Insomnia – Tips To Manage This Tiresome Disorder

August 2, 2009 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.



Cures for Insomnia

July 11, 2009 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.