What are the Effects of Sleeping Pills on My Body
You have spent countless nights tossing and turning in bed, trying to find a way to fall asleep. Then, we you do finally fall asleep hours later, the slightest noise or movement jars you awake once again. It is a frustrating scenario, and unfortunately, it plays over and over again each night without fail. You want to visit your doctor and find a remedy to this problem, but you are scared of what the effects of sleeping pills will be on your body.
You are no doubt scared because of the horrible stories publicized on the news of the side effects of sleeping pills on patients. Who hasn’t heard of people sleep walking, driving, eating or even going to work while technically still sleeping? These scenarios are no doubt the worst nightmares of people and will keep them from seeking treatments that really can help the problems.
So, before visiting your doctor, it’s wise to research what the effects of sleeping pills can be so you will be aware before the doctor prescribes something to you. Any sleeping pill that your doctor will prescribe is either a sedative or tranquilizer, meant to relax your body and muscles.
The effects of sleeping pills on your body are generally the same no matter what type of sleeping pill you take, because they all have similar actions. The effects of sleeping pills vary from person to person, but can range from mental to physical effects and can be mild or severe.
Examples of physical effects of sleeping pills are difficulty eating, nausea, upset stomach, dizziness, drowsiness or dry mouth. These usually occur because of the chemical reactions that take place in your body when on the medication. The medication is strong and can upset the sensitive lining of your stomach.
Examples of mental effects of sleeping pills are irritability, confusion, tremors, nervousness and hallucinations. Ironically, some types of sleeping pills can even make people have difficulty sleeping! The effects are different on each patient, all the more reason why to visit your doctor to find out what will work for you.
If you are pregnant, you will not be able to take sleeping pills because of the medicine’s ability to cross over the placenta and to the baby.
If this scares you and you don’t want to take sleeping pills because of the potential for side effects, visit with your doctor. He may be able to recommend other treatments to help cure your insomnia and get a good night’s rest. These treatments can include hypnosis, lifestyle changes or changes to your diet and exercise regimen.
Do not spend another night tossing and turning until you see the morning sun. Research your options and then visit with you doctor to determine the best course of action for you. Working together, you will find the best treatment for your body. At the end of the day, you won’t regret it. You will be sleeping instead!
Do you want to learn more about the effects of sleeping pills on your body? If so, you can find that information along with general information on ambien cr zolpidem and the latest research on ambien and sleep disorders at our web site! We are the Sleep Experts and want to help you get a better night's sleep. Stop by today!
Article Source: EzineArticles
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Friday, 10 August 2007
> What Is Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease
What Is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is an infection that's spread by Ixodes (pronounced: iks-oh-deez) ticks (black-legged or deer ticks in the eastern United States, and western black-legged ticks in the west) that carry the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. These ticks acquire the bacteria from mice and then infect humans by biting them and passing the bacteria into a person's bloodstream. Sound gross? Maybe, but you can be sure that you won't witness this process: the ticks themselves are extremely difficult to detect. Immature ticks, or nymphs, are about the size of a poppy seed; adult ticks are about the size of a sesame seed.
Because the ticks are hard to find, it's important to be aware of the symptoms of Lyme disease. It's easy to overlook a tick bite. Many people who get Lyme disease don't remember getting bitten. The good news is that most tick bites don't result in Lyme disease.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms and When Do They Appear?
Lyme disease is described as progressing through three stages. Not everyone who has the first stage, though, goes on to have stage two. Even fewer people go on to stage three.
- Early Lyme disease symptoms, called early localized stage, may include:
a red-ringed bull's-eye rash known as erythema migrans (pronounced: er-uh-thee-muh my-granz), which appears either as a solid red expanding rash or blotch, or as a central red spot surrounded by clear skin that's ringed by an expanding red rash. This rash usually appears within 30 days after the infection is transmitted and may persist for 3 weeks or more. It may feel warm but is usually not painful or itchy.
- swelling of the lymph glands near the tick bite
- fatigue
- headache
- achiness
- joint pain
- chills
Except for the rash, many of these signs and symptoms can be seen with common conditions that are not Lyme disease, such as the flu. It's also important to know that not everyone who's been bitten and infected gets the bull's-eye rash; some people only show the other symptoms - or if they do get the rash, it's in a place that makes it hard to see, like on the back. For these reasons, it's important that you pay attention to the other possible symptoms as well.
The second stage of Lyme disease, called early disseminated stage, may appear 4 weeks to 3 months after the tick bite, and may include:
- two or more areas of rash not at the site of the bite
- severe headache
- severe fatigue
- enlarged lymph nodes (commonly called glands)
- stiffness, especially in the joints and neck
- sensitivity to light
- facial paralysis (Bell's palsy)
- tingling or numbness in the extremities
- irregular heart rhythm
- fever of 100 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit (37.78 to 38.89 Celsius)
- meningitis
The last stage of Lyme disease, called late stage, occurs in some untreated Lyme cases. Symptoms may appear weeks to years after an infectious tick bite. They can include:
- arthritis, especially in the joints of the arms and legs
- memory lapses (rare in kids and teens)
Having such a wide range of symptoms can make the diagnosis of Lyme disease difficult for a doctor. Fortunately, a blood test that looks for evidence of the body's reaction to Lyme disease can help prove that the symptoms are caused by Lyme disease and not something else.
When Should I Call My Doctor?
If you think you may be at risk for Lyme disease or you've been bitten by a tick, contact your doctor. Although many of the symptoms mentioned above can be caused by things other than Lyme disease, it's always a good idea to discuss them with your doctor so he or she can recommend further evaluation if necessary. This is especially true if you develop a red-ringed rash, prolonged flu-like symptoms, joint pain or a swollen joint, or facial paralysis. Remember that early detection is important!
Can I Prevent Lyme Disease?
There's no surefire way to avoid getting Lyme disease, but there are many things you can do to minimize your risk. Be aware of where you live and work and whether they are high-risk areas. If you work as a landscaper or spend time gardening, learn how to dress appropriately. If you enjoy fishing, hunting, or camping, take precautions.
Some things you can do include:
Wear enclosed shoes or boots, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants. Tuck your pant legs into your shoes or boots to prevent ticks from crawling up your legs.
- Use an insect repellant containing 10% to 30% DEET (N, N-diethyltoluamide)
- Wear light-colored clothing to help you see ticks more easily.
- Keep long hair pulled back or wear a cap for protection.
- Don't sit on the ground outside.
- Check yourself for ticks regularly - both inside and outside. Wash your clothes and hair after leaving tick-infested areas.
If you use an insect repellent containing DEET, always follow the recommendations on the product's label and don't overapply it. Place DEET on shirt collars and sleeves and pant cuffs, and only use it directly on exposed areas of skin. Be sure to wash it off when you go back indoors.
There is no vaccine for Lyme disease currently on the market in the United States.
How Is Lyme Disease Treated?
Lyme disease is usually treated with a 2- to 4-week course of antibiotics. If you have Lyme disease and begin treatment at an early stage, it's almost always curable. You should be feeling back to normal within 4 weeks after beginning your treatment.
Is It Contagious?
You can't give Lyme disease to another person. You can, however, get it more than once from the ticks that live on deer, in the woods, or travel on your pets. So continue to practice caution even if you've already had Lyme disease!
What Can I Do to Help Myself Feel Better?
You should know how to remove a tick - just in case one lands on you or a friend. First, don't panic. Your risk of developing Lyme disease after being bitten by a tick is only about 1% to 3%. On top of that, it takes 24 to 48 hours for the tick to transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. (To be safe, though, you'll want to remove the tick as soon as possible.) This is why a daily tick check is a good idea for people who live in high-risk areas.
If you find a tick:
- Call your doctor. He or she may want you to save the tick after removal so that the tick can later be identified as the type that may carry Lyme disease. You can put the tick in a jar of alcohol to kill it.
- Use tweezers to grasp the tick firmly at its head or mouth, next to your skin.
- Pull firmly and steadily on the tick until it lets go of the skin. If part of the tick stays in your skin, don't worry. It will eventually come out - although you should call your doctor if you notice any irritation in the area or symptoms of Lyme disease.
- Swab the bite site with alcohol.
One note of caution: don't use petroleum jelly or a lit match to kill and remove a tick.
Tick bites don't generally hurt - and that's part of the difficulty because pain usually helps to call attention to these types of problems. So be on the lookout for ticks, bites, and rashes, which are the marks of Lyme disease. This is one time that what you don't know really can hurt you.
Updated and reviewed by: Barbara P. Homeier, MD
Date reviewed: May 2005
Originally reviewed by: Stephen Eppes, MD and Joel Klein, MD
Article from: kidshealth
What Is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is an infection that's spread by Ixodes (pronounced: iks-oh-deez) ticks (black-legged or deer ticks in the eastern United States, and western black-legged ticks in the west) that carry the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. These ticks acquire the bacteria from mice and then infect humans by biting them and passing the bacteria into a person's bloodstream. Sound gross? Maybe, but you can be sure that you won't witness this process: the ticks themselves are extremely difficult to detect. Immature ticks, or nymphs, are about the size of a poppy seed; adult ticks are about the size of a sesame seed.
Because the ticks are hard to find, it's important to be aware of the symptoms of Lyme disease. It's easy to overlook a tick bite. Many people who get Lyme disease don't remember getting bitten. The good news is that most tick bites don't result in Lyme disease.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms and When Do They Appear?
Lyme disease is described as progressing through three stages. Not everyone who has the first stage, though, goes on to have stage two. Even fewer people go on to stage three.
- Early Lyme disease symptoms, called early localized stage, may include:
a red-ringed bull's-eye rash known as erythema migrans (pronounced: er-uh-thee-muh my-granz), which appears either as a solid red expanding rash or blotch, or as a central red spot surrounded by clear skin that's ringed by an expanding red rash. This rash usually appears within 30 days after the infection is transmitted and may persist for 3 weeks or more. It may feel warm but is usually not painful or itchy.
- swelling of the lymph glands near the tick bite
- fatigue
- headache
- achiness
- joint pain
- chills
Except for the rash, many of these signs and symptoms can be seen with common conditions that are not Lyme disease, such as the flu. It's also important to know that not everyone who's been bitten and infected gets the bull's-eye rash; some people only show the other symptoms - or if they do get the rash, it's in a place that makes it hard to see, like on the back. For these reasons, it's important that you pay attention to the other possible symptoms as well.
The second stage of Lyme disease, called early disseminated stage, may appear 4 weeks to 3 months after the tick bite, and may include:
- two or more areas of rash not at the site of the bite
- severe headache
- severe fatigue
- enlarged lymph nodes (commonly called glands)
- stiffness, especially in the joints and neck
- sensitivity to light
- facial paralysis (Bell's palsy)
- tingling or numbness in the extremities
- irregular heart rhythm
- fever of 100 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit (37.78 to 38.89 Celsius)
- meningitis
The last stage of Lyme disease, called late stage, occurs in some untreated Lyme cases. Symptoms may appear weeks to years after an infectious tick bite. They can include:
- arthritis, especially in the joints of the arms and legs
- memory lapses (rare in kids and teens)
Having such a wide range of symptoms can make the diagnosis of Lyme disease difficult for a doctor. Fortunately, a blood test that looks for evidence of the body's reaction to Lyme disease can help prove that the symptoms are caused by Lyme disease and not something else.
When Should I Call My Doctor?
If you think you may be at risk for Lyme disease or you've been bitten by a tick, contact your doctor. Although many of the symptoms mentioned above can be caused by things other than Lyme disease, it's always a good idea to discuss them with your doctor so he or she can recommend further evaluation if necessary. This is especially true if you develop a red-ringed rash, prolonged flu-like symptoms, joint pain or a swollen joint, or facial paralysis. Remember that early detection is important!
Can I Prevent Lyme Disease?
There's no surefire way to avoid getting Lyme disease, but there are many things you can do to minimize your risk. Be aware of where you live and work and whether they are high-risk areas. If you work as a landscaper or spend time gardening, learn how to dress appropriately. If you enjoy fishing, hunting, or camping, take precautions.
Some things you can do include:
Wear enclosed shoes or boots, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants. Tuck your pant legs into your shoes or boots to prevent ticks from crawling up your legs.
- Use an insect repellant containing 10% to 30% DEET (N, N-diethyltoluamide)
- Wear light-colored clothing to help you see ticks more easily.
- Keep long hair pulled back or wear a cap for protection.
- Don't sit on the ground outside.
- Check yourself for ticks regularly - both inside and outside. Wash your clothes and hair after leaving tick-infested areas.
If you use an insect repellent containing DEET, always follow the recommendations on the product's label and don't overapply it. Place DEET on shirt collars and sleeves and pant cuffs, and only use it directly on exposed areas of skin. Be sure to wash it off when you go back indoors.
There is no vaccine for Lyme disease currently on the market in the United States.
How Is Lyme Disease Treated?
Lyme disease is usually treated with a 2- to 4-week course of antibiotics. If you have Lyme disease and begin treatment at an early stage, it's almost always curable. You should be feeling back to normal within 4 weeks after beginning your treatment.
Is It Contagious?
You can't give Lyme disease to another person. You can, however, get it more than once from the ticks that live on deer, in the woods, or travel on your pets. So continue to practice caution even if you've already had Lyme disease!
What Can I Do to Help Myself Feel Better?
You should know how to remove a tick - just in case one lands on you or a friend. First, don't panic. Your risk of developing Lyme disease after being bitten by a tick is only about 1% to 3%. On top of that, it takes 24 to 48 hours for the tick to transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. (To be safe, though, you'll want to remove the tick as soon as possible.) This is why a daily tick check is a good idea for people who live in high-risk areas.
If you find a tick:
- Call your doctor. He or she may want you to save the tick after removal so that the tick can later be identified as the type that may carry Lyme disease. You can put the tick in a jar of alcohol to kill it.
- Use tweezers to grasp the tick firmly at its head or mouth, next to your skin.
- Pull firmly and steadily on the tick until it lets go of the skin. If part of the tick stays in your skin, don't worry. It will eventually come out - although you should call your doctor if you notice any irritation in the area or symptoms of Lyme disease.
- Swab the bite site with alcohol.
One note of caution: don't use petroleum jelly or a lit match to kill and remove a tick.
Tick bites don't generally hurt - and that's part of the difficulty because pain usually helps to call attention to these types of problems. So be on the lookout for ticks, bites, and rashes, which are the marks of Lyme disease. This is one time that what you don't know really can hurt you.
Updated and reviewed by: Barbara P. Homeier, MD
Date reviewed: May 2005
Originally reviewed by: Stephen Eppes, MD and Joel Klein, MD
Article from: kidshealth
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