Complete Guide To Female Condoms: How to Use & Precautions

Fourteen million female condoms are distributed in the developing world on an annual basis with comparison to nine billion male condoms. This fact in itself highlights the essence of emphasizing on the importance and use of female condoms. So what are female condoms? Female condoms are lubricated pouches made of polyurethane type of plastic or latex. Women wear it inside their vagina during sex. It has a ring at each end. The ring with the closed end of sheath lies inside the vagina, and the other ring at the open end of the sheath lies outside the vagina after insertion. It is usually thin, loose fitting, flexible and larger and wider than male condoms. Female condoms are medium easy to carry and disposable.They do not need specific storage as polyurethane is not affected by changes in temperature and dampness and also the material used is less likely to cause any allergic reactions.

How to use female condoms? The following points give step by step instructions on using female condoms Wash your hands, and open the packet carefully. The condom can be inserted eight hours before lovemaking.Choose a position that you feel comfortable in inserting. You can squat with knees apart or lie down with legs bent and knees apart or stand with one foot up on the chair. Before inserting make sure the condom is lubricated enough. If not add some, so that you don’t stop in between your highest peak of sex play. Hold the sheath in such a way that the open end is left hanging down. Squeeze the inner ring with your thumb and middle finger so that it becomes long and narrow. Insert the inner ring and sheath into the vaginal opening. You can push it slowly with your index finger as far as you can. The condom should not be twisted inside the vagina, therefore make sure it is straight. Guide the male organ into the condom by holding it gently with your palm for not slipping into the vagina outside the condom. If the condom slips during the intercourse then stop immediately and pull the female condom out carefully. Squeeze and twist the outer ring after intercourse to keep all the fluids inside the condom. Do not reuse the condoms or throw it in the toilet after intercourse. Women can use female condoms if their partner refuses to or rather women share the responsibilities to protect themselves and their partner from STDs. It will also safeguard them from pregnancy. But just like male condoms, there are cons attached to the female condoms as well. Polyurethane condoms are most likely to slip or brake than latex. The failure rate is more when compared to other contraceptive methods. Women have frequently complained of the noise made by the condom and uncomfort caused during intercourse as the outer ring is visible outside vagina. It is hard to insert and remove and comparably more expensive than male condoms. However please keep the following in mind while using female condoms: Female condoms SHOULD NEVER be used for anal sex as, it is difficult to use and painful. It is said its use can risk rectal bleeding which increases the risk of contracting HIV. The female condom should not be used at the same time as a male condom because the friction between the two condoms may cause the condoms to break.

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How to use Female Condom : Proper Guidance

Instruction for use

Open End (Outer Ring)

Closed End (Inner Ring)

The open covers the area around the opening of the vagina. The inner right is used for insertion, and to help hold the condom in place.

Hold the sheath

• Hold inner ring between thumb and middle finger.
• Squeeze.
• Insert the inner right the vagina.

How to insert the condom

Insert the sheath as far as it will go. It's in the right place when you can't feel it. Don't worry it can't go too far, and IT WON'T HURT!

Make sure the placement is correct

• Make sure the sheath is not twisted. The outer ring should be outside the vagina.

Removal

• Remove before standing up. Squeezed and twist the outer ring. Pull out gently being careful not to spill semen. Throw it in the garbage, not in toilet.
• Use condoms only once.

Benefits of Female Condom

• Opportunity for women to share the responsibility for the condoms with their partners
• A woman may be able to use the female condom if her partner refuses to use the male condom
• The female condom will protect against most STDs and pregnancy if used correctly
• The FC or FC2 female condom can be inserted up to 8 hours before intercourse so as not to interfere with the moment

The FC and FC2 female condoms are made of polyurethane and nitrile, which are less likely to cause an allergic reaction than latex. These materials can be used with oil-based as well as water-based lubricants. No special storage requirements are needed because polyurethane and nitrile are not affected by changes in temperature and dampness. In addition, these materials are thin and conduct heat well, so sensation is preserved.

Disadvantages of Female Condom

• The outer ring or frame is visible outside the vagina, which can make some women feel self-conscious
• The FC and FC2 female condoms can make noises during intercourse (adding more lubricant can lessen this problem)
• Some women find the female condom hard to insert and to remove
• It has a higher failure rate in preventing pregnancy than non-barrier methods such as the pill
• It is relatively expensive and relatively limited in availability in some countries
• It is recommended that the female condom be used only once

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Sex Problems

It's the rare couple that doesn't, sooner or later, run into a few bumps in the road. If you recognize ahead of time what those relationship problems can be, you'll have a much better chance of weathering the storm, experts say.

Ideally, a couple should discuss certain basic issues -- such as money, sex, and kids -- before they decide to start their life together. Of course, even when you do discuss these issues beforehand, marriage (or a long-term, live-in relationship) is nothing like you think it's going to be.

In spite of the fact that every marriage experiences relationship issues, successful couples have learned how to manage them and keep their love life going, says marriage and family therapist Mitch Temple, MS, author ofThe Marriage Turnaround. They gain success in marriage by hanging in there, tackling problems, and learning how to maneuver through the complex issues of everyday married life. Many do this by reading self-help books, attending seminars, browsing articles on the Web, going to counseling, observing other successful couples, or simply by trial and error.

Here are some common issues and ways to resolve them:

Relationship Problem: Communication

All relationship problems stem from poor communication skills, says Elaine Fantle Shimberg, author of Blending Families. "You can't communicate while you're checking your BlackBerry, watching TV, or flipping through the sports section," she says.

Problem-solving strategies:

• Make time ... yes, an actual appointment with each other, Shimberg says. If you live together, put the cell phones on vibrate, put the kids to bed, and let voicemail pick up your calls.
• If you can't "communicate" without raising your voices, go to a public spot like the library, park, or restaurant, where you'd be embarrassed if anyone saw you screaming.
• Set up some rules ... like not interrupting until the other is through, banning phrases such as "You always ..." or "You never ..."
• Remember that a large part of communication is listening, so be sure your body language reflects that. That means, don't doodle, look at your watch, pick at your nails, etc. Nod so the other person knows you're getting the message and rephrase if necessary, such as, "What I hear you saying is that you feel as though you have more chores at home, even though we're both working." If you're right, the other can confirm, and if what the other person really meant was, hey, you're a slob and you create more work for me by having to pick up after you, perhaps they'll say so but in a nicer way.

Relationship Problem: Sex

Even partners who love each other can be incompatible sexually. Compounding these problems, says Mary Jo Fay, is the fact that men and women alike are sorely lacking in sex education and sexual self-awareness. Yet, having sex is one of the last things we should be giving up, says Fay, who addresses the topic in her new book, Please Dear, Not Tonight. "Sex brings us closer together, releases hormones that help our bodies both physically and mentally, and keeps the chemistry of a healthy couple healthy," she says.

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Most Common Female sex Problem

Everyone knows women find it harder to orgasm than men do. Here's a rundown of the reasons why, and how to increase your chances of enjoying hassle-free sex like he does

You just don't feel like it

Pinpoint exactly what's happening

Temporary lack of desire means you normally love sex but are just going through an 'off period'. Long-term lack of desire means passion hasn't lived at your house for quite some time. Low sensation means you want sex but your body doesn't, refusing to respond physically to erotic arousal of the brain. Your genitals remain dry and you've got a low sensitivity to touch and sensation on your clitoris and vaginal area.

If you're suffering from low sensation, head for your doctor and ask for a referral to a good gynecologist for a full check-up. The problem is usually physically based with common culprits being pelvic surgery like hysterectomy, high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, hormonal changes like having a baby and medications.

Temporary lack of desire can usually be pinpointed to a specific event if you think hard enough. Apart from the obvious things like having a baby, there's stress (new job, new house), exhaustion, the death of a loved one, tension in your relationship and any one of a number of things which make you feel less than wonderful. If you can identify a specific event, the solution usually presents itself along with the realisation. If you're really stressed rethink your priorities and if you're grieving, give yourself time to heal.

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3 Bizarre Reasons Why People Lie

In order for an individual to detect that a person is telling a lie, the person needs to understand the psychology of lying to know the reason behind the act.

In fact, having knowledge on the psychology of lying can help you become more observant to the different signs of lying, as well as the mentality that comes with it. This is useful in order to avoid being put in a sense of doubt or under emotional stress when you are confronted with it.

Fear

One of the reasons why a person tells a lie is because of the fear of possible consequences involved when telling the truth.

This psychology of lying is quite prevalent in younger generations when they are hiding something sensitive from their friends and family members -- opting to tell a lie rather than being punished for telling the truth.

It is a sign of escape of possible punishment that comes with the act of telling the truth.

Self-Image

Improving their own image in the eyes of their friends and families is one of the reasons why people tell a lie. In order to uplift their social on par with others, a person would often create stories, usually on the spot, to make sure that the other party is kicked out of the limelight.

This psychology of lying is just a temporary rise on the social ladder, and will often be replaced with embarrassment when the truth comes out.

Harming Others

Another purpose is to attack other people, indirectly, by telling a lie about them. In fact, this is often seen felt by prominent individuals in the society.

In order to lower the status or career of this individual, a person will often create a lie that will put others into a state of doubt regarding their own beliefs and truths.

To summarize, people may lie due to the fear of the consequences when they tell the truth, to boost their self-image inappropriately, or to deliberately harm others. Using the psychology of lying, you'll be able to handle circumstances when people are not telling the truth. 

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Mesothelioma may be

Mesothelioma may be

Mesothelioma may be overpopularized and oversaturated but it is still profitable for lawyers. Here is a simplified example. A daily ppc spend of $80k will get around 1400 clicks. Assuming the lawyer can convert at least 1 of these clicks into a viable case, the lawyer will get a high 6 figure or million dollar settlement. Since most lawyers charge a 30% contingency fee, they look to make at least $200k with a $80k ad spend.

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Asbestos exposure is linked to more than mesothelioma and asbestosis

For decades, asbestos exposure has been firmly established as the sole proven cause of malignant pleural mesothelioma, a universally deadly pulmonary disease. The dangerous mineral is also linked to asbestosis and other serious afflictions of the lungs. However, the toxic effects of airborne asbestos are not limited to the chest and airway, as discussed in a recent medical review.

Published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, the study noted that asbestos exposure often has profound effects on other areas of patients' bodies, too. The problem, as the authors saw it, is that non-pulmonary asbestos-related diseases are not as well catalogued as those that affect the lungs.

In response, researchers listed a few general categories of illness that have been firmly (or at least provisionally) tied to asbestos exposure. These included autoimmune disorders, stomach cancer and ovarian tumors.

Likewise, the group said that studies hint at links between airborne asbestos exposure and brain tumors, blood disorders and peritoneal fibroids.

Overall, it is clear that exposure to this dangerous mineral is extraordinarily hazardous, even in small doses. The National Cancer Institute warns that any airborne asbestos exposure can lead to serious health problems.

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Mesothelioma trials weigh risks of using therapeutic thalidomide

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is fatal without exception, which largely accounts for the clinical willingness to bring harmful treatments to bear on it. Some first-line chemotherapeutic regimens entail serious or irreversible side effects, as do many drugs being considered for novel use against mesothelioma.

A case in point is thalidomide, an immunomodulator known for its use as a sedative among pregnant women in the 1950s and its subsequently discovered potency as a birth defect agent. Today, thalidomide is sometimes prescribed as part of chemotherapy for certain cancers.

According to an article published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Phase II and III trials are currently being conducted to determine whether this compound can be used as part of multi-drug attack on MPM growth.

Studies have shown that thalidomide may slow the progress of the disease, though not by much. A report appearing in the journal Lung Cancer found that one-quarter of patients dosed with the drug demonstrated that some disease stability for about six months (though the average survival time was less than a year).

According to the National Institutes of Health, thalidomide use can lead to neurotoxicity, nerve damage or blood clots - and, as is well known about the drug, it radically increases the risk of birth defects when taken during pregnancy. For now, its effect on mesothelioma is unclear.

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Antioxidants do not reduce risk of asbestos-related mesothelioma

Much research has suggested that taking antioxidants as a way to lower the likelihood of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and other lung diseases linked to asbestos exposure and resulting cellular damage. However, a recent study found that antioxidants may not reduce this risk at all.

The report stated that taking dietary supplements containing selenium and vitamins A and E (all well-known antioxidants) does not seem to lower the rate of MPM among those exposed to asbestos. The authors published their results in the journal Nutrition and Cancer.

One of the best-established theories for how asbestos fibers cause mesothelioma is that they stick in the walls of lung cells, where they then open the door for oxidative damage, broken DNA strands and, eventually, tumor growth.

To test the effects of antioxidants on this process, researchers fed MPM-induced laboratory mice one of seven diets. Some mice received daily supplementary doses of vitamin A, while others receive vitamin E, selenium or a combination of vitamin E and selenium. The other three groups were given feed that was deficient in one of the antioxidants.

The results were discouragingly clear. "We found that neither the time to develop symptoms of disease nor overall survival times were altered by any of the diets," the researchers concluded.

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In advanced cases of mesothelioma, metastases may be of mixed origin

Among patients with advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), it is not uncommon for the disease to coexists with other carcinomas. For that reason, researchers occasionally note so-called "collision" tumors - that is, metastatic growths that contain both mesothelioma cells and those from another, distinct cancer.

Consider a report recently published in the journal Applied Immunohistochemistry and Molecular Morphology. In it, doctors related the case of 73-year-old man with a history of asbestos exposure. The team described finding a metastatic tumor in the patient's lymph node that contained both mesothelioma and carcinoid cell types.

Carcinoid tumors grow in the endocrine system. On their own, they are usually considered fairly curable, according to the National Institutes of Health.

However, the possibility of collision tumors in patients with carcinoids could pose a problem, researchers said. That's because it doctors could potentially miss the mesothelioma cells in a collision tumor, diagnose it as a benign carcinoid and delay any aggressive treatment.

Scientists noted that the reverse might also be problematic. If a patient had advanced MPM, it would be important to determine whether the metastases were caused solely by this disease or represented the combination of two distinct illnesses.

"The recognition of a non-asbestos-related tumor in a patient with mesothelioma is important since its presence may have an impact on the patient's life expectancy," the team concluded.

2/15/12

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WASHING HAIR FREQUENTLY IS BAD FOR YOUR HAIR.

There is in fact no correct schedule for when to wash your hair, as it depends on your hair structure, hairstyle, and lifestyle (e.g. how often you go to the gym, the climate in which you live). Keeping your hair clean and protected from damage is important, so using the proper shampoo and conditioner for your hair structure is key to making sure it receives the hair care it needs, regardless of how frequently you wash your hair. If you have color treated hair, for example, it is important to use a mild shampoo formulated with that structure in mind, like those in the Pantene color treated Hair Solutions, followed by conditioner, which provides crucial protection for this fragile hair structure. In sum, today’s shampoos and conditioners are formulated to actually improve the condition of hair, even with daily use, so if you wash your hair frequently, it’s not bad for your hair.

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IT’S IMPORTANT TO CHANGE SHAMPOOS AND CONDITIONERS

Does it ever seem like your favorite shampoo and conditioner just stop working? The main reasons for this are residue from excess styling products, a change in the weather or a change of hairstyle. These things can change the way your hair feels and behaves, which may make it seem like your shampoo and conditioner aren’t doing their jobs. To alleviate styling product build-up, try one wash with a clarifying shampoo, which can give your hair a clean slate. Another option is to use either a lighter or richer version of your shampoo and conditioner, so that you’re adjusting the products you use to the changes in your hair. If you use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner in the summer, for example, you may find that a moisturizing shampoo or conditioner works better in the dry cold of winter, when sweat and humidity aren’t interfering with your full, voluminous style.

It is also very important to make sure you’re using quality products—shampoos, conditioners, stylers, and treatments—for your hair structure! When all is said and done, though, hair is technically dead and therefore can’t develop a tolerance for a product.

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Important reasons Why People Wake Up Tired

Seven Surprising Reasons about people  who Wake Up Tired

Important reasons  Why People Wake Up Tired

1. You sleep poorly and wake with a bad taste in your mouth.
What it’s a symptom of: “Morning mouth” can be a signal of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or asymptomatic heartburn. Recent sleep studies have shown that up to 25 percent of people who report sleeping poorly without a diagnosed cause have sleep-related acid reflux. But because they don’t have obvious heartburn symptoms, they’re unaware of the condition.
How it interrupts sleep: Acid reflux causes the body to partially awaken from sleep, even when there are no symptoms of heartburn. The result of this “silent reflux” is fitful, uneven sleep, but when you wake up digestion is complete and you can’t tell why you slept poorly.
What to do: Follow treatment suggestions for heartburn, even though you aren’t experiencing classic heartburn symptoms: Don’t eat for at least two hours before hitting the sack, and avoid acid-causing foods in your evening meals. (Alcohol, chocolate, heavy sauces, fatty meats, spicy foods, citrus fruits, and tomatoes all contribute to heartburn and acid reflux.) Some doctors also recommend chewing gum before bed, because it boosts the production of saliva, which neutralizes stomach acid.
Certain medications, particularly aspirin and other painkillers, are hard on the stomach and esophageal lining, so don’t take them just before bed.
Sleep studies have shown that sleeping on the left side reduces symptoms, and sleeping on the right side causes them to worsen because acid takes longer to clear out of the esophagus when you’re on your right side. If you prefer to sleep on your back — a position that can increase reflux — elevating your head and shoulders can help.
Losing weight can do wonders to banish heartburn and acid reflux. And if all else fails, try taking an over-the-counter antacid.

2. You toss and turn or wake up often to use the bathroom.

What it’s a symptom of: Nocturia is the official name for waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. The National Sleep Foundation estimates that 65 percent of older adults are sleep deprived as a result of frequent nighttime urination. Normally, our bodies have a natural process that concentrates urine while we sleep so we can get six to eight hours without waking. But as we get older, we become less able to hold fluids for long periods because of a decline in antidiuretic hormones.
How it interrupts sleep: For some people, the problem manifests as having to get up to use the bathroom, and then being unable to get back to sleep. Once middle-of-the-night sleeplessness attacks, they lie awake for hours. But for others the problem is more subtle; they may sleep fitfully without waking fully, as the body attempts to send a signal that it needs to go.
What to do: Start with simple steps. Don’t drink any liquids for at least three hours before going to bed. This includes foods with a lot of liquid in them, like soups or fruit. Lower your coffee and tea consumption; the acids in coffee and tea can irritate the bladder. Don’t drink alcohol, which functions as a diuretic as well as a bladder irritant.
Go to the bathroom last thing before getting in bed and relax long enough to fully empty your bladder. It’s also important to get checked for conditions that cause urination problems. Guys, this means getting your prostate checked. Inflammation of the prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPN), and prostate tumors can all cause frequent urination. In women, overactive bladder, urinary tract infections, incontinence, and cystitis are common causes of urinary problems.
Diabetes can also cause frequent urination, so if you haven’t been tested for diabetes recently, see your doctor. Certain drugs such as diuretics and heart medications can contribute to this problem; if that’s the case, talk to your doctor about taking them earlier in the day. A prescription antidiuretic can cut down on nighttime urination if all else fails and there’s no underlying issue.

3. Your jaw clicks, pops, or feels sore, or your teeth are wearing down.

What it’s a symptom of: Teeth grinding, officially known as bruxism, is a subconscious neuromuscular activity. Bruxism often goes on without your being aware of it; experts estimate that only 5 percent of people who grind their teeth or clench their jaws know they do it until a sleep partner notices the telltale sound or a dentist detects wear on the teeth. Jaw clenching is another form of bruxism, except you clench your teeth tightly together rather than moving them from side to side. Jaw clenching can be harder to detect than grinding, but one sign is waking with pain or stiffness in the neck.
How it interrupts sleep: Bruxism involves tensing of the jaw muscles, so it interferes with the relaxation necessary for deep sleep. And if you’re fully grinding, your body is engaged in movement rather than resting.
What to do: See a dentist. If you don’t have one, dental schools often offer low-cost dental care provided by students supervised by a professor. A dentist can look for underlying causes, such as problems with your bite alignment, and can prescribe a mouth-guard-type device such as a dental splint. If jaw clenching is your primary issue, there are specific dental devices for that.
Experts also suggest giving up gum chewing during the day, because the habitual chewing action can continue at night. Some people who grind their teeth have experienced relief from botox injections to the jaw muscle. Others have had success using a new biofeedback device called Grindcare, approved by the FDA in 2010.

4. You move all over the bed or wake tangled in the covers.

What it’s a symptom of: That kind of movement indicates restless leg syndrome or a related problem, periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD).
How it interrupts sleep: Doctors don’t know exactly what causes these sleep movement disorders, but they do know they’re directly related to a lack of deep, restful, REM sleep. The restlessness can prevent you from sinking into deep sleep, or a muscle jerk can wake or partially rouse you from deep sleep.
What to do: See a doctor to discuss your symptoms and get a diagnosis, which may also involve looking for underlying conditions related to restless leg syndrome or PLMD. Diabetes, arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, anemia, thyroid disease, and kidney problems can all contribute to restless leg syndrome and PLMD. Make sure to tell your doctor about any medications you’re taking; a number of medications, including antidepressants, antihistamines, and lithium, can cause restless leg syndrome as a side effect.
You can also try making dietary changes to make sure you’re getting enough iron and B vitamins, particularly folic acid, since iron and folate deficiency have been linked to restless leg syndrome. Red meat, spinach, and other leafy greens are good sources of both nutrients, but you may want to take supplements as well. If your doctor diagnoses restless leg syndrome or PLMD, medications used to treat Parkinson’s can relieve symptoms by eliminating the muscle jerks. Your doctor may also prescribe medication to help you sleep more deeply, with the idea of preventing the involuntary movements from keeping you in light sleep.

5. You wake up with a dry mouth or horrible morning breath.
What it’s a symptom of: Mouth breathing and snoring both disrupt sleep by compromising breathing. Look for drool on your pillow or in the corners of your mouth. If you have a partner, ask him or her to monitor you for snoring, gasping, or overloud breathing.
How it interrupts sleep: Mouth breathing and snoring can interrupt sleep because you’re not getting enough air to fully relax. Severe snoring — particularly when accompanied by gasps or snorts — can also indicate a more serious problem with obstructed breathing during sleep.
What to do: Train yourself to breathe through your nose. Try snore-stopping nose strips, available over the counter at the drugstore, or use saline nasal spray to irrigate your nasal passages. Experiment with sleep positions; most people have a tendency to snore and breathe through their mouths when sleeping on their backs. Use pillows to prop yourself on your side, or try the tennis ball trick: Put a tennis ball in the back pocket of your pajama bottoms (or attach it some other way), so it alerts you when you roll over.
If you typically drink alcohol in the evening, try cutting it out. Alcohol, a sedative, relaxes the muscles of the nose and throat, contributing to snoring. Other sedatives and sleeping pills do the same thing, so avoid using anything sedating. Alcohol also can trigger snoring in two other ways: It makes you sleep more deeply initially and is dehydrating.
Losing weight — even just ten pounds — can eliminate snoring, studies show. If none of these solutions work, consult a doctor to get tested for sleep-disordered breathing conditions such as apnea.

6. You sleep fitfully, feel exhausted all the time, and wake with a sore throat or neck pain.

What it’s a symptom of:Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder defined as breathing interrupted by intervals of ten seconds or more. A milder sleep breathing problem is upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS), in which breathing is obstructed but stops for shorter intervals of under ten seconds. The number of people who have sleep apnea and don’t know it is astounding; experts estimate that 20 million Americans have sleep apnea, and 87 percent of those are unaware they have the problem. One mistaken assumption is that you have to snore to have sleep apnea. In fact, many people with apnea don’t snore.
How it interrupts sleep: Obstructive sleep apnea results when the throat closes and cuts off airflow, preventing you from getting enough oxygen. UARS is similar, but it’s usually tongue position that blocks air from getting into the throat. Blood oxygen levels drop, and when the brain knows it’s not getting enough oxygen, it starts to wake up. This causes fitful, unproductive sleep. Weight gain is a major factor in sleep apnea, because when people gain weight they end up with extra-soft tissue in the throat area, which causes or contributes to the blockage.
What to do: See an otolaryngologist, who will examine your nose, mouth, and throat to see what’s interrupting your breathing and how to fix the problem. It’s also important to have your oxygen levels measured during sleep. Your doctor will likely recommend using a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device, a mask that blows air directly into your airways. Studies have shown CPAP masks to be extremely effective in treating sleep apnea. Another mask called a BiPap (Bilevel positive airway pressure device) works similarly but has dual pressure settings. Airway masks only work if you wear them, so work closely with your doctor to choose a model that’s comfortable for you.
Other options include oral appliances, which change your mouth position by moving your jaw forward to open up the throat, and surgery, which aims to remove the excess tissue from the throat. Newer, minimally invasive outpatient surgical treatments include the Pillar procedure, which involves using permanent stitches to firm up the soft palate; coblation, which uses radiofrequency to shrink nasal tissues; and use of a carbon dioxide laser to shrink the tonsils.

7. You get a full night’s sleep but feel groggy all the time or get sleepy while driving.

What it’s a symptom of: This signals circadian rhythm problems or, more simply, getting out of sync with night and day. Irregular sleep patterns, staying up late under bright lights, working a shift schedule, using computers and other devices in bed, and having too much light in the room while you sleep can disrupt your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.
Why it interrupts sleep: The onset of darkness triggers production of the hormone melatonin, which tells the brain it’s time to sleep. Conversely, when your eyes register light, it shuts off melatonin production and tells you it’s time to wake up. Even a small amount of ambient light in the room can keep your body from falling into and remaining in a deep sleep. The use of devices with lighted screens is especially problematic in terms of melatonin production because the light shines directly into your eyes. This light is also at the blue end of the spectrum, which scientists believe is particularly disruptive to circadian rhythms.
What to do: Try to get on a regular sleep schedule that’s not too far off from the natural cycle of night and day — and preferably the same schedule all week. (Experts recommend 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. or 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. every night, but that’s just a general outline.) If you struggle with not feeling alert in the morning, go outside and take a brisk walk in daylight to feel more awake; you’ll find that it’s much easier to fall asleep the following night. This is also a trick experts recommend to help night owls reset their internal clocks. Force yourself to get up and get into bright light one or two mornings in a row and you’ll be less likely to get that “second wind” and burn the midnight oil or experience nighttime sleeplessness.
As much as possible, banish all screens (TVs, computers, and iPads) for at least an hour before bed. Reading is much more sleep-inducing than looking at a lighted screen, but make sure your reading light isn’t too bright and turn it so it doesn’t shine in your eyes. Remove night-lights; if you need to get up in the middle of the night, keep a small flashlight next to your bed, being careful to turn it away from you. Check your bedroom for all sources of light, however small. Does your smoke alarm have a light in it? Put tape over it. Use an alarm clock without a lighted dial, or cover it. If your windows allow moonlight and light from streetlights to shine in, install blackout curtains or shades tightly fitted to the window frames. Don’t charge laptops, phones, cameras, and other devices in your bedroom unless you cover the light they give off.

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