Smita Patel

1 week ago | health.com | Mark Gurarie |Smita Patel

ilona titova / Getty Images Hypersomnia and narcolepsy are both sleep disorders that cause excessive daytime sleepiness and other changes in natural sleep-wake cycles. "Hypersomnia" actually refers to several sleep conditions that cause excessive daytime sleepiness, including narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia (IH), hypersomnia with no apparent cause. These conditions are often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, but estimates suggest that IH is far more common than narcolepsy.

2 weeks ago | health.com | Sarah Bradley |Smita Patel

Guillermo Spelucin / Getty Images Migraines may occur when the nervous system is overly stimulated. The brain mistakenly sends out pain signals, setting off symptoms of a migraine attack: An intensely throbbing headache, nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises. Migraine medications can help prevent and relieve migraine attacks, but they’re not the only way to treat these painful episodes. Home remedies can speed up the process, helping you feel better faster.

3 weeks ago | health.com | Lindsay Curtis |Hannah Harper |Smita Patel

JulPo / Getty Images Sleep is when your body rests, recovers, and repairs itself, essential to your physical and mental health. During sleep, your brain clears waste, stores memories, and keeps brain cells (neurons) working properly. The body makes hormones that help you grow, heal tissues, support metabolism, and strengthen the immune system during sleep. These important processes usually take more than six hours for most adults.

3 weeks ago | health.com | Laura Schober |Smita Patel

Westend61 / Getty Images Travel can be a great way to rest and recharge, but getting enough sleep on the journey there and back is challenging, especially on an airplane. It can be difficult to fall asleep on a plane, from cramped seats with little legroom to distractions such as engine noise and surrounding chatter. Science-backed methods for sleeping more comfortably on a plane can help ensure you arrive well-rested.

3 weeks ago | health.com | Sherri Gordon |Jenna Anderson |Smita Patel

Mavocado / Getty Images Sleep is essential to your overall well-being, improving heart health, lowering your risk of chronic diseases, and supporting brain function. Getting at least seven hours of sleep per night is recommended for both women and men. However, women may need more sleep than men to make up for poorer sleep quality. Factors affecting sleep quality in women include hormonal changes, faster circadian rhythms, and additional stress from being a caregiver.