Sleep Insomnia » Insomnia

The Side effects of Insomnia

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:12:23 +0000

Insomnia is a serious sleeping disorder that requires medical attention. It can happen to anyone at any age. To simply put, it can strike both male and female, the young the old. You probably experience spending hours tossing and turning on your bed, and end up not getting enough sleep.

To fully understand the extent of devastation, not to mention the frustrations that lack of sleep brings, we must first learn about sleep and its role in our lives.

When we were young, our parents often told us to have plenty of sleep. Back then, we don’t understand the importance of sleep. But as we grow older, bodily changes occurred, and sleep has a lot to do with it.

Many people have misconceptions that when we dozed off, there is not much action happening inside our body and brain. Well it’s time to wake up. While we were sleeping, 3 R’s are going—recharging, rejuvenating and repairing. It is the time for our brain to sort out the events that had happened during the day. At the same time, for our body to repair our cells and tissues.

Knowing all that information about sleep, it is hard to imagine the negative consequences of sleeplessness or insomnia. Although some people can still function normally with just few hours of sleep, others may need as much as 10 hours of rest. But the average hours of sleep in adults is 8 hours. When insomnia hits you, don’t expect that you will have decent sleep at night.

There are 2 forms of insomnia, the primary and secondary. In primary insomnia, there is no specific cause, whereas in secondary insomnia, there is/are underlying causes behind it.

Here’s a list of the side effects of insomnia that can affect us mentally and physically.

Personality change. Most sufferers are irritable and have the tendency for angry outburst. Mood swings and depression are not uncommon.
Lack of concentration. Daily activities and work performance are greatly affected. The normally easy tasks seem complicated.
Sleeplessness can result to frequent headaches. This is a common side effect, which lead to some people to rely on pain killers or sleeping pills.
Insomniacs can be prone to accidents. They should not operate machinery or drive a car because they might fall asleep, and can hurt themselves or others.
Health condition is compromise. Insomniacs are most likely to suffer from heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.
Relationships can suffer. Due to lack of sleep, you may find it difficult to control your temper or moods.
Hallucinations can occur in some cases of insomnia.

If you are experiencing the effects of sleep deprivation mentioned above, it is important that you seek medical treatment before it gets worse. There are therapies that can help you deal with your problem, and will able you to sleep soundly.

Herbal Sleep Remedies

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:12:04 +0000

Sleep is a ‘luxury’ for some people who are having difficulty in falling asleep at night. It can be frustrating to toss and turn all night long wishing for sleep to drop by. Whether you are an insomniac or just simply having a hard time shutting down your mind, dozing off is indeed grueling.

Often times, we take sleep for granted especially if we can easily get it. However, when we start to have troubles with it, that’s when we realized how essential it is in our lives. Sleep deprivation can cause irritability, lack of concentration, frequent illness and is prone to accidents.

Many have consulted their doctor to resolve this problem. Some were prescribed with medications or sleeping pill. But these drugs have several negative side effects, such as daytime drowsiness, stomach irritability, dizziness, poor coordination, to name a few.

If you are uncomfortable with prescription drugs, you don’t have to take it. There are other alternatives you can explore. You just need to be a bit resourceful, and take advantage of what the nature offers. Yes! There is such a thing as herbal sleep remedy.

So, if you are searching for a more effective, 100% safe, non addictive, and a healthier way to fall asleep, then herbal sleeping remedies is the answer to your night time prayers.

Before you get too excited, better consult your health provider first, to be sure that it will not cause reactions with other medications that you are currently taking for other health conditions.

Even though there are countless herbal remedies know to be effective sleeping aids, there are some herbs that are popularly used by sleep deprived individuals. Choose the herbs that work best for you. Here are some of the herbal sleep remedies that will help you get that much needed slumber.

Chamomile is one of the gentlest, calming plants. It helps soothe upset stomach, calms the nerves and promote restfulness. This herb is often drunk as tea and has a pleasant taste.

Valerian is a non addictive mild sedative herb; it can also be used long-term. Because of its characteristic smell and unpleasant taste, valerian is usually taken in capsule form.

Kava is a well-known drink in Fiji; it is used by Polynesians to promote deep slumber. Extra precaution is a needed since it associated with liver ailments. In addition, it is also more powerful than other natural sleeping aids.

Hops is an active component in beer, and work best in mild insomnia. It can be taken as tea or in combination with other herbs for a more potent effect.

How to Overcome Insomnia

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:15:41 +0000

It is the wonderful reward to a hard day. It is the mental break needed to refresh your mind and start anew the next day. It can call to you throughout the day until you are begging for it, and can make you feel better than almost any other physical occurrence. It is the action that we all share: sleep. However, for those who find it terribly difficult to fall to sleep, how to overcome insomnia is one of the most important lessons that can be learned.

Nothing refreshes some one more than a good night’s sleep. The troubles of the day are wiped out and a refreshed mind wakes ready to take on the challenges off a new day. It takes up a third of our life and provides comfort and joy to almost every one of us. However, for some people, it is particularly more difficult to obtain. For these people, those trying to overcome insomnia, sleep becomes an obstacle, and unobtainable desire, taunting them all night and throughout each day.

Regardless of what you may think, the mind will get the absolute minimum amount of sleep that it needs to continue to function. No one has ever died from lack of sleep. When you are up all night, tossing and turning, it is easy to look back on the night and feel like you never got any sleep at all. In all likelihood, you did, in fact, have small fitful bouts of sleep, as your body simply will not go without it. However, the problem is that the absolute minimum amount of sleep needed for your body to function is nowhere near as much as you need to get in order for your mind to function well.

For people suffering from insomnia, the effects become apparent within a matter of days. Focusing on daily tasks becomes very difficult, almost impossible. Slow periods throughout the day will lead to unwanted and sometimes-dangerous small naps. The small periods of wakeful dreams lead to even more confusion, and suddenly, even minor tasks required to function become too much to effectively handle.

For these people, the question of how to overcome insomnia is no longer a passing thought, but a question of dire importance. The problem, however, is that it is not a question that can be easily answered.

Each individual’s cause for loss of sleep is always going to be unique, and because of this, it becomes impossible to solve everyone’s problem with the same solution. If you are a sufferer of insomnia, you are going to need to consult a sleep professional and first determine what the underlying cause of your insomnia is.

Marijuana and Insomnia

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:13:34 +0000

Insomnia has been linked to many other conditions or circumstances based on findings from research in the area of sleep disorders. Medical experts and physicians have conclusively found that certain medications, depression, anxiety and an excessive intake of caffeine, tobacco products and alcohol have contributed massively to the number of people who cannot sleep at night. Because of the calming effects of marijuana, the link between marijuana and insomnia has been a topic hotly debated among average Americans and professionals alike.

At issue is whether marijuana for insomnia is effective or prohibitive. Now and in civilizations past, marijuana has been used for pain management and to prompt relaxation. It is not hard to see why marijuana and insomnia might have some helpful connection based on the ability of the drug to induce rest.

Marijuana contains about 60 chemicals and is considered a medical herb. One of the chemicals, known as cannabinoid, acts on receptor cells in the brain to control memory and movement.

Smoking or eating the cannabinoid in marijuana alters balance and motor coordination making depression and anxiety subside. It is not hard to see why the effects of the drug can easily bring a restful sleep or why many might consider using medical marijuana for insomnia.

Some of the other effects of marijuana make some skeptical. It can intensify your emotional state – whatever that state may be – and cause an increase in appetite. Some have reported having fits of giggles after smoking the drug. Any of these conditions would be cause to believe that marijuana actually causes insomnia rather than helping to relieve it.

A finding that might support this belief is the fact that if a person smokes marijuana for a long period of time and then quits, he experiences a period of withdrawal. The withdrawal period is filled with anxieties and, for some, depression. These are the very same symptoms that have been copiously noted as being the culprits for causing insomnia. Those who believe the drug is the cause of sleeplessness might call this state marijuana insomnia.

No matter which side of the debate you fall on, it is clear that marijuana and insomnia appear to have some kind of link. Those who suffer from insomnia have been able to use the drug and cure themselves of restless nights when there is no sleep in sight. The fact that, with a few state exceptions, the drug is still illegal in the United States, even for medical reasons, has given it a legal stigma that makes those who need its calming effects turn away from it. Those who want to sleep, though, take the risk.

Side Effects of Insomnia

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:04:28 +0000

There are many people that suffer from the side effects of insomnia. Everyone needs to have a good nights sleep. There are many folks that do experience temporary or chronic insomnia. Insomnia is the inability to sleep at night or even interrupted sleep. It can become very harmful to people that experience insomnia for long durations of time.

There are many causes associated with sleep disorders. Someone may experience insomnia due to stress, anxiety, and drug or alcohol addiction. Others suffer from insomnia due to a physical condition. Fibromyalgia, asthma and joint pain can affect a person’s sleep pattern. Some insomnia can last a short time, while others may experience it for years.

The severity of side effects will depend upon how long someone has suffered from the disorder. Most people will experience irritability. With the lack of sleep, the little things seem to upset you or make you angry. Insomnia seems to take away the coping skills for those minor irritants. Without a good nights sleep, the body will be fatigued. Chronic fatigue is associated with short and long-term insomnia.

People can experience lack of concentration skills and inability to put together coherent sentences while speaking. Especially with long-term insomnia, many may experience depression. All of these side effects can lead to ruined relationships with other people. Some have reported insomnia being the cause of their divorce.

Insomnia and its side effects are something to seriously deal with. Long term untreated insomnia can lead to serious physical and medical problems. Heart conditions, joint pain and muscle fatigue can occur. The body needs to sleep in order to rest the various systems. Chronic pain and symptoms resembling the flu will occur with insomnia.

There are a variety of treatments available for insomnia. The first is to determine why it is happening. A person needs to examine if they are experiencing sleeplessness due to situational circumstances, such as stress or anxiety. Counseling and therapy can help alleviate these issues. Using homeopathic remedies like valerian, calcium can also help. Exercise can also help as well as not using caffeine prior to sleeping. Reducing light and noise may help as well. Relaxation techniques can be used and yoga exercises may assist in getting to sleep.

For those that are experiencing insomnia due to other disorders or perhaps nothing else has worked may need prescribed medications to assist. These medications need to be used under medical supervision. People using these medications may become dependent and should only be used for short durations.

The side effects of insomnia can be serious and most certainly need to be addressed. Whether the side effects are short term or long term, there are treatments available. Check with your physician or professional to find the right treatment for you.

Teenage Insomnia

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:57:34 +0000

Teenage insomnia is becoming more and more common in our society today. It has been noted that some teens suffer from sleeplessness at least a few times a week.
Might it have something to do with the late nights and early mornings they keep during the school week? Not to mention sleeping in on the weekends to make up for their hectic school days; it is no wonder that some of our children are having trouble sleeping at night.

It is said that some cases of teenage insomnia can start as early as childhood and continue through their young adult age. One must consider stress in school, peer pressure, school performances, and even relationships with teachers and peers can all contribute to their insomnia.

Researchers found that hormonal changes may also attribute to insomnia with teenage girls. It is said that when teenage girls begin their menstruation, that they are twice as likely to suffer from insomnia. Additionally, physical changes such as breast development may create social pressures thus contributing to sleeping problems of sorts.

Sleep deprivation can cause irritability, moodiness, lack of concentration, and even a decrease in overall teen performance. An even more serious effect in insomnia can lead to depression and anxiety disorder. It is said that teenagers and young adults ranging from 16-29 years of age are most prone to auto accidents as a result of falling asleep at the wheel of automobiles.

There are several treatments that teenagers can consider in order to overcome insomnia. They may try delaying their sleep time gradually in order to get their bodies use to their desired bedtime. Teens should also implement exercise in their day and cut back on their caffeine intake.

Other than the obvious of seeing your teen sitting up in the wee hours of the morning, parents should be aware of insomniac symptoms such as waking up several times at night, lying in bed for hours unable to fall asleep, or even waking up earlier than usual.

Transient insomnia is known as short-term insomnia and can simply be caused by changes in a teens normal sleep routine. Distractions around the time of sleep such as noise and bright lights may also attribute to short-term insomnia.

Chronic insomnia occurs when there is a problem falling asleep or staying asleep over a long period of time. Chronic insomnia may arise through stress or it may even have a medical cause associated with it.
Teenage insomnia can severely interfere with the daily tasks of our teens and should be taken seriously that we may understand the treatments available to our teens.

Childhood Insomnia: Sleep Like a Child

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:52:57 +0000

There is a vast amount of information about insomnia both in print and on television. It seems that hardly a commercial break goes by without an ad for some sort of sleep aid with a long warning about possible side effects. In fact, more than one third of American adults suffer from some sort of sleep disorder.

Less well documented is the number of children who experience insomnia, which is described as the inability to fall asleep, to stay asleep, or both. More astoundingly, 15 percent of children actually walk in their sleep.

Childhood insomnia is thought to be less of a diagnosis than a symptom of other problems. For instance, medical professionals note that many children with ADHD also have sleep problems and some believe that it is the lack of sleep that can contribute to the actual attention deficit disorder. Conversely, medication given for ADHD can also result in sleeplessness and the resulting daytime tiredness maintains a vicious circle.

Psychiatrists assert that juvenile insomnia can also be caused by obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD, bi-polar disorder or depression. Again, it is difficult to tell whether, for instance, depression causes lack of sleep or vice versa.

In any case, for most parents the dilemma is really what to do to allow their children to get the rest they need. There is currently no sleep medications on the market specifically designed for children and it is certainly dangerous to use adult medicines to treat children for any condition. It is commonly considered proper to try to use behavioral therapy first before resorting to pharmacological methods to treat childhood insomnia.

There are, however, other avenues to pursue, and one of those is that of a homeopathic approach. Our grandmothers may not have been too far off base when they prescribed the good old hot milk sleep aid. Milk, like that Thanksgiving turkey dinner that makes you doze off, contains tryptophan. In addition, it is thought that the warm milk not only subconsciously reminds us of when we were infants and could “sleep like a baby,” but it could also be that the few degrees of warmth causes the body to produce a slow down response much as it might on a hot summer day when we can’t seem to get our energy up. Just make sure the warm milk is not the caffeinated chocolate variety.

Other remedies for insomnia in children include chamomile tea, magnesium or calcarea phosphoric, all of which are free of side effects.

Home Remedies for Insomnia

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:47:43 +0000

Home remedies for insomnia are usually free of cost, only resulting in assisting individuals fall asleep normally and peacefully as they desire. While medications are a popular choice for some insomniacs who claim to have tried everything, there are always more solutions that if properly practiced, can limit sleepless nights. Having a routine sleeping pattern increases energy, decreases the chances of depression, and allows people to live happy, lively, and free from nodding off at work or school.

In order to begin working on a home remedy for insomnia, it is recommended to have a fully researched plan of attack so that the results are not working backwards, ultimately leading to more sleeping issues. By consulting a doctor or a sleep specialist, one can learn several benefits for practicing at home remedies to reduce their sleeping problems. Other printed sources may provide enough detailed information to help those seeking sleep aides.

Home remedies for insomnia can be practiced in multiple ways; there are hundreds of safe and easy practices, some of which may be perfect for those looking to get some shuteye. Some of these remedies for insomnia include not eating before bedtime. This is a scientific approach in many ways; by keeping blood sugar levels stable before trying to sleep, natural jitters and energy spikes can be avoided so a calm state settles in, appropriate for sleeping. On the subject of food, caffeine packed products such as coffee and energy drinks should be avoided at all costs when trying to cure insomnia or sleep related issues. Caffeine usually causes people to have extreme fluctuations of energy and energy-loss, throwing an imbalance in the sleep cycle.

Having a steady, set schedule and a bedtime is not something to avoid; even though little children have a bedtime and adults are free to do as they please, a set resting time helps many people with insomnia. A fluctuating schedule with random events leading to different hours of sleep a night can harm one trying to conquer a sleep concern. Lastly, one at home remedy for insomnia is seeking medical attention by means of over the counter medication; although this may be looked at as a solution that requires individuals to seek outside help, a pill only acts as a guide so that people can become more organized in their daily routine.

A pill will usually be taken at the same time each night, forcing some to seek rest at a scheduled time. This process could eventually lead some individuals to gain a confidence to throw the medication out the door and embrace the natural process of a developed set sleep routine.

History of Insomnia

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:38:22 +0000

We can trace the history of insomnia to biblical times and probably further. We often think that modern times have led to people having sleeping disorders. From huge amounts of stressors as well as less activity, we think that insomnia is a modern day issue.

If you think about the causes of insomnia, you can surmise that these issues were present even well before the dark ages. It is probably very true that stress and anxiety are not new. Maybe those folks did not know or understand what kept them awake all night, but some definitely had sleeping problems.

There are numerous references in published works in regard to people not being able to sleep. There is a reference in the Bible, Esther, verse 6, which paraphrased says about a king that cannot sleep. There are many herbal remedies from ancient times that address sleep related issues. There are ancient Chinese herbal remedies that have long been used to treat sleeplessness. The art of acupuncture has also been known to work. The Chinese believed and still believe that exercise is crucial to good health and good sleep.

You can also bet on the fact that once society began working and living around each other, the stresses of everyday life began to create insomnia. In the nineteenth century, the compound of camphor was used to treat sleeping disorders. This oil from the camphor tree was used to calm a person down or those with nervous disorders. Today, you can still purchase camphor oil to relieve certain ailments.

Currently we find that many people suffer from insomnia. They either have a short term or chronic form of insomnia. The causes can include stress, anxiety, depression and other issues that cause people not to be able to sleep. Medical conditions such as asthma, joint pain and some prescription medicines are at the root of insomnia.

As we study the history of insomnia, we can see that the causes are generally the same. Today we have prescription medications that can assist with sleep disorders. There are also many homeopathic products that are very similar to some of the ancient remedies used. Like the Chinese, exercise can help anyone today with insomnia. Meditation, relaxation and a change in diet are also helpful.

Even though insomnia is not a new problem, with the ever increasing of life stressors, we see an increase the cases of insomnia. Knowing the history of insomnia and certain forms of the remedies used is very useful for today’s insomniac sufferers.

Tips for Insomnia

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:12:28 +0000

If you are one of the many people who suffer from insomnia, there are some great tips for Insomnia to help you get that good nights sleep. Insomnia is the inability to get restful sleep, whether you are not able to fall asleep or experience interrupted sleep. Many people suffer from this disorder either short term or long term. The good news is that you can take some action to help.

There are many tips for insomnia. You will need to find the ones that work best for you. By following some of the tips you may begin to experience a more restful sleep. You should try most of these tips as they work hand in hand with each other. They may not work in the beginning, but keep trying and repeating them.

It is important for anyone with sleep issues to begin to get on a schedule. Try to go to bed at the same time each night and shoot for seven to eight hours of sleep. Set your alarm everyday and get up. By keeping a regular sleep pattern, it will begin to reduce sleepless nights.

A few general tips for insomnia include not smoking and not drinking caffeine. These substances can make sleeping difficult or disruptive. Alcohol is not a sleep agent and should not be used in excess. Try not to eat heavy before going to bed, this can also create disruption. Even though you may be tempted to take an over the counter sleep aid, try to avoid this as it may make you feel very groggy in the morning.

You can try taking a warm bath prior to going to bed. This combined with relaxation techniques may calm you and your body, enabling it easier to fall asleep. It is important to realize that one of the major causes of insomnia is stress and anxiety. This is why you should try meditation and relaxation methods to ease your stress.

It has been recommended to try to sleep on a firmer mattress. You should reduce the amount of noise and any light that may be present in the room. A nice massage from your partner will relax you and your muscles. Exercise during the day will make you have a restful sleep, try not to do this right before going to bed due to reactions in the body may not make you sleepy. Remedies such as warm milk and a nice cup of chamomile tea are helpful. Basically anything that will relax you will help.

Do not get upset if you cannot fall asleep using this tips. Keep working on them every day and you will begin to see a difference. Do not take naps during the day as this will not make you ready to sleep at night. If you cannot fall asleep after a half hour, then get up and try some low impact activities and then try again. By following these tips for insomnia, you can begin to enjoy that restful night’s sleep you certainly deserve.