INSOMNIA is one of the most common health concerns among adults. Insomnia causes sleep issues that interfere with daily life and can be debilitating for some people. Many factors may contribute to insomnia, including stress, medications, and an individual’s sleep habits and environment. 

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR INSOMNIA

The homoeopathic approach for the treatment of insomnia involves linking the mental health with general symptoms to understand the root cause of the condition and then administering a natural treatment to alleviate it gradually and effectively.

Homoeopathy for insomnia works by treating the underlying physical and psychological conditions that may be causing the disorder. 

There are number of medicines in homoeopathy which can be selected to treat sleeplessness which are safe, effective and not habit forming.

KNOW YOUR DISEASE

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep, or both, even if you have ample time and a bedroom environment conducive to restful sleep. An insomnia diagnosis requires these sleep troubles to also cause daytime impairments, such as sleepiness or difficulty concentrating.

TYPES OF INSOMNIA

There are two main ways that experts use to put insomnia into categories.

• Time. Experts classify insomnia as acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). The chronic form is known as insomnia disorder.
• Cause. Primary insomnia means it happens on its own. Secondary insomnia means it’s a symptom of another condition or circumstances.

SYMPTOMS OF INSOMNIA

• Difficulty falling asleep at night
• Waking up during the night
• Waking up too early
• Not feeling well-rested after a night's sleep
• Daytime tiredness or sleepiness
• Irritability, depression or anxiety
• Difficulty paying attention, focusing on tasks or remembering
• Increased errors or accidents
• Ongoing worries about sleep

CAUSES OF INSOMNIA 

Experts don’t fully know why insomnia happens, but the current understanding is that this condition can involve many factors. The factors that could cause or contribute include (but aren’t limited to) the following.

• Family history (genetics) .Sleep traits and conditions, including insomnia, seem to run in families.
• Brain activity differences. People with insomnia may have more active brains or brain chemistry differences that affect their ability to sleep.
• Medical conditions. Your physical health can affect your ability to sleep. This includes temporary illnesses like minor infections or injuries, or chronic conditions like acid reflux or Parkinson’s disease. Conditions that affect your circadian rhythm, your body’s natural sleep/wake clock, are also factors.
• Mental health conditions. About half the people with chronic insomnia also have at least one other mental health condition, like anxiety or depression.
• Life circumstances. Stressful or difficult life circumstances may not necessarily cause insomnia, but it’s very common for them to contribute to it.
• Life changes. Brief or temporary changes are often factors, including jet lag, sleeping in an unfamiliar place or adjusting to a new work schedule (especially shift work). Long-term changes, like moving to a new home, can also affect sleep.
• Your habits and routine. Your sleep habits (also known as sleep hygiene) can contribute to insomnia. That includes whether or not you take naps, when you go to sleep, if and when you consume caffeine, and other habits.

COMPLICATIONS OF INSOMNIA

When insomnia is severe or lasts a long time, it causes sleep deprivation. A major concern with sleep deprivation is daytime sleepiness, which can be dangerous if you’re driving or doing other tasks that require you to be alert and attentive.

Sleep deprivation can also increase the risk of certain conditions:

• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• High blood pressure (hypertension).
• Heart attack.
• Stroke.
• Obstructive sleep apnea.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Obesity.
• Conditions that involve psychosis.

DIAGNOSIS OF INSOMNIA  

Doctors generally diagnose insomnia by evaluating a person’s sleep habits and medical history. Typically, a patient’s description of their symptoms informs their insomnia diagnosis. A doctor may instruct patients to keep a sleep diary for a week or more, which can provide insight about a person’s sleep duration, perceived sleep quality, and lifestyle choices that may contribute to sleep problems. Other self-reporting diagnostic tools, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, may be used by medical professionals in a clinical setting to determine the severity of insomnia symptoms.  

HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MYSELF?

Some of the most important things you can do to help your insomnia and your sleep overall revolve around sleep hygiene. These include, but aren’t limited to.

• Set and follow a sleep schedule. For most people, the best thing you can do for your body and sleep needs is to have a routine. Have a bedtime and keep to it as closely as possible, including on weekends, holidays, and vacations etc. Try not to rely on napping, and avoid naps in the late afternoon or early evening, as these can affect your sleep cycle.
• Give yourself time to wind down. Put aside the concerns of the day before bedtime as best you can. Build in a buffer time between when you finish for the day and when you go to bed. That can help you get in the right frame of mind for sleep. If you can't fall asleep, try to do something relaxing or calming rather than remaining awake in bed.
• Get comfortable. Feeling comfortable is very important if you want to get quality sleep. Set your sleeping environment accordingly, including lighting, sounds and temperature.
• Put that device down. Electronic devices typically use types of light that trick your brain into thinking it’s not night-time. That can disrupt the release of chemicals that tell your brain and body that it’s time to sleep.
• Mind what you eat or drink. Eating or drinking too much and/or too late in the evening can affect your ability to sleep. Eating or drinking certain things can also affect your sleep, especially nicotine products or things that contain caffeine or alcohol.
• Stay active. Physical activity, even just walking, can help you get better quality sleep.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

AN OUTLOOK ON INSOMNIA – BY DR. SMRITI’S HOMOEOPATHIC HEALING

Sleep is something that people can take for granted until they aren’t getting enough of it. Sleeping is a critical component of your health. A lack of quality sleep can cause disruptions great and small in your overall health. Homoeopathy is effective, safe and natural treatment for insomnia which is not habit forming and can provide relief in both physical and psychological symptoms of insomnia. That way, you can put sleep-related concerns to rest and feel restored and ready when you wake up. As far as therapeutic medication is concerned, several remedies are available to treat insomnia that can be selected on the basis of individualisation and symptom similarity. For individualized remedy selection and treatment, the patient should consult a qualified homoeopathic doctor in person.