HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR INSOMNIA
Insomnia
is a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay
asleep, or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep.
You may still feel tired when you wake up. Insomnia can sap not only your
energy level and mood but also your health, work performance and quality of
life.
How much sleep is enough varies from person to person, but
most adults need seven to eight hours a night.
At some point, many adults experience short-term (acute)
insomnia, which lasts for days or weeks. It's usually the result of stress or a
traumatic event. But some people have long-term (chronic) insomnia that lasts
for a month or more. Insomnia may be the primary problem, or it may be
associated with other medical conditions or medications.
Causes-
Chronic insomnia is usually a result of stress, life events or habits that
disrupt sleep. Treating the underlying cause can resolve the insomnia, but
sometimes it can last for years.
Common causes of chronic insomnia
include:
Stress. Concerns about work, school,
health, finances or family can keep your mind active at night, making it difficult
to sleep. Stressful life events or trauma — such as the death or illness of a
loved one, divorce, or a job loss — also may lead to insomnia.
Travel or work schedule. Your
circadian rhythms act as an internal clock, guiding such things as your sleep-wake
cycle, metabolism and body temperature. Disrupting your body's circadian
rhythms can lead to insomnia. Causes include jet lag from traveling across
multiple time zones, working a late or early shift, or frequently changing
shifts.
Poor sleep habits. Poor sleep habits include
an irregular bedtime schedule, naps, stimulating activities before bed, an
uncomfortable sleep environment, and using your bed for work, eating or
watching TV. Computers, TVs, video games, smartphones or other screens just
before bed can interfere with your sleep cycle.
Eating too much late in the evening. Having
a light snack before bedtime is OK, but eating too much may cause you to feel
physically uncomfortable while lying down. Many people also experience
heartburn, a backflow of acid and food from the stomach into the esophagus
after eating, which may keep you awake.
Chronic insomnia may also be
associated with medical conditions or the use of certain drugs. Treating the
medical condition may help improve sleep, but the insomnia may persist after
the medical condition improves.
Additional common causes of insomnia
include:
Mental health disorders. Anxiety
disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, may disrupt your asleep.
Awakening too early can be a sign of depression. Insomnia often occurs with
other mental health disorders as well.
Medications. Many prescription drugs can
interfere with sleep, such as certain antidepressants and medications for
asthma or blood pressure. Many over-the-counter medications — such as some pain
medications, allergy and cold medications, and weight-loss products — contain
caffeine and other stimulants that can disrupt sleep.
Medical conditions. Examples of conditions
linked with insomnia include chronic pain, cancer, diabetes, heart disease,
asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), overactive thyroid, Parkinson's
disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Sleep-related disorders. Sleep
apnea causes you to stop breathing periodically throughout the night,
interrupting your sleep. Restless legs syndrome causes unpleasant sensations in
your legs and an almost irresistible desire to move them, which may prevent you
from falling asleep.
Caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. Coffee,
tea, cola and other caffeinated drinks are stimulants. Drinking them in the
late afternoon or evening can keep you from falling asleep at night. Nicotine
in tobacco products is another stimulant that can interfere with sleep. Alcohol
may help you fall asleep, but it prevents deeper stages of sleep and often
causes awakening in the middle of the night.
Insomnia
and aging
Insomnia becomes more common with
age. As you get older, you may experience:
Changes in sleep patterns. Sleep
often becomes less restful as you age, so noise or other changes in your
environment are more likely to wake you. With age, your internal clock often
advances, so you get tired earlier in the evening and wake up earlier in the
morning. But older people generally still need the same amount of sleep as
younger people do.
Changes in activity. You may be less
physically or socially active. A lack of activity can interfere with a good
night's sleep. Also, the less active you are, the more likely you may be to
take a daily nap, which can interfere with sleep at night.
Changes in health. Chronic pain from
conditions such as arthritis or back problems as well as depression or anxiety
can interfere with sleep. Issues that increase the need to urinate during the
night ―such as prostate or bladder problems ― can disrupt sleep. Sleep apnea
and restless legs syndrome become more common with age.
More medications. Older people typically
use more prescription drugs than younger people do, which increases the chance
of insomnia associated with medications.
Insomnia
in children and teens
Sleep problems may be a concern for
children and teenagers as well. However, some children and teens simply have
trouble getting to sleep or resist a regular bedtime because their internal
clocks are more delayed. They want to go to bed later and sleep later in the
morning.
Risk
factors
Nearly everyone has an occasional
sleepless night. But your risk of insomnia is greater if:
·
You're a woman. Hormonal shifts during the menstrual cycle and in menopause may
play a role. During menopause, night sweats and hot flashes often disrupt
sleep. Insomnia is also common with pregnancy.
·
You're over age 60. Because of changes in sleep patterns and health, insomnia increases
with age.
You have a mental health disorder or physical health condition. Many issues that impact your mental or physical health can disrupt
sleep.
You're under a lot of stress. Stressful
times and events can cause temporary insomnia. And major or long-lasting stress
can lead to chronic insomnia.
You don't have a regular schedule. For
example, changing shifts at work or traveling can disrupt your sleep-wake
cycle.
Complications
Sleep is as important to your health
as a healthy diet and regular physical activity. Whatever your reason for sleep
loss, insomnia can affect you both mentally and physically. People with
insomnia report a lower quality of life compared with people who are sleeping
well.
Complications of insomnia may
include:
Lower
performance on the job or at school
Slowed
reaction time while driving and a higher risk of accidents
Mental
health disorders, such as depression, an anxiety disorder or substance abuse
Increased
risk and severity of long-term diseases or conditions, such as high blood
pressure and heart disease
Symptoms
Insomnia symptoms may include:
·
Difficulty falling asleep at night
·
Waking up during the night
·
Waking up too early
·
Not feeling well-rested after a
night's sleep
·
Daytime tiredness or sleepiness
·
Irritability, depression or anxiety
·
Difficulty paying attention, focusing
on tasks or remembering
·
Increased errors or accidents
·
On going worries about sleep
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Homoeopathic
remedies are very effective for insomnia . Some of the important remedies are
given below.
COFFEA
CRUDA 30-Coffea cruda is one of the top remedies for insomnia of
acute origin. Coffea cruda is prescribed when the mind is charged by an excessive inflow of thoughts and ideas
at the time of sleep.Sometimes it is caused by joy, pleasurable excitement or
sudden happy surprises as well as unexpected bad news. Such a state may also be
found in those who drink too much wine or in those over- fatigued from long
journeys . When the person lies down to attempt to sleep , the mind is simply
awake with a flow of ideas.
NUX
VOMICA 30-Nux vomica is prescribed when the insomnia is due to the
abuse of stimulants e.g.Alohol, wine,
coffee, smoking or by over work or excess studying .. Nux vomica patient
can often fall asleep early , but awakens at 3 or 4 am. with great mental
activity or worries. When the time to rise rolls around the patient finally
feels able to sleep but instead must get up in a tired , irritable state. Nux
vomica is prescribed to irritable, easily angered and impatient people. They are often chilly , nervous and
excitable.
ACONITUM
NALELLUS 30-Aconitum napelus is prescribed to those
patients who are restless and excited with an anguished kind of fear. This sate
of mind often comes in the early stages of a sudden acute illness, often after
a chill. But this state may also be caused by a shock or fright, such as a
serious accident , natural disaster, or operation.
CHAMOMILLA
30-Chamomilla
is another top remedy for insomnia. Chamomilla patients are irritable and
uncivil. They are often frantic with pain or irritability and say they cannot
stand it. Chamomilla patients are drowsy during the day , but unable to sleep
in spite of sleeplessness. This type of irritability is seen in teething
infants who insist on being carried , or in adults who will walk the floor.
ARNICA
MONTANA 30-Arnica Montana is an effective remedy for
sleeplessness due to physical or mental over exertion . The patient is
overtired but cannot sleep and may feel bruised or the bed may feel too hard.
ALFALFA
Q-
Alfalfa is effective for sleep better in morning. It induces quite, peaceful,
and refreshing sleep .
COCCULUS
INDICUS 30-Cocculus patients
are sleepless from exhaustion. In Cocculus insomnia often comes from loss of
sleep associated with night watching or nursing ill persons. Their sleep may be interrupted by waking and
starting. Cocculus patients are emotionally sensitive , easily offended, and
intolerant of contradiction or they may be extremely sad.
NATRUM
MURIATICUM 200-Natrum mur is effective for insomnia due to
grief and unpleasant events of the past.
AURUM
METALLICUM 200-Aurum metallicum is effective for insomnia due
to profound depression, melancholic mood
and sleeplessness with negative thoughts occupying mind. The negative thoughts
could include a feeling of worthlessness, hopelessness, a desire to end life
and suicidal thoughts.
AVENA
SATIVA Q- Avena sativa is prescribed
for insomnia due to alcoholism or morphine habits.
IGNATIA
AMARA 200- Ignatia amara is prescribed for insomnia due to grief and
an event like death. There is continuous
yawing and a fear that she can never sleep again.
KALI
PHOSPHORICUM 30-Kali phos is prescribed for insomnia from
anxiety and stress. Kali phos may also be prescribed for insomnia resulting
from over exertion of mind and body.
BARYTA
CARB. 200 -Baryta carb. is effective for insomnia of elderly people. It is prescribed when a person feels sleepy but cannot sleep.
Also there is great help for treatment of disturbed sleep and sleep with
anxious dreams.
PASSIFLORA
INCARNATA Q- Passiflora is considered to be a specific
remedy for insomnia. It is the best remedy for sleeplessness among aged people
that is accompanied by restlessness . Passiflora is also an effective remedy
for insomnia of alcoholics.
ARSENIC
ALBUM 200-Arsenic alb is an effective remedy for sleeplessness due to
restlessness. There is inability to fall asleep or waking up at about 2 am due
to anxiety. Great restlessness with a great need to get up and walk about in the room. Sleepy
but unable to sleep . Child tosses in bed and kicks the cloths .
AMBRA
GRISEA 30- Ambra grisea is effective for insomnia due to worries or
business problems.
CANNABIS
INDICA Q- Cannabis indica is effective for obstinate and severe
forms of insomnia. The patient is sleepy , but cannot to do so.
PISCIDIA
Q-
Pisidia is effective for insomnia due to worry, nervous excitement ,
dysmenorrhoea, cough and pain.
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