condition whereby an individual is unable to fall asleep either during the day or at night, which later results in a sleep which is both not refreshing and non-restorative. Due to the fact that the amount of sleep needed by individuals is different, Insomnia can also be defined as the quality of sleep you have, and how you feel when you wake, not the amount of hours you sleep, or your ability to doze off quick.

Hence, after spending eight hours in bed, if you still feel tired and drowsy the next morning, there are strong indications that you could be going through insomnia. The causes of insomnia are not conventionally the same, as they differ from person to person. It could start off as something which is taking too much caffeine during the day, or a complex problem which could be a medical problem.

However, the good news is, insomnia can be cured based on the changes which you make on your own, without having to rely on health specialists or using certain pills.

Indications of Insomnia

• Inability to fall asleep
• Waking up many times at night
• Inability to sleep when awakened
• Inability to have a refreshed sleep
• Dependence on sleeping pills and alcohol in order to fall asleep
• Waking up very early in the morning
• Drowsiness and fatigue
• Inability to concentrate during the day

For you to treat and cure your insomnia effectively, there is a need for you to become a sleep detective. Some emotional issues such as depression, stress and anxiety has the capacity to induce insomnia. The same applies to your sleep routine, physical health and your daytime habits.

There is a need for you to know the causes of your insomnia, so that when you have known the root cause, it would be essential in customizing a treatment plan for you.

Causes of Insomnia

• Being under a lot of stress
• Depression and feeling of hopelessness
• Severe feelings of anxiety and worry
• Going through series of traumatic experiences
• Taking medications which hampers your ability to sleep
• Having health problems which could affect your sleep
• Staying in an environment which is not comfortable and quiet

When one thinks of metabolism, he/she generally thinks of how easily—and/or quickly—that his/her fat is able to burn. However, a more technical definition is listed as follows as “metabolism refers to all the chemical reactions taking place in the body to convert or use energy”. In turn, metabolism aims to break down the food that a person intakes, so that it can be turned into energy. But when one’s metabolism doesn’t function as it’s supposed to, this can be linked to a number of problems—and/or disorders—the most common revolving around his/her thyroid. Some of the most common metabolism problems involve hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes.

The thyroid gland is a part of the endocrine system which uses iodine from the foods one eats to make two main hormones being Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4). These two hormones “regulate your body’s temperature, metabolism, and heart rate”. That’s why this gland can have such a great impact on a person’s health, but symptoms of thyroid problems, as well as severity, can differ greatly depending on the person. For, metabolism disorders “cause the body to have either too much or too little of the essential substances needed to stay healthy”.

First and foremost is hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. hypothyroidism stems from the underproduction of the hormones. Initial symptoms of such might include; “fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, memory problems, irritability and depression, higher cholesterol levels, slower heart rate, and constipation/sluggish bowel”. In contrast, hyperthyroidism is the overproduction of hormones which might include symptoms such as; “weight loss, heat intolerance, frequent bowel movements, tremors, nervousness and irritability, thyroid gland enlargement, sleep disturbances, and fatigue”.

Second is diabetes. For, “it’s not uncommon for one to have both thyroid disease and diabetes”. The reason behind such is because if someone has type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, or metabolic syndrome then his/her risk of developing thyroid disease is doubled. And thyroid disease increases one’s risk of developing metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes.

In conclusion, a metabolism disorder cannot be narrowed down to just one problem or disorder, because there are many. For, some may stem from nutrition deficiencies, some may result in diabetes, etc. That’s why it is beneficial that one seeks evaluation from that of a medical professional, so that he/she might be able to receive the necessary/needed treatment to get back to that of a healthy life.

Many of us get frustrated if we are unable to maintain the clear skin that we have longed for. A wide array of moisturizers, cleansers, and other such products are used, only for one to find his/her skin reverting right back to its exact same condition. It is through such that a significant amount of individuals in today’s society find themselves unaware of their skin condition, and without having an understanding of skin problems, it can be hard to know what to do—and/or what action to take. However, what many don’t realize is that this feeling of defeat doesn’t only go for those who struggle with their acne, but various other skin diseases such as eczema, hives, moles, rashes, psoriasis, vitiligo, and so on.

First and foremost is acne which is defined as “the occurrence of inflamed or infected oil glands in the skin, and characterized by red pimples on the face”. Second is eczema which is where “patches of skin become rough and inflamed, with blisters that cause itching and bleeding”. Third is hives which is “a rash of round, red welts on the skin that itch intensely, sometimes with dangerous swelling, caused by an allergic reaction”. Fourth is moles which “occur when cells in the skin grow in a cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin”. Rashes—which are much like hives—can be caused by a wide range of factors, rather than being limited to only allergic reactions.

Unfortunately, some skin disorders are permanent, such as psoriasis and vitiligo. Psoriasis is a disease “marked by red, itchy, scaly patches”, while vitiligo is “a condition in which the pigment is lost from the areas of the skin, causing whitish patches, often with no clear cause”. As a result, those who struggle with such have to adapt—and/or adjust—to the skin they’re in. This may be challenging for some if they want to rid their skin of the condition, and in the midst of such they might even find themselves losing their confidence—to which they have to rediscover themselves.

In conclusion, it is important that those who are faced with skin problems seek the best form of treatment/expertise from a health professional—and/or dermatologist. It is through his/her assistance that they can better learn what to avoid—and/or look out for—and what products are helpful and harmful to their skin type. Not only that, but if easily curable then they can be prescribed what they need, in order to clear up the symptoms they are experiencing.  

Respiratory problems—although common—can cause a plethora of trouble for those who deal with one or more on a daily basis. As a result, many may find them both uncomfortable—and debilitating—depending on the extent of their diagnosis. For, such a broad category holds a wide range of health issues going from 1. viruses to 2. chronic diseases. These two categories allow each respiratory problem to be classified into one or another.

First and foremost are viruses which consist of bronchitis, common cold, croup, influenza, and other such infections. Bronchitis is the “inflammation of the lining of one’s bronchial tubes (which carries air to and from one’s lungs), which causes one to cough up thickened mucus”, the common cold is “a viral infection of your nose and throat (upper respiratory tract)”, croup is “an infection of the upper airway, which obstructs breathing and causes a characteristic barking cough”, and influenza (flu) “tends to come on suddenly, and includes symptoms such as a fever over 100.4 degrees fahrenheit, aching muscles, chills, etc”.

Second is chronic diseases which are “diseases that persist for a long time” which last for 3 or more months. These consist of things such as COPD, asthma, lung cancer, etc. COPD, also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is “a lung disease characterized by chronic obstruction of lung airflow that interferes with normal breathing and is not fully reversible”, asthma is “a respiratory condition marked by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing, and usually results from an allergic reaction”, and lung cancer is “the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs. These abnormal cells do not carry out the functions of normal lung cells and do not develop into healthy lung tissue”.

All in all, people who are struggling with respiratory problems ranging from the common cold to lung cancer, must look at all the factors—and/or circumstances—in regards to such. For, there are a variety of aspects that may play a key role in one’s respiratory health such as his/her environmental exposure. For example, one can come across allergens within the air—like pollen and mold—which can significantly contribute to the health of his/her lungs.

Another scenario is where one either smokes directly, or resides in an environment where he/she comes into contact with smoke on a daily basis; this can also take a toll on one’s lungs. That’s why it is important that individuals take the time to be examined by a health professional early on—when they begin to experience symptoms of a respiratory infection—so that they can receive the treatment they need.    

Sleep problems affect a number of North Americans. The average person has an irregular sleep schedule, due to personal obligations, emergencies, crisis, poor sleep management or a sleep disorder. However, very few people understand that getting regular sleep, and enough of it, is critical to a person’s health. The average person requires eight hours of sleep per night in order to stay healthy. The total number of hours a person needs to sleep is highly dependent on their personal chemistry, but on average, a person cannot stay healthy on less than six hours of sleep. The brain loses function and can be damaged permanently by  person’s broken sleep patterns. Sleeping at irregular times of day can also be very detrimental to a person’s health and longevity. Some of the most common sleep problems are as follows:

• Stress. Nothing wrecks a sleep schedule like stress, because it throws off the body’s chemistry and hormone balance.
• Undisciplined sleep patterns. Many people have the childish problem of “just wanting to stay up another hour” for whatever reason, but this habit can vastly affect physical and mental health.
• Sleep disorder. A true sleep disorder is not the fault of the person who has it, but it is their responsibility to manage it properly.

Being unable to sleep or simply mismanaging a sleep schedule takes a heavy toll on a person’s day to day life. It is very important for people with broken sleep habits to change their ways and learn how to sleep in a healthy way. Some of the ways a person can combat sleep problems and get back onto a healthy sleep schedule is:

• Eliminate stress. Easier said than done, but coming to manage the stress in your life will result in better sleep.
• Take a sleep schedule seriously. Plan one out for yourself and follow it diligently every night.
• Consider lifestyle, diet and exercise. The food you out, your exercise regimen and how balanced your lifestyle are all affect your sleep patterns.
• Receive treatment for a sleep disorder. Do not suffer through a sleep disorder on your own. Receive help from your doctor.

Weight management can be tricky business. The average person does not have a perfect metabolism and can gain or lose weight in irregular increments. In today’s world of fast, convenient and fattening foods, keeping the pounds off is harder than ever. Especially when the foods available cause conditions that make a person less able to metabolize food correctly, therefore being even more prone to weight gain. Some of the most common reasons for weight gain are as follows:

• Poor diet. The average North American is missing the mark in their diet. They are eating foods with too much fat, sugar, salt, oil and starch, as well as eating too much processed food and unnatural food. This is causing more cases of weight gain and obesity than anything else.
• Lack of exercise. North Americans, on the whole, are not active enough. Because of office work and hobbies like TV watching, we are living lifestyles that are too sedentary to be healthy. Exercise is how calories are burned. Without exercise, we retain calories and are unable to burn off fat.
• Diseases or conditions. It is very common for people to have one or more diseases and conditions because of the toxicity levels of our environment and diet. Some of these diseases and conditions make it harder for people to lose weight. Heart disease and diabetes are just some of the conditions that prevent people from reaching their weight goals.

Once the weight is already packed on, it can feel impossible to lose. Weight gain can be a difficult thing to manage, especially when there are factors that are outside your control coming into play. There are, however, some basic things you can do to manage your weight gain and bring it back under control:

• Eat healthy. Follow the dietary guidelines set forth by your country, and do research on how to eat for your body chemistry, weight goals and personal conditions.
• Exercise. Making time for exercise is critical to weight management. It is the key to getting your metabolism functioning like it should be.
• Manage your diseases or conditions as best as possible. Follow your doctor’s specifications for your disease as well as your own personal research on the subject.

Physical health problems have historically been the center of far more focus than mental health problems. This is ironic and irrational, as mental health problems cause just as much disruption in a person’s life as physical health problems, in some ways even more. Mental health problems stem from psychological developmental issues, particularly related to a person’s upbringing. Most people form lifelong coping mechanism, thought patterns and behaviors in their adolescence and are bound to them for life. The incredible range of opportunity for adversity and poor psychological development in adolescence are endless, which results in mental health problems for many people. Other factors, such as biology, play a part in mental health problems as well.

Some of the more common mental health problems among global society are as follows:

• Depression. This mental disorder is characterized by extended feelings of sadness, lethargy and hopelessness.
• Anxiety. This mental disorder is characterized by panic attacks, fearful thoughts and extreme inhibitions.
• Bipolar disorder. This mental disorder is characterized by extreme, unregulated mood swings.
• ADHD. This mental disorder is characterized by disorganization and a rampant flow of thoughts or energy.

A mental disorder can feel very consuming at times and impossible to overcome. However, if you are having these thoughts, be advised that your mental disorder is flared up, because the truth of the matter is, mental disorders are treatable, and you can make a great deal of progress in a reasonable amount of time.

• Counseling. Make time to sit down with a counselor and create a plan of action for your mental disorder. Your counselor will give you very relevant ideas and information to help you fight the symptoms of your mental disorder and regain your life.
• Balanced lifestyle. There is a great deal of information one can collect on living a balanced lifestyle that is fulfilling, productive, therapeutic and relaxed. Expose yourself to this information and heed its advice.
• Diet. What you ingest is critical to your mental health. Follow your country’s dietary guidelines, avoid substance abuse and research how to eat for your particular mental illness. If substance abuse is inhibiting your mental health, ask yourself are there drug and alcohol detox centers that suit my needs?” If there are, sign up for one. If they are not, it could be worth your while to travel for the purpose of substance abuse treatment.
• Exercise. Be sure to make time for exercise, as it is the most beneficial way of boosting your serotonin and balancing your brain and body chemicals.

People develop mobility problems for a number of reasons. Mobility problems make a person’s life more difficult in that they have less independence and struggle to be as active as they once were. Some common reasons for mobility problems are as follows:

• Joint pain. Everyone experiences some joint pain, but some people, particularly as they age, experience it much worse due to genetics or injury. Their joints become extremely swollen or the cartilage around the joint deteriorates entirely.
• Bone deterioration / osteoporosis. Bones are subject to deterioration with age and injury. Osteoporosis is caused by bone deterioration when calcium levels are low or hormones change. Brittle or thin bones break much more easily than strong bones.
• Flexibility problems. Flexibility is one of the first things that people lose with age. Muscles, tissues and cartilage tighten and shrink over time to limit a person’s flexibility and make them less able to bend and stretch.
• Cardio problems. When a person’s heart is weakened by an unhealthy diet, heart disease, being overweight or simply age, their cardiovascular system that pumps blood becomes less able to function well.
• Weight problems. If someone’s diet or exercise regimen are unhealthy or inadequate, they may struggle severely with weight problems.

These health issues, which cause mobility problems, can prove harmful to a person and their lifestyle. There are, however, ways of preventing and correcting them:

• For joint issues, take glucosamine to keep the cartilage that protects joints healthy and intact. Eating anti-inflammatory foods reduces swelling in joints, and safe exercise builds muscle mass to take strain off joints.
• For good bone health, be sure to ingest plenty of calcium for bone tissue and vitamin D for metabolizing calcium.
• For flexibility retention, participate in stretching exercises and yoga frequently.
• For good cardio and weight management, eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.