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A seizure is a condition that occurs when the electrical system of the brain malfunctions. When the brain functions normally, a multitude of tiny electrical signals are produced by the nerve cells of the brain and other parts of the body. With a seizure there is a short, temporary disturbance within the electrical system of the brain – like when a power outage occurs and the electricity switches off.

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that causes excessive sleepiness without warning and at inappropriate times. When a person has Narcolepsy, the brain is unable to regulate the sleep-wake cycles normally. Numerous factors contribute to sleep disturbances and neurological dysfunction. As a result, both daytime and night-time sleep attacks occur.

The thyroid release hormones that influence many bodily functions, such as physical growth and development, metabolism, puberty, organ function, fertility and body temperature. These functions depend on two hormones released from the healthy thyroid gland: tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).

With Hashimoto’s thyroiditis the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid causing inflammation and tissue damage. Antibodies are made by white blood cells to fight germs and infections. But in Hashimoto’s, auto-antibodies (antibodies which attack normal tissue) are made by white blood cells and appear in the bloodstream.

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, about 5 inches long and 3 inches wide. They are dark red in color, and located on either side of your spine in the middle of your back, just below your rib cage. The right kidney lies a little lower than the left kidney. The kidneys together with the bladder, two ureters and single urethra constitute the urinary system.

Stress can affect anyone, and in small doses it is not necessarily a bad thing. Average amounts of stress can keep you alert and ensure that tasks are completed and deadline met. Essentially stress is life’s little push that often helps us to cope.

Understanding the sleep cycle is important to ensure that you get a peaceful, sounder sleep. When you sleep, your sleep goes in cycles between rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. REM sleep is a basically a light sleep where you will most likely awaken. In REM, you do most of your dreaming and your body does not move much, heart rate increases and your eyes move back and forth. In NREM your body slows down to prepare you for your deepest sleep.

Having to listen to the sound of someone snoring when you are trying to fall asleep can definitely drive you over the edge. Strangely enough, the snorer is usually unaware that he or she is snoring and it is the bed partner who has to contend with the snoring. Snoring is the sound that occurs when air flow is obstructed in the area where the tongue and upper throat meet the soft palate and uvula.

Sleep is a vital ingredient needed for the body and mind to function. Most of our lives will be spent in slumber, re-charging our batteries for the day ahead. Regardless of the cause, interrupted or poor quality sleep can be extremely problematic. The brain which functions as the ‘battery’ of your body, needs adequate sleep to be able to perform it’s many functions correctly.

Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by episodes in which breathing stops during sleep. These episodes of stopped breathing usually last for 10 seconds or more, sometimes more than 300 times a night. This condition is potentially life threatening causing significant social and emotional problems, and hampering day to day living. People with sleep apnea will awaken partially as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning will be unaware of any sleep disturbances ever occurring.