How to Deal with Insomnia?

Insomnia, also known as sleeplessness, is a sleep disorder which impedes a person’s sleeping habits, forcing them to stay awake for unreasonable periods of time. The condition tends to make people unsatisfied with their sleeping habits,leaving them annoyed and irritated.

People suffering from insomnia often face difficulties in maintaining their daily life routine as it affects their health in many hazardous ways. Fatigue, low energy levels, loss of concentration, and inefficient performance are some of the commonproblems faced by people suffering from insomnia.

Types of Insomnia

Insomnia can be characterized on the basis of duration and causes. Some of them include:

• Acute Insomnia
  Acute insomnia is caused by stress, tension or any other event that makesa person nervous. It usually lasts for a short period of time and can be cured without any special medical treatment.
• Chronic Insomnia
  Aperson is considered suffering from chronic insomnia if he/she experiences difficulty in sleeping for at least 3 nights per week. Nasal and sinus allergies, gastrointestinal problems, asthma, back pain, etc. are someof the major causes of chronic insomnia.
• Comorbid Insomnia
  Psychiatric problems such as stress and depression are the main reasons for comorbid insomnia. Certain medical conditions like arthritis and lower back pain are known to worsen the condition.

Treatment of Insomnia

Some of the effective ways to treat insomniac conditions include:

• Therapies
  Psychological and behavioral techniques including relaxation therapies, stimulus control and cognitive behavioral therapy help in improving sleeping habits. Relaxation therapy teaches people to relax their muscles, whereas stimulus control helps people by strengthening their association with sleep by limiting their bedroom activities.
  Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective ways of treating insomnia as it deals with behavioral changes including sleeping habits and timing. It challenges unhealthy beliefs to teach rational and positive thinking.
• Medical Treatments
  The Pharmaceutical industry in Indiamanufacturesdifferent types of high-qualitymedications for patients suffering from insomnia. Though medicinal treatment depends upon the type of insomnia and other health factors, all the medications must be taken under doctor’s supervision.
• Natural Herbs
  Many herbs including chamomile, passion flower, lavender, poppy, bitter oranges, etc. are known to help in treating insomniac conditions. Use of natural herbs like valerian is considered to be the most effective as it provides the amino acid glutamine and promotes the release of GABA.
• Food
  Foods including cherries, chicken, seafood, green vegetables, milk products and eggs help people in dealing with sleep deprivation, while foods including caffeine, sugar and alcohol compel a person to stay awake for longer durations.

Insomnia can be a troublesome condition if timely treatment is not ensured. If you’re suffering from insomnia, it is extremely important to visit a doctor to effectively recover from the condition and lead a normal life.