Insomnia: Swap It For A Good Sleep

Insomnia, the culprit behind sleepless nights, is a disorder that more than a third of adults suffer from and is something not to be made light of. Insomnia can be treated however.

Found mostly in females and aged people, insomnia is a common sleeplessness disorder that can be classified into:

(a) Short term insomnia---lasting from a few days to a few weeks, caused generally due to anxiety or stress,
(b) Intermittent insomnia---lasting from a few weeks to six months, and the disorder is of an irregular type with periods of restful slumber interspaced with sleeplessness
(c) Chronic insomnia--- the worst of the three, with durations of sleeplessness on a daily basis continuing throughout the month.

There are some very simple techniques and methods to improve insomnia, involving small alterations in your day to day living and sleep habits. Since the disorder is common in all age groups, maintenance of good lifestyle habits is essential for a good night's sleep.

While sleep needs vary from new born babies to young children, they also vary for men and women as well. While newborns need a good 16 hrs of sleep, for adults, 7-8 hrs a day is the standard. With age the need to sleep decreases and hence older people are more vulnerable to insomnia than the young. The general complaints that insomniacs have is that of tiredness owing to lack of energy, lack of concentration and irritation.

Lack of magnesium can affect sleep. A magnesium rich diet can enhance sleep in people with low levels of this element. Benzodiazepine, a type of tranquilizer, and the recent innovation "Z drug” are the first preferences of medics nowadays and can be accessed only on prescription by a registered medical practitioner.

Following is a list of treatments for insomnia that one might use.

1. Aromatherapy, which includes the use of various essential oils which help in relaxation. Jasmine oil and mahabhringaraj oil are some examples of such oils.
2 Meditation as a source of relaxation is highly effective.
3. Treatment can also be done with the help of Chinese traditional medicine.
4. A magnesium rich diet is also quiet helpful.
5. Melatonin is another effective drug used to regulate waking and sleeping patterns in individuals.
6. Limited intake of coffee, sodas, tea, chocolate, alcohol and nicotine etc.
7. Adequate amount of exercise, but not before bed, is good too.
8. Treatment for change of behavioral trends can induce new sleeping patterns along with teaching you how to make your environment appropriate for sleeping.

There is a wide range of alternative therapies and natural medicines out there that will help improve insomnia. In some cases with the right guidance and right treatment, insomnia can be cured.