Are Sleep Aids Safe and Effective in Treating Insomnia?
May 10, 2011 by admin
Filed under Insomnia Cure
Antonio LeMaire asked:
Whether you’re the occasional victim of insomnia or a chronic insomniac, the effects of this annoying condition can affect your health and happiness. Insomnia involves much more than just not being able to sleep properly.
If left unchecked, insomnia can wreak havoc in many areas of your life such as job productivity, academic performance, driving, and both personal and business relationships. People who frequently suffer from sleep deprivation due to insomnia have a difficult time dealing with and adjusting to the challenges of everyday life.
Definition of Insomnia
Doctors often separate insomnia patients into two different categories, temporary and chronic insomnia.
Temporary insomnia is short-term and can sometimes flare up or recur when stressful events happen. Patients with temporary insomnia may be able to remedy the problem without the use of sleep aids or a great deal of physician intervention.
Chronic insomnia is a more serious and debilitating problem. Patients with chronic insomnia are those who have had the condition on an ongoing basis for six months or longer.
Treating and Diagnosing Insomnia
Although insomnia is often a normal, natural response to a stressful event or a short-term reaction to illness or pain, patients who have ongoing difficulty obtaining a restful nights sleep should seek a physician’s assistance. Ignoring the problem or trying to treat insomnia on your own can often aggravate or prolong it.
Self-prescribed over the counter sleep aids are a popular method for treating insomnia. Many adults rely on caffeine or other stimulants to keep them awake and alert after an all night bout with insomnia. Instead of dealing with the actual problem and trying to determine the cause, they become victim to a vicious cycle of stimulants and sleep aids.
The First Step Towards Better Sleep
While sleep aids can be beneficial when properly prescribed, the first step in treating insomnia is to determine a cause for the condition. Today’s insomnia sufferers are frequently referred to a sleep clinic where the degree and nature of the sleep condition can be determined.
Patients’ sleep patterns are carefully monitored and doctors can often pinpoint whether the condition is due to stress or a breathing disorder, which is common in both sleep apnea and narcolepsy.
Tips for Insomnia Sufferers
After assessing a patient’s individual sleep pattern, a doctor may recommend a number of self-help suggestions and/or the use of sleep aids. The following tips can be beneficial to patients experiencing temporary or long-term insomnia.
1. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants for at least three hours before bedtime.
2. Try to set a regular sleep schedule. Altering your sleep pattern by just an hour or two a night is enough to throw some people’s sleep cycle off balance.
3. Exercise on a regular basis to alleviate stress and tire your body.
4. Keep an ongoing journal of your sleep schedule. If you have more difficulty sleeping on some days than others, make a note of the foods you consumed and any stressful events that may have contributed to the insomnia.
5. If you’re a light sleeper, purchase a “white noise machine” to drown out annoying background noise and disruption. Simple ear plugs can also work wonders, once you get used to wearing them.
6. Keep bedroom lighting to a minimum and don’t leave the television on while trying to fall asleep. Better yet, remove the TV set from your bedroom and listen to music or read for relaxation instead.
Traditional Sleep Aids
For decades, doctors have been prescribing sleep aids to treat insomnia. Although sleep aids are beneficial in some instances, it is important not to overlook the harmful side effects that can sometimes occur.
One of the most common disadvantages of traditional sleep aids is they can become habit forming and addictive. Once a patient becomes reliant on the drug, his body actually becomes dependent upon it to sleep.
Other common annoying side effects are daytime drowsiness, memory problems, and a general state of confusion. While the patient may be sleeping well at night, his or her body may experience trouble adjusting to the effects of the medication during the day.
Headaches, irregular or loss of menstrual periods and lack of *** drive can also occur. Some patients may find the side effects of sleep aids to be nearly as troubling as the insomnia itself.
Whether you’re the occasional victim of insomnia or a chronic insomniac, the effects of this annoying condition can affect your health and happiness. Insomnia involves much more than just not being able to sleep properly.
If left unchecked, insomnia can wreak havoc in many areas of your life such as job productivity, academic performance, driving, and both personal and business relationships. People who frequently suffer from sleep deprivation due to insomnia have a difficult time dealing with and adjusting to the challenges of everyday life.
Definition of Insomnia
Doctors often separate insomnia patients into two different categories, temporary and chronic insomnia.
Temporary insomnia is short-term and can sometimes flare up or recur when stressful events happen. Patients with temporary insomnia may be able to remedy the problem without the use of sleep aids or a great deal of physician intervention.
Chronic insomnia is a more serious and debilitating problem. Patients with chronic insomnia are those who have had the condition on an ongoing basis for six months or longer.
Treating and Diagnosing Insomnia
Although insomnia is often a normal, natural response to a stressful event or a short-term reaction to illness or pain, patients who have ongoing difficulty obtaining a restful nights sleep should seek a physician’s assistance. Ignoring the problem or trying to treat insomnia on your own can often aggravate or prolong it.
Self-prescribed over the counter sleep aids are a popular method for treating insomnia. Many adults rely on caffeine or other stimulants to keep them awake and alert after an all night bout with insomnia. Instead of dealing with the actual problem and trying to determine the cause, they become victim to a vicious cycle of stimulants and sleep aids.
The First Step Towards Better Sleep
While sleep aids can be beneficial when properly prescribed, the first step in treating insomnia is to determine a cause for the condition. Today’s insomnia sufferers are frequently referred to a sleep clinic where the degree and nature of the sleep condition can be determined.
Patients’ sleep patterns are carefully monitored and doctors can often pinpoint whether the condition is due to stress or a breathing disorder, which is common in both sleep apnea and narcolepsy.
Tips for Insomnia Sufferers
After assessing a patient’s individual sleep pattern, a doctor may recommend a number of self-help suggestions and/or the use of sleep aids. The following tips can be beneficial to patients experiencing temporary or long-term insomnia.
1. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants for at least three hours before bedtime.
2. Try to set a regular sleep schedule. Altering your sleep pattern by just an hour or two a night is enough to throw some people’s sleep cycle off balance.
3. Exercise on a regular basis to alleviate stress and tire your body.
4. Keep an ongoing journal of your sleep schedule. If you have more difficulty sleeping on some days than others, make a note of the foods you consumed and any stressful events that may have contributed to the insomnia.
5. If you’re a light sleeper, purchase a “white noise machine” to drown out annoying background noise and disruption. Simple ear plugs can also work wonders, once you get used to wearing them.
6. Keep bedroom lighting to a minimum and don’t leave the television on while trying to fall asleep. Better yet, remove the TV set from your bedroom and listen to music or read for relaxation instead.
Traditional Sleep Aids
For decades, doctors have been prescribing sleep aids to treat insomnia. Although sleep aids are beneficial in some instances, it is important not to overlook the harmful side effects that can sometimes occur.
One of the most common disadvantages of traditional sleep aids is they can become habit forming and addictive. Once a patient becomes reliant on the drug, his body actually becomes dependent upon it to sleep.
Other common annoying side effects are daytime drowsiness, memory problems, and a general state of confusion. While the patient may be sleeping well at night, his or her body may experience trouble adjusting to the effects of the medication during the day.
Headaches, irregular or loss of menstrual periods and lack of *** drive can also occur. Some patients may find the side effects of sleep aids to be nearly as troubling as the insomnia itself.
The Cause of Primary and Secondary Insomnia
May 10, 2011 by admin
Filed under Disruptions
gladys906 asked:
Although we often ask ‘what causes insomnia’, it is important to understand that the causes will depend very much on whether you are suffering from primary or secondary insomnia.
Primary insomnia is insomnia which does not have a specific medical or emotional root. For example, primary insomnia is insomnia that does not appear as a side-effect of medication or as a symptom of an emotional or medical disorder. In other words primary disorder can be linked directly to its cause and is a primary, rather than a secondary, result of that cause.
A good example of primary insomnia would be insomnia resulting from long-haul air travel. Here it is the shift in your body’s internal clock, which is a direct result of air travel, which causes your insomnia. Another good example is shift work insomnia in which you are asking your body to sleep when its internal clock says you should be awake and to work when your clock says you should be sleeping.
Secondary insomnia is often much more complex and can be caused by a whole variety of different things.
A common cause of secondary insomnia is an emotional disorder such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Other emotional disorders also giving rise to insomnia as a secondary symptom might include Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
There are also a number of common medical conditions which can give rise to insomnia including those with accompanying chronic pain, such as arthritis; those which affect breathing, such as asthma or certain heart problems and a range of general conditions including an overactive thyroid, gastrointestinal difficulties and heartburn.
Other sleep problems can themselves also give rise to insomnia and a good example of this would be restless leg syndrome.
Perhaps the commonest cause of secondary insomnia however is seen in the side-effects of a range of medications and in other chemical substances which we put into our bodies.
Medicines used to treat the common cold, asthma, allergies and heart conditions can often lead to insomnia. In addition, alcohol, caffeine and nicotine account for a substantial proportion of people suffering from insomnia.
Perhaps the most surprising cause of secondary insomnia however is to be found in sedatives – the common sleeping pill. Although sleeping pills can be very helpful in the short-term many people continue to take them for extended periods and unwittingly cause rather than cure their insomnia.
Although we often ask ‘what causes insomnia’, it is important to understand that the causes will depend very much on whether you are suffering from primary or secondary insomnia.
Primary insomnia is insomnia which does not have a specific medical or emotional root. For example, primary insomnia is insomnia that does not appear as a side-effect of medication or as a symptom of an emotional or medical disorder. In other words primary disorder can be linked directly to its cause and is a primary, rather than a secondary, result of that cause.
A good example of primary insomnia would be insomnia resulting from long-haul air travel. Here it is the shift in your body’s internal clock, which is a direct result of air travel, which causes your insomnia. Another good example is shift work insomnia in which you are asking your body to sleep when its internal clock says you should be awake and to work when your clock says you should be sleeping.
Secondary insomnia is often much more complex and can be caused by a whole variety of different things.
A common cause of secondary insomnia is an emotional disorder such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Other emotional disorders also giving rise to insomnia as a secondary symptom might include Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
There are also a number of common medical conditions which can give rise to insomnia including those with accompanying chronic pain, such as arthritis; those which affect breathing, such as asthma or certain heart problems and a range of general conditions including an overactive thyroid, gastrointestinal difficulties and heartburn.
Other sleep problems can themselves also give rise to insomnia and a good example of this would be restless leg syndrome.
Perhaps the commonest cause of secondary insomnia however is seen in the side-effects of a range of medications and in other chemical substances which we put into our bodies.
Medicines used to treat the common cold, asthma, allergies and heart conditions can often lead to insomnia. In addition, alcohol, caffeine and nicotine account for a substantial proportion of people suffering from insomnia.
Perhaps the most surprising cause of secondary insomnia however is to be found in sedatives – the common sleeping pill. Although sleeping pills can be very helpful in the short-term many people continue to take them for extended periods and unwittingly cause rather than cure their insomnia.
Get Rid of Insomnia – A Great Insomnia Home Remedy Combination
Sean Saunders asked:
Having trouble sleeping during the night? Can’t find a way to get to sleep and stay asleep no matter what you do? Well, then you need to try this insomnia home remedy combination. Not only can it help you to get rid of insomnia, but it may actually help prevent insomnia from returning in the future.
Part 1 of the Great Insomnia Home Remedy Combo
Get yourself some insomnia herbal tea and a few insomnia oils. Insomnia oils and teas can be made of the following herbs: chamomile, valerian, passionflower, and lavender. Choose your favorite insomnia herbal tea (recommended tea: chamomile) and then choose your favorite herbal oil (recommended oil: lavender).
45 minutes before going to bed, take a warm bath and add a few drops of the herbal oil to the water. Remain in the bath for about 10-15 minutes, then get out. Too long in a warm bath is not good for your body, so be sure to stick to the 10-15 minute time frame. Once out of the tub, dry off and get into your comfortable sleeping clothes.
Now that you’re slightly more relaxed and in comfortable clothing, it’s time to prepare the herbal tea for this insomnia home remedy. Prepare the herbal tea as you would any other tea, using hot water just before boiling point. Slowly drink this tea as you make your way towards the bed.
At this point, it will be time to grab that herbal oil yet again. Place a few few drops of the herbal oil onto a handkerchief or piece of cloth and then slide that under/into your pillow.
Part 2 of the Great Insomnia Home Remedy Combo
Before sliding into bed, you’re going to want to put in a sleep CD, otherwise known as sleep sound tracks. This CD/tape will run as you get into bed and try to go to sleep. The sounds from the track will make their way into your subconscious and actually begin lulling you to sleep instantly. The effects from the tape/cd are rather fast, meaning you won’t likely know it’s working until you wake up the next morning.
Why Does This Insomnia Home Remedy Combo Work?
Part 1 is all about getting your body relaxed and inducing sleepiness. Luckily, this is easily accomplished with the 15-minute bath you took, the herbal tea you drank, and the aroma from the handkerchief you placed inside/under your pillow. Doing all three of these things together will make you feel not only unbelievably relaxed, but tremendously sleepy as well.
Part 2 is all about getting your brain in the right mood for sleep. Although the steps in part 1 help with this, they can’t do it all on their own. This is where the sleep soundtracks come in, as the sounds & pulses from the track “massage” the brain and ensure that it is 100% comfortable and ready for sleep. Short of taking large doses of prescription sleeping pills, there is no better, nor safer way to get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer.
If you want to get rid of insomnia, then follow the 2 part insomnia home remedy combination above. You’ll thank me in the morning.
Insomnia: Rozerem and Other Sleep Aids Explained
May 10, 2011 by admin
Filed under Correct Diagnosis
Antonio LeMaire asked:
You’ve likely seen the popular TV ad campaign for Rozerem… the insomnia guy who keeps late-night company with Abe Lincoln, a beaver, and other colorful characters from his dreams?
Insomnia is such a common problem (one in three adults report having some type of insomnia) that sleep aids such as Rozerem are more popular than ever.
In this article, we’ll look at the different types of insomnia, self help treatments you can try, and Rozerem as a sleep aid for the treatment of insomnia.
What Causes Insomnia
Insomnia happens when your sleep-wake cycle, or your internal clock, is disrupted. It can be caused by many factors: stress, illness, pain, jet lag, sleep apnea, excessive physical or emotional arousal, shift work, a sedentary lifestyle, worrying about sleep, depression, and other factors.
Certain types of drugs can cause or worsen your insomnia:
* Antidepressants
* Antihypertensives
* Antiarrhythmics
* Antibiotics
* Antihistamines
* Antivirals
* Bronchodilators
* Central nervous system stimulants
* Corticosteroids
* Decongestants
* Diuretics
* Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Insomnia is more common in people over age 60 and especially in women over 40. It’s estimated that up to one third of the population suffers from some type of insomnia.
Types of Insomnia
Insomnia presents itself in a variety of different ways… once-in-a-while insomnia, chronic insomnia, insomnia that keeps you from falling asleep, insomnia that wakes you up frequently during the night, insomnia that wakes you up too early, and insomnia that allows you to sleep, but poorly.
There are three main types of insomnia:
1. Transient Insomnia: This is short-term insomnia that typically lasts from a few nights to a few weeks. Transient insomnia may cause next-day sleepiness, mood changes, and performance impairment.
2. Intermittent Insomnia: This is when you have periods of transient insomnia that occur on and off over months or years. It can lead to chronic insomnia.
3. Chronic Insomnia: This is long term insomnia – difficulty sleeping for more than a month. Chronic insomnia is often related to more serious problems like depression, memory impairment, accidents, missed work, and increased visits to the doctor.
Self Help for Insomnia
* Open the bedroom windows if possible. Fresh air may help you sleep.
* Don’t read or watch TV in bed… reserve the bed for sleep so the mind begins to associate lying down with sleeping
* Keep a tight schedule going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.
* Avoid daytime naps so you’re more tired at bedtime.
* Don’t eat heavy meals before going to bed. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco.
* Exercise, even 15 minutes a day, can help you relax and get a better sleep.
* Warm milk before bed really works because it causes a chemical reaction that increases serotonin in the brain, making you feel relaxed and calm.
If self help doesn’t improve your insomnia, it may be time to discuss sleep aids with your doctor.
You’ve likely seen the popular TV ad campaign for Rozerem… the insomnia guy who keeps late-night company with Abe Lincoln, a beaver, and other colorful characters from his dreams?
Insomnia is such a common problem (one in three adults report having some type of insomnia) that sleep aids such as Rozerem are more popular than ever.
In this article, we’ll look at the different types of insomnia, self help treatments you can try, and Rozerem as a sleep aid for the treatment of insomnia.
What Causes Insomnia
Insomnia happens when your sleep-wake cycle, or your internal clock, is disrupted. It can be caused by many factors: stress, illness, pain, jet lag, sleep apnea, excessive physical or emotional arousal, shift work, a sedentary lifestyle, worrying about sleep, depression, and other factors.
Certain types of drugs can cause or worsen your insomnia:
* Antidepressants
* Antihypertensives
* Antiarrhythmics
* Antibiotics
* Antihistamines
* Antivirals
* Bronchodilators
* Central nervous system stimulants
* Corticosteroids
* Decongestants
* Diuretics
* Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Insomnia is more common in people over age 60 and especially in women over 40. It’s estimated that up to one third of the population suffers from some type of insomnia.
Types of Insomnia
Insomnia presents itself in a variety of different ways… once-in-a-while insomnia, chronic insomnia, insomnia that keeps you from falling asleep, insomnia that wakes you up frequently during the night, insomnia that wakes you up too early, and insomnia that allows you to sleep, but poorly.
There are three main types of insomnia:
1. Transient Insomnia: This is short-term insomnia that typically lasts from a few nights to a few weeks. Transient insomnia may cause next-day sleepiness, mood changes, and performance impairment.
2. Intermittent Insomnia: This is when you have periods of transient insomnia that occur on and off over months or years. It can lead to chronic insomnia.
3. Chronic Insomnia: This is long term insomnia – difficulty sleeping for more than a month. Chronic insomnia is often related to more serious problems like depression, memory impairment, accidents, missed work, and increased visits to the doctor.
Self Help for Insomnia
* Open the bedroom windows if possible. Fresh air may help you sleep.
* Don’t read or watch TV in bed… reserve the bed for sleep so the mind begins to associate lying down with sleeping
* Keep a tight schedule going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.
* Avoid daytime naps so you’re more tired at bedtime.
* Don’t eat heavy meals before going to bed. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco.
* Exercise, even 15 minutes a day, can help you relax and get a better sleep.
* Warm milk before bed really works because it causes a chemical reaction that increases serotonin in the brain, making you feel relaxed and calm.
If self help doesn’t improve your insomnia, it may be time to discuss sleep aids with your doctor.
Understand Different Types of Insomnia
May 10, 2011 by admin
Filed under Diseases And Conditions
Cindy Heller asked:
Insomnia or sleeplessness as it is commonly known is a little understood affliction. In fact, you will find that sleep disorder is both a symptom and a malady by itself – and hence, its diagnosis is a bit troublesome. There have been so many myths and fables connecting to insomnia. If you are suffering from this condition, it is really very important to get the right information on insomnia to understand and treat your condition well. If you have been suffering from lack of sleep and do not have any idea what to do about your situation, it would be a good idea to seek information on sleep disorder from reliable sources such medical journals, your doctor or from websites of reputable organizations.
When you consult your doctor about your sleeping problems, you should ask him or her to discuss the different aspects of this disorder. When discussing information on insomnia with your doctor, you should also ask about the different options of treating the disorder. Note that natural treatments are generally preferred over the sleeping drugs available in the market. The natural treatments do not have the unwanted side effects like those of the pharmaceutical drugs. The natural treatment process is cost effective too. Another way of getting reliable information on sleep disorder is to go online and browse through some websites. When you do this, make sure that you only use websites of organizations that are authoritative on the topic.
Insomnia or lack of sleep can be of two types, i.e. (i) transient and (ii) intermittent. The former is when one experiences sleeplessness for a period of maximum 2-3 weeks; while the intermittent insomnia is when this gets repeated every now and then. This will mostly be a projection of an underlying problem, such as anxiety, depression, drug abuse, etc.
Childhood Insomnia
Sleep disorder is something that affects the old and young alike. Studies have shown that childhood insomnia has continuously risen all over the United States in the past few years. Experts attribute the increase in cases of childhood sleep disorder to many factors at home, school and the neighborhood. If you have a child who is struggling with childhood insomnia, you should try to help your child get some sleep. The first thing that you need to do to help your child get some sleep is to find out what is keeping him or her awake at night. If your child could not sleep because of some unfounded fear, you should try to be patient with him.
Children have very rich imaginations and the things which you think are so unreasonable and unreal, could be very real for them. Never for one moment belittle your child’s fear. One of the best ways to put a child to sleep is to read them some gentle and soothing bedtime stories. The soothing sound of your voice actually helps cure childhood insomnia. The human body responds well to schedules and rhythm. To help your child overcome childhood insomnia, you should set a specific time for your child to go to bed.
Hyper Insomnia
Generally speaking, there are two major types of insomnia, i.e. acute sleep disorder and chronic insomnia or hyper insomnia. You will know that you are suffering from acute insomnia when you cannot sleep because of some apparent reason like noise, bright light, too much of heat or cold, incoming illness, recovering from illness, uncomfortable bed, and so on. The other causes of acute sleep disorder are erratic sleeping schedules, i.e. working on night shifts, working late night, watching TV which interferes with the body’s normal biological clock. Normally, removing the irritants and minor home remedies would be sufficient to cure this type of insomnia.
The hyper insomnia or chronic insomnia is quite difficult to manage or cure. This is usually the result of a serious underlying problem, or a disease by itself triggered by some anxiety or serious health problem (which could be neurological, medical and/or psychiatric). Most of the times, the hyper insomnia would be connected with some psychiatric problem or other and hence would require long and careful tests for proper diagnosis. Reports show that hyper insomnia accounts for more than 45 percent of the cases.
The other major cause for hyper insomnia is drug abuse, not necessarily narcotics. There are many drugs some as innocent as decongestants and antidepressants that can cause long term insomnia. The other culprits could be coffee (and any caffeine consisting drinks), steroids (prescribed by the doctor), beta blockers, and even sleeping pills (withdrawal symptoms when they are discontinued). It is best to take medical advice and treatment for hyper insomnia.
Chronic Insomnia
Chronic sleep disorder is a complicated condition in which the patient has difficulty in sleeping or getting refreshing sleep for more than a month. Depression is a major cause of chronic insomnia. Other causes include diseases like arthritis, heart problems, kidney problems, respiratory diseases, Parkinson’s disease, hyperthyroidism, sleep apnea, and several other conditions. Constant experience of mental stress and excessive use of stimulants like caffeine (coffee, tea etc.) are also responsible for causing chronic insomnia.
Treatment of chronic sleep disorder consists of diagnosing and eliminating the underlying medical/psychological disorders. Stopping or minimizing behaviors that aggravate sleep disorder are also part of the treatment plans. Sleeping pills may be prescribed by the physician for temporary use but they are not allowed for long-term use. Different behavioral techniques are employed to treat chronic insomnia. These include techniques like relaxation therapy, sleep restriction therapy, reconditioning, and using bright light.
Insomnia or sleeplessness as it is commonly known is a little understood affliction. In fact, you will find that sleep disorder is both a symptom and a malady by itself – and hence, its diagnosis is a bit troublesome. There have been so many myths and fables connecting to insomnia. If you are suffering from this condition, it is really very important to get the right information on insomnia to understand and treat your condition well. If you have been suffering from lack of sleep and do not have any idea what to do about your situation, it would be a good idea to seek information on sleep disorder from reliable sources such medical journals, your doctor or from websites of reputable organizations.
When you consult your doctor about your sleeping problems, you should ask him or her to discuss the different aspects of this disorder. When discussing information on insomnia with your doctor, you should also ask about the different options of treating the disorder. Note that natural treatments are generally preferred over the sleeping drugs available in the market. The natural treatments do not have the unwanted side effects like those of the pharmaceutical drugs. The natural treatment process is cost effective too. Another way of getting reliable information on sleep disorder is to go online and browse through some websites. When you do this, make sure that you only use websites of organizations that are authoritative on the topic.
Insomnia or lack of sleep can be of two types, i.e. (i) transient and (ii) intermittent. The former is when one experiences sleeplessness for a period of maximum 2-3 weeks; while the intermittent insomnia is when this gets repeated every now and then. This will mostly be a projection of an underlying problem, such as anxiety, depression, drug abuse, etc.
Childhood Insomnia
Sleep disorder is something that affects the old and young alike. Studies have shown that childhood insomnia has continuously risen all over the United States in the past few years. Experts attribute the increase in cases of childhood sleep disorder to many factors at home, school and the neighborhood. If you have a child who is struggling with childhood insomnia, you should try to help your child get some sleep. The first thing that you need to do to help your child get some sleep is to find out what is keeping him or her awake at night. If your child could not sleep because of some unfounded fear, you should try to be patient with him.
Children have very rich imaginations and the things which you think are so unreasonable and unreal, could be very real for them. Never for one moment belittle your child’s fear. One of the best ways to put a child to sleep is to read them some gentle and soothing bedtime stories. The soothing sound of your voice actually helps cure childhood insomnia. The human body responds well to schedules and rhythm. To help your child overcome childhood insomnia, you should set a specific time for your child to go to bed.
Hyper Insomnia
Generally speaking, there are two major types of insomnia, i.e. acute sleep disorder and chronic insomnia or hyper insomnia. You will know that you are suffering from acute insomnia when you cannot sleep because of some apparent reason like noise, bright light, too much of heat or cold, incoming illness, recovering from illness, uncomfortable bed, and so on. The other causes of acute sleep disorder are erratic sleeping schedules, i.e. working on night shifts, working late night, watching TV which interferes with the body’s normal biological clock. Normally, removing the irritants and minor home remedies would be sufficient to cure this type of insomnia.
The hyper insomnia or chronic insomnia is quite difficult to manage or cure. This is usually the result of a serious underlying problem, or a disease by itself triggered by some anxiety or serious health problem (which could be neurological, medical and/or psychiatric). Most of the times, the hyper insomnia would be connected with some psychiatric problem or other and hence would require long and careful tests for proper diagnosis. Reports show that hyper insomnia accounts for more than 45 percent of the cases.
The other major cause for hyper insomnia is drug abuse, not necessarily narcotics. There are many drugs some as innocent as decongestants and antidepressants that can cause long term insomnia. The other culprits could be coffee (and any caffeine consisting drinks), steroids (prescribed by the doctor), beta blockers, and even sleeping pills (withdrawal symptoms when they are discontinued). It is best to take medical advice and treatment for hyper insomnia.
Chronic Insomnia
Chronic sleep disorder is a complicated condition in which the patient has difficulty in sleeping or getting refreshing sleep for more than a month. Depression is a major cause of chronic insomnia. Other causes include diseases like arthritis, heart problems, kidney problems, respiratory diseases, Parkinson’s disease, hyperthyroidism, sleep apnea, and several other conditions. Constant experience of mental stress and excessive use of stimulants like caffeine (coffee, tea etc.) are also responsible for causing chronic insomnia.
Treatment of chronic sleep disorder consists of diagnosing and eliminating the underlying medical/psychological disorders. Stopping or minimizing behaviors that aggravate sleep disorder are also part of the treatment plans. Sleeping pills may be prescribed by the physician for temporary use but they are not allowed for long-term use. Different behavioral techniques are employed to treat chronic insomnia. These include techniques like relaxation therapy, sleep restriction therapy, reconditioning, and using bright light.
Root Causes of Insomnia
Colleen Lilly asked:
(c) 2008 Your Mind Body and Soul 123
Insomnia refers to a persistent inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, despite a person’s best efforts. Any sleep disturbance that lasts over three weeks may be considered insomnia. Insomnia can have many root causes, and many solutions, too. It is estimated that 64 million people suffer from insomnia. Thinking about that statistic can be enough to keep you up at night!
Chronic insomnia can be caused by many different things. Insomnia can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, or it can be caused by stress in your life or anxiety. Insomnia treatment should target the root cause of the chronic insomnia. Some people choose to using medication for insomnia, such as Ambien; but using Ambien for insomnia can also make the problem worse, as you may begin to feel anxiety that you will not be able to sleep without your medication. It can be helpful to discuss your insomnia with your doctor, to make sure that you don’t have symptoms of another more serious medical condition, such as arthritis, migraines, prostatic hypertrophy, or menopause, all of which may cause insomnia and also require additional medical attention.
Common Causes of Insomnia
People that use nicotine, alcohol, and even some prescription drugs used for allergies and asthma, are at a higher risk for insomnia. Those who keep erratic hours, shift workers for example, also suffer from frequent insomnia as they try to keep their bodies and sleep schedules regulated. On the other hand, people who are especially sedentary or quiet may also experience insomnia as they do not have enough stimulation.
How to Treat Insomnia
Insomnia treatment often involves beginning with focusing on establishing good sleep hygiene and good sleep habits. Learning relaxation techniques and changing certain lifestyle habits can help improve insomnia dramatically. Recommendations include limiting noise and light from your sleeping area. Try using room darkening shades. Perhaps a fan will help drown out noise if you have close neighbors, a crazy work schedule, or live near a highway or an airport.
Try to establish a good bedtime routine
Unwind before bed with a good book or a television program you enjoy. Generally avoid watching television in bed, though, this can keep you up much later than you intended. Avoid things like exercise, eating, confrontation, alcohol, or smoking before you turn in for the night. However, an early-evening walk and a healthy snack may have positive effects a few hours later when you try to sleep.
Many people suffer from insomnia at some point in their lives. Those that experience chronic insomnia are all too familiar with the anxiety insomnia can causeonce you wake up in the middle of the night, you instantly start to worry that you won’t fall back asleep. Lack of sleep is listed for many as one of the biggest causes of stress, anxiety, poor job performance, and relationship issues. Understanding some of the causes, and learning about some of the non-medicinal treatments that can cure insomnia can help insomnia sufferers get a good night’s rest.
(c) 2008 Your Mind Body and Soul 123
Insomnia refers to a persistent inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, despite a person’s best efforts. Any sleep disturbance that lasts over three weeks may be considered insomnia. Insomnia can have many root causes, and many solutions, too. It is estimated that 64 million people suffer from insomnia. Thinking about that statistic can be enough to keep you up at night!
Chronic insomnia can be caused by many different things. Insomnia can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, or it can be caused by stress in your life or anxiety. Insomnia treatment should target the root cause of the chronic insomnia. Some people choose to using medication for insomnia, such as Ambien; but using Ambien for insomnia can also make the problem worse, as you may begin to feel anxiety that you will not be able to sleep without your medication. It can be helpful to discuss your insomnia with your doctor, to make sure that you don’t have symptoms of another more serious medical condition, such as arthritis, migraines, prostatic hypertrophy, or menopause, all of which may cause insomnia and also require additional medical attention.
Common Causes of Insomnia
People that use nicotine, alcohol, and even some prescription drugs used for allergies and asthma, are at a higher risk for insomnia. Those who keep erratic hours, shift workers for example, also suffer from frequent insomnia as they try to keep their bodies and sleep schedules regulated. On the other hand, people who are especially sedentary or quiet may also experience insomnia as they do not have enough stimulation.
How to Treat Insomnia
Insomnia treatment often involves beginning with focusing on establishing good sleep hygiene and good sleep habits. Learning relaxation techniques and changing certain lifestyle habits can help improve insomnia dramatically. Recommendations include limiting noise and light from your sleeping area. Try using room darkening shades. Perhaps a fan will help drown out noise if you have close neighbors, a crazy work schedule, or live near a highway or an airport.
Try to establish a good bedtime routine
Unwind before bed with a good book or a television program you enjoy. Generally avoid watching television in bed, though, this can keep you up much later than you intended. Avoid things like exercise, eating, confrontation, alcohol, or smoking before you turn in for the night. However, an early-evening walk and a healthy snack may have positive effects a few hours later when you try to sleep.
Many people suffer from insomnia at some point in their lives. Those that experience chronic insomnia are all too familiar with the anxiety insomnia can causeonce you wake up in the middle of the night, you instantly start to worry that you won’t fall back asleep. Lack of sleep is listed for many as one of the biggest causes of stress, anxiety, poor job performance, and relationship issues. Understanding some of the causes, and learning about some of the non-medicinal treatments that can cure insomnia can help insomnia sufferers get a good night’s rest.
How to Get Rid Of Sleep Insomnia
May 10, 2011 by admin
Filed under Non Fiction
Brue Baker asked:
Sleep insomnia, or lack of sleep, is a very frustrating condition because the side effects of not getting enough rest can be very debilitating to our everyday lives. Inadequate sleep makes us tired, irritable, and depressed. Sleep insomnia afflicts over 70 million Americans, both old and young.
Americans lead very stressful lives and sleep needs to be a very important aspect of our life if we want to remain healthy. Studies have shown that people who sleep for at least eight hours a night actually live longer than those that don’t.
Sleep insomnia, in some cases, is recognizable by your difficulty falling asleep or your inability to maintain sleep. Other people who suffer from insomnia complain of waking up too early in the morning and not being able to go back to bed.
Whatever causes you to complain about sleep insomnia, recognizing the symptoms can help you to seek treatment and eventually manage the condition and get the sleep you need. I know it may seem like a fantasy, but it is possible for you to live a normal life and get the proper amount of sleep, even if you suffer from sleep insomnia. You just need to educate yourself about how to get rid of your insomnia.
Classifying Sleep Insomnia And Its Symptoms
The main symptom of sleep insomnia is the inability to initiate or maintain sleep. It is only referred to as insomnia if it does not occur because of another mental condition. A sleep disorder is not classified as insomnia if it occurs as the result of a medical condition or if you are consuming a medication or drug.
Sleep Insomnia is a disorder that has two distinct classifications, acute and chronic. Acute insomnia typically lasts for less than a month and is typically secondary, meaning that it is caused by temporary stress. Acute sleep insomnia is also treatable by reducing stress through doing things like physical activity, meditation, and breathing exercises such as Yoga.
Chronic insomnia is described as sleep deprivation that lasts for longer than a month. Chronic insomnia can be secondary, deriving from medical, physical, or psychological conditions. Chronic sleep insomnia can also be primary, meaning that it is caused by factors such as body temperature or poor sleep habits. It is crucial that patients suffering from chronic sleep insomnia seek medical treatment before it drastically impacts their quality of life.
How To Treat Sleep Insomnia
Are you ready to start getting some sleep? Insomnia has many different treatment options; the one you choose to pursue depends on what you feel is best for you and what your physician recommends for your individual circumstances.
Behavioral therapy, such as cognitive therapy, stimulus control, and relaxation training, is often used to treat insomnia. These sleep treatments are typically executed by psychologists, psychiatrists, or counselors.
Another method of treatment for insomnia is medication prescribed by your physician, commonly known as hypnotics. Many patients are reluctant to try these medications due to negative side effects of such drugs.
Don’t Lose Sleep, Manage Your Insomnia
Not only does sleep insomnia cause you to lose much needed rest, but it significantly impacts your alertness during the day. The key to managing insomnia is to stick to a standard routine. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. It is also advisable to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and not to exercise within three hours of bedtime.
Once you are able to manage your sleep insomnia and have sought treatment in the form of either behavioral therapy or medication, you are well on your way to taking control of the condition and getting the sleep you need. Only then will you be able to live a healthy, happy life.
Sleep insomnia, or lack of sleep, is a very frustrating condition because the side effects of not getting enough rest can be very debilitating to our everyday lives. Inadequate sleep makes us tired, irritable, and depressed. Sleep insomnia afflicts over 70 million Americans, both old and young.
Americans lead very stressful lives and sleep needs to be a very important aspect of our life if we want to remain healthy. Studies have shown that people who sleep for at least eight hours a night actually live longer than those that don’t.
Sleep insomnia, in some cases, is recognizable by your difficulty falling asleep or your inability to maintain sleep. Other people who suffer from insomnia complain of waking up too early in the morning and not being able to go back to bed.
Whatever causes you to complain about sleep insomnia, recognizing the symptoms can help you to seek treatment and eventually manage the condition and get the sleep you need. I know it may seem like a fantasy, but it is possible for you to live a normal life and get the proper amount of sleep, even if you suffer from sleep insomnia. You just need to educate yourself about how to get rid of your insomnia.
Classifying Sleep Insomnia And Its Symptoms
The main symptom of sleep insomnia is the inability to initiate or maintain sleep. It is only referred to as insomnia if it does not occur because of another mental condition. A sleep disorder is not classified as insomnia if it occurs as the result of a medical condition or if you are consuming a medication or drug.
Sleep Insomnia is a disorder that has two distinct classifications, acute and chronic. Acute insomnia typically lasts for less than a month and is typically secondary, meaning that it is caused by temporary stress. Acute sleep insomnia is also treatable by reducing stress through doing things like physical activity, meditation, and breathing exercises such as Yoga.
Chronic insomnia is described as sleep deprivation that lasts for longer than a month. Chronic insomnia can be secondary, deriving from medical, physical, or psychological conditions. Chronic sleep insomnia can also be primary, meaning that it is caused by factors such as body temperature or poor sleep habits. It is crucial that patients suffering from chronic sleep insomnia seek medical treatment before it drastically impacts their quality of life.
How To Treat Sleep Insomnia
Are you ready to start getting some sleep? Insomnia has many different treatment options; the one you choose to pursue depends on what you feel is best for you and what your physician recommends for your individual circumstances.
Behavioral therapy, such as cognitive therapy, stimulus control, and relaxation training, is often used to treat insomnia. These sleep treatments are typically executed by psychologists, psychiatrists, or counselors.
Another method of treatment for insomnia is medication prescribed by your physician, commonly known as hypnotics. Many patients are reluctant to try these medications due to negative side effects of such drugs.
Don’t Lose Sleep, Manage Your Insomnia
Not only does sleep insomnia cause you to lose much needed rest, but it significantly impacts your alertness during the day. The key to managing insomnia is to stick to a standard routine. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. It is also advisable to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and not to exercise within three hours of bedtime.
Once you are able to manage your sleep insomnia and have sought treatment in the form of either behavioral therapy or medication, you are well on your way to taking control of the condition and getting the sleep you need. Only then will you be able to live a healthy, happy life.
Best Cures and Remedies for Insomnia
Cindy Heller asked:
With increased awareness in the media and health food circles, alternative approaches to healing are growing, which includes alternative insomnia medicine. One such therapy for insomnia is the use of valerian root. Valerian root is an herb which has been used extensively throughout the ages as a calming and relaxing herb. It is often referred to as “nature’s Valium” for its sedative qualities. Another alternative insomnia medicine is melatonin. Melatonin also helps to induce sleep.
Homeopathic Remedies for Insomnia
The world of homeopathic treatment offers many alternative solutions for a full gamut of diseases, ailments, and sicknesses, including insomnia. Aconitum apellus is a remedy specified for someone who has panic attacks associated with insomnia. This homeopathic remedy for insomnia helps to calm and soothe the fears that occur shortly before falling asleep. Ignatia is another homeopathic remedy which is supposed to help a person struggling with insomnia because of an emotional struggle such as grieving the loss of a loved one. Calcarea Phosphorica lessens the joint pains in adults and growing pains in children. Various supplements of calcium and magnesium also help to calm the nervous system and are recommended to take at bedtime to help sleep to come.
Herbal Treatment for Insomnia – It Can Be Treated Naturally
There are plenty of the over-the-counter medicines that can successfully treat this disease. Nonetheless, a good majority of people still prefer to go for the herbal treatment for insomnia because they feel it has fewer side effects. Some of the common (read traditional) herbal treatments for insomnia will include remedies with plants such as passion flower, valerian root, Californian poppy seeds, dog wood, and so on.
Home Remedies for Insomnia
Self help is the best help. You could be your own doctor whereby you may get relief much faster.
Home Insomnia Cure No. 1 – When you find that you cannot sleep, the first step should be to try and relax. You will never be able to do this on the bed, because your inability to fall asleep will irritate you further and aggravate your condition. Hence, if you stayed more than 30 minutes in bed and you find that sleep evades you, get up from the bed and do something that relaxes you. Have a hot cup of chamomile tea, read a favorite bestseller, have a hot mug of milk and generally try to relax. You will find that in no time, you will feel sleepy.
Home Insomnia Cures No. 2 – Reading has always been a great relaxing technique. However, not all type of reading will be helpful to you. Avoid any such topics that would excite you further, such as ghost stories, sexual fantasy stories, or puzzles. The best would be to read something that is pleasant yet simple – such as a magazine, newspaper, comic books, or a favorite bestseller.
Home Insomnia Cures No 3 – immerse yourself in hot water and a long drawn bath. You could use aromatic oils before or after the bath, and or aromatic candles to create a relaxing and pleasing atmosphere all around you.
Home insomnia cures No 4 – listening to music might help as well. This could work best while or after taking the hot water bath, though it is okay when used singly also. As is the case of the books, you should choose music that is soothing and soft so it can relax you and induce sleep.
Behavioral Therapy
Self-hypnosis and auto-suggestion methods work pretty well. You will need to master the art of self-hypnosis from a professional. You will also find certain specific exercises (such as yoga) that promote sleep in the long run – if you prefer to have only natural means to treat this disease. This type of treatment is also called behavioral therapy and it is normally applied singly or in combination with other types of treatments, depending on the response of the person to the medicines, sleep therapies and so on.
Often all it needs to cure insomnia is a simple change of life-style habits and a few stringent and serious measures which influence sleep:
1. Avoid any caffeine in any form at least four hours before sleep; preferably you should eliminate it totally from your diet.
2. Avoid alcohol intake of any kind.
3. Avoid having your meals too late at night (allow at least four hours between the last meal and your bed time).
Natural Sleeping Remedies
One of the most common insomnia solutions is drinking milk before you go to bed. Drinking a warm glass of milk has been proven to be effective insomnia solution throughout the years. Another very practical insomnia solution is exercise. Simple physical exercises performed a few hours before going to sleep can be a good insomnia solution. Yoga exercise is very calming that even if you had a very busy day, all your stress will be gone when you do yoga exercises. Sleeping at regular hours can cure insomnia.
With increased awareness in the media and health food circles, alternative approaches to healing are growing, which includes alternative insomnia medicine. One such therapy for insomnia is the use of valerian root. Valerian root is an herb which has been used extensively throughout the ages as a calming and relaxing herb. It is often referred to as “nature’s Valium” for its sedative qualities. Another alternative insomnia medicine is melatonin. Melatonin also helps to induce sleep.
Homeopathic Remedies for Insomnia
The world of homeopathic treatment offers many alternative solutions for a full gamut of diseases, ailments, and sicknesses, including insomnia. Aconitum apellus is a remedy specified for someone who has panic attacks associated with insomnia. This homeopathic remedy for insomnia helps to calm and soothe the fears that occur shortly before falling asleep. Ignatia is another homeopathic remedy which is supposed to help a person struggling with insomnia because of an emotional struggle such as grieving the loss of a loved one. Calcarea Phosphorica lessens the joint pains in adults and growing pains in children. Various supplements of calcium and magnesium also help to calm the nervous system and are recommended to take at bedtime to help sleep to come.
Herbal Treatment for Insomnia – It Can Be Treated Naturally
There are plenty of the over-the-counter medicines that can successfully treat this disease. Nonetheless, a good majority of people still prefer to go for the herbal treatment for insomnia because they feel it has fewer side effects. Some of the common (read traditional) herbal treatments for insomnia will include remedies with plants such as passion flower, valerian root, Californian poppy seeds, dog wood, and so on.
Home Remedies for Insomnia
Self help is the best help. You could be your own doctor whereby you may get relief much faster.
Home Insomnia Cure No. 1 – When you find that you cannot sleep, the first step should be to try and relax. You will never be able to do this on the bed, because your inability to fall asleep will irritate you further and aggravate your condition. Hence, if you stayed more than 30 minutes in bed and you find that sleep evades you, get up from the bed and do something that relaxes you. Have a hot cup of chamomile tea, read a favorite bestseller, have a hot mug of milk and generally try to relax. You will find that in no time, you will feel sleepy.
Home Insomnia Cures No. 2 – Reading has always been a great relaxing technique. However, not all type of reading will be helpful to you. Avoid any such topics that would excite you further, such as ghost stories, sexual fantasy stories, or puzzles. The best would be to read something that is pleasant yet simple – such as a magazine, newspaper, comic books, or a favorite bestseller.
Home Insomnia Cures No 3 – immerse yourself in hot water and a long drawn bath. You could use aromatic oils before or after the bath, and or aromatic candles to create a relaxing and pleasing atmosphere all around you.
Home insomnia cures No 4 – listening to music might help as well. This could work best while or after taking the hot water bath, though it is okay when used singly also. As is the case of the books, you should choose music that is soothing and soft so it can relax you and induce sleep.
Behavioral Therapy
Self-hypnosis and auto-suggestion methods work pretty well. You will need to master the art of self-hypnosis from a professional. You will also find certain specific exercises (such as yoga) that promote sleep in the long run – if you prefer to have only natural means to treat this disease. This type of treatment is also called behavioral therapy and it is normally applied singly or in combination with other types of treatments, depending on the response of the person to the medicines, sleep therapies and so on.
Often all it needs to cure insomnia is a simple change of life-style habits and a few stringent and serious measures which influence sleep:
1. Avoid any caffeine in any form at least four hours before sleep; preferably you should eliminate it totally from your diet.
2. Avoid alcohol intake of any kind.
3. Avoid having your meals too late at night (allow at least four hours between the last meal and your bed time).
Natural Sleeping Remedies
One of the most common insomnia solutions is drinking milk before you go to bed. Drinking a warm glass of milk has been proven to be effective insomnia solution throughout the years. Another very practical insomnia solution is exercise. Simple physical exercises performed a few hours before going to sleep can be a good insomnia solution. Yoga exercise is very calming that even if you had a very busy day, all your stress will be gone when you do yoga exercises. Sleeping at regular hours can cure insomnia.
Insomnia – Tips To Manage This Tiresome Disorder
May 10, 2011 by admin
Filed under Depression Drug
Abhishek Agarwal asked:
People suffering from insomnia are unable to sleep. Many of them complain of being unable to rest even for a few minutes. Curing insomnia becomes easier if you first find out the factors that cause it.
According to U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 60 million people in the U. S. suffer from insomnia. Studies show that the tendency to suffer from insomnia increases with age.
About 30 percent men and 40 percent women suffer from this sleeping disorder. Women suffer more from insomnia because more and more of them are now single-handedly managing a home, children, and career without the support of any partner or spouse.
Causes of Insomnia
Insomnia has several causes including bipolar disorder or anxiety. Sometimes, insomnia has absolutely no physical causes. Usually, people who lead active, exciting lives or those who suffer from intense physical pain suffer from insomnia.
Studies have revealed that unhealthy food habits could also cause insomnia. Magnesium deficiency can lead to insomnia. The sleeping patterns of people suffering from insomnia have been found to regularize when they corrected their intake of magnesium.
Stress can disrupt sleeping patterns, which is why those suffering from insomnia are advised to lead more relaxed lives.
Types of Insomnia
Insomnia is categorised into three: transient, acute, and chronic. Transient insomnia is short-term, lasing from one day to a few weeks. Acute insomnia lasts longer, and the patient is not able to sleep for three to six weeks. Chronic insomnia is the most serious of the three conditions, and it lasts for months.
Cures for Insomnia
You can choose among three treatment plans to cure insomnia.
Usually, this sleep disorder is treated by taking prescription drugs such as Ambien Controlled Release (CR), Ambien, Lunesta, or Rozerem, to mention a few. People tend to become excessively dependant on Ambien and Lunesta unlike the older brand of sleeping medication.
Sleeping disorders are characteristic of the modern times. The shelves of medical stores contain newer sleeping pills indicating the sharp rise in the occurrence of sleeping disorders. Some of these prescription drugs have been proved to be effective. However, not much study has been done on many of these sleeping pills.
Recently, cognitive behavior therapy has gained importance in the treatment of insomnia. Therapy reduces the chances of getting addicted to the sleeping pill and is highly recommended for people with a tendency to overuse or misuse their medication.
Many people suffering from insomnia have used herbs such as chamomile, which can be brewed like a tea. People have also taken refuge in aromatherapy and found that lavendar is great for inducing relaxation.
Pomegranates have been known to cure anything from immunity disorders to cardiovascular problems, and they are great in improving sleep patterns too. Chinese medicine is also effective in the treatment of sleeping disorders.
People suffering from insomnia are unable to sleep. Many of them complain of being unable to rest even for a few minutes. Curing insomnia becomes easier if you first find out the factors that cause it.
According to U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 60 million people in the U. S. suffer from insomnia. Studies show that the tendency to suffer from insomnia increases with age.
About 30 percent men and 40 percent women suffer from this sleeping disorder. Women suffer more from insomnia because more and more of them are now single-handedly managing a home, children, and career without the support of any partner or spouse.
Causes of Insomnia
Insomnia has several causes including bipolar disorder or anxiety. Sometimes, insomnia has absolutely no physical causes. Usually, people who lead active, exciting lives or those who suffer from intense physical pain suffer from insomnia.
Studies have revealed that unhealthy food habits could also cause insomnia. Magnesium deficiency can lead to insomnia. The sleeping patterns of people suffering from insomnia have been found to regularize when they corrected their intake of magnesium.
Stress can disrupt sleeping patterns, which is why those suffering from insomnia are advised to lead more relaxed lives.
Types of Insomnia
Insomnia is categorised into three: transient, acute, and chronic. Transient insomnia is short-term, lasing from one day to a few weeks. Acute insomnia lasts longer, and the patient is not able to sleep for three to six weeks. Chronic insomnia is the most serious of the three conditions, and it lasts for months.
Cures for Insomnia
You can choose among three treatment plans to cure insomnia.
Usually, this sleep disorder is treated by taking prescription drugs such as Ambien Controlled Release (CR), Ambien, Lunesta, or Rozerem, to mention a few. People tend to become excessively dependant on Ambien and Lunesta unlike the older brand of sleeping medication.
Sleeping disorders are characteristic of the modern times. The shelves of medical stores contain newer sleeping pills indicating the sharp rise in the occurrence of sleeping disorders. Some of these prescription drugs have been proved to be effective. However, not much study has been done on many of these sleeping pills.
Recently, cognitive behavior therapy has gained importance in the treatment of insomnia. Therapy reduces the chances of getting addicted to the sleeping pill and is highly recommended for people with a tendency to overuse or misuse their medication.
Many people suffering from insomnia have used herbs such as chamomile, which can be brewed like a tea. People have also taken refuge in aromatherapy and found that lavendar is great for inducing relaxation.
Pomegranates have been known to cure anything from immunity disorders to cardiovascular problems, and they are great in improving sleep patterns too. Chinese medicine is also effective in the treatment of sleeping disorders.
Insomnia Overview
May 10, 2011 by admin
Filed under Diseases And Conditions
james sameul asked:
Introduction
Nearly everyone has occasional sleepless nights, perhaps due to stress, heartburn, or drinking too much caffeine or alcohol. Chronic insomnia is defined when you have problems falling asleep, maintaining sleep, or experience nonrestorative sleep that occurs on a regular or frequent basis, often for no apparent reason.
Insomnia Overview
Most adults have experienced insomnia or sleeplessness at one time or another in their lives. An estimated 30-50% of the general population are affected by insomnia, and 10% have chronic insomnia.
Insomnia is a symptom, not a stand-alone diagnosis. By definition, insomnia is “difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or both.” Although most of us know what insomnia is and how we feel and perform after one or more sleepless nights, few seek medical advice. Many people remain unaware of the behavioral and medical options available to treat insomnia.
Insomnia techniques you’ve probably already tried but are still worth trying again.
· See a Doctor
Insomnia can be a symptom of physical disorders, although for most of us it’s the result of tension, stress and anxiety—and of course the more anxious we get about our insomnia, the worse it gets. If your doctor pronounces you a “healthy” insomniac, he might suggest some of the techniques provided here. Or she might prescribe drugs to help you get to sleep.
We suggest you try all these methods first, and use drugs only as a last resort. The decision, of course, is yours.
· Take a Warm Bath
It’s a great way to relax your body. Don’t overdo it, however. You merely want to relax your body, not exhaust it. Too long in hot water and your body is drained of vitality.
What causes insomnia?
Insomnia is the body’s way of saying that something isn’t right. Things that may cause insomnia include stress, too much caffeine, depression, changes in work shifts, and pain from medical problems, such as arthritis.
There are different kinds of insomnia:
· Sleep Onset Insomnia (Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome): A disorder in which the major sleep episode is delayed in relation to the desired clock time that results in symptoms of sleep onset insomnia or difficulty in awakening at the desired time.
· Idiopathic Insomnia: A lifelong inability to obtain adequate sleep that is presumably due to an abnormality of the neurological control of the sleep-wake system. The insomnia is long-standing, commonly beginning in early childhood, sometimes since birth.
· Psychophysiological Insomnia: A disorder of somatized tension (conversion of anxiety into physical symptoms) and learned sleep-preventing association that results in a complaint of insomnia and associated decreased functioning during wakefulness.
Symptoms
Symptoms of insomnia can be different for each individual, and people with insomnia might experience a variety of symptoms, such as:
· Difficulty falling asleep, which can mean lying in bed for up to an hour or more, perhaps tossing and turning, wishing for sleep to begin.
· Awakening during sleep and having trouble getting back to sleep.
· Awakening too early in the morning.
· Feeling unrefreshed upon awakening.
· Daytime irritability, drowsiness, anxiety, and/or nonproductiveness.
