How to get a Good Night Sleep
March 18, 2009 by lchealthtips
Filed under Health Articles, Personal Care
Causes of Insomnia
Insomnia is the inability to sleep satisfactorily or to have any sleep at all. It is characterized by restlessness, decreased sleeping time than the usual, sleep interruptions, or complete wakefulness.
Insomnia causes those afflicted to lose enthusiasm and energy, acquire memory and concentration problems, feel lethargic, frustrated, sleepy, being prone to accidents, reduced work productivity and the aggravation of psychological and medical conditions.
The culprits that produce Insomnia are:
1. Emotional Distress
2. Substance Abuse
3. Biological Clock Disturbance
4. Environmental Factors
5. Health Problems
6. Pre-bedtime Activities
The victims affected by Insomnia are mainly
1. Women with Pregnancy, Pre-menstrual syndrome and menopause- more at risk.
2. Elderly people- because of aging.
3. Depressed people- with lighter slumbers.
4. Students or younger people – too conscious about their grades.
Types of Insomnia
Insomnia is classified based on the length of time it has affected the patient.
1. Transient insomnia- remains only for a few days.
2. Short-term insomnia- lasts for three weeks or less.
3. Chronic insomnia- for more than one month.
Depression Vs Insomnia
Depression is the main cause of chronic insomnia, especially in the elderly that too women. Worries, sadness or misery, anger or frustration causes depression.
Symptoms for a Serious Sleeping Disorder
The symptoms for chronic Insomnia are many stressful feelings and reactions like anxiety, anger, denial, shame, guilt etc.
The other important notable symptoms are:
• Restless sleep at night
• Sleeping during daytime or generally falls asleep most of the time, and snoring while sleeping.
Sleeping Disorder #1 – Night Eating Syndrome
Night eating syndrome or Parasomnia is known as sleep-related eating. People suffering from this disorder have experiences of recurrent eating episodes while asleep, without actually being aware that they are actually doing it.
Sleeping Disorder #2 – Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a type of neurological sickness which is characterized by painful leg muscles, and abnormally unpleasant feeling of muscle dragging.
Sleeping Disorder #3 – Circadian Rhythm Syndrome
Some people tend to sleep early and wake up early in the morning and some cannot sleep early and as a consequence, they wake up late. These and other sleep-related problems are manifestations of a malfunctioning biological circadian clock and are characterized by several forms of Circadian Rhythm Syndrome.
Sleeping Disorder #4 – Conditioned Insomnia
Conditioned insomnia is characterized by persistent and worsening condition of the person suffering from the basic conditions of insomnia.
Sleeping Disorder #5 – Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a health condition far more serious, during this condition one’s breathing during sleep stops for a while, usually 10 seconds or even longer and could happen 5 to 45 times per hour.
Insomnia in Infants and Children
Similar to adults, insomnia can happen to children and infants for several reasons. Reasons why babies suffer from insomnia are:
• They seek attention from parents.
• They suffer from digestive ailments or infantile colic.
• Infants who are often hungry
• Teething
• Ill or afflicted by a disease.
Treating Insomnia
Insomnia can be treated by following some simple habits.
1. Follow a positive routine.
2. Do not drink coffee.
3. Refrain from smoking and drinking
4. Exercise or meditate at night.
5. Bedroom should be conducive to sleep.
6. Read books. Do not watch TV before sleep..
7. Relax
8. Drink root extract solutions meant for insomnia
9. Take melatonin with caution
10. Magnesium
11. Acupuncture or acupressure.
12. Consulting a psychologist or psychiatrist.
13. Curing with Behavior Modification.
Staying healthy and fit is very important. You can never be too sure these days, and a normal cough can turn into something very serious if not taken care of properly. Stay on top of your health.