Scientists have found that lack of sleep can be due to eye diseases, which cause people to have difficulty using daylight to synchronize their internal rhythms to the outside world.
It has been found that daytime napping is a sign of disturbed sleep at night. A study conducted found that blind people with optic nerve disease were 20 times more likely to need naps during the day than those with normal sight. The study also found patients with optic nerve disease were nine times more likely to suffer from daytime sleepiness than a blind individual with no damage to their optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain.
These findings are believed to be true because previous research has found that the retina is not only used for vision, but also houses special non-visual cells that act as the eye’s light meter. The eye’s light meter synchronizes the body’s sleep patterns, telling the body when it is time to sleep and time to get up. It resets the internal body clock and regulates the release of hormones such melatonin. However, damage to the optic nerve prevents its signals from reaching the brain.
IC Wales February 2, 2004
As the article states above, people with damage to their optic nerve can have problems sleeping, including difficulty falling asleep, waking up at strange times, sleepiness during the day and insomnia at night.
Insomnia can certainly wreak havoc on your health. Studies have shown that more than 82 million Americans have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. And, over 40 percent of the U.S. population over the age of 15 reports they have experienced insomnia occasionally.
Here are my some suggestions from my Guide to a Good Night’s Sleep for those of you who are having sleep problems, and you can check out the guide for more.
My favorite for insomnia is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Most people can learn this gentle tapping technique in several minutes. EFT can help balance your body’s bioenergy system and resolve some of the emotional stresses that are contributing to the insomnia at a very deep level. The results are typically long lasting and the improvement is remarkably rapid.
Avoid before-bed snacks, particularly grains and sugars. This will raise blood sugar and inhibit sleep. Later, when blood sugar drops too low (hypoglycemia), you might wake up and not be able to fall back asleep.
Sleep in complete darkness or as close as possible. When light hits the eyes, it disrupts the circadian rhythm of the pineal gland and production of melatonin and serotonin. There also should be as little light in the bathroom as possible if you get up in the middle of the night.
No TV right before bed. Even better, get the TV out of the bedroom or even out of the house, completely. It is too stimulating to the brain and it will take longer to fall asleep
Journaling. If you often lay in bed with your mind racing, it might be helpful keep a journal and write down your thoughts before bed. Personally, I have been doing this for 15 years, but prefer to do it in the morning when my brain is functioning at its peak and my coritsol levels are high.
Get Daily Exercise. Exercising for at least 30 minutes everyday can help you fall asleep. However, don't exercise too close to bedtime or it may keep you awake. Try exercising in the morning, afternoon or early evening instead.
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