HOMEOPATHY FOR INSOMNIA
Insomnia, a common sleep
disorder, is also known as the Disorder
of Initiation and/or Maintenance of Sleep (DIMS). Insomnia means one or more of
the following.
·
Difficulty in initiating sleep ( going off
to sleep).
·
Difficulty in maintaining sleep ( remaining
asleep). This can include both:
a.
Frequent awakening during the night, and
b.
Early morning awakening.
·
Non-restorative sleep where despite an
adequate duration of sleep, there is a feeling of not having rested fully (poor
quality sleep).
Insomnia is very common,
with nearly 15-30% of general population complaining of a period of insomnia
per year requiring treatment. It is required for diagnosis that sleep disturbance
occurs at least three times a week for at least one month, and that it causes
either marked distress or interfers with social and occupational functioning.
Causes
The common causes of
insomnia include:
a.
Medical illness
·
Any painful or uncomfortable condition
·
Heart diseases
·
Respiratory diseases
·
Rheumatic and musculo- skeletal disease
·
Old age
·
Brain stem or hypothalamic lesions
·
Delirium
·
PMS (Periodic movements in sleep, e.g.
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder, Restless legs syndrome)
b.
Alcohol and drug use
·
Drug or alcohol withdrawal syndrome
·
Delirium tremens
·
Amphetamine or other stimulants, e.g.
caffeine
·
Chronic alcoholism
c.
Current medication
·
Current medication, e.g. fluoxetine,
steroids, theophylline, propranolol
d.
Psychiatric disorders
·
Mania ( may not complain of decrease in
sleep, as there is often a decreased need for sleep)
·
Major depression ( difficulty in maintenance
of sleep is more prominent, although difficulty in initiating sleep is also
present)
·
Dysthymia ( difficulty in initiating sleep
is characteristic )
·
Anxiety disorder ( difficulty in initiating
sleep is common)
·
Stressful life situation ( may cause temporary
insomnia )
e.
Idiopathic insomnia
Management
·
A thorough medical and psychiatric
assessment
·
Polysomnography may be needed in some
patients to reacg a diagnosis
·
Treatment of the underlying physical and/or
psychiatric disorder, if present
·
Withdrawal of current medications, if any
·
Relaxation techniques before sleep time and
education regarding sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene consists of general guidelines
for promoting good sleep. In itself, it is not a treatment for insomnia.
·
Psychotherapy, if indicated
·
Drug treatment
Sleep
hygiene
Some basic components of
sleep hygiene are :
·
Regular, daily physical exercises (
preferably not in the evening )
·
Minimize day time napping
·
Avoid fluid intake and heavy meals just
before bed time
·
Avoid caffeine intake ( e.g. tea, coffee,
cola drinks) before sleeping hours
·
Avoid regular use of alcohol , especially
avoid use of alcohol as a hypnotic for promoting sleep
·
Avoid reading or watching television while
in bed
·
Sleep in a dark, quiet, and comfortable
environment
·
Regular time for going to sleep and waking
up
·
Try relaxation techniques
HOMOEOPATHIC
REMEDIES
Homoeopathy
today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It
strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach
towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical
levels. When insomnia is concerned
there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection
depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical
symptoms
COFFEA
CRUDA: 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: Nux vomica is prescribed when the insomnia is due to
the abuse of stimulants e.g. Alcohol, 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
NAPELLUS: Aconitum napellus 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:
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: 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:
Alfalfa is effective for sleep better in
morning. It induces quite, peaceful, and refreshing sleep .
COCCULUS
INDICUS: 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: Natrum mur is effective for insomnia due to
grief and unpleasant events of the past.
AURUM
METALLICUM: 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: Avenasativa is prescribed for insomnia due to alcoholism or morphine
habits.
IGNATIA
AMAR: Ignatiaamara 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: 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
CARBONICUM: 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 sleepand sleep with anxious
dreams.
PASSIFLORA
INCARNATA: 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: 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: Ambragrisea is effective for insomnia due to worries or
business problems.
CANNABIS
INDICA: Cannabis indica is effective for obstinate and severe
forms of insomnia. The patient is sleepy , but cannot to do so.
PISCIDIA:
Pisidia
is effective for insomnia due to worry, nervous excitement , dysmenorrhoea,
cough and pain.
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