An ongoing spell of insomnia could lead you to try almost anything to help you get some much needed rest. But don't resort to just any solution; be sure you know what your options are and how they work.

Should You Medicate Your Insomnia?

Most people who experience a few nights in a row of insomnia will head straight to the pharmacy to get an over the counter remedy. You might get some relief from a sleep aid at first, but they won't give you long term results because they don't fix the problem.

A sleep aid should not be utilized as a fix for insomnia. It could assist you at first, yet you need to ascertain the reason why you're experiencing sleep problems. For your long term health, you don't want to have to rely on medication to help you sleep at night.

Lots of people get hooked on medications and aren't able to fall asleep if they give them up. Others have undesirable side effects, or experience complications due to interaction with their prescription meds.

Antihistamines, a familiar remedy for allergies, is a common ingredient in over the counter sleeping aids. They make you sleepy and help to make sure you remain asleep.Some people experience drowsiness the next day, which might interrupt your natural sleep cycle. Side effects could include constipation, dizziness, memory loss, blurred vision, and dry mouth. If you become dependent on them, you will require increasingly larger doses to get the benefits.

You might get a prescription for a more potent medication, perhaps a non-benzodiazephine. This will rev up the normal chemical processes in your brain and encourage drowsiness. If you need a sleep aid for long-term treatment of insomnia, it's safer than taking nonprescription, short term cures, however they can also cause dependency.

Although it's not that common anymore, if your insomnia is extreme, your doctor might give you a prescription for a tranquilizer. This causes drowsiness by slowing your nervous system. It's a short-term answer that might leave you feeling foggy the next day.

You might be prescribed antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications that act as sedatives if your doctor believes it's the best alternative for you. These are common, but don't have the same possibilities for addictivion as other prescription drugs.

If you want to avoid the medical choices and select something more natural, you could look at an herbal remedy for your insomnia. There are herbs that have been shown to encourage a good night's sleep, such as chamomile, which is often served up as tea.

Melatonin, valerian root and SAMe are also considered to be effective herbal insomnia treatments. Be sure you take the correct dosage, since too much of a good thing can sometimes lead to uninvited side effects.

We came across this article which dispels some of the myths which have grown up around Alzheimers. It's well worth the read.

Alzheimer Myths Unveiled

Typically, there are myths that surround every illness, and Alzheimer's disease is no exception to the rule. When a diagnosis of this disorder is received from a doctor, it is critical to know fact from fiction, in order to better manage this devastating illness. This article will debunk four common rumors regarding Alzheimer's disease.

One common myth that some people have is that Alzheimer's disease is not fatal, which of course is not true. Alzheimer's works by destroying brain cells, causing memory loss, awkward social situations, loss of bodily functions, and a whole host of other side effects. Bit by bit, the disease will take away one's ability to lead a normal life such as was enjoyed before one was diagnosed.

A second myth involves people with good intentions wishing away the symptoms of the disease. They may be unwilling to admit that they have a problem to friends or family, even while their memory loss increases.

Individuals who are in denial typically do not receive help until their condition is already at a moderate level, and they begin to suffer impaired function in their lives. Some may not recognize that they have a problem at all, and it will require an incident to get friends and family involved in the treatment plan.

Some individuals believe that there is currently treatment that can stop the progression of Alzheimer's disease; however, this is unfortunately a myth. While research is being conducted at a rapid pace, the only options that exist in treating Alzheimer's involves drugs which temporarily relieve symptoms for as long as a year and then will cease to work. Management of the illness is currently the only alternative to the lack of treatment.

Some individuals think that silver dental fillings can cause an early onset of Alzheimer's or contribute to a higher risk to those over the age of 65, due to the fact that most heavy metals are toxic to humans in large quantities.

The World Health Organization and the FDA have conducted numerous studies to set to rest any public health concerns regarding mercury amalgams, and the National Institute of Health, as well as the New England Journal of Medicine, have backed up these findings.

Eliminating falsehoods and exposing truth is an important process of learning and the debunking of these myths should clear up some misconceptions regarding Alzheimer's disease. With so much more to learn, staying informed is essential to proper management of this illness.

Superfoods To Help You Manage Menopause

Including a selection of superfoods in your diet can help to alleviate symptoms commonly seen in menopause, maintain your memory power, and prevent osteoporosis. These superfoods are delicious to eat, easy to prepare, and super-good for you!

Tofu is an alternative protein source to meat. Along with other soy products, tofu can be beneficial for lowering your cholesterol and preventing heart disease. Soy products like tofu may also decrease the side effects associated with menopause, including the dreaded ‘hot flashes.’

Navy beans are loaded with fiber, which can help reduce your risk of color and other forms of cancer, as well as relieve the symptoms associated with diverticulosis. Women need 30 grams of fiber each day, so include them in your favorite chili recipe, or try them as a side dish alternative to pasta or rice.

Packed with calcium, yogurt can help prevent osteoporosis. It has also been shown to boost your immunity and help with weight management. Additionally, yogurt contains high amounts of good bacteria such as acidophilus, which helps to prevent yeast infections and urinary tract infections. It also contains protein, which may help your body battle the fatigue and weariness that follows a hot flash.

As we age, we sometimes find ourselves forgetting things or feeling as if we’re in a fog. If you find this to be the case, grab for the blueberries the next time you’re shopping for groceries. Recent studies show they may actually help with short-term memory loss. They’re also loaded with antioxidants. Pair them with some low-fat plain yogurt for a top-notch way to protect both your brain and your bones.

Avocado also contains antioxidants, such as vitamin E, which can help to protect your vision and skin, which can suffer as we age. The monounsaturated fat found in avocados has also been shown to improve the condition of hair and skin. They’re great on a turkey sandwich, or mash up a few ripe ones and whip up a quick side of guacamole to have with some low-fat baked tortilla chips.

And as always, it’s important to make low-fat and low-sodium choices when menu planning. These do nothing to help alleviate the symptoms brought on by menopause, and are unhealthy options at any age, but especially as we grow older. Avoid smoking or alcohol, and get plenty of rest, and you’ll soon find your menopause symptoms are easily managed.

By Michael Moshier
www.anti-agingstraighttalk.com

If you're having trouble remembering names or where you put your keys, you may think it's because you're getting older - but you might be wrong! A growing number of studies suggest that the aging brain is actually taking in more data and trying to sift through a host of information, often to its long-term benefit.

Of course, sometimes, forgetfulness is just old age, as is the case with people who are stricken with Alzheimer's disease. But for most aging adults, the authors of one of the studies say, much of what occurs is actually a gradually widening focus of attention that makes it more difficult to latch onto just one fact.

This can be frustrating - but also useful if you know what's going on and know how to hone your new-found depth of observation. The studies offered this example:

"Subjects are asked to read passages that are interrupted with unexpected words or phrases, adults 60 and older work much more slowly than college students. Although the students plow through the texts at a consistent speed regardless of what the out-of-place words mean, older people slow down even more when the words are related to the topic at hand. That indicates that they are not just stumbling over the extra information, but are taking it in and processing it. When both groups were later asked questions for which the out-of-place words might be answers, the older adults responded much better than the students."

So the next time you think your college-aged grandkid has a leg up on you, challenge them to a reading comprehension test!

You'll find more ways to feel younger, longer in my anti-aging Report.

Michael Moshier is an entrepreneur and dedicated anti-aging advocate. Mike objectively explores how to stop the aging clock – and even turn it back! He isn't out to sell any anti-aging products, rather to share the insights gained over the course of his years of personal research into aging and how it can be stopped. Read more about his research and comprehensive Report at www.anti-agingstraighttalk.com, or at http://www.anti-agingstraighttalk.com/blog/