What are its effects and what can you do about it?
Insomnia is a medical condition in which there is a persistent difficulty in falling asleep or remaining asleep. It is basically sleeplessness that persists for days together. It is a very common sleep disorder and usually presents as irritability and a feeling of being unrefreshed after waking up for the day. It can have effects on the work performance, daily life and emotional state of the person suffering from insomnia. As humans, we have always been very curious about sleep and its associated slightly more occult topic of dreams- be it in the form of the popular creepy pasta The Russian Sleep experiment, or searching for meaning in our own dreams. However, sleep is something that is essential to life, adult requirement for sleep can vary but is usually between 7-8 hours for a refreshed state on waking up. Visit our website – Homeopathic Medicine online.
Symptoms of Insomnia or sleeplessness include:
- Difficulty in falling asleep
- Difficulty in remaining asleep
- Frequent waking up between sleep
- Day time tiredness and sleepiness
- Irritability and anxiety
- Difficulty in remaining focused
- Increased frequency of committing errors or mistakes
Irregularity in sleep can also lead to long term health conditions and can make you more prone to diseases such as hypertension and heart diseases.
Causes for Insomnia or a lack of proper sleep can vary from different reasons, some of the most common reasons are as follows:
- Increased Stress: Sudden increase in stress or a gradual buildup of apprehensions can have a negative effect on sleep. Being mindful of these and dealing with them effectively is the best solution for such troubles.
- Erratic Schedule: Whether it be a job requirement or a personal preference, staying awake at odd hours can mess up with the body’s natural circadian rhythm. This can lead to a loop of sleeping troubles and a more disturbed rhythm. Sleeping during the day time or frequent napping can also cause disturbances in a good night sleep.
- Poor Sleep Hygiene: This includes an irregular sleep routine, too much screen time before sleep and uncomfortable sleeping environment.
- Poor Diet: Having a heavy dinner before going off to sleep or eating too little for dinner can make you feel uncomfortable and unable to sleep better.
- Mental health issues: Conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD and bipolar disorder can also be the causes of insomnia. These require a medical professional for diagnosis and should be treated by one too.
- Medications: Certain medicines like those for asthma, blood pressure, allergies etc. can have an effect on the sleep cycle of the person.
- Increased intake of Stimulants: An increase or regularity in intake of stimulants such as alcohol, tobacco and caffeine can cause great disturbances in the sleep cycle and lead to general lethargy and tiredness throughout the day. Stimulants create a vicious cycle where the presenting symptoms such as tiredness, lethargy and headaches can be relieved only by their intake making it very easy to get addicted to them.
- Sleep Related disorders: Such as Sleep walking, sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome can cause an unrefreshed sleep and lead to insomnia.
Dealing with Insomnia:
The next big question that arises is that how one can deal with insomnia and sleeplessness.
Some of the habits that can be incorporated and tried before medical help is sought are as follows:
- Maintain a schedule to sleep and wake up on time even on off days.
- Exercise during the day to have a better sleep.
- Avoid or limit day time naps
- Limit the intake of stimulants or try to avoid them completely.
- Do not use the bed for studying or doing office work so that your body can associate it with sleep.
- Indulge in relaxing activities before sleeping such as reading or having a warm bath instead of screen time.
- Eat well throughout the day and avoid large meals at night.
There is also a Homoeopathic medicine for sleeplessness known as Omeo Sleep Drops that is very beneficial for such a condition and can be used before going to sleep. It contains incredible homoeopathic remedies such as Eschscholtzia californica, Lupulus, Passiflora incarnata and Zincum metallicum which work wonderfully on improving sleep without creating a dependency or having habit forming properties.
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Dr. Priyanka Motwani
Dr. Priyanka Motwani has completed her BHMS from the prestigious Nehru Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Delhi and holds a Post Graduate Program in Lean Six Sigma from Isenberg School of Management, The University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is currently the R&D Head at BJain Pharmaceuticals and has a zeal to learn more and more each day.