Cures for Insomnia
May 10, 2011 by admin
Filed under Diseases And Conditions
Juliet Cohen asked:
Insomnia, defined as trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, is a common problem. Insomnia can occur in people of all ages. Most individuals just experience a night or two of poor sleep, but sometimes the sleep disturbance can last for weeks, months, or even years. Insomniacs typically complain of being unable to close their eyes or “rest their mind” for more than a few minutes at a time. Insomnia is most common among women and older adults. Transient insomnia lasts from one night to a few weeks. Most people occasionally suffer from transient insomnia due to such causes as jet lag or short-term anxiety. Acute insomnia is the inability to consistently sleep well for a period of between three weeks to six months. Chronic insomnia is regarded as the most serious; persists almost nightly for at least a month. Most adults have experienced insomnia or sleeplessness at one time or another in their lives. Insomnia is a common problem that may be temporary or chronic. An estimated 30-50% of the general population are affected by insomnia, and 10% have chronic insomnia. Stress most commonly triggers short-term or acute insomnia.
Most people over 70 need less than 6 hours sleep per night; and they tend to be light sleepers. Insomnia is a common problem that may be temporary or chronic. As many as one in 10 Americans have chronic insomnia, and at least one in four has difficulty sleeping sometimes. But that doesn’t mean you have to just put up with sleepless nights. Some simple changes in your daily routine and habits may result in better sleep. Insomnia affects all age groups. Among older adults, insomnia affects women more often than men. The incidence increases with age. Stress most commonly triggers short-term or acute insomnia. Chronic insomnia can lead to mental health problems such as depression, or misuse of alcohol or other medicines in order to gain sleep. Newborn babies can sleep for 16 hours a day, while children of school age need an average of 10 hours. Adults usually need, on average, 7 to 9 hours sleep a night. As we get older, its normal to need less sleep.
Insomnia that lasts for less time is known as short-term or acute insomnia.Insomnia affects all age groups. Among older adults, insomnia affects women more often than men. The incidence increases with age. Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep. Insomnia may cause problems during the day, such as tiredness, a lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. Insomnia can be classified as transient (short term), intermittent (on and off), and chronic (constant). Insomnia lasting from a single night to a few weeks is referred to as transient. Insomnia may be a symptom of magnesium deficiency, or lower magnesium levels. A healthy diet containing magnesium, can help to improve sleep in individuals without an adequate intake of magnesium. Short-acting benzodiazepines or the newer hypnotic ‘Z medicines’ are the current preferred medicines for insomnia and are only available on prescription. Benzodiazepines are tranquillisers and are designed to reduce anxiety and promote calmness, relaxation and sleep.
Insomnia Treatment Tips
1. Using aromatherapy, including jasmine oil, lavender oil, Mahabhringaraj and other relaxing essential oils, may also help induce a state of restfulness.
2. Relaxation techniques such as meditation have been shown to help people sleep.
3. Traditional Chinese medicine has included treatment for insomnia.
4. A healthy diet containing magnesium, can help to improve sleep in individuals without an adequate intake of magnesium.
5. Melatonin has proved effective for some insomniacs in regulating the sleep/waking cycle.
6. Avoid or limit your use of caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas, chocolate), decongestants, alcohol and tobacco.
7. Exercise more often, but don’t exercise within a few hours before going to bed.
8. Behavioral treatments teach you new sleep behaviors and ways to make your sleeping environment more conducive to sleep.
9. Antidepressant trazodone (Desyrel) also may help with insomnia.
8. Avoid or limit tea, coffee, chocolate, and cold remedies containing caffeine.
9. Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking as these are also stimulants.
Insomnia, defined as trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, is a common problem. Insomnia can occur in people of all ages. Most individuals just experience a night or two of poor sleep, but sometimes the sleep disturbance can last for weeks, months, or even years. Insomniacs typically complain of being unable to close their eyes or “rest their mind” for more than a few minutes at a time. Insomnia is most common among women and older adults. Transient insomnia lasts from one night to a few weeks. Most people occasionally suffer from transient insomnia due to such causes as jet lag or short-term anxiety. Acute insomnia is the inability to consistently sleep well for a period of between three weeks to six months. Chronic insomnia is regarded as the most serious; persists almost nightly for at least a month. Most adults have experienced insomnia or sleeplessness at one time or another in their lives. Insomnia is a common problem that may be temporary or chronic. An estimated 30-50% of the general population are affected by insomnia, and 10% have chronic insomnia. Stress most commonly triggers short-term or acute insomnia.
Most people over 70 need less than 6 hours sleep per night; and they tend to be light sleepers. Insomnia is a common problem that may be temporary or chronic. As many as one in 10 Americans have chronic insomnia, and at least one in four has difficulty sleeping sometimes. But that doesn’t mean you have to just put up with sleepless nights. Some simple changes in your daily routine and habits may result in better sleep. Insomnia affects all age groups. Among older adults, insomnia affects women more often than men. The incidence increases with age. Stress most commonly triggers short-term or acute insomnia. Chronic insomnia can lead to mental health problems such as depression, or misuse of alcohol or other medicines in order to gain sleep. Newborn babies can sleep for 16 hours a day, while children of school age need an average of 10 hours. Adults usually need, on average, 7 to 9 hours sleep a night. As we get older, its normal to need less sleep.
Insomnia that lasts for less time is known as short-term or acute insomnia.Insomnia affects all age groups. Among older adults, insomnia affects women more often than men. The incidence increases with age. Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep. Insomnia may cause problems during the day, such as tiredness, a lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. Insomnia can be classified as transient (short term), intermittent (on and off), and chronic (constant). Insomnia lasting from a single night to a few weeks is referred to as transient. Insomnia may be a symptom of magnesium deficiency, or lower magnesium levels. A healthy diet containing magnesium, can help to improve sleep in individuals without an adequate intake of magnesium. Short-acting benzodiazepines or the newer hypnotic ‘Z medicines’ are the current preferred medicines for insomnia and are only available on prescription. Benzodiazepines are tranquillisers and are designed to reduce anxiety and promote calmness, relaxation and sleep.
Insomnia Treatment Tips
1. Using aromatherapy, including jasmine oil, lavender oil, Mahabhringaraj and other relaxing essential oils, may also help induce a state of restfulness.
2. Relaxation techniques such as meditation have been shown to help people sleep.
3. Traditional Chinese medicine has included treatment for insomnia.
4. A healthy diet containing magnesium, can help to improve sleep in individuals without an adequate intake of magnesium.
5. Melatonin has proved effective for some insomniacs in regulating the sleep/waking cycle.
6. Avoid or limit your use of caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas, chocolate), decongestants, alcohol and tobacco.
7. Exercise more often, but don’t exercise within a few hours before going to bed.
8. Behavioral treatments teach you new sleep behaviors and ways to make your sleeping environment more conducive to sleep.
9. Antidepressant trazodone (Desyrel) also may help with insomnia.
8. Avoid or limit tea, coffee, chocolate, and cold remedies containing caffeine.
9. Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking as these are also stimulants.
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.
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.
