INSOMNIA

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Insomnia!
it keeps you up at night
by Scarlet Sidwell Period 1 Anatomy and
Physiology Grade 12
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This is Randy Gardner!
He holds the current record for
longest amount of time
spent awake.
(Eleven days, 264 hours)
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HERE ARE SOME SYMPTOMS

• Difficulty falling asleep (when you cant sleep)
• You dont sleep soundly, wake up often and cant
  go back to sleep
• Feeling fatigued when you wake up
• All these things could be signs that you have the
  

insomnia
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there are different kinds of insomnia

• primary insomnia- insomnia that is unrelated to
  another health issue, you just cant sleep
• Secondary insomnia- inability to sleep due to
  another health condition, medication, or
  substance abuse
• Also, degrees of insomnia
• Transient, short term and chronic

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But wait...
how does insomnia work, anyway?

• I AM GLAD YOU ASKED.
• Our brains naturally crave rest during the
  mid-day and night.
• When we go to sleep, cells in the retina of the
  eye send signals to nerves in the hypothalamus,
  which is what you are looking at

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THEN WHAT.

• Well then these nerves send a message to the
  pineal gland to make MELATONIN, which is the
  chemical that makes you feel tired and makes your
  temperature drop, all the while other nerves are
  deactivating the histamine, norephinephrine, and
  serotonin, which are chemicals that keep our
  bodies alert.

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O.K. BUT WHAT CAUSES INSOMNIA?

• Insomnia can be caused by everything from anxiety
  and chronic stress to medical problems such as
  asthma and acid reflux. It is hard to pin point a
  specific deficiency, but many people attribute
  insomnia to lack of melatonin, which is available
  in supplements.

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A BUNCH OF CAUSES
Hyperthyroidism- overproduction of the thyroid
hormone, which regulates our metabolism, allergy
medications and stimulants, antidepressants,
diuertics, thyroid hormone, bad sleeping habits/
routine, substance abuse alcohol, nicotine,
caffeine, Parkinsons and Alzheimers disease,
cancer, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and stress and
anxiety and depression etc.
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How do I fix my insomnia
Dont nap too much, adopt a routine sleeping
schedule. Limit alcohol, caffeine and nicotine
intake, especially closer to bedtime. Consider
other options concerning medication that may
cause insomnia Melatonin supplements to regulate
sleep cycle Valerian-a semi-sedative herb that is
used to fall asleep Prescription drugs for
insomnia Benzodiazepines-inhibit neuron
excitability Non-benzodiazepines-also
hypnotics Anti-depressants-used for insomnia
associated with depression