subject: New Findings Suggest Window Shades And Blinds May Curtail The Frequency Of Migraines [print this page] New Findings Suggest Window Shades And Blinds May Curtail The Frequency Of Migraines
Window shades and blinds may curtail the frequency of migraines. According to Missouri State University's Center for Biomedical and Life Sciences, "REM (rapid eye movement) sleep deprivation caused increased expression of the proteins which are known to play an important role in initiating and sustaining chronic pain," reports The National Sleep Foundation.
The findings also found that the less sleep a person gets, the more their body becomes receptive to the occurrence of migraines. Most physicians and sleep experts recommend at least 8 hours of sleep for adults and 10 or more for teenage kids and children. Window shades and blinds provide a conducive atmosphere for sleep, especially during the summer when it is light out till much later at night. Shades and blinds also help reduce reflection on computer screens and televisions that can cause eye strain. As well, blinds such as double cell shades reduce outside noise.
If the room is drafty or there is noise from outside filtering in, then window shades and blinds with insulating properties are the best bet. Choose from single or double cell honeycomb window treatments. Double cell shades offer even more insulation and light protection than single cell shades. They help repel heat in the summer and cold in the winter, making the room temperature more comfortable without having to spend extra money on air conditioning and heat. Taking out the distraction of a television will also help induce a good night's sleep.
Sleepiness can cause more than headaches and physical symptoms. "Drowsiness or fatigue has been identified as a principle cause in at least 100,000 police-reported traffic crashes each year, killing more than 1,500 Americans and injuring another 71,000, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, 1994). Young drivers age 25 or under are involved in more than one-half of fall-asleep crashes," reports the National Sleep Foundation.
Sleepiness can cause more than headaches and car crashes. Those that suffer from sleep deprivation have shown lower performance levels in school and at work. Not only that, driving while exhausted or sleep deprived reduces motor skill coordination. Results are about the same as watching a person drive while intoxicated. A good night's sleep increases functioning abilities and makes people happier. It's true. Moods improve with a good night's sleep.
It's hard to underestimate the importance of setting up a sleeping area that can provide a place where the body can rest properly. This includes not only being able to control lighting, but having a comfortable bed, and a routine at night that can help the body relax before going to sleep.
The damaging effects of sleep deprivation may be severe. Migraines often take people out of school or work. It is often the body trying to signal that it needs more sleep.
If installing window shades and blinds can help create an atmosphere conducive to sleep in order to help prevent migraines, improve creativity, attention spans and just make you feel good, isn't it worth it?"
