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.

Nick Mutt asked:


Insomnia or sleeplessness is the difficulty experienced in falling asleep. There are several reasons that may cause this condition. Knowing the different type of insomnia will help you to better understand the responsible factors.

Types of Insomnia

1. Sleep Onset Insomnia – It is also called delayed sleep phase syndrome. In this case, the patient feels sleeplessness because he delays the major sleep episode and this delay causes sleeplessness and difficulty in getting up at the desired time.

2. Psycho-Physiological Insomnia – It is caused due to anxiety or psychological problem which creates physical symptoms and prevents sleep.

3. Childhood Insomnia – This type of insomnia is further divided into two types – limit- setting sleep disorder and sleep-onset association disorder.

4. Altitude Insomnia – This type of 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.

5. Stimulant-Dependent Sleep Disorder – This type of insomnia is caused by using drugs that stimulate the nervous system. The person becomes addicted to their use and fails to get sleep when abstinence from the drug is practiced.

6. Food Allergy Insomnia – This type of insomnia results as an allergic response to certain foods.

7. Idiopathic Insomnia – In this 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.

8. Toxin-Induced Sleep Disorder – This type of insomnia is caused by the presence of certain environmental factors in the surrounding e.g. noise, smell, smoke etc.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Copyright © Nick Mutt, All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.

Here is an excellent Anti stress herbal supplement that will give you stress free life you were longing for. Also read Home remedies for insomnia at Natural cures website – a health guide to make you and your family fit and healthy.

Davion W asked:

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.

Juliet Cohen asked:


Insomnia is a sleep disorder. Sleep is a state of consciousnesses, which gives your body time to rest and build up your strength. It is characterized by an inability to sleep and/or inability to remain asleep for a reasonable period. Insomnia affects all age groups. Among older adults, insomnia affects women more often than men. The incidence increases with age. 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. It is often caused by fear, stress, anxiety, medications, herbs, caffeine, depression, bipolar disorder or sometimes for no apparent reason. An overactive mind or physical pain may also be causes. Insomnia may be classified by how long the symptoms are present. Transient insomnia usually is due to situational changes such as travel and stressful events. It lasts for less than a week or until the stressful event is resolved. Short-term insomnia lasts for 1-3 weeks, and long-term insomnia (chronic insomnia) continues for more than 3 weeks. Chronic insomnia often results from depression or substance abuse. It is important to know that nearly everyone has problems sleeping at some time or other and it is thought that a third of people in the UK have bouts of insomnia. 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, it’s normal to need less sleep. Most people over 70 need less than 6 hours sleep per night; and they tend to be light sleepers.

Three types of insomnia first is transient insomnia second is acute insomnia and last is chronic insomnia. It is not defined by the number of hours you sleep every night. Poor sleep quality can occur as a result of sleep apnea or major depression. 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. Chronic insomnia can lead to mental health problems such as depression, or misuse of alcohol or other medicines in order to gain sleep. Sleep apnea is a condition that occurs when a sleeping person’s breathing is interrupted, thus interrupting the normal sleep cycle. With the obstructive form of the condition, some part of the sleeper’s respiratory tract loses muscle tone and partially collapses. People with obstructive sleep apnea often do not remember any of this, but they complain of excessive sleepiness during the day. Central sleep apnea interrupts the normal breathing stimulus of the central nervous system, and the individual must actually wake up to resume breathing. Sometimes perimenopausal (the time leading up to menopause) women have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep; hot flashes and night sweats often can disturb sleep. Pregnancy also can affect how well a woman sleeps.

Treatment of insomnia should be individualized based on the nature and severity of symptoms. Most cases of insomnia inability to sleep or inability to sleep well at night. Lormetazepam, a short-acting benzodiazepine widely used for the treatment of insomnia. Rozerem is the very first insomnia treatment medication on the market that acts as a melatonin receptor agonist. Rozerem is just one of the many insomnia medications available on the market today. It is important that you discuss with your health care provider if prescription medications are right to treat your insomnia. Benzodiazepines drugs are relatives of diazepam (Valium) marketed as sleeping aids. Other drugs such as ethchlorvynol (Placidyl) are likely to produce neurologic side effects when taken. Barbiturates were formerly the standard sleeping pills, sold under such names as Seconal and Nembutal. Nonpharmacologic treatments for insomnia are considered effective if they decrease sleep onset latency or increase total sleep time by 30 minutes. Most treatment studies use patient-reported sleep diaries to measure outcome. Criteria used include total sleep time, sleep-onset latency, and number of nocturnal awakenings. A meta-analysis of 48 individual studies of behavioral therapy found stimulus control therapy to be effective and to be superior to progressive relaxation, imagery training, and paradoxical intention. Develop a regular sleeping schedule. Avoid daytime naps and stimulating activities just before bedtime. Avoid alcohol- it is a leading cause of poor sleep. Drink a cup of warm milk.

Michael Lee asked:


Do you want to stop suffering from the torturous effects of insomnia? Do you want to sleep soundly like a baby and wake up feeling refreshed? These facts about insomnia can give you a better understanding of your sleep condition and help you find the appropriate insomnia cure for you. Should you already know some facts about insomnia, this insomnia article can teach you more than just the basics.

Basic Facts About Insomnia

Simply put, insomnia is the inability to fall asleep when you want to. It is characterized by little or poor-quality sleep.

There are three types of insomnia depending on the duration of the condition: 1) Transient or short-term insomnia, as the term implies, lasts only for one night to a few weeks; 2) Intermittent insomnia is short-term but recurring; 3) Chronic insomnia is the most serious as it happens at least three times a week for a month, year, or even a lifetime.

A main effect of insomnia is excessive sleepiness, which can be accompanied with restlessness, fatigue, lethargy, and irritability, among others. It can also cause problems in concentrating and focusing. The insomniac is there but not quite there. This is most common among chronic insomnia sufferers, who may find themselves in a constant state of limbo.

Insomniacs can be also more accident-prone. The cause of one out of every five highway accidents is the driver falling asleep momentarily.

In the long term, insomnia can affect relationships at home and work, hobbies, recreational activities, and general state of mind. More than just a sleep disorder, it can greatly affect quality of life; that’s why it is vital to know the facts about insomnia.

Insomnia Causes

Sleeplessness may be caused by any or a combination of the following:

7) Diet high in stimulants. Caffeine is the main culprit. Drinking too much coffee, tea, colas and eating too much chocolate, especially in the evening, can cause problems sleeping. Alcohol is also not recommended – a nightcap may induce sleepiness at first, but prevents you from going into deep sleep, or the REM state, and thus, lets you sleep less soundly.

Environmental factors. Noise, light, sudden weather changes, a room that is too hot or too cold, can disturb sleep, if not delay it.

9) Change in routine. Traveling often, sleeping in an unfamiliar bed, and a job with variable schedules are examples of routine interruptions that can cause insomnia, though short-term.

10) Stress or stressful life events. Work-related problems, relationship problems, anticipation of an upcoming event like a presentation or medical exam, and sudden life events like divorce and death of a loved one are only some examples. Anxiety related to stress may very well be the number one reason why you can’t catch a wink.

11) Medical conditions. Asthma, eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, peptic ulcer, anxiety disorders, can prevent you from falling into restful slumber.

12) Hormones. A woman suffering from menopausal symptoms like hot flushes and night sweating may have trouble sleeping. Insomnia in teenagers, meanwhile, occur mostly because of the onset of puberty, where sleeping needs and sleeping patterns usually change.

Insomnia Treatment the Natural Way

There are different insomnia treatment options, ranging from the natural insomnia herbs to the medical. Medical treatment, usually through sleeping pills, have unpleasant side effects and can ironically cause further insomnia in the long run, so therapy and natural methods are safer and more effective. Below are some examples.

6) Aromatherapy. For bouts of sleeplessness from time to time, taking a bath before going to bed using a few drops of essential oils like lavender, marjoram, or ylang-ylang can help. Or you can drop these oils directly on your pillow.

7) Flower essence therapy. White chestnut particularly helps cure insomnia gradually, usually in just a few weeks. Flower remedies can be bought in some health food stores or via mail in some websites.

Herbal therapy. Valerian is known as the best herbal treatment for insomnia, as it decreases nervous system activity. Use as per dosage instructions in the pack.

9) Relaxation therapy. This involves progressive muscle relaxation training, imagery training, hypnosis among others. This can be learned alone or with the help of a qualified practitioner. These techniques can relax your body and mind and make you feel drowsy and ready for bed.

10) Reconditioning. This method involves re-associating the bedroom and bed with sleep only. In applying this technique, activities like eating, reading, and watching TV cannot be done in bed. Napping for more than 30 to 45 minutes during the day is also discouraged. A fixed wake-up time is also scheduled to train the body.

Knowing these facts about insomnia, you and your loved ones can deal with the condition better should it come.

Kevin Naidoo asked:


Many of us has had at least one restless or sleepless night.  The tossing and turning you encountered could have been caused by a multitude of factors; including stress, illness, anxiety, or perhaps, the over consumption of caffeine or alcohol.

Whatever the reason, chances are you **** not sleeping.Our ability to be productive at work and even at play is due to not having enough sleep.  We feel tired, cannot concentrate, and are far more sensitive to emotional and physical stressors.  Basically, we just aren’t ourselves.

The fact remains: sleep and relaxation are equally as important, if not more, than diet and exercise.  It’s our body’s way of recuperating.  Think of us as say… a rechargeable battery.  When we sleep our mind and body go through a replenishment process.  We can compare batteries being inserted into the charger to our climbing into bed for a long slumber.  Only when the charger is plugged in, however, do the batteries begin to recharge.  We can equate this to our sleep process.  But for some, “plugging in” to good sleep remains extremely difficult.

Your mood and performance can be severly affected due to a few nights of bad sleep.Experts state ,as well, that the longer a sleep problem persisits,it is unlikely to go away without some form of intervention by treatment.  Insomnia should not be ignored.  It is not a fact of life, as so many of us believe, and there is help. 

Do you have Insomnia?

Are you are constantly struggling with sleep quality, not getting enough sleep, and suffer from the following symptoms, you may have insomnia.  Ask yourself these questions.

Do you Have problems falling asleep?

Are you frequently waking up during the night and cannot fall back asleep?

Getting up earlier than you want in the morning?

Even after sleeping a good 7-9 hours,you awake un-refreshed.

You are not alone if you have said yes to any of these questions.According to a recent study, reports indicated 35% of all adults get the required amount of sleep,and that nearly half of all Americans have some difficulty sleeping.

Experts,however,have suggested that only 1 in 3 people suffer from a chronic disorder.  But regardless of its frequency, our emotional and physical well being is in danger as a loss of sleep wreaks havoc.Impaired concentration, diminished memory, constant headaches and the increased risk of substance abuse and motor vehicle accidents are some of the major factors of prolonged insomnia.

Signs and Symptoms:

Signs and symptoms of insomnia/lack of sleep differ from person to person.  Some individuals may suffer from anxiety approaching bedtime, while others fail to feel refreshed even after getting and abundant amount of sleep.  Other symptoms may include; not being able to sleep despite being extremely tired, daytime drowsiness, irritability, feeling of depression, and impaired ability to perform normal activities.

Types of Insomnia:

Two types of insomnia are prevalent; chronic and short term.  Chronic diagonoised insomnia, or on-going insomnia, occurs at least three nights a week over a month’s time.  There are two classifications of chronic insomnia;

Primary Insomnia: Insomnia not related to any other health or medical problems.

 

Secondary Insomnia: Insomnia caused by an underlying medical condition (physical and mental), medication, or poor sleep environment.

Short term (transient) insomnia is lack of sleep lasting for one night to a few weeks.  Intermittent insomnia is the last class of insomnia and is characterized by ’bouts’ of insomnia, or insomnia occurring from time to time

It has proven extremely difficult for treating insomnia for patients and care providers alike.Every person presents his/her own set of unique problems and circumstances.  There exists no cure-all for people suffering from chronic sleep problems; rather physicians aim to treat the condition through a multi-factorial approach. The Four of the most popular methods for treating insomnia include:

Reconditioning: Reconditioning therapy is a method which involves re-organizing the environment a person uses to nothing more than a place of rest.Reading or watching TV in bed  must be stopped, and used  only to sleep.

Sleep Restriction: Sleep Restriction is done under the guidance of a medical proffesional.  This technique is used to alter andlessen the time spent in bed by the person.  People with insomnia often spend too much time in bed trying to fall asleep.  Going to bed later or waking earlier is done until normal sleep patterns return.

Relaxation Therapy: This type of theory aims to reduce stress, tension, and anxiety in a person relaxing the muscles and diminishing ‘racing’ thoughts.

Medications: Perhaps the most controversial of all treatments, despite its success, medications are used to alleviate anxiety and treat underlying medical conditions (e.g. depression) that may be contributing to the condition.The medications used to treat insomnia (over-the-counter and prescription) carry an extreme risk of physical and psychological dependency.  In addition, there are many side effects associated with the use of these drugs; including morning grogginess, dry mouth, dizziness, and nervousness.  Lastly, the majority of these medications are recommended for a maximum of 14 days of continuous use.

 

What you need is an all natural, safe, and long-term solution for Your insomnia, or other sleep related-issues.Understanding that sleep is essential,one needs to find treatment that bridges the gap between your sleeplessness and a great night’s rest.  Trouble sleeping is often the result of naturally occurring chemicals in the brain, particularly adrenaline and non-adrenaline.  These chemicals are used by the body for alertness.  However, in insomnia these “awake” chemicals are more active than your “sedentary” chemicals.The most important of all the “sedentary” chemicals, as far as sleep is concerned, is GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).  This chemical slows down brain activity, relaxing the body and allowing you to sleep.  In the majority of insomnia sufferers, GABA doesn’t work as it should. 

The result? Restlessness and problems falling asleep.

Mark M Morris asked:

Insomnia stands for a condition wherein the patient either cannot sleep or faces difficulty in attaining a natural sleep. While the former is called simple insomnia, the latter is termed as chronic insomnia. Sleep disorders are fairly common these days and while most remedies are related to the harmful “over the counter” medicines, there are a few which can be considered natural and more effective than others. The reason for the spread of sleep disorders is an unhealthy lifestyle and bad eating habits. Let us now discuss the top 5 ways for getting rid of sleep related disorders for ever.

Encourage A Healthy Timetable

One of the main reasons for insomnia is an unhealthy lifestyle. Treating insomnia is not as difficult as treating the root cause. Insomnia causes are plenty and the main reason why we cannot sleep or sustain our nap is simply because we sleep after midnight and wake up after midday. Treating insomnia the natural way is often considered an ideal remedy and therefore you need to set a timetable for yourself. Here, you need to sleep before midnight and wake up at the ***** of dawn.

Say No To Junk Food

Another reason why we develop a sleeping disorder is because we often never get a chance of eating healthy food. If in case you are habitual of eating a healthy diet which is comprised of an ideal combination of fats, carbohydrates and proteins, we would automatically tune our bodies for a good night rest. Insomnia treatment suggests that you say no to junk food like burgers and fries and encourage the intake of fresh fruits, vegetables and milk.

Avoid Unnecessary Stress Through Meditation

The third major cause for sleep related disorders is the lack of peace in one’s mind. If in case you wish to enjoy a good night’s sleep, you need to try and remain calm under all circumstances. Insomnia cures suggest that you try and follow a planned meditation program through which you can hope to retain your peace of mind. Insomnia cures also recommend that the time of meditation needs to be early in the morning.

Indulge In Regular Exercise

Sleep insomnia is a serious concern for people from across the globe. If in case you wish to cure your sleeplessness state, you would be required to regularize your metabolism process. Sleep insomnia remedies suggest that you take a jog early in the morning as the air is clean. Once your metabolism is mobilized, you would be able to attain a good night’s sleep. In case you cannot find time to jog, you can always take an early morning walk on the treadmill or make do with a skipping rope.

Take A Break from Work

Insomnia causes may have been owing to immense work pressure at office. In such a scenario, you are advised to take a breather. Insomnia causes stresses that in case you are overworked, the chances are that you may not be able to concentrate on your sleep as the pending work is always on your mind. A planned sabbatical is therefore suggested as one of the most suitable insomnia remedies.

Choose A Natural Therapy

One of the most effective insomnia remedies includes the addition of a natural therapy. Choose a tried and tested therapy which has been known to work wonders for others. Pick one from the World Wide Web. This would help you getting rid of your sleep related disorders for ever.

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.

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.

Cindy Heller asked:

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder among all ages, especially among senior citizens. The patient should remember or write down all the insomnia symptoms he/she experiences and discuss with the physician to help in making a correct diagnosis. The most typical of all insomnia symptoms is difficulty in sleeping. Encounters with anxiety and/or depression are two main symptoms associated with insomnia. Insomnia symptoms include poor concentration and short memory. Insomniac people usually awake prematurely during sleep and have trouble falling asleep again. Insomniacs feel irritability without any obvious cause. It is especially experienced during the day. People suffering from insomnia frequently experience decreased alertness and mental sluggishness.

Insomnia symptoms may last for a little or longer time, depending on the type of insomnia. In case of Transient Insomnia, the symptoms last for a few nights. In Short-Term Insomnia, the symptoms stay for two to three weeks. If they last more than three weeks, the patient is suffering from Chronic Insomnia. Health experts also sometimes distinguish between primary and secondary insomnia. Primary insomnia is characterized by symptoms of difficulty in falling asleep, waking several times during sleep, and fatigue. These symptoms last for a month and has unknown cause. In secondary insomnia, there is a known underlying medical condition. Depression is major cause of secondary insomnia.

To diagnose the condition of sleeplessness as insomnia, the physician makes sure that the symptoms are not being caused by other sleep disorders or other disease or side effects of any medication. Along with the symptoms of insomnia, other disorders may be detected in the same patient; these include mania, depression, phobias, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Help for Insomnia

It is often possible to fight insomnia with simple home remedies; however, when the insomnia crosses two weeks and you start feeling groggy, disoriented, acutely irritated and totally lost, it is time you go for professional insomnia help.

The treatments available for insomnia are varied and very efficient. Reaching at the right diagnosis is quite problematic, which involves a battery of tests and long-drawn assessment studies. This is why people usually avoid asking for professional insomnia help unless it becomes too much to bear otherwise. Most of the times, the homemade cures will dramatically improve your condition; however, in case you still experience this problem, it could be an indication of some serious health problem which would necessitate a doctor’s opinion. You should always keep in mind that prevention is better than cure. A timely medical intervention may save your life.

Tips for Insomnia

Insomnia tips no 1 – Do not sleep or even take a cat nap (those 10-20 minutes forty winks), if you are prone to insomnia attacks. Maintain strict timings both for sleep and for your meals.

Insomnia tips no 2 – Eat your dinner at least four hours ahead of your bed time. For example, if you normally retire at 10:30 pm, have your dinner at 6:30 – 7:00 pm latest. Often insomnia is aggravated by digestive problems, and hence, it is best to avoid the problem altogether.

Insomnia tips no 3 – Avoid any drink that influences sleep, such as coffee in any form, alcohol, and even tea (unless it is medicated). In case you must have your regular cup of coffee, at least ensure that you take it before a minimum of four hours from your bedtime.

Insomnia tips no 4 – Introduce daily exercise in your routine. In case you are not too fond of physical exercise, you can simply take a walk for about 30 minutes daily; try to gradually increase it to one hour or so for best results.

Insomnia tips no 5 – If you find that you cannot sleep, do not fight it. Sleep usually comes after your body relaxes completely. The best thing to do is get up from the bed and do something that you enjoy (reading, listing to music, writing letters to dear ones, etc) aiming to relax your mind and body.

Treatment for Insomnia

Majority of people suffering from sleep disorders turn to pills and medications. This proves to be working at first, but gradually some problems arise that need serious consideration before one starts with a particular kind of sleeping pills or medication. These days, both over the counter medications and prescriptions pills are used for insomnia treatment.

Over the counter medications for insomnia are usually ineffective in log term insomnia treatment. First of all, they do not ensure the quality of sleep enjoyed by healthy people. They give about 5 % duration of deep sleep while in healthy sleep this duration is 10 % to 25 %. Secondly, over the counter drugs for insomnia mostly work by the action of antihistamines (anti-allergic chemicals) present in them. These include chemicals like diphenhydramine citrate, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, and doxylamine succinate. While antihistamines do cast a sedating effect, they are not to be used by people with prostate problems, angina, heart problems, and urinary problems. Antihistamines can add to the intensity of these conditions. Finally, over the counter drugs have a number of side effects like: drowsiness and dizziness (that may remain for twenty four hours), memory lapses, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and urinary retention.

Various types of medications, collectively called hyptonics, are prescribed for insomnia treatment. Hypnotics generally fall in three categories: benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepines, and antidepressants. Most of the health experts agree on using insomnia medications for a short period only. In all cases of using over the counter drugs or prescribed medications, it is important that the patient educate him/herself well on the possible side effects.