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Sleep matters at the best of times, but when you’re growing new life, getting a good night’s rest is incredibly important. But, pregnancy and sleep do not often go hand in hand. “Many people experience changes in their sleep patterns and quality during pregnancy,” says Dr Chun Tang, medical director and GP at Pall Mall Medical in Manchester. “Hormonal fluctuations, physical discomfort, frequent urination and anxiety can contribute to sleep disturbances. Some people may find it more challenging to fall asleep or stay asleep throughout the night, leading to altered sleep-wake cycles and a disrupted circadian rhythm.” Your circadian rhythm will change “During pregnancy, the circadian rhythm, which is the internal biological clock that regulates various physiological processes, undergoes certain changes,” says Tang. “Things like hormonal changes, sleep disruptions, changes in activity and energy levels and increased sensitivity to light, can affect your circadian rhythm.” Warmer body temperature “During pregnancy, basal body temperature (the body’s resting temperature) tends to be slightly elevated, due to hormonal changes, particularly increased levels of progesterone,” he explains. “This can result in a feeling of warmth or increased body heat. Higher basal body temperature can make it uncomfortable to sleep, especially in combination with external factors, like warm weather or a warm sleeping environment.” Some people may also experience night sweats, particularly during the later stages of pregnancy, Tang notes. “Night sweats are episodes of excessive sweating during sleep, which can lead to discomfort, disrupted sleep, and difficulty falling back asleep. Hormonal fluctuations and increased blood flow during pregnancy can contribute to these. “Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also trigger hot flushes, sudden feelings of intense heat and sweating that typically affect the face, neck, and chest. Hot flushes can occur during the day or at night, affecting sleep. But if you have a persistent fever or feel unwell, you should consult your GP,” he says. Vivid dreams “There have been numerous reports of people having more vivid dreams during pregnancy. Hormones, increased emotional sensitivity, and changes in sleep patterns can contribute to the intensity and frequency of dreams,” says Tang. “Pregnancy often brings about a range of emotional and psychological changes. Heightened emotions, anxiety, excitement, and anticipation can influence the content and intensity of dreams. Dreams may reflect the concerns, hopes, and fears associated with pregnancy and impending motherhood. “If vivid dreams are causing distress or affecting sleep quality, practising good sleep hygiene and relaxation techniques before bed may help promote better sleep. Maintaining a comfortable sleep environment, establishing a regular sleep routine, managing stress levels, and seeking support from healthcare providers can also be beneficial,” he adds. Physical discomfort Getting bigger may not be comfortable, particularly in the later months. As the pregnancy progresses, physical discomfort and increased fatigue may affect activity levels. Some people may experience increased daytime sleepiness, while others may find it harder to engage in physical activities, due to the changes associated with pregnancy. “The third trimester can present more pronounced sleep challenges, due to the changes and preparation for labour. Some common sleep difficulties during this trimester include discomfort and difficulty finding a comfortable position, frequent urination, heartburn or reflux, and restless leg syndrome,” Tang says. What can help? Yoga can be beneficial, suggests Tang: “Prenatal yoga is specifically designed to support the physical and emotional wellbeing of expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy. It involves gentle stretching, deep breathing exercises, mindfulness practices and relaxation techniques tailored to the needs and safety considerations of pregnancy. “These practices can be valuable for managing anxiety, promoting better sleep, and fostering a sense of calm and balance during pregnancy.”

Dee Snider has been a heavy metal singer, a Broadway actor, a radio DJ, and a TV voice-over artist

It’s easy to dismiss eczema as just itchy dry skin. But as millions of people know, the effects of eczema go way beyond this. “Eczema is so much more than ‘just an itch’,” says Andrew Proctor, chief executive of the National Eczema Society. “Affecting over eight million people in the UK, this incurable, highly visible skin condition has a huge impact on every aspect of a person’s life, extending far beyond the physical symptoms of itchy, inflamed, sore, cracked and bleeding skin. “Living with eczema means constantly having to plan and prepare, as every decision you make will potentially affect your skin. It shapes your home environment, education, career, social life, hobbies, holidays and relationships, and as a result, patients often report feeling anxious, depressed, self-conscious, isolated and helpless.” This National Eczema Week (September 9-16), here’s what Proctor wants everyone to know… 1. It doesn’t just affect children Atopic eczema affects one in five children and one in 10 adults in the UK. Proctor says: “While eczema is often viewed as a childhood condition, it affects people of all ages. Some develop eczema as babies, others in childhood, but thankfully it can improve over time.” Some people will have eczema all their life however, and some only develop it in their later years. “The important thing is to seek medical advice as soon as possible to get control of the eczema and develop an effective skincare routine,” advises Proctor. 2. It’s not contagious Proctor says that sadly, many people still think you can catch eczema. “However, atopic eczema isn’t contagious,” he stresses – pointing out it’s a complex condition involving genes, the immune system, the environment and our skin barrier. “This means skin becomes very dry and doesn’t provide sufficient protection from irritants, allergens and infection.” To tackle this, a foundation of eczema care is to apply medical moisturisers (emollients) to trap water in the skin and help reinforce the skin barrier. “Finding the emollient that suits your skin best can involve a lot of trial and error, but it’s critical to managing eczema,” says Proctor. 3. Environment plays a huge role Environmental factors can trigger eczema flare-ups or make it worse. Common culprits include stress, being too hot/cold or experiencing a sudden change in temperature, soap, shampoo and bubble bath, laundry detergent and cleaning products, perfume, pollens and moulds, pet fur, wool and synthetic fabric, and house dust mites. “Everyone will have certain things that trigger their eczema, and these vary between people,” Proctor explains. “Try keeping a diary to help identify triggers and patterns, so you can remove likely suspects and see if it helps. Triggers can also change over time and it’s worth continuing with the diary even if you think you’ve identified yours.” 4. It’s hard not to scratch Proctor explains: “One of the most maddening things you can say to someone with eczema is ‘stop scratching’. It’s not that simple! The unbearable, relentless itch is one of the defining features of the condition, and patients refer to it as torture. “You know you shouldn’t scratch, as it damages the skin and can cause infections, but the relief it provides is irresistible.” To help manage the itch, Proctor suggests finding a positive distraction or asking others to help you take your mind off it. You could also try substituting another action for scratching – press a nail on the itchy patch or tap the skin gently with your forefinger; keep your hands occupied with a ball, toy or other object; or wrap a bag of frozen peas in a towel and apply it to the itchiest area. 5. It’s a mental as well as physical battle Living with eczema is mentally exhausting too. “It can be a rollercoaster of emotions, from excitement when you start a new treatment, to despair when it doesn’t work or you experience a bad flare-up,” says Proctor. “There can be huge frustration too, when you do everything you’ve been asked and the eczema still refuses to give you any respite.” If this happens, as well as asking your GP or dermatologist for a review, it’s important to reach out to family and friends for support: “People who are able to open up about how their eczema truly affects them can feel a huge weight has been lifted.” Other ways to help cope include good nutrition and hydration, regular exercise, rest and relaxation. “Journaling, meditation and mindfulness can help you focus on the good things in your life and counterbalance negative feelings about eczema,” adds Proctor. “When so much time and effort goes into managing your eczema, it’s easy to forget there’s more to you than just your skin. Think about what you want to accomplish and formulate a plan. It’s about living successfully alongside eczema, not having your life defined by it.” For more information, visit eczema.org. The NES’ new video – More Than ‘Just An Itch’ – goes live on September 9 to mark National Eczema Week. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live YouTube begins verifying videos by UK doctors to tackle health misinformation Should you swap your foundation for a lightweight skin tint? What should you do if you think your child is being bullied at school?

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When you chow down on a banana, you might often see a black bit at the end and it looks a bit gross. But what is it? Some people think it is the seed, but these are found down the middle, if at all, as the Cavendish variety of bananas, which is commonly sold typically doesn’t produce any seeds. It is actually something completely different. Bananas are technically berries and the black bit is the nub of the flower from which the giant banana berry grew. Bananas grow on trees in bunches, and the end is actually the top of the fruit while the hard stalk is the bottom. But given most people eat bananas by snapping off the stalk first, the residual flower nub is left at the end. This black bit is entirely edible but people often throw it away because it has a tough texture and a bitter taste. So now you know, there is nothing stopping you from getting one of your five a day. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.