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Insomnia – Causes and Treatments
And tips on getting a better nights sleep & Perscription Sleeping Pill Precautions
Up way past your bedtime trying to beat a high score in our online arcade?
Spend more time flipping your pillows over and over again rather than sleeping on them? You might have insomnia… or at least show symptoms similar to insomnia.
Want to get yourself into a better sleeping habit? I am not a doctor, just a person who has had sleeping problems since childhood.
The following article is based on bits of facts and a whole lot of personal opinions and experience.
Jump to: Tips on Sleeping Better
or Read on…
What is Insomnia?
Last update: Oct. 3rd – 2011
Insomnia is a tricky disease, if you even want to call it that.
Simply put, if someone answers yes to either of these questions, they may be considered suffering from insomnia:
“Do you experience difficulty sleeping?”
or
“Do you have difficulty falling or staying asleep?”
Insomnia is more of a symptom or product of lifestyle choices, in my opinion.
Types of Insomnia
There are two main types of Insomnia. One being Idiopathic which is a disorder where someone can’t sleep at all. Prolonged periods of this type of Insomnia can harm your body.
The other main form on Insomnia being Psycho Physiological which is a psychological issue and often related to stress and or lifestyle factors.e. This type is far more than common Idiopathic Insomnia.
Insomnia Treatments
One way to beat stress (and Insomnia) is to organize your life, make sure you’re not doing more then what your body can handle.
The real treatment is changing your lifestyle.
Meditation is a great option. Exercise during the afternoon to make yourself tired. Sleeping pills should be a last resort. Please try the following tips first. (more info on sleeping pills below)
My Quick Tips for Getting a Better Nights Rest:
Bolded tips are the most important. If you follow those 2 tips — you’ll be suprized how much these 2 simple tips can change your sleeping habits.
– Try the standard home remedies: warm baths, warm milk, herbal tea, etc..
– Lay off the caffeine in the afternoon and especially before bed. Do not drink coffee or other drinks with caffeine after 2pm.
– Tobacco, take it from a person who quits and starts smoking on a quarterly basis. Tobacco messes with your sleep. If you are really serious about getting into a normal sleeping pattern quit smoking. Even just quick for 2 weeks and see the difference.
– One of the best methods for curing sleep problems is simply keeping to a schedule. No matter what time you fall asleep always wake up at the same time. Even on weekends. No exceptions. If you stay up till 4am, and your wake up time is 8am — set your alarm and wake up at 8am. No matter how tired you are during the day, do not take a nap. By 11pm or so you will pass out happily. If you are skeptical just try this method for a week or two and see how it works for you.
– If no traditional methods work for you, you can try herbal supplements such as Valerian, Passion flower, Lavender, Hops, Wild lettuce, California poppy, Kava kava, St. John’s Wort or Melatonin. (Editors note: I’ve tried all of these without success — though a few friends swear by Melatonin), and be sure to talk to your doctor about herbal remedies before poisoning yourself).
– One thing that absolutely worked for me (but only for a short time)was 5-HTP. It is the precursor to Serotonin. Do a google search for 5-HTP and insomnia for more info.
Sleeping Pills
– Prescriptions for Insomnia such as Zopiclone and it’s cousins – Do these work? Oh ya. They will knock you out, and usually with some strange side effects too. Twitchy legs is a common side effect, the taste of metal in your mouth, etc. Tolerance is built fast to many of the popular insomnia drugs.
Blacking out and not remembering the last hour or so before you fall asleep is very common. But you will sleep. Drug companies push these drugs late on late night tv, go figure.
A prescription will most likely help you fall asleep, however the cost is high in both your wallet and your life. Prescription Anti-Insomnia drugs are expensive and almost always VERY ADDICTIVE.
Even newer drugs claiming to be non-habit forming are iffy in my book. Do an online search for these drugs the tv is pimping to you, and find out the good and the bad for yourself before diving in.
Good luck.
Disclosure: I am not a doctor.
But, I have been sleeping like a log for the last 5 years. Falling asleep within going to bed within 5 minutes, and sleeping a solid 6-8 hours…peacefully. Give my tips above a try.
Related Resources:
Blifaloo’s Guide to Polyphasic and Biphasic Sleep – Maybe normal (monophasic) sleep just isn’t for you. Learn about alternate sleeping patterns in this article.
Insomnia on Wikipedia – Covers types of Insomnia and various treatment (especially pharmacological) methods.
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