“What in the world is Exloding Head Syndome?”, you ask? According to Dr. Neil Kline from the American Sleep Association, “It’s usually described as a loud bang or pop that occurs in the first third of the night. It’s a sensory phenomenon. The individual senses that some type of explosion has occurred nearby, but ultimately realizes it’s in their head. It’s not associated with pain or with any disorder that we know of and there are no physiological medical consequences that are associated with it.”

Sounds pretty weird, right? Unfortunately, this is a disorder that many people can suffer from at any point in their lives and can interrupt normal sleep patterns. Doctors are unable to define what exactly causes Exploding Head Syndrome, but have found links of occurences to anxiety and extreme fatigue. Though the disorder is not dangerous, it can most certainly be a nuisance. People who suffer from this syndrome describe the sensation as a loud explosion, a shotgun blast or a “brain snap.” Dr. Kline explains, “Individuals [who suffer from Exploding Head Syndrome] can develop an aversion to falling asleep. They’ll develop insomnia because they’re concerned by these occurrences. But they’re usually rare. I’ve never heard of it occurring regularly.”

To read more about Exploding Head Syndrome, read this article from MSNBC.

While there are foods that can help you fall asleep, there are also foods that you should avoid before bedtime. Foods that are rich or spicy can actually can insomnia, as your body has to work overtime to process them. Sweets and caffeine are also causes insomnia, as they are stimulants and can keep your body going throughout the night.

A healthy, smart diet can help you fall asleep easier and battle the effects of insomnia. Watch what you eat within the four hour window before bedtime, and you will find yourself dreaming the night away.

For more information, check out this article by ABC News.

Are you sabotaging your sleep?

“Am I sabotaging my sleep?”

Most sleep issues are correlated directly to our lifestyle, diet and habits that we engage in on a daily basis. That’s right – we have a big role in sabotaging our own sleep patterns.

“How is this,” you ask. “I don’t purposely keep myself awake at night!”

Well the answer lies in how you live your life, and the choices and actions you take during your waking hours. Take a peek at the points below, all of which are known factors in interrupting sleep patterns, and decide whether you are indeed sabotaging your sleep.

- Diet: Our diet can play a significant factor in getting a good night’s sleep. Studies show that altering the diet, especially the foods we consume a few hours before bedtime, can significantly affect sleep quality. Are you eating the right foods?

- Stress: Anxiety is one of the top reasons that Americans say they can’t get to sleep at night. There are many ways to alleviate stress throughout the day, and even before bedtime. Try not to go to bed with a loaded mind, and instead find healthy ways to relieve it during the day.

- Alcohol: Alcohol can interrupt normal sleep phases, as it increases the heart rate and body temperature once the body has begun the process of withdrawal – this will usually cause a person to wake up from sleep, and make it hard to fall back asleep again. It is important to avoid the intake of alcohol at night in order to attain a quality night’s sleep.

- Bed Time Routine: Doctors have found that patients who stick to a strict bedtime regimen, usually regain normal sleep habits without medication. Be sure to allow 6-8 hours of sleep within this schedule, and most importantly – don’t stray on the weekends! Regularity is the rule.

- Light: Light has been identified as one of the most significant external factors affecting sleep. It does so by making it difficult for people to fall asleep and affecting our preferred time to sleep. Keep the light in your sleep space to a minimum, and turn off the TV and computer screens at least one hour before bed.