The causes of night terrors can vary. The most common contributing factors are sleep deprivation, fatigue, stress, anxiety, fever and sleeping in unfamiliar surroundings. Sometimes, night terrors are associated with underlying conditions that affect sleep such as seizures, sleep-disordered breathing, migraines, stroke, hyperthyroidism, head injuries, brain swelling or premenstrual period. Alcohol, illicit drugs or certain medicines such as some antibiotics, sedatives and sleeping pills can also trigger night terrors.

Night terrors typically occur in families with a history of bipolar disorder and other depressive or anxiety disorders. They are typically self-diagnosed, however, in some cases, observation or tests in an overnight sleep lab may be recommended. Drugs are rarely used to treat night terrors, unless there are underlying disorders. Typically, families are advised to do a few things to treat themselves. These include closing and locking all windows and doors at night and blocking doors or stairways with a gate in order to make the sleeping environment safer, getting more sleep, establishing a regular and relaxing routine before bedtime, indentifying things that stress you out and brainstorming solutions and keeping a diary of frequent night terrors in order to find a possible pattern.

For more information on night terrors and other sleep disorders, visit NorthShore University HealthSystem’s Sleep Center.

Some people have a genetic vulnerability to insomnia. These people usually have short sleep requirements and are very sensitive to noise or light when trying to fall asleep. Psychological factors are also prominent in insomnia causes. People experiencing stress, anxiety, psychiatric disorders or depression are more likely to develop insomnia. By the development of tolerance over time, sometimes sleeping pills contribute to insomnia.

Symptoms of insomnia become prominent when it interferes with daytime functioning. Daytime effects include difficulty waking up in the morning, sleepiness during the day, trouble concentrating, irritability, depression and anxiety. It is treated with stress reduction techniques and therapy. Most patients see improvement within a few weeks of learning techniques and starting therapy. Sometimes short-term medication is also prescribed.

For more information on insomnia and other neurological disorders, visit NorthShore University HealthSystem.

College years can be filled with studies and a social life, but they are often devoid of proper rest. From cramming for exams to writing papers, it can be a challenge to put sleep ahead of other priorities, but it is necessary. Lack of sleep for extended periods of time can wreak havoc on one’s immune system and cardiovascular system.

According to the study, “[a]bout three in five of the students said they have irregular sleep-wake patterns, and many said they use drugs or alcohol regularly to help them either sleep or stay alert, the survey found. The regular use of stimulants and sedatives can increase the chance of becoming addicted to them”.

To learn more about the importance of sleep, visit NorthShore University HealthSystem’s sleep center.

The following are three very reliable techniques that will allow your baby to sleep through the night.

White Noise
Babies enjoy and are soothed by the chatter of the crowd and other types of noise.  Some great white noise resources are a vacuum, hair dryer, a radio channel that doesn’t come in too well, and perhaps Daddy trying to sing.

Swaddling
Babies have been in a very confined place for the last 40 weeks and as uncomfortable as it seems to adults, it’s the epitome of comfort for babies.  One of the best ways to attempt to replicate this feeling is to swaddle babies so they feel comforted and cradled throughout the night.  Depending on the blanket used, swaddling can make babies through the night.

Routine
All humans are creatures of habit.  What’s the problem with starting a baby on a good schedule from early on in life?  In its earliest weeks, a baby will definitely dictate the parent’s life.  Its normal, but to ease a parent’s life it is important to start creating a normal bedtime routine for the baby.  Bath time, feeding and bedtime is a good routine.  On nights in which a bath is not needed schedule a short, soothing “massage” followed by feeding and bedtime.  If the parent remains consistent with the baby, bedtime will be made easier….eventually.

These are several helpful tips parents can use to not only help their babies get a good night’s sleep, but also ensure they get to eliminate some of those bags under their eyes. To learn more about sleep patterns and tips visit NorthShore University HealthSystem’s neuroscience department.

When does sleepwalking occur?

As we sleep, our brains pass through successive cycles of sleep: stage one, two, three, four and REM. Together those five stages comprise one cycle of sleep which normally a cycle lasts ninety minutes. Sleepwalking usually happens during the first sleep cycles deepest sleep stages; three and four.

Why do we sleepwalk?

Sleepwalking is much more common in children than adults. Most sleepwalking is genetic and the majority of sleepwalkers grow out of it by the age of twenty. Other identified contributed factors to sleep walking are:

• Fatigue
• Interrupted Sleep
• Illness or fever
• Certain medications
• Stress

Is sleep walking dangerous?

Most sleepwalkers don’t sleepwalk often, so it’s not usually a serious problem. However, sleepwalking episodes can be hazardous when they’re frequent or intense especially because sleepwalkers aren’t awake and may not realize what they’re doing, such as walking down stairs or opening windows.

To gain more insight with about sleepwalking as well as to get other sleep questions answered that you may have visit the NorthShore University HealthSystem forum on sleep,

Helpguide.org identifies dozens of factors affecting the quality of one’s sleep but were able to generate a guideline of three easy steps tips which are designed to provide you get better sleep.

Better Sleep Tip 1: Improving your daytime habits
•    Develop an exercise routine
•    Get some light to set your body clock
•    Avoid napping
•    Reduce your daily amounts  of alcohol, caffeine and tobacco

Better Sleep Tips II: Creating a better sleep environment
•    Make sure your bed, mattress pillows and bedding are comfortable to you. You should not wake up with any sort of cramps or knots.
•    Keep the surrounding noise level down
•    Keep the bedroom dark

Better Sleep Tips III: Preparing for Sleep
•    Keep a regular bedtime schedule (including weekends)
•    Eat a healthy diet full of whole grains, calcium and vegetables
•    Avoid fatty rich food, especially within two hours of your bedtime

As we all know, sleep is a crucial factor in our everyday lives. To learn more helpful hints on how to improve the quality of your sleep visit both the NorthShore University HealthSystems neuroscience department and the NorthShore University HealthSystems forum on sleep.