Cure Insomnia

When you have trouble falling or staying asleep, you have insomnia. Some of those who are afflicted with insomnia may fall asleep easily but wake up too soon. Other people may have the opposite problem, or they have trouble with both falling asleep and staying asleep. The end result is poor-quality sleep that doesn't leave you feeling refreshed when you wake up.

There are two types of insomnia. The most common type is called secondary sleep deprivation is a symptom or a side-effect of some other problem. Some of the problems that can cause secondary insomnia include:

* Illness, such as some heart and lung diseases
* Pain, anxiety, and depression
* Medicines that delay or disrupt sleep as a side-effect
* Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and other substances that affect sleep
* Another sleep disorder, such as restless legs syndrome; a poor sleep environment; or a change in sleep routine

By contrast, primary insomnia is not a side-effect of medicines or another medical problem. It is its own sleep disorder, and generally persists for least a month or longer.

Sadly, insomnia is very common. It can cause excessive daytime sleepiness and a lack of energy. Long-term insomnia can cause you to feel depressed or irritable; have trouble paying attention, learning, and remembering; and not do your best on the job or at school. Insomnia also can limit the energy you have to spend with friends or family.

Insomnia can be mild to severe depending on how often it occurs and for how long. Chronic insomnia means having symptoms at least 3 nights per week for more than a month. Insomnia that lasts for less time is known as short-term or acute insomnia.

Secondary insomnia often resolves or improves without treatment if you can eliminate its cause. This is especially true if the problem can be corrected soon after it starts. Better sleep habits and lifestyle changes often help relieve insomnia. You may need to see a doctor or sleep specialist to get the best relief for insomnia that is persistent or for which the cause of the sleep problem is unclear.

If you still think getting enough shut-eye isn't important, now researchers say too little sleep may affect how we see things.

A new study out of Duke University found the sleep-deprived brain in a healthy person can process simple visuals like a flashing chessboard. but as the brain becomes fatigued, its perception of the more complex visuals that combine to form our vision becomes distorted, even though the individual doesn't necessarily feel tired.

Doctors believe this type of reaction happens because the brain is fighting to stay awake, even though the lack of sleep is causing it to shut down. Scientists say these new findings can help them come up with better ways to help night workers stay alert.

And people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to have a higher risk of heart issues while flying than those who don't have the condition.

In a recent Australian study, researchers found people who suffered from the condition and were on a plane were more likely to experience higher physiological stress and low blood oxygen, which can raise heart rates. Doctors working on the study suggested these patients could benefit from extra oxygen during flight.

Many people experiencing sleep problems just want to get some sleep fast! But the causes of insomnia are complex and vary by each person. Several of the successful behavioral treatments for insomnia are time-intensive and require a lot of work by the person experiencing insomnia. The thought of a pill that can solve the problem quickly is very appealing. Unfortunately, sleep medications don't cure insomnia, and they can often exacerbate the problem over the long term.

Other concerns about the use of both over-the-counter and prescription sleeping pills include:

* development of drug tolerance
* development of drug dependence
* physical side effects
* interactions with other drugs or chemicals in the body
* withdrawal symptoms
* rebound insomnia

If you want to take medications to help you sleep because you are suffering from pain, are traveling, or just need to get some sleep, pay attention to the type of medication you choose and try to use the medication only when you really need it. If you also commit to making your sleep habits and sleep environment more conducive to sleep, you can limit the negative effects of sleep deprivation on your life.

You can walk into a drugstore and choose from an array of sleep aids that do not require a prescription. The main ingredient of over-the-counter sleeping pills is an antihistamine. Antihistamines are generally taken for allergies, but also make you feel very sleepy. Common over-the-counter sleep medications are Sleep-Eze, Sominex, Ambien, Nytol, and Unison; they contain antihistamines such as diphenhydramine hydrochloride, diphenhydramine citrate, or doxylamine succinate.

As a general rule, sleeping pils you can get over the counter are not a good option since they're not intended for long-term use. They can also interfere with mental alertness during the day, so you should avoid driving and other similar tasks. And sleep medications can actually reduce the quality of your sleep by reducing time you spend in deep sleep.

What are the causes of insomnia? The most common psychological problems include anxiety, stress, and depression. In fact, insomnia may be an indicator of depression. Many people will have insomnia during the acute phases of a mental illness.

Physiological insomnia causes span from circadian rhythm disorders, sleep-wake imbalance, to a variety of medical conditions. Following are the most common medical conditions that trigger insomnia:

*Chronic pain syndromes

*Congestive heart failure

*Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

*Degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer disease (Often insomnia is the deciding factor for nursing home placement.)

Certain groups are at higher risk for developing insomnia:

*Travelers

*Shift workers

*Seniors

*Adolescent or young adult students

*Those with chronic pain, cardiopulmonary disease

*Pregnant women

*Women in menopause

Insomnia causes can also be blamed on certain medications. Among them are certain over-the-counter cold and asthma preparations. The prescription varieties of these medications may also contain stimulants and thus produce similar effects on sleep. Medications for high blood pressure have also been associated with poor sleep. Common stimulants associated with poor sleep include caffeine and nicotine. You should consider not only restricting caffeine use in the hours immediately before bedtime but also limiting your total daily intake.

People often use alcohol to help induce sleep, as a nightcap. However, it is a poor choice. Alcohol is associated with sleep disruption and creates a sense of non-refreshed sleep in the morning.

A disruptive bed partner with loud snoring or periodic leg movements also may impair your ability to get a good night's sleep.

It is not uncommon for a woman to suffer from insomnia during pregnancy. This is often caused by the need to go to the bathroom regularly, a mind that's worked up over your impending child birth, cramps in the legs, or problems getting comfortable.

If you are pregnant, you must try to find some way to relax. If you are stressed out, it's going to be much harder to sleep. Try meditation, or if you are a person of faith, spend some prayer time alone. A warm bath is a good idea too. You want to have your mind as clear as possible before "hitting the hay". This is important even if you aren't about to give birth. But with all that's going on for a pregnant woman, this is especially important.

Is your insomnia during pregnancy caused because of a problem relaxing? Why not try a whole body pillow or a pillow specifically designed for pregnancy? This will support your ever-expanding stomach. Be sure to sleep with a pillow between your legs, as well as with a pillow underneath your stomach. This will support the uterus. And try lying on your side. Many women report success when doing this.

If frequent urination is disrupting your sleep, watch the amount of liquid you consume before going to bed. You definitely need fluids, but get them early in the day.

Many women also report insomnia during pregnancy because they are having trouble moving around when they are in bed. Silky pajamas or silky sheets can help with this.