What is snoring? Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story Snoring happens when tissues in the back of the throat vibrate as air passes over them during sleep. Nasal infections or deformities can cause snoring, as can obesity, drug or alcohol use, medications, smoking, aging or sleep position. What natural home remedies to stop snoring work? …
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What is modafinil, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Modafinil is an oral drug that is used for improving wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness. It is similar to armodafinil (Nuvigil). Like amphetamines, modafinil promotes wakefulness by stimulatIng the brain. The exact mechanism of action of modafinil is unknown. It may work by increasing the amount of dopamine …
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What is zolpidem, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Zolpidem belongs to a class of drugs called sedatives or hypnotics. Zolpidem shares some characteristics of a family of sedatives called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines cause sedation, muscle relaxation, act as anti-convulsants (anti-seizure medications), and reduce anxiety. Zolpidem has selectivity in that it has little of the muscle relaxant and anti-seizure …
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What is eszopiclone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Eszopiclone is a non-benzodiazepine, oral, sedative drug ("sleeping pill") that is used for treating insomnia. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 50 million Americans suffer from insomnia. Symptoms of insomnia include difficulty falling asleep, awakening frequently during the night, waking up too early, an inability to …
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What is insomnia and what causes it? Share Your Story Insomnia is difficulty falling or staying asleep, the absence of restful sleep, or poor quality of sleep. Insomnia is a symptom and not a disease. The most common causes of insomnia are: medications, psychological conditions (for example, depression, anxiety), environmental changes (travel, jet lag, or altitude changes), and stressful events …
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What is sodium oxybate (Xyrem), and how does it work? Limitations of Use Xyrem may only be dispensed to patients enrolled in the Xyrem Success Program Cataplexy in Narcolepsy Xyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution is indicated for the treatment of cataplexy in narcolepsy. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Narcolepsy Xyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution is indicated for the treatment of excessive …
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Facts on Benzodiazepines vs. Ambien Benzodiazepines and Ambien (zolpidem) are used to treat insomnia. Benzodiazepines are also used to treat seizures, anxiety disorders, nervousness, panic disorders, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal, status epilepticus, premenstrual syndrome, and as sedation during surgery. Benzodiazepines are a drug class of central nervous system depressants that cause drowsiness. Ambien belongs to a different drug class called …
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Narcolepsy defintion and facts Narcolepsy is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy), distorted perceptions (hypnagogic hallucinations), inability to move or talk (sleep paralysis), disturbed nocturnal sleep, and automatic behavior. Narcolepsy usually begins in teenagers or young adults and affects both sexes equally. Abnormalities in the structure …
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What are hypnotics? How do they work (mechanism of action)? Hypnotics are drugs that are used to help people fall asleep. There are many types of hypnotic drugs, and doctors recommend and prescribe them based on the type of sleep problem you have. Lifestyle and sleep habit changes also are effective for treating certain types of sleep problems. If you …
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Sleep paralysis introduction Have you ever felt like you were awake but unable to move? You might have even felt afraid but could not call for help? This condition is called sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis may leave you feeling frightened, especially if you also see or hear things that aren’t really there. Sleep paralysis may happen only once, or you …
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