Insomnia – A Common Sleep Disorder

Insomnia is one of the most prevalent illnesses of our time, striking adults and youngsters alike.

It exists as both a cause and an effect of other medical conditions, usually making it very difficult to cope with the needs and demands of daily life.

Simply put, insomnia can be understood to be a medical condition that is defined by problems of medical ill health, sleep disorders and invasive psychological issues. These problems come together to make functioning in daily life very difficult for the individuals suffering from insomnia. This is where the line between being either a sign or symptom is blurred.

Disturbed Sleep Patterns

The fluctuations in sleeping patterns make it impossible to have the required rest and energy, which interferes with normal, healthy routines. A defining trait of the condition of insomnia is a complete lack of effective functioning in everyday life and an inability to carry on with normal chores and work. In everyday usage, the term insomnia is used to refer to an inability to fall asleep or a pattern of waking, disturbed sleep.

Causes Of Insomnia

There are a number of causes of insomnia, some occur in the body naturally while others are a byproduct of habits and schedules. It has been found that regular lifestyle habits such as dependency on medications, drug abuse, dependency on caffeine, fluctuations in hormonal levels in the body and injuries can result in insomnia. Even psychological elements such as emotional disturbances, professional worries, personal dilemmas, anxiety and depression can cause one to begin losing out on sleep and then fall into a long-term habit.

Cures For Insomnia

There is a general misconception amongst most people that insomnia cures involve simply helping the person to go to sleep. However, the focus has to be on removing the triggering factor that is the root source of the condition. Treatments for insomnia are many and varied and some people try medication for insomnia.

There are prescription treatments, pharmacological methods, drugs for insomnia, natural means, non-pharmacological methods, psychological enablers, behavior therapy and professional counseling. One can choose a method or means that is most suited to one’s lifestyle, habits and preferences.

Natural Treatments For Insomnia

Natural treatment for insomnia symptoms involves stepping away from the route of medication and pharmacology. It usually involves focusing on changing habits, lessening the sources and effects of stress, improving attitude, identifying points of anxiety if any and basically undoing the causes of insomnia and learning how to fall back into a regular pattern of waking and sleeping. Non-medical treatments for insomnia have become increasingly popular with people who are concerned with making a lifestyle change and not only alleviating the problems and duress caused by the ailment.

Some means of non-pharmacological methods of curing insomnia include:

• Making small changes such as discarding habits like- naps in the daytime.
• Exercising after early evening.
• Drinking a lot of alcohol or caffeine on a regular basis.
• Sitting or working in a room with a lively atmosphere right before going to bed.
• Eating too soon before dinner.

These habits may seem very insignificant in daily life but when you pay attention to the kind of affect they have on the body and the fact that even the most minute alterations can cause the body to go completely off track you will realize that manipulating small moments through the course of the day can ensure a sound and long sleep when the time to do so finally rolls around later in the evening.

Psychological Causes Of Insomnia

If you have some emotional or psychological factor acting as a disturbance and hindering your natural sleeping pattern the best way to go about seeking treatment for chronic insomnia is to find a treatment for the anxiety. If you have some issue or topic that has been bothering you or some baseless fears or very real apprehensions keeping you awake, it might be very helpful to visit a psychologist. Counselors are trained in behavior therapy, which can be practiced in the form of cognitive therapy, relaxation techniques, meditation, acknowledging fears and facing up to them and learning to control reactions to stimuli.

One of the key elements of any behavior therapy is the practice of relaxation techniques. These practices are aimed at calming down the body, mind and soul and eliminating any stress causing factors that might be worsening the condition further.

An innovative approach to dealing with insomnia is to cordon off the bedroom and keep from doing any work or activity there. Counselors have found that using the bedroom only for sleeping and sexual activity helps people to establish a mental linkage and association with the bedroom. Working in the bedroom, eating, watching TV and the suchlike create an atmosphere that is too lively and upbeat.

Get The Sleep You Deserve

These tips give you a head start on the types of insomnia cures available. It’s not easy to figure out how to cure insomnia but keep trying and you will find what works for you. Hope you get the insomnia help you need for a great nights rest.

Other Sleep Disorders

Check out our other articles on information for other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.