Doxylamine Succinate Vs. Diphenhydramine: Which is the Better Sleep Aid?

Lack of sleep can significantly affect your performance at work and in your personal life, and no one likes to have a sleepless night. For bouts of occasional sleeplessness, over-the-counter sleep aids are available. Some of these sleep aids just contain herbal supplements like melatonin and valerian root, but most over-the-counter sleeping pills contain a medicinal active ingredient. Common sleeping pills that fall into this category are Nytol, Unisom, and Tylenol P.M. All of these OTC sleep aids contain an antihistamine that is known for inducing drowsiness, and these antihistamines are generally considered safer and less habit forming than prescription drugs like Ambien and Lunesta. 

Among the over-the-counter sleeping pills, one of two antihistamine ingredients is used: diphenhydramine (sometimes listed as diphenhydramine hydrochloride) or doxylamine succinate. Diphenhydramine is the ingredient most frequently used, and is found in most formulations of Tylenol P.M. and Nytol. Most people report feeling drowsy after a normal dose of diphenhydramine, although this drowsiness can range from very slight to incredibly pronounced. Many people require just one dose to be able to fall asleep, although some people need a second dose in order to be able to sleep on some evenings. Diphenhydramine is eliminated quickly, and most users don't experience any lingering grogginess from the medicine the next day. Tolerance to this particular antihistamine builds up quickly, though, and it loses it's effectiveness as a sleep aid after just a few nights of repeated use. 

Doxylamine succinate, on the other hand, is one of the most sedating antihistamines available over-the-counter, and a single dose causes rapid and marked drowsiness in the vast majority of individuals. Doxylamine succinate is eliminated somewhat more slowly from the body than diphenhydramine hydrochloride, so while it will help you stay asleep longer, it may have somewhat of a "hangover" effect the next day. Unlike diphenhydramine, most people don't develop any tolerance to the sedating effects of doxylamine succinate, so it may be a better choice for people who need to use an OTC sleep-aid more frequently. 

Diphenhydramine tends to be cheaper than doxylamine succinate, and the lack of hangover effects makes it an ideal first-choice for those who have never used an OTC sleep aid. If, however, a diphenhydramine sleeping pill doesn't seem to cure your insomnia, you may want to give a doxylamine succinate based pill a try. Over-the-counter sleep aids shouldn't be used for longer than 2 weeks, and if your sleeplessness lasts longer than that, you'll want to see a doctor as it could be a sign of a more serious medical condition. For most people, though, one of the two antihistamine-based medicines covered here should solve most sleep problems. Store brand sleeping pills contain the same active ingredients as the brand name versions, so you can usually save money by looking for a generic alternative. 

Zoloft Versus Lexapro: My Experiences with Two Popular Anti-Depressant Medications

Many people find that they go through a time where they need an anti-depressant medication at some point during their lives, and deciding which medicine to take can be a very confusing and daunting decision. Zoloft and Lexapro are two popular anti-depressant options, and when patients begin treatment with medication, they are often started on one of these two drugs. I have personal experience with both of these medicines, and in this article I'll compare the pros and cons of both Zoloft and Lexapro. 

When I was 16 years old, I experienced my first bout of depression and was prescribed Zoloft by a child psychiatrist. I didn't really know what to expect, and for a few weeks after starting the medicine, I couldn't feel much of an effect at all. After about 4 weeks of taking Zoloft, however, I noticed things were getting better. I moved to a new high school, and soon my depression began to lift. After about 6 months of treatment, I was well enough to stop taking the Zoloft and I figured my problems with depression were behind me. 

A few years later, however, I started my freshman year at college and my depression began to return, worse than before. I sought help at the college counseling canter, and after a few sessions with a psychologist, I was referred to the school medical clinic to get a prescription for anti-depressants. Since I had done well on Zoloft when I was younger, the doctor decided I should give it another try, and I immediately resumed taking a daily dose of Zoloft. 

Again, I didn't notice much of an effect at first, but within a few weeks my depression began to lift. As I continued my treatment with Zoloft however, I began to experience some strange side effects. The first thing I noticed was that I began to feel emotionally numb. Although I was happy that I wasn't hopelessly depressed, I noticed that nothing really seemed to upset me anymore--even things that it would be perfectly normal & healthy to get upset about. I also wasn't feeling particularly happy about anything, even things that were really exciting going on in my life. I really did just feel numb to the world. 

The other troubling side effect I experienced with Zoloft was sexual in nature. (Note to readers: if you don't want the details, please skip ahead to the next paragraph.) Before starting Zoloft, I was your typical 18 year old guy with my fair share of partners, and I never had any trouble having a fulfilling sex life. Shortly after starting Zoloft, however I began to have the frustrating experience of being unable to have an orgasm. No matter how hard I tried (and believe me, I tried), I could not reach a climax. At first, I began to think something was seriously wrong with me and I got scared. I started searching around on the internet, and discovered sexual side effects like I had been experiencing were actually quite common with Zoloft. In fact, Zoloft causes sexual side effects more frequently than many other anti-depressants that are currently on the market. At least I knew it wasn't a problem only affecting me. 

After a few more months of taking Zoloft, I decided that the side effects weren't worth it and I soon stopped taking it. I was actually okay for almost two years, but then the intense depression returned and I new it was once again time to seek medical help. I went to a psychiatrist, and after sharing with her my experience with Zoloft, she decided she would start me on a different anti-depressant called Lexapro. I was nervous about Lexapro since the information the pharmacist gave me said it could potentially cause the same side effects, but I needed help, so I decided I would at least give it a chance. 

The first thing I noticed about the Lexapro was how quickly I began to feel better. Within a few days of starting treatment, that all too familiar ''cloud of depression" definitely started to lift. This surprised me since it was always several weeks before I started to feel better on Zoloft. Encouraged, I decided to keep talking Lexapro, but I was still worried that unpleasant side effects could start at any time.

So I waited... then I waited some more. But as the weeks and months went by, no side effects emerged. I kept feeling good and the Lexapro definitely seemed to keep my depression at bay. After doing some research, I learned that Lexapro has a very low incidence of side effects and is very well-tolerated by the majority of individuals. My doctor has recommended that I keep taking Lexapro indefinitely, and while I am a little uncomfortable with the idea of having to take a pill every day for the rest of my life, Lexapro seems to have great efficacy with minimal-to-no side effects, which helps to set my mind at ease. 

While only your doctor can decide which medication is appropriate to treat your depression, I have found Lexapro to be a far superior choice to Zoloft. Lexapro seems to work better and much faster than Zoloft, and it also seems to cause far fewer side effects. If you've experienced side effects while taking Zoloft, you should take the time to ask your doctor if a switch to Lexapro might be right for you. If you're anything like me, your quality of life will improve so much that you'll be disappointed you didn't make the switch from Zoloft sooner.

Wiccy Magic Muscles Massage Bar from Lush Cosmetics: Product Review

My boyfriend and I are big fans of giving each other massages every so often. A massage is a great way to relieve stress, help your partner relax, and increase physical intimacy between you and the one you love. Over the past year, I've found that the best massage is one that involves a lotion or oil of some sort. These products allow your hands to glide more easily over your partner's skin and heighten the sensations of the massage itself. 

I usually use a bottle of massage oil from Aveda when I give my boyfriend a massage, however I find that sometimes it is hard to control the amount of oil dispensed from the bottle and it can create a mess. One day, I was at a local mall and decided to browse a store I had never been in before called Lush Cosmetics. It was there I found a product called the Wiccy Magic Muscles Massage Bar. Intrigued, my boyfriend and I decided to purchase one and give it a try. 

The Wiccy Magic Massage Bar is about the size of a large bar of soap and is made primarily from cocoa butter. The massage bar actually melts at the temperature of body heat, so when you hold it in your hand you can immediately feel the bar softening and releasing it's oils. One side of the Wiccy Magic bar from Lush is smooth, while the other side has a layer of coffee beans. The coffee bean side of the Lush massage bar is great to rub over sore muscles and to provide a unique massage sensation, whereas the smooth side is better for applying a thicker layer of the massage oils contained in the bar. 

I really enjoy giving massages with the Wiccy Magic Massage Bar from Lush Cosmetics. It is much easier to control than a bottle of massage oil, and I found that it made my hand glide more easily over skin without being too slippery. My boyfriend also enjoyed the sensation of the coffee beans on his skin very much. All products that Lush Cosmetics sell are hand-made and never tested on animals. All Lush products are vegetarian and most are vegan, so you can use their products with a clear conscience. Lush Cosmetics are available in Lush shops around the world or online at www.lush.com. The 2.4oz Wiccy Magic Muscles Massage Bar is sold by Lush for $8.95 and is well-worth the price. If you like to give or receive massages, I would highly recommend picking up a Wiccy Magic Massage Bar and giving it a try.

How to Use Selsun Blue Shampoo to Treat Tinea Versicolor Inexpensively

Several years ago when I was attending college, a strange skin rash began to appear on my chest. It started out as a small, blotchy patch but quickly spread out over my torso. The rash wasn't painful, although it was itchy at times. As time went on, however, the rash grew more and more unsightly. Finally, I decided to go see the doctor to find out what was going on. 

The doctor told me the skin rash was tinea versicolor, which is a very common condition. Tinea versicolor is caused by a fungus on the skin and affects millions of people in the US alone. Most people are naturally immune to the fungus which causes tinea versicolor, but some people's immune systems are unable to fight off the fungus, allowing the fungus to multiply and cause a characteristic rash on the skin. Luckily, tinea versicolor can be treated by applying an antifungal cream to the affected area. The doctor wrote me a prescription for the cream and I was on my way. 

When I got to the pharmacy, I found out the cream used to treat tinea versicolor is not covered by insurance, as the insurance companies consider it a cosmetic condition. With no coverage, the pharmacy wanted almost $100 for the small tube of cream. As a poor college student, this was much more than I could afford, so I headed home to do some research on more cost-effective treatments for tinea versicolor. 

After just a few minutes of searching on the internet, I found information that suggested Selsun Blue dandruff shampoo might be a good treatment for tinea versicolor. Selsun Blue contains selenium sulfide which is an anti-fungal ingredient. Since tinea versicolor is caused by a fungus, I figured it might be worth a try. I headed to the local pharmacy and picked up a bottle of Selsun Blue, excited that it might actually cure my skin rash. 

Treating tinea versicolor with Selsun Blue shampoo is a relatively easy process. Once a day, you need to coat the affected skin with a thin layer of the dandruff shampoo, let it dry, and then shower to rinse it off. I did get some chuckles out of my roommates as they saw me sitting covered in what appeared to be blue paint day after day. Once the Selsun Blue is dried on the skin, it can be a bit difficult to rinse off, but I always found using a wash cloth allowed me to remove the shampoo quickly and easily. 

After a couple of weeks, I was very surprised with the results. My skin rash was completely gone and there were no visible signs that I had ever had tinea versicolor. The Selsun Blue had done the trick and my skin was back to normal with no blotchy appearance. In order to maintain the results, just repeat the Selsun Blue treatment once every week or two. This will keep the fungus that causes tinea versicolor at bay and keep your skin looking great. 

In the end, I am very happy I chose to treat my tinea versicolor with a cheap, over-the-counter shampoo instead of an expensive prescription cream. Although the cream may have been more convenient, the Selsun Blue regimen was easy enough to follow and cost less than a tenth of the price. If you are one of the millions of people in America affected by tinea versicolor, you may want to give Selsun Blue shampoo a try before shelling out lots of extra money for prescription treatments. You'll get the same results and for a lot less money.

Back and Ready to Rock!

Hey folks!  Long time, no see.  Seasons change, life moves so quick.  This website was down for a little while due to some hosting issues, but I'm proud to report that I am back online and all of my original content has been restored!

I'll be working on getting the rest of my Associated Content and Yahoo! Voices articles posted.  I also have lots of ideas swirling around in my head for some fresh, original content.  I'm really excited about what I have to share with all of you over here in my little corner of the internet. :)

Scentsy Fragrance: How to Make Your Wax Melts Last Longer

Wax warmers (known in some circles as "tart burners") are a hot new trend in home fragrance. Instead of burning a candle (which can be dangerous because of the open flame), a small piece of scented wax is melted with an electric warmer, releasing a surprising amount of fragrance into the air. One of the most popular brands of wax & warmers is Scentsy, a brand that is sold exclusively by direct sales consultants all over the world. 

I have been a Scentsy consultant for almost a year now, and in the process, I have learned a whole lot about scented wax warmers and how they work best. Before my time with Scentsy, I was a Yankee Candle employee, which also sells their own line of wax melts. In all of my years of experience, I have come up with a few tips to make your wax melts last the longest. 

Air, heat, and light are the enemies of fragrance. So, to make your home fragrance products last the longest, you'll want to make sure you store them in a cool, dark, dry place. A basement closet is the perfect storage spot for your wax melts. You'll want to make sure you store your melts in the original product packaging, as this packaging was designed to seal in as much of the fragrance oil as possible. 

When you do go to use your wax melt, make sure you use a warmer produced by the same manufacturer as your melt. This might seem unnecessary, but I can tell you from my first-hand experience with various fragrance companies that the warmers do indeed heat up to different temperatures. Each manufacturers' wax is designed to melt and release fragrance at a specific temperature, and using a warmer that gets too hot is the number one way to "waste" your melt and have it not last very long at all. 

Finally, resist the urge to burn more than one or two pieces of your melt at a time. It seems logical to just add "another block to the fire" so to speak, but this actually diminishes your fragrance return. Most warmers are designed to optimally heat just one or two pieces of paraffin wax, and if you add more wax than that, the wax pool will not get as hot and not as much fragrance will be released. 

By following these simple steps, you can get the most out of your scented wax warmer and have your home smelling great for years to come!

GymPact: Earn Cash Rewards for Working Out

Over the past year, I have gotten pretty good about integrating more physical activity in my life. I go on walks several times per week, and I've even started to work out at the gym on occasion. While I find it easy to stick to my exercise routine most of the time, I do have to admit that sometimes the motivation is lacking and I end up skipping work outs. 

A few months ago, my friend told me about a company called GymPact that can help provide that extra motivation needed to get out there and workout. GymPact is an application that runs on Android and iOS devices, and actually offers cash rewards just for completing a pre-determined number of workouts each week. 

Here's how it works: you tell the GymPact app how many days you will work out next week, and you set certain "stakes" per work out--this can be any amount from $5 to $50 per workout, depending on what amount you decide will motivate you. As you go through your week, you workout like normal, verifying your workouts at a gym via GPS or outside using the RunKeeper app. It is important to note that the GymPact app has built-in safeguards against cheating, so you will need to verify all of your workouts via the app in order for them to count towards your pact for the week.

At the end of the week, GymPact settles up. If you skipped any of the workouts, your credit card is billed the amount of the stakes that you set at the beginning of the week. If you completed all your workouts, however, GymPact actually deposits real cash into your account. This cash comes from all the people who skipped their workouts, and usually adds up to about $0.40 to $0.60 per workout. So after just a few weeks of exercising regularly, you can start to see a sizeable amount build-up in your GymPact account, which can be cashed out to your PayPal account to spend as you wish.

For me, GymPact has been just the motivation I need to get out there and workout, even when I don't feel like it. Knowing that I lose money if I don't workout, whereas I actually earn money if I do...well, let's just say it's been a powerful motivator for me. The GymPact app can be downloaded from iTunes or the Google Play Store for those who are interested in this unique fitness program.