What is insomnia? Aids And Remedies

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is characterized by too little sleep or poor quality. This could include:

* Problems in falling asleep

* Wake up at night and struggle to sleep

* Waking up too early in the morning

* Wake up tired and restless, despite a full night's sleep

Insomnia is something that worries many people and has a number of different causes, most common being stress, anxiety, or too much caffeine. Whatever the cause, too little sleep can have a serious effect on their daily lives.

It can lead to excessive sleepiness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating or staying focused, feelings of depression or irritability. It also increases the risks of having an accident or incur a serious mistake. Because of this, it is important to ensure you are getting enough sleep each night.

While most people need about 7-8 hours of sleep per night, this average is different between individuals. Some may need only 5 hours, while others need at least 9 to feel good and rejuvenated the next day.

Who suffers from insomnia?

Insomnia can affect anyone from children to the elderly, but tends to increase with age. People aged 60 years and women going through menopause are more prone to insomnia, probably due to decreased levels of melatonin in the brain.

What is a healthy sleep?

To understand the causes of insomnia, we need to have a look at how the sleep cycle works.

The amino acid L-tryptophan (found naturally in certain foods) is converted to 5-HTP and used in the production of a neurotransmitter called serotonin. Serotonin is converted into a hormone called melatonin sleep by the pineal gland in the brain. The pineal gland is active only after dark. By regulating levels of melatonin, our bodies create the 'sleep-wake cycle' or circadian rhythm.

Of course, the process is more complex than this, and there are other things that could contribute to sleep problems. However, sufficient production of serotonin and melatonin is crucial in promoting and maintaining a healthy sleep.

Diagnosis and causes of insomnia

If you have had difficulty in sleeping, you should seek a professional evaluation. Keep a sleep diary for a week or two and log hours upon waking and sleep, sleep quality, and the consequences of this lack of sleep (such as daytime fatigue or difficulty concentrating). This will give your doctor a clearer picture of their symptoms and attend an accurate diagnosis.

After discussing your sleep diary, your doctor will take your medical history and perform a physical exam. You will probably questions regarding sleep habits, any medications you estetomando, and daily consumption of caffeine. Other questions may include whether you snore at night, if you have physical pain, or if there are problems that can be disconcerting or refer to you.

Once your doctor has made a careful study, he or she can decipher whether the insomnia has a particular underlying physical cause can be treated appropriately. Remember to ask your doctor about all treatment options so that you can make an informed decision. Many doctors are quick to prescribe sleeping pills despite their known side effects and high-addictive qualities. In some cases, you may be referred to a psychologist or a sleep center for further evaluation.

What causes insomnia?

There are many potential causes of insomnia, although they are usually a sign that something in our life is out of balance. It is thought that over 50% of all cases of insomnia are linked to psychological causes, including depression, anxiety, and stress.

Other causes of insomnia include:

* Sleep Apnea

* Snoring

* Ailments of the bladder or prostate problems

* Deficiency of serotonin

* Decreased levels of melatonin in the brain (often affects the elderly)

* Restless leg syndrome (RLS) or periodic leg movements or arms (PLM)

* Magnesium deficiency or iron

* Hormonal Imbalance

* Shift work

* Delayed jet (jet lag)

* Excessive consumption of caffeine or other stimulants

* Side effect of some prescription medication (especially antidepressant medication)

* Hypoglycemia

Help for Insomnia

In many cases, insomnia is cured by itself, especially if related to jet lag or a stressful life event that is resolved. However, if insomnia is an ongoing problem or begin to feel overly tired and unproductive during the day, you should seek treatment.

Most treatment options are directed at treating the underlying cause of insomnia or help by providing temporary relief of symptoms. Treatment options may include psychotherapy, techniques of visualization and relaxation as well as herbal and homeopathic remedies.

Drug treatment

Many doctors are realizing that they prescribe sleeping pills should be a last resort because of its addictive qualities and negative side effects. Many people are unaware that while sleeping pills can help in some cases, are not a cure for insomnia. Sleeping pills offer only temporary relief and should be prescribed only for a few days to allow the body to rest (eg after a very traumatic event).

The regular use often leads to rebound insomnia (insomnia occurs where as withdrawal of sleeping pills) and attachment. Sleeping pills also come with other concerns of health and safety, and may be unsafe to use if you have certain other medical problems. Can lead to drowsiness the next day and increase the likelihood of accidents. Be sure to explore all options and to investigate thoroughly the possible side effects before agreeing to drug therapy.

Psychological

In many cases, insomnia is related to a psychological state such as stress, depression or anxiety. A form of psychotherapy is often recommended if a medical cause is not discovered, and is usually the most beneficial. Therapy can also help you recondition your sleep habits and regain a healthy sleep-wake pattern.

Visualization techniques and relaxation

The visualization technique can be particularly helpful when you are struggling to fall asleep. The representation of a quiet place in your mind can help quiet the mind and body. Other relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and relaxation have also been used with great success.

Natural Remedies

Herbal and homeopathic remedies are commonly used alternative to sleeping pills at reducing insomnia, and can be very effective in assisting an individual in the transition to peaceful sleep without sedatives or strong side effects.

Certain herbs such as Hypericum perforatum, Scuttelaria laterifolia, Passiflora incarnata can be used to maintain healthy sleep patterns and to promote the optimum balance of hormones involved in the sleep cycle.

Homeopathic remedies such as Coffea C30 and Nux Vom C30 are also used to reduce insomnia, stay relaxed and healthy sleep. Other natural remedies that are widely used to treat the underlying causes of chronic insomnia include calcium lactate, magnesium lactate, and vitamin B6.