Natural Treatments for Insomnia are Better?
Natural treatments for insomnia are slowly receiving acceptance from insomnia patients as a preferred choice of treatment for insomnia. Our generation has always been a generation that seeks for instant gratification and answers to our problems and needs. This has influenced our philosophy towards illnesses and diseases. We want quick fixes to our sicknesses. Unfortunately, a lot of these quick fixes such as over-the-counter and prescribed medicines and drugs for insomnia can only take care of our problems for a moment. Perhaps the answer we are seeking for our insomnia problems lie in natural treatments for insomnia.
Sleep is needed in order for our bodies to recover and rejuvenate. A recent studies conducted showed that as much as 20 percent of our adult population suffer from insomnia at different stages of their lives. Another staggering finding reveals that more than half of our elderly folks are experiencing difficulties in sleeping. Surely this makes the understanding of insomnia and its proper treatment important.
It is easy to obtain over-the-counter (OTC) and prescribed medicines and drugs for insomnia. We may pop a sleeping pill or two on the days we find hard to fall asleep. But pill popping seems to have taken center stage in many homes as the number one method of treating insomnia. There are health risks and drawbacks in doing so. Antihistamines or benzodiazepines are often prescribed to treat insomnia. These drugs may be able to put you to sleep almost instantly but taking them regularly for a prolonged period of time could result in harmful side effects like drug addiction, withdrawal symptoms, disruption of natural sleep patterns and drug tolerance. People using OTC and prescribed medicines may suffer from side effects like blurring of vision, urinary problems, giddiness and abdominal problems.
Natural treatments for insomnia on the other hand tend to emphasize on curing the root causes of insomnia. Most of the time, they do not interfere with the natural sleep cycle but aids the body to respond and readjust to its natural sleeping patterns. Some foods, herbs and supplements have been used quite widely to improve sleep.
Changing your diet is a good step towards treating insomnia. An anti-insomnia diet is one of the best natural treatments for insomnia. Eating foods which are rich in tryptophan would help to improve sleep. Tyrotophan, an essential amino acid promotes production of melatonin a sleep-inducing hormone. Dairy products such as cheese and milk, poultry, whole grains, soy products such as tofu, soy bean milk, nuts such as peanuts and hazelnuts and eggs are all rich in tryptophan.
Foods high in carbohydrates are great sleepers. They prepare your body to enter into sleep faster. Honey, jam, spaghetti, pasta, chocolate, cakes, cereals and milk are all great sources of carbohydrates. But do remember to eat in moderation. For those who are more health conscious, peas and beans, vegetables and fruits are also good substitutes.
Herbs such as chamomile, mugwort, passion flower, valerian root, lemon balm, Siberian ginseng, spearmint, thyme and linden have been used as natural treatments for insomnia.
Cure your insomnia using effective natural treatments for insomnia revealed in my blog. This article may be freely reprinted or distributed in its entirety in any ezine, newsletter, blog or website. The author’s name, bio and website links must remain intact and be included with every reproduction.
Identifying The Cause And Choosing The Right Treatment For Insomnia
With all of the medical advances that have been made over the past hundred years insomnia is still an issue with 10 to 15 percent of all adults and closer to 25 percent of adults who are 65 and older. Other known facts about insomnia include: there are more instances of insomnia in women than men, many people with insomnia also have depression, and insomnia often is worse during the holiday season.
Nobody likes to have to deal with sleep difficulties. They wear you down to the point that everything else becomes a fuzzy blur. The purpose of this article is to familiarize you with insomnia causes and introduce an approach to insomnia treatment that may assist you with your insomnia.
The causes of insomnia vary from person to person but all of the reasons have a main theme behind them, stress levels. As we age, our health often turns for the worst, this can cause stress and worry. During the holidays, we often think of family or friends we miss, our schedules become hectic and we run into deadlines at work as well as with our personal shopping. All of these things increase our stress levels. College students complain of insomnia around semester finals. As women age, their hormone levels change and they experience insomnia. All of these can be caused by stress.
Stress is not the only cause of insomnia. Other causes include; new surroundings, schedule disruptions, noises, dietary changes, low iron levels, disease, and even extreme temperatures. When you start to see a pattern of insomnia take notes of what you have been doing and you will probably be able to identify a pattern change that is causing your insomnia.
After you have discovered your cause, you still need to treat insomnia. Treatment can be as simple as opening a window, turning on a fan, adding or taking away a pillow or even sticking to a schedule. Whatever treatment you choose, for it to be effective, it must address the underlying cause of insomnia. This is why you should keep a sleep journal. A sleep journal will help you to track changes in patterns that you may not have noticed on your own.
Once you have identified the cause and chosen a treatment it may take a couple weeks for your sleep pattern to get back to normal. If you have had a long term problem with insomnia it may take you longer to get a routine set. Use your journal to keep track of changes that you have made and how they effected your sleep patterns. Stick with a schedule for at least a week, and preferably two weeks, before you decide it isn’t working and move on to another change.
Your doctor can help you to find any medical reasons that may contribute to sleepless nights. If you have had insomnia for longer than two weeks, you should discuss any changes in your medical health with a medical professional. Insomnia affects all your health, please take care of this problem.
Root Causes of Insomnia
(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.
Insomnia – Tips To Manage This Tiresome Disorder
May 10, 2011 by admin
Filed under Depression Drug
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 Treatment and Causes: to Sleep or not to Sleep
May 10, 2011 by admin
Filed under Mental Health
Are you having difficulty getting your sleep during the night? Are you feeling tired but just can not go to sleep? Do you feel like you are already transforming into an own that is very nocturnal? You may be suffering from insomnia.
What Is Insomnia?
Insomnia is a sleeping disorder. Insomniacs are not able to fall sleep or not able to remain asleep for a reasonable amount of time. There are three types of insomnia, transient, acute and chronic. Transient insomnia could be caused by jet lag, short term anxiety or weariness during the day. This kind lasts from a night to a few days or weeks. Acute insomnia, on the other hand, is measured when the inability to sleep is already lasting for three to six weeks. Lastly, chronic insomnia, the most serious among the three, last for at least a month and become recurrent.
What Causes Insomnia?
As people grow older, the amount of required sleep could become lesser but this should not be mistaken as insomnia. Insomnia can be caused by one or more of the following. More women suffer insomnia than men because they are more susceptible to hormonal imbalances especially before menstruation or menopause. However, the most common cause of insomnia is psychological. Problems like fear, stress and anxiety, emotional and mental tension, work-related problems, financial stress and unsatisfactory *** life can cause insomnia.
Other causes of insomnia include addiction to psychoactive drugs or stimulants, caffeine, cocaine, ephedrine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, methamphetamine and modafinil; disturbances in sleeping cycle or body clock like change of working shift or jetlag; excessive sleep at other times of the day.
Jet lag usually occurs in people who travels on multiple time zones because the internal concept of the body of time is being disturb. As such, it can cause insomnia as the body tries to adjust to another time zone.
History of traumatic brain injury and neurological disorders can also affect the sleeping patterns. Sleeping peels while it could take a person to deep sleep it could also cause rebound insomnia when excessively used. There is also a condition called parasomnia, which is also destructive to sleep. This condition is characterized by moving in response to nightmares, sleepwalking and violent reaction to dreams while sleeping.
Treatments for Insomnia
Though there are a lot of medications that are prescribed to treat insomnia, natural methods of overcoming the disorder is still most effective and could have no trace of side effects caused by drug use.
One effective treatment is organizing sleeping time or patterns. A person could set a definite time to sleep and practice sleeping or at least going to bed when the clock strikes at that time. Relaxation techniques like meditation and aroma therapy can also contribute in overcoming insomnia. Moreover, avoid sleeping during the day and sleep only at the time set.
In terms of using sleeping tablets and other sedatives, it is safer if it is taken with the advice of a physician. These kinds of drugs can also have psychological effects to patients and physical dependence. When taken for a long time, the patient may not be able to accept that he or she can sleep even without the help of drugs.
Antidepressants are also prescribed treatment for insomnia. They have sedative effects. Antihistamines, more than they can treat allergies, they are also good treatment for insomnia.
So do not let your sleeping patterns be a treat to your health. Sleep.
Cure Insomnia With Hypnosis
May 10, 2011 by admin
Filed under Abstinence
Insomnia
Individuals will normally vary in their need for and the satisfaction they derive from sleep. Insomnia may cause problems during the day, such as tiredness, a lack of energy, difficulty in concentration and irritability.
Insomnia can be classified as transient (short term), where a person has not been able to get any sleep from the last few days or weeks, intermittent (on and off) or acute.
Transient insomnia lasts anywhere from a single night to a few weeks. If episodes of transient insomnia occur from time to time, insomnia is said to be intermittent.
A person with acute insomnia will either not be able to sleep properly, or will have difficulty sleeping for about 3 weeks to six months. Insomnia is considered to be chronic if it occurs on most nights and lasts for a month or more.
The Causes of Insomnia
Individuals with certain physiological and psychological conditions are more likely to be affected by insomnia. The following are some examples:
Advanced age (insomnia occurs more frequently in those age 60) Female gender A history of depression or having a negative mindset Other conditions (such as stress, anxiety, a medical problem, or the use of certain medications) including the above conditions, insomnia is likely to happen on the individual.
There are many causes of insomnia. Transient and acute/intermittent insomnia usually occur in people who are temporarily experiencing one or more of the following:
Reaction to Stress Environmental noise Extreme temperatures, too old or too warm Change in the surrounding environment i.e bedrooms Sleep/wake schedule problems such as those due to jet lag The side effects of medication Treating Insomnia
Many people with insomnia believe that they need medication to treat it. However, there is no guarantee that these will have long-lasting effects, and even then medication may have undesirable side-effects such as addiction to sleeping pills. There are alternative treatments to medication.
In general, the available treatments for chronic or acute insomnia may consist of:
First, diagnosing and treating the underlying medical or psychological problems Identifying behaviors that may worsen insomnia and stopping (or reducing) them Possibly using sleeping pills, although the long-term use of sleeping pills for chronic insomnia does not solve the problem and there may be health-damaging side effects, such as addiction Trying behavioral techniques to improve sleep, such as relaxation therapy, sleep restriction therapy, reconditioning or hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is by far the most effective tool as it targets the hidden roots of the problems that cause insomnia, especially acute and chronic insomnia.
Relaxation Therapy
There are specific and effective techniques that can reduce or eliminate anxiety and body tension. As a result, the person’s mind is able to stop “racing,” the muscles can relax, and restful sleep can occur. It usually takes much practice to learn these techniques and to achieve effective relaxation.
Sleep Restriction
Some people suffering from insomnia spend too much time in bed unsuccessfully trying to sleep. They may benefit from a sleep restriction program that at first allows only a few hours of sleep during the night. Gradually the time is increased until a more normal night’s sleep is achieved.
Reconditioning
Another treatment that may help some people with insomnia is to recondition them to associate the bed and bedtime with sleep. For most people, this means not using their beds for any activities other than sleep and ***.
As part of the reconditioning process, the person is usually advised to go to bed only when sleepy. If unable to fall asleep, the person is told to get up, stay up until sleepy, and then return to bed.
Throughout this process, the person should avoid naps and wake up and go to bed at the same time each day. Eventually the person’s body will be conditioned to associate the bed and bedtime with sleep.
Hypnotherapy as a treatment for Insomnia
Hypnotherapy can be a rapid technique to break the debilitating habit of sleep deprivation. Using hypnotherapy (usually in two or three sessions) can make getting to sleep easier, getting back to sleep after waking up easy, giving a better quality of life.
In the hypnosis session, we use several techniques, besides relaxing you deeply, which is exactly what you need for your body and mind to ‘tip over’ into sleep. We are also able to reprogram the mind to get normal natural sleep. In some of the chronic cases, we will get to the source of the insomnia and thus freeing you from sleeplessness.
Additionally, hypnosis is excellent for stopping the ‘chattering mind’ that plagues so many insomniacs.
We also teach our clients to use Self-Hypnosis. The following is a quick review of what we do:
How to use Self-Hypnosis to get to sleep Hypnotizing yourself Guided Self-Hypnosis for Insomnia
Here’s a short script for a guided self-hypnosis. Find yourself a quiet and comfortable place where you won’t be disturbed. Make sure that you take of all your accessories, switch off your handphone before you begin so that you won’t be disturbed.
Firstly make sure that your body is relaxed. Relaxation occurs when your body is free from tension in the muscles. A good technique to accomplish this is to want to relax all the muscles in the different areas of your body.
Starting with the area of the feet up through the knees, next relax your thighs then abdomen, back, shoulders arms and hands, all the way to your fingertips, move to your chest, throat, ****** muscle, mouth and jaw areas. All this time feel a wave of calm relaxation flowing through those body parts.
Continue by taking gradual deep breaths through your nose, and then slowly exhale out through your mouth (The brain and body require more oxygen to enter hypnosis). Next, roll your eyes up (eyelids closed, looking up into the forehead). This causes the eyelids to “flutter”, replicating the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) of sleep.
Now concentrate on your breathing and, only on the exhale, mentally repeat “Relax, calm, peaceful, restful, sleep” or “Beautiful, deep, restful, sleep”. You will find yourself drifting off to sleep.
By now, indeed, you have hypnotized yourself, and that state of mind will draw you into unconscious sleep. During a one-on-one session with a Hypnotherapist you will be coached how to correctly do all this, and the success rate is 95%. For more information: http://hypnosisoneonone.com/oneonone/category/insomnia/
How Too Tell If Your Sleep Problem Is Insomnia
May 10, 2011 by admin
Filed under Non Fiction
About 35% of adults claim that they have some form of insomnia occasionally and about 12% of these people claim to have severe insomnia. Insomnia complaints often increase with age and are more common in women.
Insomnia is not considered a disease but it is a condition of lack of correct, satisfying sleep. Someone with insomnia will generally have the sensation of daytime fatigue and impaired potential performance. Insomnia relates to the inability to sleep even though one is tired and can include waking up too early and having too fitful of a sleep leaving one tired upon waking. Insomnia can result in irritability, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating and tiredness.
There are two generally recognized types of insomnia, acute and chronic. Both acute and chronic insomnia have many shared characteristics and a combination of symptoms may blur the actual lines.
Acute insomnia is often caused by physical or emotional discomforts that can usually be corrected fairly easily. Acute insomnia may be caused by stress, illness or disturbing loud noise, temperatures too high or low, or unacceptable light levels. Additionally, acute insomnia may be caused by jet lag or disturbances of the daily biological rhythm, such as the night shift.
Chronic insomnia is the more difficult insomnia to deal with and often is associated with many different factors either acting alone or in combination and often includes medical problems.
Chronic insomnia is often associated with medical, neurological and or psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric disorders accounts for about 45% of the cases. Chronic insomnia can be associated with a variety of nonprescription drugs, prescription drugs and drugs of abuse.
There are many causes of insomnia and often an insomniac has more then one cause to blame for this condition. One of the main causes of insomnia are drugs. Some of the drugs associated with insomnia include stimulating antidepressants, steroids, decongestants, beta blockers, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and recreational drugs.
Anxiety and mood disorders can be the cause of insomnia, as well as medical problems such as pain, immobility, menopause, hormonal changes, and difficulty breathing.
Insomnia can be associated with specific sleep disorders such as restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, sleep apnea and circadian rhythm sleep problems. Additional causes of insomnia include poor sleep hygiene, poor sleep surfaces such as bad mattresses, hyper arousal, and behavioral conditioning.
Restless Leg Syndrome or RLS is a condition where the sufferer feels unpleasant sensations in the legs which are temporarily alleviated by moving around. Symptoms are increased during relaxed times and sleeping times. This makes it difficult to fall asleep.
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder describes jerking, rhythmic, repeated movements in the legs and lower extremities every 15 to 90 seconds. Sufferers who have this problem report having less refreshing sleep.
Sleep Apnea which is associated with snoring can cause sleeplessness and insomnia.
Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders refer to a mis- match between when a person can sleep and when his body needs and wants to sleep.
Other causes of insomnia include poor sleep hygiene, stress, hyper arousal and negative behavioral conditioning.
Often acute insomnia (insomnia that lasts less than several weeks) may warrant some kind of medical intervention if you can not correct the problem yourself. This is important because good sleepers that suffer just a few hours of sleeplessness may become significantly sleepy during the day and be a danger to him self and others, especially during driving or operating equipment. There is also the danger that acute insomnia may develop into a learned chronic insomnia.
There are two basic approaches to the treatment of insomnia. Basically one approach is to use drugs and the other approach is behavioral.
Behavioral treatment includes correcting poor sleep habits and changing sleep beliefs and attitudes. Several of the therapies include relaxation therapy, sleep restriction therapy, stimulus control therapy, and cognitive therapy.
Pharmacological therapy includes hypnotic medications, antidepressants, antihistamines, melatonin, and other drugs like barbiturates.
In conclusion, there are effective solutions to insomnia and sleep deprivation. The patient can do much to help themselves in this matter and the physician has many tools to aid in this. Improved sleep will help in your quality of life, and health both mental and physical.
Health News Alert: Discover the Startling Facts about Insomnia!
Insomnia or the inability to sleep is a common disorder that is suffered by millions of people worldwide. It may be comforting for insomniacs to learn that this is not considered a disease but a condition that can easily be overcome through systematic and effective ways designed to combat this disorder. There are many facts about insomnia that has been published on various publications, whether online or in the physical world.
Facts about Insomnia Established
Insomnia is a condition where the sufferers find it difficult to doze off into dreamland. When insomnia is caused by certain short term event, the effects might likely go away after the emotional trauma which causes it has dissipated away. However when the condition of insomnia occurs over a prolonged period of time, you need to get moving and get your facts about insomnia straight so that you will know what you are up against!
Causes of Insomnia
It is perhaps an established fact about insomnia that prolonged periods of exposure to lack of sleep can cause major depression, impairment in the ability to perform daily tasks and changes in eating patterns as well.
In order to begin the search for the right treatment, you need to understand some basic facts about insomnia. Insomnia can be defined as the inability to fall asleep, and the difficulty of remaining asleep once you really do manage to fall asleep. This is an annoying and disturbing situation to be in because when sleep patterns are disrupted, a tremendous sense of fatigue follows the day after.
Studies conducted revealed some startling facts about insomnia that you need to know about. Insomnia can be a form of disorder in itself without any causal factors or it can be the direct consequence of another traumatic event. The former is known as primary insomnia and the second condition is referred to as secondary insomnia.
Facts about Insomnia: A Brief Summary
To effectively win the battle against insomnia, you need to get the facts about insomnia right, and then move on to determine the cause if insomnia itself. If you are suffering from secondary insomnia, the best way to fix this issue is by taking the necessary steps to remove the causal factors that are creating those problems or you, or aggravating it. If the insomnia is a primary form, then the issue could be a serious illness or a serious emotional problem that needs attention from a medical professional.
A Sign Of Distress-Determining The Causes Of Insomnia
Insomnia is a fairly common medical condition, and doctors are just beginning to get the hang of treating it. The key to treating insomnia in most cases is to determine the cause of the insomnia. Oftentimes, this is more difficult than it sounds. Yet, being aware of the risk factors and potential causes of insomnia could help you to treat your own case of the disorder.
Risk Factors Add to the Causes of Insomnia
There are certain characteristics that make a person more likely to experience insomnia. For example, females, the elderly, and people who suffer from depression are all much more likely to get insomnia than other groups. When conditions such as anxiety, stress, use of medications, or a medical problem occur, then these might cause someone to become more susceptible to the disorder as well.
Different Causes of Insomnia – Different Lengths of Time
One of the ways to classify insomnia is by how long it lasts. Transient insomnia is short term, intermittent insomnia occurs on and off, and chronic insomnia is long term. Each of these variations is caused by different factors. Transient and intermittent insomnia are frequently caused by one or more of the following factors: extreme temperatures, stress, change in surrounding environment, noise, jet lag or other schedule disruptions, and medication side effects.
Causes of chronic insomnia are different and are usually more difficult to pinpoint. Typically, chronic insomnia is caused by an underlying mental, emotional, or physical disorder. Depression, kidney disease, arthritis, sleep apnea, heart conditions, asthma, restless leg syndrome, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson’s Disease, and narcolepsy are all potential underlying causes of chronic insomnia.
However, chronic insomnia can also be caused by behavioral factors. For example, substance abuse, such as the misuse of caffeine or alcohol, can lead to chronic insomnia. Other behavioral factors include: excessive napping, smoking cigarettes, disrupted sleeping habits, and prolonged anxiety over lack of sleep.
Going to the Source
Looking at the causes of insomnia can help to determine what the best method of treatment might be. Frequently, you can solve your insomnia problems simply by removing the cause. This typically means ending a behavior that might be causing the condition.
Getting Help
Nobody expects you to determine the cause of your insomnia on your own. Your doctor can be a major help in finding out what causes your insomnia; so make sure to consult him or her before you give up hope. http://www.about-sleep-disorder.com/
Want to Know About Causes Of Insomnia?
May 10, 2011 by admin
Filed under Diseases And Conditions
In broad terms, insomnia refers to difficulty experienced in falling asleep or maintaining restoring/refreshing sleep. It is a topic of great debate whether insomnia is a symptom or disorder. Whether disorder or symptom, different kinds of insomnia have been recognized and are described here.
Kinds of Insomnia
Sleep Onset Insomnia is also called Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome because the patient delays the major sleep episode and this delay causes sleeplessness and difficulty in getting up at the desired time. Psycho-Physiological Insomnia is caused due to anxiety or psychological problem which creates physical symptoms and prevents sleep. In Idiopathic type of insomnia, the nervous system becomes incapable of controlling the sleeping and waking mechanism of the body. The result is a lifelong failure to get proper sleep. It usually starts in early childhood.
Childhood insomnia in children is of two types- Limit- Setting Sleep Disorder and Sleep-Onset Association Disorder. Altitude Insomnia is an acute version of insomnia, short-lived but intense, accompanied by symptoms of headache, fatigue, and loss of appetite, all occurring when you move to high altitudes. Insomnia that results as an allergic response to certain foods is called Food Allergy Insomnia. Toxin-Induced Sleep Disorder is insomnia caused due to poisoning with toxins like heavy metals or certain organic compounds. Environmental Insomnia is sleep difficulty caused by the presence of certain environmental factors in the surrounding e.g. noise, smell, smoke etc. Stimulant-Dependent Sleep Disorder is insomnia resulting from using substances (drugs for example) that stimulate the nervous system. The person becomes addicted to their use and fails to get sleep when abstinence from the drug is practiced.
Alcohol and Insomnia
Many people believe that alcohol and insomnia are not related since alcohol actually puts a person to sleep when it is consumed in excess. Yes, it is true that initially a person who consumes large amounts of alcoholic drinks would fall asleep or pass out as it is popularly known. However, if such binges are happening often enough, the effect will be drastically reversed and the person is bound to have a very fitful sleep. People who suffer from diseases such as blood pressure, indigestion and gastric or kidney or heart problems, and the like are prone to develop insomnia if alcohol is introduced in the diet on a regular basis. It would be good to stay away from alcoholic beverages at least 3-4 hours before bedtime
Anxiety and Insomnia
Anxiety and insomnia have been found as causally related in people who remain excessively worried about some problem or coming event. While sleeplessness on account of mild anxiety for a couple of nights is normal in many cases, prolonged sleeplessness accompanied by constant worrying is clearly a case related to the causal relation between anxiety and insomnia. Anxiety is not a single disorder but a group of psychological disorders called Anxiety Disorders. These include generalized anxiety, panic and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Different approaches treat anxiety and related insomnia differently. These include psychological counseling, psychotherapy, prescribed medication, nutritional treatment, herbal formulas, and alternative treatments like acupuncture.
Stress Related Insomnia
There are so many people all over the world who are so stressed out during the day that they find it almost impossible to sleep at night. If you are one of those people who have been losing sleep because of stress, you should try to find some solutions to your stress and insomnia problems. Studies show that stress and insomnia are so closely related that when one is present, the other is more likely to follow. For instance, if you have some emotional problems that have been bugging you for sometime, you will find it difficult to take your mind off of your problem. There are many prescription drugs that can help you with your stress and insomnia problem. There are many natural cures for treating stress related insomnia. Most cases of stress related insomnia can be cured by simply taking a break from your daily routine. Taking a walk in the park and breathing some fresh air can help you relax and calm your nerves.
Depression and Insomnia
Depression and insomnia seem to feed off on one another. A person becomes depressed and cannot stop worrying, living in fear, or having anxiety attacks. This does not end when the day does, and the night only continues the barrage of voices that carry over from the day. Insomnia then sets in, and the physical strain on the body weakens the mind and body further until depression sets in again. Relief comes when one identifies the source of the insomnia, whether it is clinical depression or something altogether different. Counseling may prove to be quite helpful in dealing with cases of depression and anxiety. It is important to know that options are available in the form or medications, herbs and supplements in order to help someone suffering from depression and insomnia.
Depression Anxiety Insomnia
One of the most common causes for sleeping disorders is depression and anxiety. In most cases, depression anxiety and insomnia would go hand in hand that people often find themselves dealing with two types of disorders at the same time. According to experts, depression anxiety and insomnia usually go together because the more stressed out and disturbed the person, the more he or she will find it difficult to sleep at night. There are so many people who experience depression anxiety and insomnia for a long period of time simply because they refuse to admit the real cause of their problems. If you really want to help yourself cope with depression anxiety and insomnia, learn to be honest with yourself.












