Information AboutInsomnia |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT INSOMNIA | |
| sleep disorders | |
| sleep | |
Insomnia is characterized by an inability to Sleep and/or to remain asleep for a reasonable period. 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 a Symptom , though a common misconception is that it is itself a Sleep Disorder . Insomnia is most often caused by sleep disorders, but other causes include fear, Stress , Anxiety , medications, herbs and caffeine. An overactive mind or physical pain may also be a cause. Finding the underlying cause of insomnia is usually necessary to cure it. TYPES OF INSOMNIA There are roughly three different types of insomnia. Insomnia may be classified as transient, acute (short-term), and Chronic . Insomnia lasting from one night to a few weeks is referred to as transient. This is generally the case for most people, as one often suffers from Jet Lag or short-term anxiety. If this form of insomnia continues to occur from time to time, the insomnia is classified to be intermittent. Acute insomnia is the inability to consistently sleep well for a period of three weeks to six months. However, after this time, the person does not experience insomniatic episodes. Insomnia is considered to be chronic, the most serious, if it persists almost nightly for at least a month. COMMON CAUSES OF INSOMNIA A person can have primary or secondary insomnia. Primary insomnia is sleeplessness that is not attributable to a medical or environmental cause. Secondary insomnia means that a person is having sleep problems because of something else, such as a health condition, an example of which would be Generalized Anxiety Disorder . Some of the most common causes of insomnia are:
A common misperception is that the amount of sleep one requires decreases as he or she ages. The ability to sleep for long periods, rather than the need for sleep, appears to be lost as people get older. Some elderly insomniacs toss and turn in bed and occasionally fall off the bed at night, diminishing the amount of sleep they receive. {Link without Title} Insomnia is a common Side-effect of some medications, and it can also be caused by Stress , emotional upheaval, physical or Mental Illness , dietary allergy and poor Sleep Hygiene . Insomnia is a major symptom of mania in people with Bipolar Disorder , and it can also be a sign of Hyper-thyroidism , Depression , or other ailments with stimulating effects. In addition, a rare genetic condition can cause a Prion -based, permanent and eventually fatal form of insomnia called Fatal Familial Insomnia . TREATMENT FOR INSOMNIA Many insomniacs rely on Sleeping Tablet s and other Sedative s to try to get some rest. Others use Herbs such as Valerian , Chamomile , Lavender , Hops , and/or Passion-flower . The psychoactive plant '' Cannabis Sativa '' commonly known as marijuana has also been reputed to induce drowsiness in its user, however, use of ''cannabis sativa'' for treatment of insomnia is unlawful in many jurisdictions. Some traditional remedies for insomnia have included drinking warm milk before bedtime, taking a warm bath in the evening; exercising vigorously for half an hour in the afternoon, eating a large lunch and then having only a light evening meal at least three hours before bed, avoiding mentally stimulating activities in the evening hours, and making sure to get up early in the morning and to retire to bed at a reasonable hour. Traditional Chinese Medicine has included treatment for insomnia throughout its history. A typical approach may utilize Acupuncture , dietary and lifestyle analysis, Herbology and other techniques, with the goal to resolve the problem at a subtle level. Although these methods have not been scientifically proven, some insomniacs report these remedies are sufficient to break the insomnia cycle without the need for sedatives and sleeping tablets. Warm milk contains high levels of Tryptophan , a natural sedative. Using Aromatherapy , including Lavender Oil and other relaxing Essential Oil s, may also help induce a state of restfulness. The most commonly used class of hypnotics prescribed for insomnia are the Benzodiazepine s. This includes drugs such as Diazepam , Lorazepam , Nitrazepam and Midazolam . These medications can be addictive, especially after taking them over long periods of time. Some Antidepressants such as Mirtazapine (Remeron) and Desyrel (Trazodone) have a sedative effect, and are prescribed Off Label to treat insomnia. Low doses of Atypical Antipsychotics such as Quetiapine (Seroquel) are also prescribed for their sedative effect. The more relaxed a person is, the greater the likelihood of getting a good night's sleep. Relaxation techniques such as meditation have been proven to help sleep. They take stress from the mind and body which leads to a deeper more restful sleep. Alleviating insomnia
Multifaceted approaches Most people who have cured their insomnia have done so by reviewing and experimenting with many different cures. Often, a combination of dietary and lifestyle changes is the most helpful approach. As with many similar health problems, a determined, across-the-board Holistic approach to sleeping problems is advised as the most effective solution. FOOTNOTES |
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