Treatments

Insomnia treatment – acute sleeplessness

Insomnia treatment – cure for acute sleeplessness

Insomnia is often defined by an individual’s difficulty at sleeping and also by the functional impairment when awake.

Insomnia is classified as primary, secondary or co-morbid insomnia. Primary insomnia is a sleep disorder not attributable to a medical, psychiatric, or environmental cause. It is important to identify whether medical or psychological causes are responsible before deciding on the treatment for insomnia. Attention to sleep hygiene is the first line treatment strategy and should be tried prior to any pharmacological approach is considered.

Generally, insomnia treatment entails both non-pharmacologic (non-medical) and pharmacologic (medical) aspects. It is best to tailor treatment for each individual patient based on the potential cause. Studies show that combining medical and non-medical treatments is more successful in treating insomnia than each one alone.

Pharmacological treatments have been used mainly to reduce symptoms in acute insomnia. Their role in the management of chronic insomnia remains unclear. Non-pharmacological strategies are superior to soporific medication for insomnia treatment because tolerance develops to the soporific effects. In addition, dependence develops rebound withdrawal effects and a worse case insomnia than before treatment began.

Non pharmacological strategies however, do have long lasting improvements to insomnia treatment process and are recommended as a first line and long term strategy of managing insomnia. In general, transient insomnia resolves when the underlying trigger is removed or corrected. Most people seek medical attention when their insomnia becomes chronic.

The main focus for insomnia treatment should be directed towards finding the underlying cause. Once a cause is identified, it is easier to manage and control the problem, as this often eliminate the insomnia all together. Treating the symptoms of insomnia – which is what sleeping pills do – without addressing the main cause is rarely successful. In the majority of cases, chronic insomnia can be cured if its medical or psychiatric causes are evaluated and treated properly.

A recent study found that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia is more effective than sleeping pills in controlling insomnia and helpful in insomnia treatment. In this therapy, patients are taught better sleep habits and trained to relax prior to going to sleep. Numerous studies have reported positive outcomes of combining cognitive behavioral therapy for Insomnia Treatment with treatments such as stimulus control and the relaxation therapies.

Video describes how posterior pituitary gland deficiency causes insomnia.

Insomnia Tips – Why Exercise is a Good Insomnia Treatment

Exercise is a Good Insomnia Treatment

Insomnia Tips

Do you have trouble sleeping? Many people and there families suffer from someone’s sleeplessness in one form or another. There are many medications you can take to relieve insomnia and many ways of addressing this problem, but one often overlooked method for younger (and not so young) people is to consider your physical fitness levels and amount of exercise? The fact is the more active you are, the easier you will sleep at night. It is easy to forget but exercising but exercising burns up lots of energy and prepares the body for sleep.

Exercise is a good insomnia treatment for many reasons. Firstly it puts strenuous demands on the muscles. Whilst you are physically active the muscles get pulled and stretched as they work to support your movement. This movement causes small tears and rips in the muscles and they need to be repaired during sleep.

How is this an insomnia treatment?

The body has to be at rest so the right hormones can be released to deal with the repair and renewal of the muscles. The muscles need to be inactive for them to be healed. The body forces you in to tiredness and sleep so that it can have this inactive time for the healing process. This is why you feel tired after strenuous or physical exercise – the body is merely getting you to rest so it can repair itself.

So, being active creates the conditions whereby you will be tired enough at night to fall sleep. This might not sound like an insomnia treatment but it is a part of living a healthy lifestyle where sleep is a natural outcome of your day’s activities.

Physical exertion helps to regulate your blood sugar and metabolism. These are also involved in your sleep cycle and can be part of your insomnia treatment. Your metabolism increases through exercise, it will then continue to run faster even when you’re at rest. The heart beats more rapidly so it can send blood and oxygen to your muscles as part of the regenerative process. This too contributes to your being tired at night, which is a great insomnia treatment. When your blood sugar is regulated you do not have the highs and lows of those who have sugar problems and which tend to interfere with healthy sleep.

Exercise is good for you for many reasons; sleeping well is just a side benefit to being physically active on a regular basis. You work your muscles enough to make your body want to sleep so they can be repaired. This makes you tired at night; it might even be impossible to stay up regardless of whether or not you want to sleep! So whatever your age, try and take part in some exercise routine each day. Whether it is a brisk walk for half an hour or if you are more physically fit you can engage in a more vigorous activity such as squash or team sports. You’ll be able to fall asleep and stay asleep much better than if you’re sedentary throughout the day. (If you have been inactive for some time always seek medical advice before engaging in vigorous physical activity for the purpose of treating insomnia.)

Some Effective Natural Sleep Remedies

Effective Natural Sleep Remedies

There are millions worldwide who suffer from sleep disorders and who would benefit from natural sleep remedies. Perhaps you have difficulty getting a good night’s sleep? If you do, then you need to know your options concerning natural sleep remedies. There are several available that can provide you with safe and effective relief from insomnia.

Prescription sleep aids make billions of dollars every year. The reality is they do not fix the problems insomnia brings. You may be drugged into unconsciousness at night, but the chances are you will still be tired the following day. Natural sleep remedies are the preferred way to sleep well and awake refreshed and provide a more suitable alternative to drugs.

Natural Sleep Remedies to Consider

Valerian root is a natural sleep remedy to consider. “Valerian” is from the same root word as “valor.” While it’s true this natural remedy is strong and effective, it was named for it’s odor. But that’s not the most important thing you need to know. Valerian, when clinically tested, proved to be as effective as prescription drugs, without the side effects. When it comes to finding effective natural sleep remedies, Valerian root just be on your list to consider.

Chamomile is another natural ingredient with proven sleep qualities. It is usually found in herbal teas that promote sleepiness. By sipping a warm cup of herbal chamomile tea while you listen to relaxing music or read, you are helping yourself achieve a good night’s sleep.

Herbs and roots aren’t the only options to consider. Aromatherapy also extends your choice with lavender oil being the most common sleep inducer. This oil has relaxing qualities and is simple to use. Usual practice suggests soaking a cotton ball with a few drops of lavender essential oil, then placing the cotton ball next to your pillow. The pleasing lavender aroma will help induce you to fall asleep.

The sleeping environment is an important factor in your quest for restful sleep. Your sleeping space should be dark, cool and quiet. Regular noise such as a fan or air conditioning can be ok, but any irregular or loud noises can affect your ability to achieve deep levels of sleep. Since deep sleep is where the best rest and restoration occurs, you’ll really notice the difference if your sleep cycles are interrupted.

Sleep is at least as essential to your body as food or water. Without the natural healing properties of a deep, restful sleep, each night your health will begin to suffer. If you’re having trouble sleeping at night for any extended period, then you should see a doctor. But avoid rushing to prescription sleep aids, as they tend to become addictive and in the long term make the problem worse. Natural sleep remedies offer an equal, if not higher level of effectiveness whilst being safer. Sleep is a natural state, so always try to use natural methods to beat sleeplessness.

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1) Roobios Ruby Red Chai Tea by Trader Joes warms up your body with clover and cinnamon and really relaxes you.

2) Spray your pillow and bedroom with Lavender

3) Take Valerian extract and Passion Flower extract. These are known to lull one to sleep. You should fall asleep in no time.

Do not take this if you are already on medication as it might interfere.

Great Insomnia Treatments

Great Insomnia Treatments

Insomnia Treatments: Address the Causes Before You Treat the Symptoms

It is normal to look at various insomnia treatments soon after one has not slept well for a couple of nights. This often leads to a decision to take sleeping pills. This may induce sleep for a few nights initially but medications can never cure the condition. Where people can easily go wrong is that they do not address the cause, but merely try to manage the symptoms.

When is a sleep condition called insomnia and when does it need therapy? First of all, we need to remember that the condition is not a ‘disorder’ in the truest sense. In majority of cases, it is a sign of an underlying condition. The need to sleep varies from one person to another.

Insomnia could be defined as the inability to get the amount of sleep one needs to feel rested and refreshed the next morning. One may spend long hours in bed yet suffer from daytime drowsiness. Insomnia is therefore all about the quality of sleep and the kind of feeling one has on waking.

When do you seek professional insomnia therapy?

• When chronic sleeplessness, lasting more than 4 weeks start to disrupt normal activities in life.

• Condition does not respond well to self-help or home remedies

• Accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, etc.

• Condition worsening with time.

What are the symptoms?

• Trouble falling asleep though tired

• Interrupted by frequent waking; trouble getting back to sleep

• Daytime drowsiness, irritability, tiredness

• Over-reliance on alcohol or sedatives like sleeping pills to get sleep

• Waking up too early

• Concentration problems

Why does it happen?

Some common causes are:

• Psychological problems including anxiety, stress, depression, bipolar disorder

• Daytime naps, sleep routine

• Physical and emotional health including existing ailment, mental trauma.  Sleep disorders like sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome. Medical conditions like asthma, allergies, Parkinson’s disease, hyperthyroidism, acid reflux, kidney disease, cancer, or chronic pain

• After effect of current medication including antidepressants, medicines for cold and flu, pain relievers, corticosteroids, thyroid hormone, blood pressure drugs

• Noisy and uncomfortable sleep environment

• Inadequate exposure to sunlight or darkness

• Irregular sleep schedules

Confusing signals

Several insomnia symptoms match features of other sleep disorders. For example daytime drowsiness could mean sleep apnea as well as hypersomnia, a condition characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness. This may give misleading signals during diagnosis. Polysomnogram is perhaps the most reliable diagnostic tool for identifying the type of disorder. For example when the examination detects pauses in breathing or inadequate nasal and oral airflow, the diagnosis is apnea and sleep apnea treatment is initiated.

Hypersomnolence is idiopathic; therefore there are no known causes for its onset. Treatment merely provides symptomatic relief.

What are the cure options?

In majority of cases, treating the underlying or co-existent medical condition proves curative. Otherwise, the best approach is to address the cause of sleeplessness rather than use random therapy.  Lifestyle modifications, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with certain medications can bring long-lasting relief.

Options for insomnia treatments are readily available and usable as well. All you need to know is your own state of mental and physical health and apply the most appropriate therapy option to get good nights’ sleep once more.

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www.sleeplikethedead.com — I provide an overview of my freely available program to overcome chronic insomnia.
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